As A Tree Planted
A Sermon on Psalms 1:3-4
Originally preached Jan. 20, 1963
Scripture
3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Sermon Description
In light of the emptiness of the ungodly life, how can one become godly, blessed, and happy? How can one truly live the “more abundant life” that Christ came to give? In this sermon on Psalm 1:3–4 titled “As a Tree Planted,” many think they are Christians, but in this inspiring discourse, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones distinguishes the person who is unquestionably “in Christ” from those who merely deceive themselves. No one is born a Christian or can make themselves a Christian. A Christian is the work of God through the work of the Holy Spirit in conviction, revelation, repentance, and conversion. It’s God’s doing and one can only experience the new birth into a new life as the result of the operation of the Spirit. Only then will one experience the happiness God intended for people to know in Him. The true Christian has no need to fear whatever comes in life. The true Christian is like a tree. God is the “Planter” of the tree. He selects the location of the tree so that the tree will bear good fruit, in its season, and without withering.
Sermon Breakdown
- No one is a Christian by nature or birth. You must be born again.
- People are not Christians because they are ignorant of themselves and the Christian life. There are two errors: thinking you know yourself and Christianity.
- The difference between the godly and ungodly is like a tree and chaff - profound.
- The ungodly are like chaff: useless, lifeless, rootless, fruitless. The godly are like trees: alive, rooted, fruitful.
- To become like a tree (godly), something must happen to you. God must act upon you.
- Becoming a Christian is not natural growth or something you do yourself. God plants you.
- Planting represents regeneration, new life from God. The Holy Spirit acts upon you, disturbs and convinces you of sin, shows you Christ, and gives you new life in Christ.
- Christians are planted in Christ, receiving life from him, as a tree by a river. Christ is the source of life and fruit.
- The results of being planted in Christ:
- Restored to function as intended: bearing fruit, helping others. Fruit of the Spirit.
- Regular life, not by fits and starts. Bearing fruit in season.
- Life not withering under any circumstances. Drawing from the endless supply of Christ.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Psalm 1:3-4: The Tree by Rivers of Water
What is the main comparison made in Psalm 1:3-4?
In Psalm 1:3-4, Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlights the striking comparison between the godly person who is "like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season" and the ungodly who are "like the chaff which the wind driveth away." This is not a superficial difference but a profound contrast - "The difference between a Christian and a nonchristian is not a superficial one... It's the difference between a tree and a heap of chaff. There's nothing in common."
How does one become a Christian according to this sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, one becomes a Christian as "the result of something that is done to us" rather than anything we do ourselves. He emphasizes: "No one is a Christian by nature. No one is born a Christian into this world... No one grows up gradually to be a Christian." Using the tree imagery, he explains that "A tree can't plant itself. It has to be planted by somebody else." This planting is God's work: "What makes anybody a Christian is what God has done in and through his only begotten, beloved son, our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, and by the application of all that by the Holy Spirit to individual persons."
What does the "planting" process involve spiritually?
The planting process involves several spiritual steps: 1. Conviction of sin - "You can't be a Christian without conviction of sin" 2. Realization of truth about oneself and one's relationship to God 3. The revealing of God's salvation message 4. Repentance and faith in Christ 5. Regeneration - "This is the rebirth. This is the life put in"
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains: "What makes a man a Christian is this that he is taken and is grafted into Christ, that he begins to receive of the life of Christ."
What is meant by being planted "by the rivers of water"?
Being planted "by the rivers of water" means the Christian is positioned to receive constant nourishment from Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains: "The Christian is a man who draws the whole of his life and nutrient and sustenance and everything from the Lord Jesus Christ himself." He quotes Jesus' words from John 6 about being the bread of life and concludes: "The life, the sustenance, the moisture, everything comes out of this blessed river of life, which is none other than the son of God himself." This provides "an endless supply" that is "as endless as God himself."
What are the results of being planted by rivers of water?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies three main results:
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Fruitfulness: "He bringeth forth his fruit in his season" - The Christian produces "the fruit of the spirit...love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faith and temperance." This happens with regularity, not "by fits and starts."
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Endurance: "His leaf also shall not wither" - The Christian can endure all circumstances because "That river never dries up, and the roots and the tendrils of this tree are in that river bed." This prepares us "for everything that can ever happen" including "middle age...old age...illness...misfortune or loss...difficulties with other people...death of loved ones...our own death."
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Prosperity: "Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" - The Christian life is one that flourishes because it's connected to God's unfailing source.
How can someone know if they are truly a Christian?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides several tests: - Have you experienced God's work in your life? "Can you say that you are what you are solely as the result of what God has done to you through the Spirit?" - Do you bear spiritual fruit? "Christians produce fruit, and they produce it in season." - Do you enjoy God's Word? "Do you enjoy reading your Bible? Do you meditate in it day and night?" - Can you help others spiritually? "Can you tell somebody else how to become a Christian?" - Do you have peace in trials? "Are you afraid of the future? Are you afraid of evil tidings?... if you are, my friend, I doubt whether you're a godly person."
He concludes by urging self-examination: "Make certain that you're planted in him. If you're doubtful, plead with God."
Old Testament
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.