Blessed

March. 2021 - Blessed? ** what do you understand by the word: blessing or being blessed ** I first want to look at the word "LOVE": The English language uses love very loosely. We say it, but we don't really mean it all the time. * * * * (Picture - love) LOVE = 505 times in Scripture = (Hate = 170) The word love has a number of meanings. I love my family, my friends I love to kick the neighbor's dog I'd love to wring his neck -( is it watered down ) Can it be short-term or long-term I love my God -different uses for the word "Love". How about Peace = 400 in Scripture You hear many times. "Peace brother" Do we really mean it when you say PEACE? . . . . is it watered down The shepherds and angels were rejoicing at Jesus' birth. Luke 2:14 "Praise God in heaven, and on earth, let there be peace to the people who please Him" * * * * * (Picture - Peace) Is this peace still going on today? Is it short-term or long-term peace? Jesus sent out the 12 Apostles to proclaim the Gospel. Matt 10:12-13 "When you enter a home, say, 'Peace be with you.' If the people welcome you, they are worthy of your peace. May they have the peace you wished for them. But if they don't welcome you, they are not worthy of your peace. Take back the peace you wished for them. (This sounds like a Short-term peace - TAKE it BACK) Rev 6:4 Another horse, a fiery red one, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. (To take peace from the earth - short-term) Now let's look at Blessed or BLESSINGS: "Can you bless on a Short term, medium or a long-term" * * * * * (Picture - Blessing) I was shocked when I saw this number in the AMPLIFIED Bless = 580 (Curse = 160) Why so many "blessings in Scripture" What do we really mean when we say "bless you"? Do we know what it is to "bless someone"? . . . . or is it watered down? Gen 1:21 So God created every living thing according to their kind. And God saw that it was good. And God BLESSED them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply" Gen 1:27 Then God created man in His own image. Then God BLESSED them. What does this blessing mean for all humanity? * * * * * (Picture - BLESS) Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. God blessed Noah and his sons and they multiplied all over the earth. (7.5 Billion today) God said to Abraham ... walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Gen 12:1-3 (ABRAHAM was promised a SEVEN-FOLD BLESSING). I will make you into a great nation, and I will BLESS you; I will make your name great, and you will be a BLESSING. I will BLESS those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. . . . . . * * * (Picture) . . B.L.E.S.S = Bountiful Life Exist to Shine in the Spirit Gen 17:4-6 Abraham this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. (Short term, medium or a long-term) Hagar gets a son from Abraham (Ishmael) God said to Hagar about Ishmael ( thirsty and dying): Hagar, I have heard your son's cries. Behold, I have blessed your son Ishmael, and I will make him fruitful, and I will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. * * (Picture) . . .B.L.E.S.S = Bountiful Life Exist to Shine in the Spirit Later - Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac. The servant finds Rebekah and Rebekah's family blessed her and said to her: "Our sister, may you become "The mother of thousands of ten thousands; Gen 24: How long is this blessing? Later again - Isaac blessed Jacob who tricked his father Isaac, when Esau asked for his blessing, father Isaac said, I have already given that blessing to your brother Jacob and I cannot give another blessing. And Esau said to his father Isaac, "Have you got only ONE blessing, my father? Bless me also, O my father!" And Esau lifted up his voice and WEPT because there was only one blessing. (A one-time blessing) Psalms = 105 times) - Blessed is the person who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly. Luke 1:45 And Elizabeth said to Mary the mother of Jesus: Blessed are you who are Spiritually favored by God. You who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to you by the angel sent from the Lord." And Mary said, "My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord. ( Is it a medium or long-term or a forever blessing)?? * * * * * (Picture = Blessed by God) Let's see Jesus with the Sermon on the Mount ( Matt 5 ) Blessed are those who mourn, Blessed are the meek Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness, Blessed are the poor in spirit, Blessed are the peacemakers Blessed are you when they persecute you Are these medium or long-term or a forever blessings? (Not one material blessing, all Spiritual blessings) They are all "unseen" - yes all of them Spiritual. Let's see the meaning of Blessed as an : Adjective = Endowed with divine favor and protection. You're favored, you're fortunate, privileged, selected, being made Holy. Blessed as a Noun. A special favor or benefit, or a gift bestowed upon by God, thereby bringing happiness, praise, or to worship God. The meaning of blessed? Enjoying the bliss of heaven, to have Hope and to know the future. Enjoying the truth. Receiving a good fortune. If you say you've been blessed, you feel lucky to have something, like health, feel loved, talented or fortune. Opposite: cursed, condemned by God to suffer eternal punishment in hell. I have a VERY important question to ask: . . . . Do you think you would feel blessed if you were chosen as a Disciple of Jesus and walk with Him for TWO years? (just like the 12 Disciples?) Would you feel blessed - Is it a YES or a NO? The 12 Disciples were personally called by God after Jesus prayed all night long, they were blessed. The same as you and me, we would feel blessed. Now listen to this - are you ready? The Disciples saw all the miracles of healing, and feeding the multitudes (not just heard about it, they experienced it), Jesus fed the 5000, soon after Jesus walked on water during a storm, then He went into the boat, and the storm ceased. In Mark 6 we read: And "they were greatly amazed beyond measure, they marveled". They have seen the feeding, the walking on water, yes everything. I think they were blessed to understand the truth. Let's read : Mark 6:52 For they (Disciples) had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. I find this challenging. They have been blessed to be chosen as Disciples, taught by the Master and first-hand experience of all the miracles, but they still did not understand the blessing that was allotted to them. WHY? . . . because their heart was hardened How about you and me? . . . . . Here is the important question I want to ask you. Listen to this: In Matt 16 Jesus asked His Disciples: Who do the people say I am. They answered: A Prophet, Elijah. Then Jesus asked them: Who do you say I am: Peter said: "You are the Son of the living God" ( we also claim the same thing - correct?) Now listen to this . . . Matt 16:17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven". Do you and I understand who Jesus really is? "It was Revealed to us by our Father in heaven" * * * * * * (Picture - blessings by God) When I went thru Scripture, I came to the conclusion that the meaning of "being blessed" is VERY DEEP, it has changed mostly from material blessing to Spiritual blessing, hence this: "for this was NOT revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven" This indicates that Spiritual blessings and Wisdom comes directly from God. Jesus said: "no one can come to Me unless My Father calls you" Let's go DEEPER - Thomas did Not believe and in . . . . John 20:29 Jesus said, "You believe Thomas, because you have seen me. Great BLESSINGS belong to those who believe without seeing me. Would you regard yourself as being blessed if Jesus happened to be your physical brother to understand the meaning of being BLESSED? Listen to the brothers of Jesus' who said. John 7:5 Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world. (For even his own brothers did not believe in him) * * * * * (Picture - Jesus' brothers) Let's read what Jesus said: (no slide) Luke 12:40 >Therefore you also be ready, (that's you & me today- to be ready) for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Then Peter said to Him, "Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?" And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Jesus continued: Luke 12:43-44 When the master comes and finds him doing the work he gave him, it will be a day of blessing for that servant. I can tell you without a doubt, the master will choose that servant to take care of everything he owns. (Is this "doing" what the famous people are doing ??? - NO - (Not at all - or are we walking blameless before God) Truly, I say to you that the Master will make him ruler over all that He has. It becomes very clear that those who are called should focus on Spiritual blessings rather than material blessings. Why? Jesus said: "The more you were given, the more will be expected from you" (Clearly Jesus is referring to Spiritual gifts) Question: we read all this and see how the Disciples (and others) did NOT grasp the deep meaning of being blessed. I myself figured that God called me, and thought I've being BLESSED. I accepted the blessing, because I understand much more today than ever before. But it's also easy to point fingers to others. We say we have been called by God, correct? How do you see yourself in the understanding of your blessing? Rom 12:1 & 9- I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great MERCY God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to Him-an offering that is only for God and pleasing to Him. Let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. (9) Your love must be real. Hate what is evil. Do only what is good. Love each other. . . like the promise to Abraham: "Walk before Me faithfully and be blameless" (In our Small group Bible Study series - What's so AMAZING about Grace) Ephesians 4:31-32 Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ. * * * * * (Picture - embarrassed) My score is much lower than that of the disciples. I failed on every word. And yet, Jesus said "Come, and follow Me". Yes, we have been BLESSED SPIRITUALLY, but how deep is my understanding of this BLESSING? Rev 3:16-18 Say to the church, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with salve, that you may see. So, how DEEP do we understand "being Blessed"? * * * * * (Picture - Blessed) Matt 5 Jesus' Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are those" Being blessed affirms a present reality of spirituality that is already present and it's also an on-going process. When it's combined with FAITH, it becomes very powerful. There will be ups-and-downs in our lives, but you know the end result. The reward is waiting for those who endures until the bitter end ( read it in Rev.) How many times have you said to someone, "I am so blessed" but have you ever gone one step further? Have you ever asked yourself why are you so blessed? Yes, we are the recipients of many blessings from God's gracious hand when we study and meditate on His Word. There are many books, movies, Bible-study groups to encourage us to grow in the Spirit and become more and more like Jesus. But there is also another side of being blessed that we should understand why we have these blessings? . . . Can I have your full attention? . . . Do you also associate persecution as a blessing? Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness" * * * * * (Picture - B.L.E.S.S) I don't know how this comes across to you, it seems this "persecution" blessing is misplaced. Especially from what we have learned about: love - peace or material blessings" But let's understand it a bit deeper. Many times, wrong treatment comes upon those who do what is right. We who genuinely desire to serve others and soon after discover that being mistreated is NOT the exception, but it's a rule. Then we say "Why me God"? Christ knew that it was so. Read His words carefully. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you, they will persecute you." (Ouch) Jesus is speaking that He will be mistreated. It's tough to bear. But our Savior says we will be "blessed" when we endure. There is a great reward for our patience and endurance. That's a Spiritual and eternal blessing. But how do we grasp this blessing without becoming bitter. It's by focusing on the ultimate reward that Christ has promised. Jesus says we are to "rejoice and be glad" as we think on the great reward that He is storing up for us in heaven. What's important about a BLESSING then - long-term? It's the "End-point-Date" We have to internalize it, meditate on it and be grateful for it then rejoice because of it. * * * * B.L.E.S.S = Bountiful Life Exist to Shine in the Spirit The IMPACT that we should have on the earth today is to bring people to Jesus and prepare them for heaven by telling them about the BLESSINGS that was promised. Prepare them for heaven - it sounds so good. God's chosen people are ordained with a blessing to become part of the rulers in the world, to share a banquet with Jesus, to enjoy and to reign with Him over the nations for a 1000 yrs. You'll read it in Rev. 20 John 10:3-4 The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out. Let's focus on the meaning of being Spiritually BLESSED. The meaning is "Eternally blessed" because "we know His voice and we follow Him- The End-Point-Date," Jesus loves us for who we are and how we follow Him. It's an Eternal and wonderful blessing. We have been called by God and we have received His BLESSING. It is not a short term blessing but an everlasting BLESSING. Hallelujah, praise our loving God for His GRACE. ******************************************** Our Website & YouTube Channel is on the screen ******************************************** (The Hymn - Count your blessings, name them one-by-one and see what the Lord has done) Amen * * * * * (Picture - Lets pray) *** * * * * * * * * Picture - pray ***************************** Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Yes Father we want to shout it out "Hallowed be Your Name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done. Therefore, we bow are heads before the Throne of Grace and reflect our minds on Jesus who is closer than breathing. Yes, Jesus You have revealed the END POINT DATE to us on this journey called life. We are grateful for the real meaning of being BLESSED. A blessing that will last forever and ever in the presence of our Redeemer and we rejoice in that thought. Thank you Jesus for what You've done on the cross for everyone. Not just for those whom God has called now, but for everyone who respond to the calling by God and for the Holy Spirit to encourage us to take up our cross and follow Jesus even if we are getting persecuted for the Truth. We thank You that we could worship together via this new technology. We ask for Your blessing on every individual who came to listen to the Word of God in the many churches around the world and to grasp the DEEP meaning of being BLESSED and to be part of the body of Christ Jesus. Father, we are going back into this world now, but we ask the Holy Spirit to guide, to uplift and to encourage us to be strong in the FAITH and to put our trust in Jesus alone. In Christ Name we pray it. 1