Blessed Wandering - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.

Intro (22-23): (1) recap (2) universal notion of blessing (cf. song) (3) Psalm 1, beatitudes (4) “state of well-being with God that belongs to those who have faith in Christ”

A God of Blessing (24a): (1) tendency to look for temporal blessing (cf. Jeremiah 2:13) (2) Israel’s tendency to look to other nations, ours to look to possessions, relationships, respect/admiration (3) blessing is trusting that God know what to give us and in what amount (cf. cake, Prov. 30:8-9)

A God of Keeping (24b): (1) care and protection (cf. Mephibosheth) (2) Exodus 23:20 to Joshua 24:17 → line from “Amazing Grace” (3) Satan attacks this through worry/fear/anxiety (4) read Matthew 6:25-34 from The Message (5) to be blessed is to trust that I am always kept

A God of Shining (25a): (1) supreme pleasure (cf. psalms) → dad at football game (2) connected to us walk in the unique path for which he created us (cf. Eric Liddell, Grohl) (3) highlights intimacy of relationship (cf. Moses) → we reflect God’s blessing to others as a result of spending time with him

A God of Grace (25b): (1) blessing comes entirely by grace → contrast with gods of ancient cultures (cf. McMahon’s son) (2) antithesis of Jacob → promised blessing before birth but wrestled everybody for everything (3) Eph. 1:3-7 → God initiates blessing undeservedly, because Christ was “unblessed” for us

A God of Turning (26a): (1) opposite of God hiding, turning his face away (cf. Christ on cross) (2) used by prophets to refer to obedience/disobedience (3) trajectory of Scripture → Genesis 3, Exodus 33:11,20, 2 Cor. 4:6, Rev. 22:4 (4) God’s presence experienced now most often among his people (cf. Mt. 25:40)

A God of Peace (26b): (1) similar comprehensive term to “bless” → internal/external well-being (2) not possible through money, job, family, friendships, possessions, therapy (3) John 16:33 → promise of struggle but assurance (cf. Phil. 4:6-7) (4) familiarity with God’s people, God’s word (cf. re-runs)

Conclusion: God’s name is on us → ancient Jewish comfort practice