Sermon #4 @ St. Paris UMC (7.19.09)

Pastor Dave Kepple

Text: Psalm 1

Title: “Two Paths”

Date: July 19, 2009 (7th Sunday after Pentecost)


Internet Link for primary scripture texts used in this sermon:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%201&version=31


I’ve noticed that the signboard on the Lutheran church down the street says they welcome people “with open psalms.”
I like that, but then – for a lot of reasons -- I like the Psalms. (We’ll talk some more about that another time.)
Today we’re going to take a look at one of the Psalms, specifically the very first one.
What we have in Psalm 1 is very much an introduction – an overview – for the entire collection of 150 Psalms.
In fact, in some of the earliest manuscripts of the Old Testament, there is no number assigned to this first Psalm – apparently because its function was to be an introduction for all that follows in the book.
So when the first psalm speaks of there being two ways in which people can go in this life, it is setting the tone for all the others.
And though it speaks of a man, the words of the psalmist clearly apply to men, women, teen-agers, even to young boys and girls. This message is for everyone. It is a simple message, and yet a profound one.
When all is said and done, there are two paths we can choose from . . . the way of the righteous – which we might call “the godly way,” and the way of the wicked – or the ungodly.
The ungodly way is the path of those who drift into sin and who – sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly -- get comfortable with it, who accept sinfulness as a way of life because anything else is just too hard.
Those who choose the way of the ungodly are certainly not alone – for there are many who take this path, even within the body of believers. Yet they may feel alone much of the time, because they are, in effect, choosing to live apart from God. And when we do that, we always feel alone, no matter how many people may be around us.
The end results of the ungodly path are described in verses 4 and 5 of the first Psalm. We’ll come back to that in a minute.
But first, let’s consider the way of the godly – that is, the path of those who truly love the Lord and seek to live accordingly, as described in the first three verses of Psalm 1.
These faithful ones reject all the anti-God forces in this world which are constantly trying to drag us down, trying to distract us from the leading of God within us. They are said to be “Blessed” – supremely happy – filled with an inner peace that is a free gift from God.
These faithful disciples are those who delight in God’s law.
They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.” (Ps. 1:3, NRSV)
As in so many of the Psalms, this is the poetic language of a metaphor.
Consider the streams of water the Psalmist writes of, and then think of the “Living Water” that Jesus mentioned in conversation with a Samaritan woman one hot day. These life-giving, soul-satisfying waters are the source of our very being.
No matter what we may face in this world, even heartache as we experience times of grief and suffering, if we are planted by the rivers of the water of life, we will bring forth fruit in our season. We will remain strong in the Lord. We will have a peace inside that will sustain us. You might even call it “peace like a river.”
One morning a couple months ago, down at our old place near Middletown, I was walking from the parsonage to the church, with the morning sun shining brightly. From the outside, some distance away, I looked up at the church’s stained glass window, and the panes of glass were dark and dull. You could not make out the image portrayed – the picture of Jesus kneeling in prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, shortly before his betrayal and arrest.
But though I couldn’t see it from outside, I knew from experience that on the other side of the window, the sunlight was surely illuminating the stained glass, and shooting beautiful rays of color into the sanctuary, from the glistening image of Christ.
I remember thinking to myself: that’s a little bit what our lives are like at times.
God is always at work in our lives, but sometimes we only see the darkness, the dull, shapeless images. Kind of like the Apostle Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 13, where he writes: “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror...”
But all the while, the sun is shining, and the power of God is at work in ways we can’t see, and the Spirit is illuminating the colors of our lives as beings created in the image of God.
So even when we can’t see much hope, we know deep down that hope is always there, and that it’s not merely hope – it’s a sure thing. It is the way of Christ, and it will not fail us.
The Light of Christ will show us the way in this world.
The Word of God is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path.
But what about the ungodly? What about those who choose to ignore God’s rightful ownership of their lives?
For these folks, the Psalm paints a bleak picture. It says they are like the chaff, which the wind blows away.
The dictionary says the “chaff” is the husks of grain. It is the part that is worthless. The chaff is blown away by the wind, here today and gone tomorrow, of no eternal significance. . . .
So there are two paths we can go by. We need to choose very carefully, each day, which direction we’re going. Because there is a road that leads straight to hell.
Temptation invites us to choose the wrong path. Temptation, in and of itself, is not a sin. It’s only human to experience temptation – of one type or another. Even Jesus experienced temptation in this life to all kinds of sinful choices. Remember how the devil worked on him out in the desert? But Christ, the trailblazing pioneer and perfecter of our faith, would not allow anything to separate him from the Father – not even when he could have had the whole world at His command.
There was a sad story in the news not long ago about a Miami Valley man who got terribly lost in this journey of life.
His name is William H. Nelson Jr., and until a few months ago he was the city manager of Miamisburg.
Nelson got caught in an Internet sting operation run by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, in which he attempted to meet someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl for sex. Nelson resigned as city manager on March 16, shortly before news of his arrest last October became public.
The married father of two sons pleaded guilty to one felony count of importuning. He has since been sentenced to three years probation, and is required to register as a sex offender for the next 15 years.
I was struck by something Nelson told the judge at his sentencing about the night of his arrest.
Nelson said: “I was in the process of getting into my car to leave . . . (and) I had a moment where I realized this . . . wasn’t just some disembodied Internet chat. I had a ‘What am I doing?” moment. . .
No doubt there were many foolish and sinful choices Nelson made before that evening ever arrived. But even then, it seems to me, God was trying to show Nelson another way – a way out. I truly believe in that one brief moment – that “What am I doing?” moment – God was trying to free Nelson from the glue-trap of sin; trying to spare him and his loved ones, and everyone who trusted in him, from the suffering and misery that was sure to come. But the moment passed. Nelson turned the key and drove to Columbus.
In the Book of James, it is written: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
It’s a lot easier for us to resist the devil when we stay in love with God, and stay close to God, delighting in the Law of the LORD, and meditating upon it day and night.
Now there are a lot of ways we can delight in the Law of the Lord – we don’t have to lock ourselves up in a monastery and take vows of poverty, chastity and silence.
But we do have to pray. We don’t have to be eloquent or use fancy theological flourishes, but we do need to speak from our heart, even if it’s as simple as praying, “Help me, Lord,” or maybe “Jesus, take the wheel!”
Prayer is the fiber optic cable that links our hearts and minds with the Living God, the Creator of all things, and to His Son – the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We must remember that all the power of God is available to us, should we come to face our own “What am I doing?” moment with regard to one type of sin, or another.
It’s an awfully good idea to make regular use of prayer – or as an old gospel song puts it, to “Have a little talk with Jesus.” It’s hard to have a relationship with God – and therefore it’s hard to stay in love with God – if we’re not willing to talk to him about what’s going on in our lives, or if we’re not willing to listen to His still, small voice in our souls.
Yes, there are two paths we can go by . . .
In the Book of Proverbs, the way of Wisdom is synonymous with the Way of God. As a matter of fact, the phrase “The Way” (or similar wording) occurs more than 60 times throughout the book – especially in the first two-thirds of the book.
In Proverbs, among many perils and hazards described, there are thorns and snares to guard against as we make our way through life. And if we’re not careful we will become “ensnared,” if we veer off the path of wisdom. How much easier is the journey for the traveler who sticks to wisdom’s trail .
For on wisdom’s trail – we will find straight, level paths which allow us to walk securely in the light of God’s Word.
And keep in mind -- the wise traveler isn’t too proud to stop and ask for directions, and is always willing to listen. The foolish one, however, well, his pride will prevent him from admitting it when he is lost.
Now here’s the good news:
As we continue on the journey of life, if we realize we’re going the wrong way, God will allow us to make a U-turn.
In fact, God not only allows U-turns, but encourages them – and welcomes them.
Through Jesus Christ, his only Son, He has given us the perfect way to make the U-turn we need – through the route called Repentance.
If any of us here today are heading the wrong way, the good news is there’s still time to change the road we’re on. There’s still time . . .
Jesus is the Way, my friends – the only way.
As He taught his disciples: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Two paths – every day – and we must choose wisely, with God’s help, if we are to avoid getting lost, as we choose . . .choosing between:
Good and evil . . .
Faith and fear . . .
Love and hate . . .
Light and darkness . . .
Holiness and sinfulness . . .
Life and death . . .
Heaven and hell . . .
Jesus Christ IS our “true north,” and only He can lead us home.
Amen.