{"id":828,"date":"2024-02-20T21:13:27","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T21:13:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=828"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:20:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:20:21","slug":"this-is-the-way","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/this-is-the-way\/","title":{"rendered":"THIS IS THE WAY!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THIS IS THE WAY!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good morning everyone! It\u2019s great to be with you today. May you never loose sight of the wonder of God\u2019s presence<\/strong> and the call to pursue Him. <\/strong>Because in the end\u2026that pursuit will lead you to the greatest joy (and genuine happiness) to be found\u2026on this side of heaven.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRANSITION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this week I read a staggering report (by the annual \u201cHarris Poll of American Happiness\u201d), which showed <\/strong>that nearly 70% of all Americans<\/strong> are unhappy with their lives. They are disappointed., depressed outdoor, and just dissatisfied. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While everyone is looking for happiness in life, it seems we are just looking in the wrong places. So, most try to find happiness in things \u2014 in the direct pursuit of things (i.e., a house, a job, a relationship, a toy, etc.). But, it seems that happiness is never really found by a direct pursuit <\/strong>\u2014 it seems be more of a by-product of something else.<\/strong> And it\u2019s this other pursuit that God\u2019s Word <\/strong>speaks of quite a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, this morning I want to call your attention to a powerful passage of scripture for those who want to find true happiness in this life<\/strong>.\u00a0It\u2019s a passage that calls us to choose the path we will walk in life very carefully. Because, there\u2019s really only one way to happiness, and<\/strong> blessing<\/strong>, and godly<\/strong> success<\/strong> in this life.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Just one way. Only one<\/strong>\u2026and it\u2019s the way <\/strong>of righteousness. God\u2019s way. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can hardly talk about \u201cThe Way!\u201d<\/strong>, without being reminded of a phrase spoken quite often in the new Star Wars <\/strong>saga, Mandalorian<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, I realize most of you may not be familiar with the Mandalorians<\/strong>, unless you have a teenage son in your house. Because, they are a fictional group of people from the planet Mandalor<\/strong>. They are a strong but honorable people \u2014 really a warrior clan.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And throughout the show, these warriors<\/strong> will say to each other, \u201cThis is the Way!\u201d<\/strong> It usually comes after they have acted selflessly, or honorably, or were victorious in battle.\u00a0It\u2019s sort of their code of conduct, their mantra, or creedal cry. So they say, \u201cThis is the Way!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, the Old<\/strong> Testament<\/strong> book of Psalms<\/strong> begins with a very similar creedal cry. Only this one comes from the pen of King David. And, it too stands as a mantra \u2014 a mantra for<\/strong> God\u2019s<\/strong> people<\/strong>. It was written to lead us into wisdom. And it was placed at the beginning of the book of psalms to sort of set the course for us. To offering us spiritual compass<\/strong> of sorts \u2014 to point us towards the way of<\/strong> blessing<\/strong> in this life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And more significant than that of the Mandalorians<\/strong>, Psalm 1<\/strong> reminds us \u2014 as those who trust in the Lord<\/strong> \u2014 for us, <\/em>\u201cTHIS IS THE WAY!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MESSAGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you have your Bible<\/strong>, turn with me to Psalm 1<\/strong> \u2014 and follow along as I read. Before we ready it let me tell you a little about it. This psalm acts as an introduction to this entire book. Charles Spurgeon (a great pastor from a previous generation), said it was the most beautiful and powerful of all the psalms. For what it addresses in 6 verses, the entire book of psalms seeks to explain in another 149 more lengthy psalms. It is also helpful to know\u2014that the author is unknown. Because of its similarity to wisdom<\/strong> offered in the book of Proverbs<\/strong>, some have suggested that it may have been Solomon<\/strong> (David\u2019s<\/strong> son<\/strong>), who wrote it to be an introduction to His father\u2019s psalms (which follow). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever the case, it is God\u2019s<\/strong> Word<\/strong> \u2014 directed by the Holy<\/strong> Spirit<\/strong> to be penned for our benefit. And here (in verse 1<\/strong>) the psalmist<\/strong> says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/em><\/strong> Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, <\/em>2<\/em><\/strong> but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. <\/em>3<\/em><\/strong> That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither\u2014whatever they do prospers. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4<\/em><\/strong> Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. <\/em>5<\/em><\/strong> Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. <\/em>6<\/em><\/strong>For the Lord watches over <\/em>the way of the righteous<\/em><\/strong>, but <\/em>the way of the wicked<\/em><\/strong> leads to destruction.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 1:1-6 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In essence\u2026the author<\/strong> tells us,\u201cTHIS IS THE WAY!\u201d <\/strong>And so, I want to begin this morning where he left off. In verse 6<\/strong>, the writer<\/strong> tells us,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 <\/em><\/strong>For the Lord watches over <\/em>the way of the righteous<\/em><\/strong>, but <\/em>the way of the wicked<\/em><\/strong> leads to destruction.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He says, in this life you have a choice \u2014 a choice between two ways. Both are available<\/strong>, but only one is good<\/strong>. Both are inviting<\/strong>, but only one is rewarding<\/strong>. Both make grand<\/strong> promises<\/strong> \u2014 but only one follows<\/strong> through<\/strong> and leads to true blessing. There are two paths<\/strong>, but they lead in opposite directions.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014One is watched over by God<\/strong>. It is a way defined by His<\/strong> grace<\/strong>, His protection<\/strong>, His goodness<\/strong>, and His blessing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014But the other way is a way of danger<\/strong>. It\u2019s unguarded<\/strong>, unprotected<\/strong>, and certainly unwise<\/strong>. While it promises grand things and sweet rewards, It rarely delivers. Mostly, it\u2019s just a way of pain and disappointment. Rather than blessing \u2014 it leads to destruction<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both ways stand before us all. But only one leads to LIFE<\/strong>…real life, the best life. And so, the psalmist<\/strong> says \u2014 choose God\u2019s<\/em><\/strong>path<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em> Because THIS IS THE WAY!<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To do so, the psalmist<\/strong> urges us to\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. EXAMINE YOUR INFLUENCES.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know this may sound a bit basic to some of you \u2014 but it\u2019s something often overlooked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here God<\/strong> calls us to give attention to the influences<\/strong> within our life\u2019s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than just going through the motions and allowing life to happen, he calls us to live with purpose. To live with intentionality \u2014 and to be careful about that which we allow to surround us (or shape our thinking). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to INFLUENCE<\/strong>, we are told repeatedly to be careful who we hang with and listen to. Because those who surround us will either lift us up, or they\u2019ll tear us down. They\u2019ll either add to the value of our lives, or their influence will undermine and devalue the work of God within us.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bible has a lot to say about this. <\/strong>In the opening verse of this Psalm,<\/strong> it reminds us how critical the issue of influence is within our lives. Listen again to what it says. He says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/em><\/strong>Blessed<\/em><\/strong> is the one <\/em>who does not <\/em><\/strong>walk in step with the <\/em>wicked<\/em><\/strong> or <\/em>stand in the way that <\/em>sinners<\/em><\/strong>take<\/em> or <\/em>sit in the company of <\/em>mockers<\/em><\/strong>,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 1:1 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy in life to become surrounded by the wrong influences in life. But it takes intentionality to surround yourself with the right people. And so \u2014 God<\/strong> says, make it your priority <\/strong>to examine  the influences you allow to get close to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because, those who are blessed<\/strong> in life \u2014 are those who are careful to guard their hearts and minds.<\/strong> We must never allow the influence of the ungodly<\/strong>, the perverse<\/strong>, and the faithfulness<\/strong> to become more influential than the voices of the godly<\/strong> and the instruction of<\/strong> God\u2019s<\/strong> Word<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bible continually calls us to this practice. Consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proverbs 4:23<\/strong> \u2014 which says, <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAbove all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.\u201d<\/em> Solomon<\/strong> is saying, if your heart is unhealthy, it will threaten everything around you (your family, your friends, your career, your future\u2026everything)<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bible tells us that our thoughts often dictate who we become\u2026and our companions and friends often dictate how we think. So, be on-guard, watch out for your soul\u2026protecting our minds \u2014 because that which gets in us, will ultimately direct our choices in life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To this point, Proverbs 12:26<\/strong> warns us, <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c<\/em>The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proverbs 12:26 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this same vane of caution, this psalm<\/strong> says, if you want to have a blessed life, then examine the influences in your life<\/strong>. And don\u2019t allow ungodly people <\/strong>to shape how you think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because, the way of the wicked will always bring you down! Just notice the downward<\/strong> progression<\/strong>describes in verse 1. It says, <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/em><\/strong> Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the <\/em>wicked<\/em><\/strong> or stand in the way that <\/em>sinners<\/em><\/strong> take or sit in the company of <\/em>mockers<\/em><\/strong>,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The downward path of bad-influence happens like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014First of all, there\u2019s an association<\/strong>. You walk along their path<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Then there\u2019s an identification<\/strong>. You begin to stand in alliance<\/strong> with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014And finally, there\u2019s a participation<\/strong>. As you begin to sit down and settle into<\/strong> their space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul<\/strong> echoes this<\/strong> point when he writes to the Corinthians believers <\/strong>and says,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Do not be misled: \u2018Bad company corrupts good character.” <\/em>(1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXAMINE THE INFLUENCES IN YOUR LIFE. <\/strong>And, choose to surround yourself with godly people who demonstrate honor<\/strong>, and faith<\/strong>, and integrity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That doesn\u2019t mean you avoid the lost<\/strong> \u2014 but it means you always stand up for faith and feed your heart and mind on the words of the righteous<\/strong> rather than the words of the ungodly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In essence, YOU BE THE INFLUENCER <\/strong>of the lost, rather than be influenced by them! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

THIS IS THE WAY! <\/strong>Secondly, Psalm 1<\/strong> says\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. EMBRACE GODLY THINKING.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What we think is important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t have to live out the spiritual decline described in verse 1<\/strong>. In fact, in verse 2 <\/strong>it offers us an antidote to that tragic path. And it\u2019s found in the WORD OF GOD! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As verse 2 <\/strong>states,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2<\/em><\/strong> Blessed is the one\u2026 <\/em>2 <\/em><\/strong>\u2026whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 1:2 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The psalmist<\/strong> says, the blessed life is deeply connected to right thinking. And right thinking is shaped by feasting upon God\u2019s Word. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blaise Pascal <\/strong>oncesurmised that everyone is after the same thing in life \u2014 he called it happiness. It happens to be the same thing that David is describing here in this psalm, and something Jesus said He came to give us (and that is a full life, a blessed life, and abundant life).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pascal<\/strong> went on to say, \u201c<\/strong>All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end\u2026This is the motive of every action of every man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone wants to be happy.<\/strong> And the world is quick to give you a prescription for how to find it in life. In fact, if you search online today \u2014 you\u2019ll discover over 1 billion search results<\/strong> for that phrase, \u201cHow to be happy.\u201d<\/strong> Everyone has an opinion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that\u2019s why the Word of God is so important to our lives. Because in the Word<\/strong>, God<\/strong> has made it clear that the universal human longing for happiness<\/strong>, can only be satisfied by the One<\/strong> who gave us that longing in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And David<\/strong> understands this. So, he says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2<\/em><\/strong> Blessed is the one\u2026 <\/em>2 <\/em><\/strong>\u2026whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 1:2 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we DELIGHT ourselves in God\u2019s Word <\/strong>and  meditate upon His law,<\/strong> it will shape our souls <\/strong>and lead us down the right path<\/strong>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As D. L. moody<\/strong> once said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God didn\u2019t give us the Scriptures to increase our knowledge,\u00a0(He gave us the Scriptures)\u2026to change our lives.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that happens as we take it, read it, study it, ponder it, and live it out! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough that we affirm<\/strong> the Bible<\/strong> to be the Word of God.<\/strong> We must read<\/strong> it and receive<\/strong> it. We must embrace<\/strong> it! We must trust<\/strong> it, and accept<\/strong> it, and learn<\/strong> it, and lean into <\/strong>it, and apply<\/strong> it to our lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because, it\u2019s God\u2019s<\/strong> Word<\/strong>! It\u2019s not a rule<\/strong> book<\/strong> or a reference<\/strong> tool. It is the Words of life! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why God<\/strong> instructed Joshua<\/strong> (as he took over the lead for Moses<\/strong>), as he directed the path for the people<\/strong> of<\/strong> Israel<\/strong> \u2014 He said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joshua 1:8 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Piper<\/strong> has written, \u201cthe only hope against the pleasures of the <\/em>WORLD<\/em><\/strong>are the pleasures of the <\/em>WORD<\/em><\/strong>. And just like the pleasures of the <\/em>world<\/em><\/strong> are <\/em>awakened by looking at them\u2026<\/em>so the pleasures of the <\/em>word<\/em><\/strong> are awakened\u2026by looking at them.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll never be able to meditate<\/strong> upon that which you have not first given your attention to<\/strong>. That\u2019s why a casual glance in God\u2019s Word is never enough!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We must delight in God\u2019s Word \u2014 and FULLY EMBRACE GODLY THINKING! It has the power to change our lives. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the New<\/strong> Testament<\/strong>, the apostle<\/strong> Paul<\/strong> writes about this in 2 Timothy 3:16<\/strong> and says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, the Bible<\/strong> carries this authority because, in some way, it has been uniquely inspired, breathed out, by God<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014He says, it\u2019s useful for teaching<\/strong> [that it tells us which path to walk],<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014It\u2019s useful for rebuking<\/strong> [or showing us where we\u2019ve taken wrong turns & strayed from His path], <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014It\u2019s useful for correction<\/strong> [God’s Word tells us how to get back on the path],<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014And, it\u2019s useful for training<\/strong> in<\/strong> righteousness<\/strong> [That it tells us how to stay on the right path].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we embrace the Bible<\/strong>, we also embrace God\u2019s<\/strong> rules<\/strong> for<\/strong> life<\/strong>. And, God’s<\/strong> law<\/strong> — his guiding principles and commandments for our lives are exceedingly good \u2014 and good for us.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality, they act as guardrails<\/strong> along the pathway of our lives.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s why it\u2019s not enough to just reject the ways of the world, we also must turn towards the things of God. And we discover this path \u2014 this way, through the guidance of His Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, let me challenge you today. Make it your practice to daily study God\u2019s Word. And as you read it, dwell on it, delight in it, and meditate upon it. As you do \u2014 ask God to help you understand how it is to be applied to your life \u2014 and lived out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because every passage holds a principle that can be practiced in life \u2014 and doing so will lead to a transformation of your heart and blessing upon your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

THIS IS THE WAY. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examine your influences. Embrace Godly thinking. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And lastly\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. EXPECT GOOD FRUIT.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, the psalmist<\/strong> caps off this beautiful psalm with a word of promise. For those who will examine the influences of their lives \u2014 and intentionally avoid those ungodly voices. And instead, will embrace God\u2019s Word and Godly thinking, then the expect to be productive in life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than that \u2014 we can expect to live prosperous lives<\/strong>, producing good fruit all of our days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen again to the promise found in verse 3<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3<\/em><\/strong> That person is <\/em>like a tree<\/em><\/strong> planted by streams of water, <\/em>which yields its fruit in season<\/em> and whose leaf does not wither\u2014 <\/em>(and get this) whatever they do prospers<\/em><\/strong>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 1:3 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we live according to the WAY OF THE LORD \u2014 continually connected to the Word of God, then we can be sure God will honor that Word, and will produce within us GOOD FRUIT IN SEASON. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t describing the kind of fruit we have shipped into the Upstate during the winter months \u2014 that kind of fruit that is grown in more tropical areas, but picked green, and then shipped here. That kind of fruit that looks good on the outside, but the inside is hard and bitter, lacking sweetness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s saying the fruit of our lives will be like the strawberries that are IN SEASON today. Those which are BIG<\/strong> and RIPE<\/strong> and SWEET<\/strong> and FLOODED WITH FLAVOR<\/strong>. That\u2019s the kind of good fruit your life will produce when you stay connected to God through His Word. When you walk the WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS<\/strong>, your life will be just as sweet and impressive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, make no mistake about it. The fruit of your life (and mine), isn\u2019t dependent upon your ability \u2014 but rather your proximity to the source. When you root down into the flow of God\u2019s Word, His presence cultivates your heart (pruning away that which is a hindrance). And the supernatural empowerment of His Spirit will work through you\u2026allowing you to produce the good fruit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fruit isn\u2019t something we produce by laboring \u2014 simply by abiding. Abiding in Jesus and His work in us. You see, it comes from the inside\u2026out as He works through us. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

APPLICATION:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n