Series #1 The Blessed Life Begins With God

Introduction: Scripture Reading Psalm 1:1-3
Everyone is searching for happiness, but few know where to find it. The book of Psalms opens with a secret: blessedness—or true happiness—begins with God. The word translated “blessed” in the KJV is the Hebrew word “Esher” which means happiness or “how happy”.

1. The Negative Path to Avoid (Psalm 1:1)
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly."

Happiness begins by avoiding ungodly influences.
Note the progression: walking, standing, sitting. Sin creeps in gradually.
- I Pet. 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”; Gen. 4:7 “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”
- Sin is patient; sin will wait for a good time to pounce, but it will not just run or charge after you.
Separate from evil advice, sinful behavior, and scornful attitudes.

2. The Positive Delight to Embrace (Psalm 1:2)
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord."

The blessed or happy man finds joy in God's Word.
Not mere duty, but delight in Scripture.
- Rom. 14:15 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
- When we read about all the evil the Israelites did in the OT, we should be happy knowing that God is giving us an example of what NOT to do and how to make him happy.
Meditation on God's Word brings transformation. [Rom. 10:17]
- Transformation brings about a whole new person. Paul talks about the old man of sin several times in his letters. Rom. 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
  - Rev. 4:11 “ Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
  - The word translated here as ‘pleasure’ is the same word translated in Rom. 12:2 as ‘will’; thelema: thel-ay-mah
  - Our happiness should come because we know that we are doing what makes God happy; not what makes us happy.

3. The Blessed Results to Expect (Psalm 1:3)
"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water..."

Stability: Planted firmly.
Fruitfulness: Brings forth fruit in season.
Endurance: His leaf shall not wither.
Prosperity: Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
- Eph. 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”
  - Almost every time we read the phrase ‘in Christ’ in the NT, it refers to being in the Gospel, walking in the light (I Jn 1:7). The only way to receive spiritual blessings and true happiness is to follow God’s Word and His Will (or be “in Christ”) for the sole reason that we love Him and want Him to be happy.

Conclusion: *We should WANT to serve God and make Him happy!
Happiness is not found in possessions, fame, or pleasure (these things only last for a season or a short time as the Hebrew writer said in chapter 11), but rather happiness is found in a God-centered life grounded in His Word. [Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.]*