Divine Prosperity: Blessings for Community and Industry
Summary
In the sermon "New Year Reflections" delivered by pastors Ben Bluemel, Henry Baye, and Tim Bond at Freedom Church Jersey, the speakers draw from biblical texts to inspire and invoke blessings upon various sectors of the community. The sermon begins with a reading from Joel 2:23 and Isaiah 60:1, emphasizing God's promise of prosperity and success. The congregation is encouraged to pray for the island of Jersey, with a particular focus on different sectors of the economy. The story of Joseph in Genesis 39 is used to illustrate how God's presence and favor can lead to prosperity.
The pastors pray for God's presence and power to be manifested in every aspect of the congregation's lives, desiring that everything they touch be influenced by the divine. They express gratitude and offer praise to God, seeking divine intervention and acknowledging God's authority and power.
The sermon also addresses individuals in positions of power and influence, such as legislators, judges, and leaders in various sectors. Prayers are offered for these individuals, asking for God's presence and blessing upon them and the places where decisions are made. The pastors pray for God's hand to be upon industries such as hospitality, agriculture, science, and construction, with the belief that the island is blessed and that these sectors can bring glory to Jesus Christ.
Healthcare and social services workers are acknowledged for their impact on the lives of others, with prayers offered for their ability to bless every person they touch. The pastors pray for prosperity in wholesale, retail, and manufacturing industries and for Godly wisdom in legislature, government, and politics.
Finally, the story of Joseph is revisited, encouraging the congregation to pray for those in finance, legal services, and real estate. The pastors ask for these individuals to be instruments of flourishing and to bring blessings to the land, to be trusted and skilled, and to cause prosperity wherever they go.
Key Takeaways:
- The biblical promise of prosperity and success is not just a spiritual concept but is meant to be a tangible reality in the lives of believers. As seen in the story of Joseph, God's favor can lead to material abundance and blessings, which believers are encouraged to pray for in their own lives and industries. [01:01:28]
- Divine intervention is sought not only for personal gain but also for the benefit of the community. The pastors' prayers for various sectors of the economy reflect a holistic approach to faith, where spiritual blessings have practical implications for societal well-being. [01:09:28]
- The presence of Christians in positions of power and influence is seen as an opportunity for God's wisdom and grace to permeate decision-making processes. The prayers for leaders in government and other sectors underscore the importance of aligning human authority with divine guidance. [01:10:01]
- The role of healthcare and social service workers is particularly highlighted as a conduit for God's healing and compassion. The pastors' prayers for these professionals underscore the belief that God's presence is especially needed in places of suffering and care. [01:06:38]
- The sermon emphasizes the idea that Christians are placed by God in their respective fields not just to work but to be agents of prosperity and blessings. This perspective challenges believers to see their vocations as part of a larger divine plan for communal flourishing. [01:03:58]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "New Year Reflections"
#### Bible Reading
1. Joel 2:23-24: "Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil."
2. Isaiah 60:1-3: "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."
3. Genesis 39:2-5: "The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Joel 2:23-24, what are the signs of God's faithfulness and prosperity? How does this passage describe the abundance that God provides?
2. In Isaiah 60:1-3, what is the significance of the light and glory of the Lord rising upon the people? How does this passage describe the impact on the nations?
3. How did God's presence affect Joseph's life and work according to Genesis 39:2-5? What were the visible outcomes of God's favor in Joseph's life? [01:03:58]
4. What specific sectors of the community did the pastors pray for during the sermon? How did they encourage the congregation to participate in these prayers? [01:02:43]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the promise of prosperity in Joel 2:23-24 mean for believers today? How can this promise be seen as both a spiritual and material blessing?
2. How does the imagery of light in Isaiah 60:1-3 relate to the role of Christians in their communities? What does it mean for nations and leaders to come to this light?
3. In what ways can the story of Joseph in Genesis 39:2-5 serve as a model for Christians in their workplaces? How can believers seek to bring God's favor and success to their industries? [01:03:58]
4. The pastors emphasized praying for various sectors of the economy and community. How does this holistic approach to faith reflect the idea that spiritual blessings have practical implications for societal well-being? [01:09:28]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Joel 2:23-24, how can you recognize and celebrate God's faithfulness and provision in your own life? What are some practical ways you can express gratitude for His blessings?
2. Considering Isaiah 60:1-3, how can you be a light in your community or workplace? Identify one specific action you can take this week to shine God's glory in a dark place.
3. Like Joseph in Genesis 39:2-5, how can you bring God's favor and success to your workplace or industry? What steps can you take to ensure that your work is a testimony to God's presence in your life? [01:03:58]
4. The pastors prayed for various sectors of the economy, including healthcare, social services, and government. How can you support and pray for individuals in these fields? Is there someone specific you can encourage or pray for this week? [01:06:38]
5. How can you align your work and decisions with God's wisdom and guidance, especially if you are in a position of power or influence? What practical steps can you take to seek God's direction in your professional life? [01:10:01]
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of Christians being agents of prosperity and blessings in their respective fields. How can you view your vocation as part of God's larger plan for communal flourishing? What changes might you need to make in your attitude or approach to work? [01:03:58]
7. Healthcare and social service workers were highlighted as conduits for God's healing and compassion. How can you support these professionals in your community? Is there a specific way you can show appreciation or provide assistance to someone in these fields? [01:06:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Prosperity Beyond the Spiritual Realm
God's favor can manifest as material abundance in believers' lives, reflecting His promise of prosperity. Joseph's story demonstrates that faithfulness and God's presence can lead to success in all areas, including the economy and personal vocations. Believers are encouraged to seek God's blessings in their professional lives, trusting that He can bring prosperity through their work. [01:01:28]
Deuteronomy 28:11-12 - "The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you. The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands."
Reflection: How can you actively seek God's favor in your professional life while maintaining a spirit of faithfulness and integrity?
Day 2: Holistic Faith for Societal Well-being
Spiritual blessings are intended to have practical implications, impacting not just individuals but entire communities. The prayers for various sectors of the economy reflect a belief that God's intervention can lead to societal prosperity and well-being. This holistic approach to faith challenges believers to consider how their spiritual lives intersect with their societal roles. [01:09:28]
Jeremiah 29:7 - "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the peace and prosperity of your community through your current role or vocation?
Day 3: Divine Wisdom in Leadership
Christians in positions of power have the opportunity to bring God's wisdom into their decision-making. Prayers for leaders across various sectors emphasize the need for divine guidance to align with human authority, ensuring that decisions made will reflect God's will and lead to the greater good. [01:10:01]
Proverbs 8:15-16 - "By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth."
Reflection: How can you pray for and support those in leadership to ensure they are guided by divine wisdom in their decision-making?
Day 4: Compassion Through Healthcare and Social Services
Healthcare and social service workers are vessels for God's healing and compassion, touching lives in profound ways. Prayers for these professionals highlight the need for God's presence in places of suffering and care, acknowledging the significant impact they have on individuals and society. [01:06:38]
Matthew 25:36, 40 - "I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' ... 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
Reflection: How can you show appreciation and support for those in healthcare and social services, recognizing their role as conduits of God's compassion?
Day 5: Vocational Flourishing as Divine Purpose
Believers are called to be agents of prosperity and blessings in their fields of work, seeing their vocations as part of God's plan for communal flourishing. This perspective encourages Christians to work with a sense of divine purpose, trusting that their efforts contribute to the greater good. [01:03:58]
1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
Reflection: What are the gifts and talents you have been given, and how can you use them to serve others and promote flourishing in your workplace?
Quotes
"In these areas you are directly dealing with the lives of people... when you are a Christian and you are in a certain corner, when you're dealing with somebody and they their sick bed, the presence of God must be around them because you are there." [01:06:38] (Download)
"We pray that every place of manufacturing, of wholesale, of retail, every part of this economy... we are praying that the hand of the Lord will cause them to flourish... let the wealth of the nations come to this island." [01:08:21] (Download)
"We release a special presence of God into the courtrooms, we release a special presence of God into the boardrooms, we release a special presence of God into the legislature." [01:09:28] (Download)
"We pray for the chief minister, we pray for all the deputies, we pray for all the people in government, we are praying that God, your grace and your wisdom will abide with them." [01:10:01] (Download)
"God places us there like a Joseph; everything that is placed in our hands must Prosper. When you work in a particular Company, the company must Prosper because you are there." [01:04:33] (Download)
"We pray that God these industries will not be Gates that bring evil to this land but they will be Gates that bring Prosperity, they will be Gates that bring blessing onto the island." [01:05:34] (Download)
"God is the one who gives Prosperity God is the one who makes things successful and we want to pray for our Island today." [01:02:43] (Download)
"the promise of God as we see in the life of Joseph the Bible says in Genesis chapter 39 the Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered he lived in the house of the Egyptian Master." [01:03:20] (Download)
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