Many people seek to find purpose and happiness in things other than in God.  Because of that, Psalm 1 portrays a contrast between what God intends life to be and how it often becomes due to our pride, selfishness, and sin.  The cry of wisdom is to discover the contrast of righteousness and ungodliness.  Notice the progression of posture in Psalm 1 as we move from walking, to standing, to sitting, and to wallowing in sin.

Psalm 1:1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers”

This describes a slippery slope that every person stand the risk of living.  Any convicted felon would describe the progression of small decisions that led him to a place he never intended to be.  There is a dangerous slippery slope of sin that we must all be guarded against in our life.  Blessed is the man who intentionally establishes some boundaries in his life and who doesn’t walk, stand, or sit with the unGodly.

Perhaps you look at your life and realize that you are in a position or place that you never intended to be.  I can assure you that there is hope for you.  Andy Stanley gives great insight in his study called, “The Best Question Ever”. His counsel suggests that we often ask the wrong question as to is something right or wrong.  Perhaps the better question to ask is “what is the wise thing to do”.

Perhaps if we can learn to effectively discern what is wise we can prevent the progression of walking, standing, and sitting in unrighteousness.  I challenge you today to practice asking the right question and discern wisdom in regard to our relationships, career, and life.  Wisdom is the key to avoid pitfalls and failures.

Finish this statement: Opposites _________.  Yes they do, they attract.  It is funny how opposites tend to attract.  Sometimes those attractions are good things and sometimes they are not.  Opposites create a contrast from one thing to another.  Psalm chapter 1 – it is all about opposites or contrasts between righteousness and wickedness.

This is a very familiar passage. Probably like me, if you but grew up in the church, you memorized this somewhere along the way or at least part of it.

PSALM 1: The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001

“1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;”

Blessed is the man! Blessed is a familiar word which often is translated as “happy”.  Literally this word could be translated as “set on the right path”.  Have you ever been driving down the road and the familiar voice in your GPS politely screams, “make a U-turn”.  When you finally realize you are on the right road and headed in the right direction there is a sense of happiness and peace.  That feeling describes the concept of “blessed”.  The purpose and peace of God’s design is a relationship with Him where we know that we headed in the right direction  despite what bumps in the road may occur.  The blessed hope and peace of knowing that you are headed in the right direction is not an exclusive privilege   God is not willing that any should perish but that all shoudl come to repentance   If there has never been a time when you have trusted in the blessed hope and direction that comes by faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ; I urge you today to consider walking in that direction.  If you would like to learn more about how to have a relationship with God, please click here to be redirected to my church’s webpage where you can read about how you can have a relationship with God.

To listen to this full sermon titled “Real Tree”  click here

I have struggled with sin and stumbled in an area I thought I had under control.

1. I’d commit to never look at porn but would them give into temptation
2. I’d commit to never go in debt but then would pull out a credit card

I would live the out frustration, anger, and guilt.  None of these options are God’s plan and design.  In those moments, my life would echo Paul’s frustration at he penned, “Romans 7:15: For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

You have done the same.  Maybe you sat around a bonfire at a youth camp and shared of your commitment to Christ, but when the heat turned up in your life you wavered.  In fact most people who sit with tears of regret after making a major mistake confess that they never intended to be where they are.

• the unfaithful husband once stood before an altar and confessed faithfulness
• the guilty investor once claimed to be a wise steward
• the shamed cheater once claimed to be honest by signing a pledge
• the student who gives up their virginity once signed a True Love Waits card

The reality is that anybody is capable of doing anything given the right set of circumstances. This is not a new idea and the problem was very prevalent in Scripture:

Galatians 1:6 –I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel

How can we avoid this?

1. Walk in freedom as you understand your identity in Christ 
   1. Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2. Live in humility 
3. Expect temptation from the Enemy 1 Peter 5:8
4. Create guardrails
5. Establish and Maintain accountability

2:4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ga 2:4). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

I know that Paul’s journey to the Jewish Council was not a masquerade ball.  However, as we read in Galatians 2:4 there are clearly participants in disguise who are working to unravel the truth of the Gospel.  Paralleling Acts 15:24, Paul’s engagement at the Jerusalem Council was joined by secretive atttacks against the life and ministry of freedom and the extension of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

It is important to note who these dissenters were – false brothers.  Whether translated as “false brothers”, “false apostles”, or “false prophets”, we are observing a group of people who are not really “In Christ”.  These unbelievers were contaminating the Council.  Perhaps this was for political gain, for religious influence, or other gain, but the fact remains that these unbelievers were attacking the move of God.

It is likely that these critics were of traditional Jewish origin, or Judaizers, and were trying to combat the growing move of “followers of the Way”.  In modern times, churches often experience conflict between “false believers” who simply particpate our of tradition and not out of a genuine relationship with Christ.  If Christ is in us, His Spirit will guide us; and in theory should guide a church in the same direction with one spirit and for one purpose.  This goal of unity of the aim of the church and the bane of the Enemy.

1:24 And they glorified God because of me.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 

Those who heard and witnessed the change in Paul recognized the source of change as being God on high.  This recognition could have come through conversation with Paul, first hand observations of Paul, or rumored news of Paul.

The significance of this verse is that it the church was praising God and advancing His name.  This example of the New Testament church serves as a standard for the modern day church to follow.  It is our mission to make the name of Christ known and Great! John 12:32 reminds us that God will do the work of drawing men if we will remain committed to lift Him up!

1:7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ga 1:7). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Paul stresses the importance of guarding and protecting the pure integrity of the Gospel.  It should not be added to or taken away from.  The language Paul uses or ‘not there there is another one’ suggests the emphasis of existence.  Paul is emphasizing that there is only one Gospel and none others exists.

The reality is that there were some who distorted the Gospel of Christ (note the possessive tense).  Paul’s emphasis on one Gospel written by one Author draws a line in the sand of firm establishment that no other variation of the Gospel will be even be considered.  In this historical context the issues of circumcision and observance of holy days had been established as an additive to the Gospel, which Paul quickly resisted.