Series - "Bible Trees" I - "Like a Tree"
Psalm 1:3 Jeremiah 17:7-8

August 21, 2005

Pastor William Underwood

Psalm 1 is a contrast between the godly person and the ungodly person. Jeremiah 17 does the same thing but in greater detail. And in Jeremiah 17: 7-8 we have a repeat of Psalm 1:3 with slightly different words but the same meaning. Both scriptures are saying the same thing! They tell us that a godly person has some of the same characteristics as a tree. There are FOUR things that are emphasized. This tree is Planted, Productive, Pleasing, and Prosperous.

I - This tree is PLANTED
1- Hebrew word "planted" (Shaw-thal) means "transplanted" 2- We all need to be transplanted from Satan's garden to God's garden. 3- Matt. 15:13 "Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots." 4- You cannot save yourself - "You have not chosen me, I have chosen you." 5- "There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 6- Psalm 104:26 "The trees of the Lord are well watered." 7- There is no dead wood - full of life - they produce.

II -This tree is PRODUCTIVE - Jer. 17:7-8
A- CERTAINTY of fruit - "Never fails to bear fruit"
1-John 15:16 "I chose you and appointed you to bear fruit." 2-Not "maybe" but consistently bears fruit. 3-Are YOU a productive Christian bearing spiritual fruit?
B- SEASONAL fruit - all fruit is seasonal
1-Frost can ruin a crop and stop the fruit bearing. 2-The tree doesn't die - the frost just killed the fruit. 3-Is something killing the crop in your spiritual life? 4-DROUGHT also ruins crops - too far from water. 5-Life withers - get closer to CHRIST.
C- The SECRET of fruit-bearing - "By rivers of water"
1-Water sustains life - The Holy Spirit gives us LIFE. 2-Jer. 17:8 "Sends out its roots by the stream." 3-Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in you? 4-The fruits are listed in Galatians 5:22-23

III - The tree is PLEASING - "its leaf does not wither" Jeremiah says, "Its leaves are always green."
1-Beauty of a tree is in its leaves - withered leaves are not beautiful. 2-Our life and character must show Christ living in us. 3-Does YOUR life show that Christ lives in YOU? 4-The Holy Spirit makes us attractive and appealing.

IV - This tree is PROSPEROUS - "Whatever he does prospers" Jer. says, It does not fear when heat comes." "It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
1-When the heat is on and pressure grows, this Christian does not wilt nor collapse. He just keeps going! 2-Some Christians get easily discouraged - defeated, - give up,-they want to be pampered or coaxed, - they are not dependable. 3-When your roots reach the water, your life will not wilt under the pressure and heat of trials and difficulties. 4-How much does it take to discourage you and defeat you? 5-How much can God depend on you?

What a beautiful comparison that we can all understand. Do you want your life to be like that? You CAN and you SHOULD be like that. If you are not, you can do something about it if you really want to. God wants ALL of His people to be like this.