Message Notes

JULY-AUGUST 2020
Theme: “Blessed” Psalm 1:1

MORNING WORSHIP 02 August 2020
Text: Psalm 34
Title: “I will bless the LORD at all times”

INTRODUCTION

1. Biblical Theology of God’s Blessings

Two main categories of Blessing” may be noted:

a) Material Blessings

b) Spiritual Blessings

2. A Biblical Theology to be complete must consider “Appropriate Response”

a) We must learn what it means to “Bless the LORD”

i) Response is natural

ii) Response is necessary

b) We must understand how we may practise “Blessing the LORD” properly

i) It goes beyond mere acknowledgment

ii) It goes beyond a simple “Thank You!”

ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDING

1. When we speak of God’s Blessings

a) He has the authority to bless

b) He has the power to bless

c) His blessing will affect our life significantly

d) His blessing will affect our life eternally

2. But when we speak of “Blessing God”

a) The above would not apply

b) We cannot affect God in any way

i) We cannot enrich Him

ii) We cannot add anything significant to God’s Being

IMPORTANT IDEAS

1. One important idea behind the concept of blessing God

a) The word “blessing” in Hebrew is drawn from the word “knee”

b) When we speak of “Blessing God”

i) We are humbly acknowledging God’s role in our life

ii) We are bowing the knee to God in deep gratitude

iii) We are to practise true humility before a great and mighty God!

2. Another important idea of blessing God

a) It is to give high praise to God

i) Finding the right words of praise

ii) Giving to God all the glory and honour that are His by right

b) It is to ascribe all praise to the LORD

i) We take no credit

ii) We ascribe to the Lord all that belong to Him

c) Forms of giving praise to God

i) Giving of thanks

ii) Singing (old songs and new songs composed)

iii) Offering of thanksgiving sacrifices

iv) Bearing testimony of the Lord’s goodness

v) Prayers of praise

EXPRESSIONS OF BLESSING THE LORD
(Psalm 34)
Some expressions:

1. Bless
I will bless the LORD at all times (Psalm 34:1a)

a) Testimony

b) Teaching

c) Prayer

2. Praise
His praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1b)

a) Praise that comes from the heart

b) Praise that emerges from the lips

3. Boast
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD (Psalm 34:2)

a) Boast is not always a negative thing

b) It is to exult in the Lord

4. Magnify/Exalt
Oh, magnify the LORD with me
And let us exalt His name together (Psalm 34:3)

a) Encouragement to others to magnify the Lord together

b) Exalting the Lord’s name

i) Personal

ii) Community

REASONS FOR BLESSING THE LORD
(Three reasons may be highlighted)

1. Hearing our prayers

a) I sought the LORD and He heard me (Psalm 34:4a)

b) This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him (Psalm 34:6a)

2. Deliverance
And delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4b)

a) Many were the times when fears threatened to overwhelm

b) God mercifully delivered and the fears did not prevail

3. Protection by angels
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them. (Psalm 34:7)

a) Special experiences

b) A deeper understanding of God’s presence

c) A greater awareness of God’s power and protection

CONCLUSION

1. Let us bow the knee to God

a) In gratitude

b) In humility

2. Let us bless (high praise) the LORD

a) This is good

b) This is right

3. Let us cultivate the discipline of “Blessing the LORD”

a) Sincerely

b) Faithfully