May 3, 2026
Planted in the Right Place
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

If you want a life that is steady, fruitful, and not falling apart, you have to be rooted in God, not in the chaos around you.

I. Separated from the World

II. Saturated in the Word

A never-changing truth is this: You celebrate what you believe in.

III. Situated by the Waters

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I choose this week to live saturated in God’s Word through regular reading, prayer, and meditation.
• I commit to living more separated from the world and being honest about the voices shaping my mind.

Deep Dive

1. In Psalm 1:1, what do you see in the progression of walk, stand, and sit? How have you seen compromise develop gradually in real life?
2. Read James 1:2-4. How do trials expose and deepen the roots of a believer?
3. What is one concrete change you need to make this week so that your life is more rooted in Christ and less shaped by the world?

Springboard

1. What is your most memorable moment viewing the night sky? Why?
2. Psalm 8 begins and ends with the majesty of God. How does starting with God change the way we answer questions about identity, purpose, and worth?
3. Read Genesis 1:26-28. How does Psalm 8 help us understand humanity’s original calling as image bearers?