Psalm 37, "Living on Borrowed Time"  Rev. Blake Altman, Lead Pastor

God intends to change you by His Word. How is He at work in you to do that?  

Read Psalm 37:1-11 and consider these questions. 

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; 

be not envious of wrongdoers! 

2 For they will soon fade like the grass 

and wither like the green herb. 

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; 

dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 

4 Delight yourself in the LORD, 

and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

5 Commit your way to the LORD; 

trust in him, and he will act. 

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, 

and your justice as the noonday. 

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; 

fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, 

over the man who carries out evil devices! 

8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! 

Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. 

9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, 

but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. 

10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; 

though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. 

11 But the meek shall inherit the land 

and delight themselves in abundant peace. 

SERMON OUTLINE AND REVIEW:

Point: Those whose happiness is found in this world are living on borrowed time, but those who rely on Jesus’ righteousness live forever in joy. 

Question: What do we do when it appears others have it better than we do?

I. LOOK CAREFULLY  (v. 1-2, 8-11)

II. LOOK UP  (v. 7)

III.  DO GOOD  (v. 3-6)

Community Group Questions:

1. How do you share your stories with friends?  If people wanted to learn about you, where’s the best place to point them on social media? 
2. What stood out to you about today’s sermon?  Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm with admonitions, warnings and promises for those who fret over the appearance that wicked having better lives than they do.  How could this Psalm be an encouragement to a friend or family member?
3. Are their areas where you need to look carefully at yourself and those you envy?  How does Psalm 37 give you hope that appearances are not always what they seem?  “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” John 7:24. 
4. To “do good” in verse three means to be constructive, useful and obedient to God’s commands.  How does delighting in Christ’s work for us and serving others help us heal from our self-pity?
5. Read Psalm 37 as though Christ were praying it in the garden of Gethsemane.  How does it take on new meaning? 
6. Read Psalm 37 slowly as though Christ were speaking it over you.  How is this an encouragement to you?  
7. Consider watching the 2015 movie Cinderella (directed by Kenneth Branagh) as a family.  Read Psalm 37:1-11 before and after and talk about how the gospel story is the story beneath the Cinderella story.