CHRISTIAN STEADFASTNESS
September 14, 2021
A. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6

B. Praying from: PSALM 1

Blessed Ones
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Unfading Life
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Fall of the Wicked
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Way known
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

I. The saved man—vv. 1, 2
Blessed Ones
A. Happiness—“Blessed is the man.”
B. Habits.
1. Walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly. How can two people walk together unless they agree?—Amos 3:3.
2. Standeth in the way of sinners. The Christian’s life must be different from the sinner’s—2 Cor. 6:17.
3. Sitteth in the seat of the scornful. You cannot be a friend of the world and God both!—James 4:4.
C. Hope—v. 2. Man’s hope is in God’s Word. He delights in keeping His Word.

II. The successful man—v. 3
Unfading Life
A. He shall be like a tree (Ps. 1:3).
(1) Man is usually likened to changing grass, fading flowers, chaff (v. 4). But a tree is:
(a) A Fixed Thing.
Roots deep—“planted by rivers.” Trees do not plant themselves. God-planted—“trees of the Lord.”
(b) A Growing Thing.
“By the rivers of water.” Nutriment; best position.
(c) A Living Thing.
During winter and summer keeps on developing—“leaf also shall not wither.” God-imparted life.
(d) A Beautiful Thing.
“Like a tree.” Few objects in nature are so pleasing as a prosperous tree.

1. Symbol—“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.” Water speaks of life. Note Jesus’ words in John 10:10.

B. Success.
1. Practice—“That bringeth forth his fruit in his season.” A Christian should produce fruit—John 15:5, 8.
2. Perpetual—“His leaf also shall not wither.” This speaks of growth. See 2 Peter 3:18.
3. Prosperity—“And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” This speaks of success. See Josh. 1:8.

III. The sinful man—vv. 4, 5
Fall of the Wicked
A. Unsaved—v. 4. The chaff remains with the wheat for a short time, but soon is separated. The sinner may be near the Christian, but will be separated from him—Rev. 20:15.
B. Insecure—v. 5. The sinner will stand at the last judgment—Rev. 20:11–15. The Christian will be with God in heaven.

IV. The Saviour of man—v. 6
Way known
A. Protection—“For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous.” The steps of a Christian are led by God—Ps. 37:23. If in trouble, He will deliver us—Ps. 91:15.
B. Punishment—“But the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Those who believe are saved. Those who doubt will be lost—Mark 16:16. Those who refuse to believe in Christ are already lost—John 3:18.

Trees
In every path of timber you
In every wood unseen, unknown

Will always find a tree or two
They bear their burdens of their own

That would have fallen down long ago,
And bear as well another form,

Borne down by the wind or age or snow,
Some neighbor stricken in the storm.

Had not another neighbor tree
Shall trees be nobler to their kind

Held out its arms in sympathy
Than men, who boast the noble mind;

And caught the tree that the storm had hurled
Shall there exist within the wood

To earth. So neighbors, is the world
This great eternal brotherhood.

In every patch of timber stand
Of oak and pine, of hill and fen,

Samaritans of forest land,
And not within the hearts of men?

The birch, the maple, oak and pine,
God grant that men are like to these,

The fir, the cedar, all in line!
And brothers, brotherly as trees.

—Author Unknown

V. THE A-MEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27
16:20 “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. A-men.”
16:24 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. A-men.”
16:27 “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. A-men.”