A Tree or Chaff

After welcoming us, Brad shared about how special last week's service was at Gwen and Walt's. A beautiful time on the lake with a service there and a day of fellowship. Today we would be looking at Psalm 1, which has a message all of us need to consider.

Announcements
1. Gail shared that on the 24th we will have a picnic following the service.
2. Walt shared an update on the building. The well has been dug, the foundation laid and power brought in. Many people have donated services, and this week the walls will go up. Financially the project is on track. It's a very exciting time.

A Tree or Chaff

Pastor Brad began by having us read Psalm 1, a wisdom psalm.

The psalmist presents a set of images to convey a truth. Some people are like trees, planted by streams of water. Its leaves don't whither. And it will bear fruit.

He then contrasts this tree with chaff, a bi-product of harvesting. Chaff has no value. It is dead, so it needs to be separated from that which does have value.

The psalmist then points to an either/or. Your life is either becoming a tree or chaff. But the choice is yours.

If you want to become a tree, he says there are places you should not be going to and people who you may not want to be involved with.

I Corinthians 10:23 states, “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.  In other words, our faith is not a set of rules.

But even though we have this freedom, there are some things that are not beneficial. Paul says that even though it is legal to do some things, it may not be beneficial.

Hanging out in a bar, watching television... this may not be sin, but does it bring you closer to God? Does God seem more alive when you are doing many of the things you do?

Verse 2, "But those who delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on His law day and night..." This is how you will become a tree.

Brad summarized in this manner: If you live your life in a place of spiritual drift where you get up and go through the motions of your day, this environment will deaden your life. This culture will lead you to a life of chaff unless you live with intentionality.

What would it look like as a church if we said, "No more chaff. I'm going to make decisions that make me a tree."

What if we found creative ways to get God's word into us, that would transform us into life-giving trees. I worry that we don't find the time, make the time to get God's word into us.

In closing Brad sang "I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light."The congregation joined in on the final verse.

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Here are some photos showing our current building project status:

It's starting to look real. Stay tuned.