Worship Service

Psalm 1  

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Introduction

I. A road map at the crossroads

II. Choice 

A. Decision and Election

B. Illustration

III. Progression (vv. 1-2)

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night.

A. Walking

B. Standing

C. Sitting … Negative

D. Positive (v. 2)

2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night.

IV. A Tree (v. 3)

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Application 

Therefore, since such a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 

We're called to run the race of life with perseverance, throwing off hindrances and sin, and fixing our eyes on Jesus. Like Derek Redmond, who finished a race with his father's help despite an injury, we have a Heavenly Father who loves and helps us through life's obstacles. Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us to keep our eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before him.  

Are you afraid of the dark? It is not unusual for children to be afraid of the dark.  

Our Bible reading today says, "Therefore, since such a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Have you ever run a race? Have you ever won a medal or a trophy for running a race? It is a thrill to run a race and hear the voices of the people who are watching as they shout words of encouragement. It is an even greater thrill when you finish the race and win a medal or a trophy.

Several years ago, when the Olympics were held in Barcelona, Spain, the world saw one of the greatest moments in Olympic history. Derek Redmond, a young man from Britain, had dreamed all his life of winning a gold medal in the 400-meter race. He had worked hard to get to the Olympics, and his dream was within his reach. He was in the semi-finals and was running the race of his life. He could see the finish line just ahead as he rounded the final turn. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his leg, and he fell to the track with a torn muscle in his right leg. 

As the medical attendants ran toward him, Derek struggled to his feet. He started hopping toward the finish line on one foot to finish the race. Suddenly, a large man came out of the stands, pushed aside a security guard, and ran to Derek's side. It was Jim Redmond, Derek's father. "You don't have to do this," he told his son. "Yes, I do," said Derek. "Well, then," said his father, "we're going to finish this together."

And they did. They stayed in Derek's lane all the way to the end. At first, the crowd watched in silence. Then they rose to their feet and cheered -- and wept.

Derek Redmond didn't win the gold medal, but he walked away with the incredible memory of a loving father who, when he saw his son in pain, left his seat in the stands to help him finish the race.

That is what our Bible lesson is about today. It teaches us that life is like a race that has been set before us. We may struggle and face many obstacles, but we have a great crowd of witnesses who are cheering us on. We have a Heavenly Father who loves us and will help us when the pain is too great. We have a Savior who left his place in heaven and came to earth to show us how to run the race. If we will keep our eyes on him, how can we help but finish the race?

Dear Jesus, sometimes life is difficult. Help us to keep our eyes on you and to run the race that is before us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.