Pressure Points: Psalm 1

Pressure Points: Psalm 1
Sunday, July 25, 2021

Pastor Mike Bailey

Introduction

Pressure points are located all over our bodies. There are hundreds of them, and each time pressure is applied to a pressure point it pinches nerves or disrupts a normal operation of the body. When a nerve is pinched against a bone or muscle it shoots an electrical signal of pain to the brain. Pain is the reaction from the pressure to warn people that damage may occur if the pressure is not removed. The author of the Psalms had the same goal when writing. He wanted those who read the warnings to feel the pressure, to understand the limits, and show us how to release and remove from our lives the negative things that cause pain. Pressure Points applied in the Psalms mold us to become better when we heed the warnings.

July 25 – Psalm 1 – What Direction Are You Walking?

August 1 – Psalm 2 – Who Is Your Leader?

(Psalm 3 – See Does Prayer Work series – A Prayer of Deliverance)

August 8 – Psalm 4 – Where Is Your Joy?

August 15 – Psalm 5 – Why Are You Here?

IMPACT Church 101 E. First Ave. Parkesburg, PA 19365
(610) 857-3887 [email protected]

1. Everyone is someone. (1:1a)

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34

a. One step closer to .

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8

b. One step closer to .

But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

Notes:

2. The signs of a person. (1:1b)

a. Who are you getting from?

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5

b. Who are you spending your with?

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20

c. Who are your ?

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?  2 Corinthians 6:14

Notes:

3. The signs of a person. (1:2-3)

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? James 2:14

a. You find joy in obeying God’s .

Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. 1 John 3:4

b. You have a firm footing in your .

They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. Romans 2:15

c. You hold to a different view.

And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 2 Peter 2:20

Notes:

4. The of a chosen path. (1:4-6)

This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’”  Jeremiah 6:16

a. A place of .

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:7-8

b. A place of .

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

Notes:

5. What do you find yourself on today?

a. Take the time to make a change.

“But forget all that, it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19

b. Salvation can be yours .

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Notes:

Closing: A life following Jesus is filled with hope and peace, what else are you looking for?