Scripture: Acts 14:22-23

C.I.: With a Song in My Heart

Each of us expresses ourselves in different creative ways (building, painting, drawing, cooking, etc.).
For David – a person described as “…a man after God own heart,” - it was singing.
Today as we begin a new series – we will learn – how we can get closer to the heart of God – via the Psalms!

I. PSALMS: Described and Psalm 1 Detailed!

A. What are “The Psalms”?

1. A psalm is a religious song which is sung for the benefit of one of two audiences:
a. Some psalms are sung from the heart of God – into the hearts of men.
1) These psalms God uses to teach us about his/our nature, His will and actions towards usn.
2) “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God,’” 14:1.
3) “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart,” 73:1.
4) We have commands in the N.T. – for us to sing songs – which do exactly that same thing.
5) (Col. 3:16), “…teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual….”
6) Can songs teach?: “The Alphabet Song,” “???Rubber Tree Plant,” “N.T. Books.”

b. Most of the psalms - are sung from the heart of man – to the heart of God.
1) These psalm are prayers set to music - they form the majority of the Psalms.
2) We have other commands in the N.T. telling us to sing – in exactly the same way.
3) (Heb. 13:15), “Through Jesus let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name,” - (song #789).
4) So as you read through the Psalms, - ask yourself, “Is God teaching me something about Himself in this psalm, - or does this psalm reflect the prayer of my heart towards God?”

B. Psalm 1: God Contrasts the Righteous and the Wicked

1. God’s approval (“blessedness”) of the righteous – is bestowed – because of two things:
a. What he doesn’t do, (v. 1)!
1) “How blessed is the man who does not walk/wicked, stand/sinners, sit/scoffers.”
2) Note sin’s progression (wicked, sinners, scoffers) – and man’s descent into it (walk, stand, sit).
(i) “Wicked” = Evil plans, Gen. 5:6, “The Lord saw the wickedness of men was great…!”
(ii) “Sinners” = Those who violate the will of God in word or deed, I John 3:4.
(iii) “Scoffers” = Mock God and those who follow Him, II Pt. 3:3-4, “Know this first….”
3) Not a physical isolation from the world – but a spiritual one (Jn. 17:14-15).

b. What he does do, (v. 2)!
1) “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”
2) We are not - WHO we think we are – but we are WHAT we think – (Phil. 4:8).
3) Therefore, notice the focus of a man after God’s own heart!!! – (Rom. 8:5-6), “Those who are according to the flesh set their minds … but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace!”

c. Four characteristics of the Righteous (v. 3):
1) They receive their nourishment from God – “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams...
(i) Water is essential for the growth of plants – this one is at the best possible location.
(ii) For us to grow – we need to receive our nourishment from the best source!
(iii) Righteous individuals are characterized by staying close to Jesus & His word - (Jn. 15:3-4), “You are already clean because of the word…. - Abide in Me and I in you. – As the branch cannot bear fruit unless it abides in the vine, - so neither can you, unless you….”
2) They bear fruit for the Lord – “…which yields its fruit in its season.”
(i) Since Christ & His words fill our lives – then our lives should produce fruit for the Lord.
(ii) (Jn. 15:5, 8), “I am the vine you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you … By this is My Father glorified, that you bear...
(iii) “Fruit of Spirit” vs. Disciples? – God’s work within us – produces God’s will outside us
3) The things they do endures – “…its leaf does not wither”
(i) Since our fruit is brought forth by Jesus and His word – then that fruit will last!
(ii) (I Cor. 3:14), “If any man’s work which he has built upon it (the foundation of Jesus Christ) remains, he shall receive a reward.”
4) The things they do thrive – “And in whatever he does, he prospers.”
(i) Because the righteous receive their nourishment from Jesus and His word – God has promised them that their lives will flourish!
(ii) (Jn. 10:10), “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, I have come that you may have LIFE – and have it abundantly!”

2. Contrast of the “Now & Then” of the Wicked and the Righteous, (vs. 4-5)

a. The wicked are not like the righteous while on earth, (v. 4).
1) “The wicked are not so.”
2) They do what they shouldn’t (recount - v. 1) & don’t do as they should (recount - vs. 2-3).
3) Their lives are NOT characterized by that which is seen in those who abide in Jesus, (v. 3)!
4) Their lives will not thrive – “They are like chaff which the wind drives away.”

b. The wicked are not like the righteous in the Judgment, (v. 5)
1) “Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the R.”
2) Everyone stands in judgment (II Cor. 5:10) – wicked to be condemned (Rev. 20:15), “And if anyone’s name was not found written…” - righteous to receive their reward, (Matt. 25:34).

c. God concludes this song – by bringing it full circle – that we may not miss its message (v. 6)!
1) “For the Lord approves (remember, “Blessed,” v. 1 = approved by God) – the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”

CONCLUSIONS:

1. So as God has sung to your heart this morning – what did your heart think as He sang to you?! – Did the
lyrics of His song touch you – and make you want to walk more closely to Him? – Or…?

2. Today if you want to respond to His song – and receive the forgiveness He desires for you to have…!