Following the Unconventional Path

1. path less traveled path less traveled

2. Psalm 1:1-3 gives us guidance Psalm 1:1-3 gives us guidance v1. How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. v1. How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. Jesus walked, stood & sat with sinners, so what is the Psalmist telling us ? Jesus walked, stood & sat with sinners, so what is the Psalmist telling us ?

3. The real meaning… The real meaning… Walk : Hb “to go the way of” those who don’t know God Walk : Hb “to go the way of” those who don’t know God Stand : Hb “in the midst of” A position of NOT moving. Not stepping away from unrighteousness/ungodliness Stand : Hb “in the midst of” A position of NOT moving. Not stepping away from unrighteousness/ungodliness Sit : Hb: “to hold authority” A position of authority that mocks God/His truth/His ways/His character Sit : Hb: “to hold authority” A position of authority that mocks God/His truth/His ways/His character

4. How should we walk? How should we walk? Gal 5:16 “Walk by the Spirit & you won’t carry out the desires (appetites)of your flesh.” Gal 5:16 “Walk by the Spirit & you won’t carry out the desires (appetites)of your flesh.” Eph 4:1 “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling…” Eph 4:1 “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling…” Eph 5:2 “Walk in love of Christ just as Christ also loved…” Eph 5:2 “Walk in love of Christ just as Christ also loved…” Eph 5:8 “…for you were formerly of darkness…walk as children of light” Eph 5:8 “…for you were formerly of darkness…walk as children of light”

5. How should we stand & sit? How should we stand & sit? Rom 5:2 “stand in the grace provided…” Rom 5:2 “stand in the grace provided…” 1 Cor 16:13 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith” 1 Cor 16:13 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith” Eph 6:14 “Stand firm therefore having girded your loins with truth…” Eph 6:14 “Stand firm therefore having girded your loins with truth…” Lk 9:1 “…and (He) gave them power & authority…to proclaim the kingdom of God…” Lk 9:1 “…and (He) gave them power & authority…to proclaim the kingdom of God…”

6. Be selective about influences Be selective about influences Prov 13:20 “He who walks w/wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” Prov 13:20 “He who walks w/wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” 1 Cor 15:33 “Bad company corrupts good character” 1 Cor 15:33 “Bad company corrupts good character” Prov 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart for it affects everything you do” Prov 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart for it affects everything you do”

7. Be connected to the Source Be connected to the Source V2 : “But his delight is in the law of the Lord & in His law he meditates day & night.” V2 : “But his delight is in the law of the Lord & in His law he meditates day & night.” Our life as a godly & blessed person is derived from & sustained by the inexhaustible wisdom in the Word of God. Our life as a godly & blessed person is derived from & sustained by the inexhaustible wisdom in the Word of God. All attitudes and actions are borne from what we believe. All attitudes and actions are borne from what we believe. Garbage in – garbage out. Garbage in – garbage out.

8. Rooted = Godliness Rooted = Godliness V3a “ And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water…” V3a “ And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water…” Roots provide stability, maturity & growth Roots provide stability, maturity & growth When the storms of life come, will you have deep roots being fed by the Living Water When the storms of life come, will you have deep roots being fed by the Living Water ?

9. Intentional Destiny Intentional Destiny V3b “…which yields it fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” V3b “…which yields it fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” The leaf of the plant is critical to its growth and maturity. The leaf of the plant is critical to its growth and maturity.

10. The challenge… The challenge… When you come to a fork in the road, do you know which path is going to take you where God wants you to go? When you come to a fork in the road, do you know which path is going to take you where God wants you to go?

11. The encouragement… Jn 8:12 “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Jn 8:12 “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” 3 Jn 4 “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” 3 Jn 4 “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”