March 5, 2006
“Blessed Is …”
Psalm 1

In this Psalm, the “Blessed man” is distinguished from the lost men of this world. We should study to be like him.

I. Note that the blessed man is distinguished (set apart) by His commitment to the Word of God – Psalm 1:1-2

Negatively, he avoids the progressive pull of sin at all its various stages – Psalm 1:1; Psalm 119:11 (worldly whirlpool)
1. He realizes he is vulnerable to certain temptations – Romans 7:21; Genesis 3:6; Hebrews 11:25
2. He avoids the path of the majority – Matthew 7:13-14

“Live fish swim up stream; dead ones go with it”
Alexander McClaren

3. He avoids what others might call small sin as he knows it leads to greater sin – Psalm 1:1; Romans 1:26-32
The seat of the scornful = “Abortion is forever, we shall not be moved!”
Steps of Backsliders:
(1) They choose to put their thoughts on things other than God, His law, and the judgment to come -- Because such things are not agreeable to the natural heart
(2) They gradually give up their inner spiritual duties such as secret prayer, controlling their lusts, vigilant watching, and the like -- Because such things are burdensome to Him who has taken His thoughts of Christ
(3) They shun the company of hot and lively Christians -- Because they remind them that they themselves are lukewarm
(4) They begin to grow cold to public spiritual duties such as Church and Prayer Meetings where God’s word is preached and His praises sung! -- Because their thoughts and hearts are out of place there
(5) They begin to perceives the specks of dust in the eyes of the godly -- Because this enables them to be blind in their own eyes and gives them a reason to throw all religion to the wind
(6) Next they began to spend time in company with loose and wanton persons (meaning people who are careless about God and Christianity)
(7) (A.) They begin to enjoy carnal conversation and enjoy the contemplation of sin (B.) They rejoice if they can find any evil in one who is counted honest that they may sin the more boldly
(8) They begin to play with little sins openly
(9) Lastly, They harden their hearts, and cast off all pretense of goodness!
JOHN BUNYAN

Positively, he commits himself to the Word of God – Psalm 1:2
1. It is his delight – Psalm 1:2; Jeremiah 15:16
2. It gets his time, “day and night” – Psalm 1:2
3. It gets more than reading, “meditates” – Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:11 (memorizes); 2 Timothy 2:15 A.U.G. Degree (studies)

II. Note that the blessed man is distinguished (set apart) by his condition in the sight of God – Psalm 1:3-4
1. The blessed man’s condition is like a tree – Psalm 1:3
A. Planted, not wild or uncared for – John 15:1-2
B. Planted favorably “by rivers of water” – Romans 8:28-29
C. Planted fruitfully – Psalm 1:3; John 15:5; Galatians 5:22-23
D. Planted prosperously – Psalm 1:3
2. The ungodly are like “chaff”- Psalm 1:4
A. Dry and lifeless – Ephesians 2:1
B. Light and unstable “wind drives away”- Ephesians 4:14

III. Note that the blessed man is distinguished (set apart) by his conquest by the grace of God – Psalm 1:5-6
1. The ungodly have no strength to stand in judgment – Psalm 1:5; Leviticus 26:27-37; Joshua 7:12-13; Judges 2:11-14; Psalm 5:4-6; Psalm 130:3; Isaiah 28:18; Nahum 1:5-6; Revelation 6:17
2. The Lord knows the way of the righteous – Psalm 1:6
A. It is a way lighted by God’s word – Psalm 119:105
B. It is the narrow way – Matthew 7:13-14
C. It is the WAY which is Christ – John 14:6
D. It is opposite of the way that “seems right to a man” – Proverbs 14:12; 16:25; Judges 2:19 “My way” Frank Sinatra
E. It is the way of those who “trust in the Lord” – Proverbs 3:5-6
F. It is the way to teach our children – Genesis 18:19
G. It is a way for which we should pray “show me now Your way” – Exodus 33:12-13; Psalm 86:11
H. It is the way God promises to make prosperous – Joshua 1:8
I. It is the way God preserves – Joshua 24:17
J. It is the perfect way, the way of victory – 2 Samuel 22:31-37
K. It is a way to hold to – Job 17:9
L. It is the way the Lord knows – Job 23;10-12; Psalm 1:6; 37:23
M. It is the way God will teach the humble – Psalm 25:8-12; 27:11; 32:8
N. It is the way to be revived to – Psalm 119:37
O. It is the way EVERLASTING – Psalm 139:24 (opposite: “the way of the ungodly shall perish”)

Pastor Arnold Brevick