Message Notes

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

JULY

MORNING WORSHIP 05 July 2020
Text: Psalm 1
Title: “Blessed is the Man”

INTRODUCTION

1. The new Pulpit theme: “Blessed”

2. General understanding of being “Blessed” by God

a) Physical/ material blessings

b) Some vague idea of spiritual blessing

3. The Concept of God’s Blessings

a) Creation
“And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25

“Indeed, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

b) Pronouncement of blessing on all living things

“And God blessed them, saying,
‘Be fruitful and multiply…’ ” Genesis 1:22

c) Pronouncement on Mankind

i) Made in God’s image Genesis 1:26-27

ii) In His likeness Genesis 1:26-27

iii) With His blessings

“Then God blessed them, and God said to them,
‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;
have dominion over the fish… the birds… every living thing that moves
on the earth.’ ” Genesis 1:28

4. The Pronouncement of a solemn Curse

a) Cursing of the serpent Genesis 3:14-15

i) “You are cursed…”

ii) “And I will put enmity between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed.” Genesis 3:15a

iii) “He shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15b

b) Cursing of the ground

i) Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Genesis 3:17

ii) In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are, and to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:19

5. Focus of this series of Messages

a) First part (July 2020)

i) From the Psalms

ii) The true and great blessings of God are spiritual and eternal

b) Second Part (August 2020)

i) Our appropriate response to God will be considered

ii) We must in turn “Bless” the Lord by giving Him praise and glory

THE PROMISE OF BLESSINGS FROM GOD

1. The promise of Blessings to a man called Abram Genesis 12:2-3

a) I will make you a great nation Genesis 12:2a

b) I will bless you and make your name great Genesis 12:2b

b) You shall be a blessing Genesis 12:2c

c) I will bless those who bless you Genesis 12:3a

d) And I will curse him who curses you Genesis 12:3b

2. The promise of Blessing was sealed
As a covenant of God to Abraham Genesis 15:18

3. This Covenant will be established Genesis 17:19

4. It will be an everlasting Covenant Genesis 17:19

AN EXAMPLE OF AN ORDINARY MAN WHO IS TRULY BLESSED

1. The Blessings of God

a) They are not confined to the Patriarchs

b) They apply to the ordinary individual

2. The Blessings of God

a) They are to be naturally desired

b) The blessings of God are available

c) These blessings would also be obvious

THEOLOGY OF BLESSING
Psalm 1

1. By the things he does not do Psalm 1:1

a) Ungodliness
He does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly

b) Sinfulness
He does not stand in the path of sinners

c) Scornful pride
He does not sit in the seat of the scornful

2. But the things he does Psalm 1:2

a) The Word of God
He delights in the Law of the LORD

i) Joy in learning

ii) Joy in discovering

iii) Joy in knowing

iv) Joy in believing

b) Meditation
He meditates on it day and night

i) To comprehend

ii) To understand more deeply

iii) To find wisdom

iv) To internalise

DESCRIPTION OF A TRULY BLESSED PERSON
Psalm 1:3

1. He is compared to a Tree

2. Features of a good Tree

a) It is deeply rooted

b) It is fruitful

c) It is strong and healthy

3. Significant Cross references

a) Features of a blessed Tree Psalm 92

i) Compared to a stately Palm tree

ii) Compared to the mighty Cedar tree

iii) Significant Features
Fresh, Flourishing and Fruitful

b) Stark contrast given Jeremiah 17

i) He is not a shrub Jeremiah 17:5-6

ii) He is like a fruitful tree Jeremiah 17:7-8

THE UNGODLY AND THE BLESSED RIGHTEOUS COMPARED

1. The ungodly is compared to the chaff
Psalm 1:4-6

a) Chaff is dry and empty

b) It is driven away by the wind

c) The sinner will not stand in the judgment

d) He will not stand in the congregation

e) He will perish ultimately

2. The righteous
Psalm 1:6

a) The LORD knows his way

b) He will be blessed throughout his life

OUR CHALLENGE

1. We celebrate 40+7 years of Ministry in Bethany

a) We have been blessed

b) The Lord’s hand of blessing must be acknowledged

c) God’s name is to be extolled

2. Personal Life

a) God desires to bless

b) Let us seek His blessings

May God’s blessings be given!