Text: Psalms 1                                                  560
                          TWO WAYS OF LIVING
Intro: The key to fulfilling life's purpose (to glorify God) is
realizing that we live in a divinely ordered universe and that we are
responsible to God for the conduct & direction of our lives.  We are
presented with a variety of options, but ultimately the choices are
only two: God's way or the way of the ungodly.

I.  THE WAY OF THE BLESSED MAN
    A.  Life's orientation - inner satisfaction, true happiness
            1.  Only comes from holiness.  Psa. 32:1; 112:1
            2.  Real happiness not dependent on circumstances. Ph. 4:11
    B.  A way of separation from what's detrimental to right direction
            1.  Refuses to walk in COUNSEL (principles men live by) v. 1
               a.  The "ungodly" or wicked = one cut off from God
               b.  Won't regard advice of those leaving God out of plans
            2.  Rejects the life style (way / path) of sinners.  v. 1 b
               a.  Sinners deliberately miss mark of God's moral ideals
               b.  Stands not = not his routine practice.  1 Jn. 3:9
            3.  Declines a seat with scoffers.  v. 1 c
               a.  Spurn God's word & heap abuse & derision on message
               b.  Seat = a group gathering; they stick together
            4.  Note the progression of involvement: Walking = occasional
            conformity; standing suggests more fix identification; sit
            sets the establishment of permanent residence.
            5.  The genuinely happy person will not accept the thinking of
            the wicked, much less pattern his life-style after them,
            nor would he even think of permanent association with them
    C.  Secret of happiness = A singular priority in life.  Psa. 1:2
            1. Key to Biblical wisdom - Psa. 119:1-2
                     a.  Law = totality of divine revelation
                     b.  His key to fellowship - Psa. 119:105; 19:10
                     c.  Meditate = focus on w/ deliberateness & discipline
                         (1)  Same word used in Psa. 2:1 "devising"
                         (2)  Purpose - Joshua 1:8 (on going - day / night)

    II.  THE OUTCOME OF RIGHT LIVING  -  Psa. 1:3
    A.  Like a tree (stately, stable, abundance of life)
            1.  Planted (transplanted) = being planted with a purpose.
                        Next to the source of life-giving water. Jn. 4:14
            2.  The right combination yields abundant fruit. Gal. 5:22-23
                Produced "in season" - natural result of spiritual growth
            3.  Can endure drought-stricken heat of summer. Jer. 17:7-8
    B.  All prospers - put roots in God's word = spiritual abundance

   III.  THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNGODLINESS  - Psa. 1:4-5
    A.  Like windblown chaff (most worthless material at that time)
            1.  Dramatic picture of futility & surrender 
            2.  With no roots, substance, & ultimate uselessness
    B.  Condemnation at the judgment - Psa. 1:5
            1.  Will not be able to stand (their ground)
            2.  Nothing to justify their presence among the righteous

    IV.  CONCLUSION  -  Psa. 1:6
    A.  The blessed man is KNOWN by the Lord
            1.  To know = to approve.  Jesus was aware, but...Mat. 7:23
            2.  His whole WAY of life adheres to God's standards
    B.  The wicked WILL perish
            1.  The choice is ours
            2.  The decision is made by us: Willfully or negligently