Embracing God's Blessings for a New Year

 

Summary

As we gather on this final Sunday of 2024, we reflect on the goodness of God throughout the past year and look forward to the blessings of 2025. We acknowledge God as a good Father who desires to bless His children abundantly. As we prepare to embark on a 28-day journey with Pastor Terry White's book, "The Lord Bless You," based on Numbers 6, we aim to seek God's blessings in the new year. This journey will focus on four key areas: blessing, purpose, people, and gratitude.

The essence of today's message is that God wants to bless us, but we must also desire and be open to receiving His blessings. This involves aligning ourselves with His will and principles. As we explore the Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6, we see God's promise to bless His people, a covenant that remains true for us today. We are reminded of the importance of abiding in God to bear fruit, as Jesus taught in John 15.

Reflecting on Genesis 1, we see that God created humanity in His image and blessed them, giving them dominion over the earth. This blessing is not just about material prosperity but encompasses spiritual and relational well-being. However, the fall of man introduced sin and brokenness into the world, making it harder to experience the fullness of God's blessings. Yet, God has made provision for restoration through Jesus Christ, who came to redeem us and restore our relationship with God.

As we move into 2025, we are encouraged to believe wholeheartedly in God's desire to bless us. This belief requires faith and obedience to His word. We are called to be a blessing to others, recognizing that God's blessings are not just for our benefit but for the good of those around us. In doing so, we align our lives with God's story for us, experiencing His favor and grace in every aspect of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Desire to Bless: God, as a good Father, desires to bless His children abundantly. This blessing is not just material but encompasses spiritual and relational well-being. We must align ourselves with His will to receive these blessings. [40:24]

- The Importance of Abiding in God: To bear fruit and experience God's blessings, we must abide in Him. This involves maintaining a close relationship with God and living according to His principles. [46:21]

- Restoration Through Christ: Despite the brokenness introduced by sin, God has made provision for restoration through Jesus Christ. This restoration brings us back into a harmonious relationship with God. [50:33]

- Being a Blessing to Others: God's blessings are not just for our benefit but for the good of those around us. We are called to be a blessing to others, using what God has given us to serve and uplift those in need. [52:54]

- Faith and Obedience: Believing in God's desire to bless us requires faith and obedience to His word. As we trust in His promises and follow His commandments, we open ourselves to the fullness of His blessings. [58:37]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Reflecting on God's Goodness
- [02:30] - Preparing for 2025
- [05:15] - The 28-Day Journey
- [08:00] - The Lord Bless You
- [10:45] - God's Desire to Bless
- [15:30] - Abiding in God
- [20:00] - The Aaronic Blessing
- [25:00] - Genesis and God's Blessing
- [30:00] - The Fall and Restoration
- [35:00] - Faith and Obedience
- [40:00] - Being a Blessing to Others
- [45:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
- [50:00] - Invitation to New Year's Eve Service

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Numbers 6:24-26
2. Genesis 1:26-28
3. John 15:4-5

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Observation Questions:

1. In Numbers 6:24-26, what specific blessings does God promise to His people through the Aaronic Blessing?
2. According to Genesis 1:26-28, what responsibilities and blessings did God give to humanity at creation?
3. In John 15:4-5, what does Jesus say is necessary for us to bear fruit and experience God's blessings?
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between God's desire to bless us and our willingness to receive His blessings? [40:24]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to align ourselves with God's will and principles to receive His blessings, as mentioned in the sermon? [40:24]
2. How does the concept of abiding in God, as described in John 15, relate to experiencing His blessings in our daily lives?
3. The sermon mentions restoration through Jesus Christ. How does this restoration impact our ability to receive and share God's blessings? [50:33]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that being a blessing to others is a part of God's plan for our lives? [52:54]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt particularly blessed by God. How did you respond to that blessing, and how can you use it to bless others in 2025? [52:54]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience. What specific steps can you take to strengthen your faith and align your actions with God's word in the coming year? [58:37]
3. Consider the areas of your life where you may not be fully abiding in God. What changes can you make to deepen your relationship with Him and bear more fruit? [46:21]
4. How can you actively seek God's restoration in areas of brokenness in your life, and what role does Jesus play in this process? [50:33]
5. Identify one person in your life who could benefit from God's blessings through you. What practical actions can you take to be a blessing to them this week? [52:54]
6. As you look forward to 2025, what are some specific blessings you are hoping for, and how can you prepare your heart to receive them?
7. The sermon mentions the importance of gratitude. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude in your daily life, and how might this impact your experience of God's blessings?

Devotional

Day 1: God's Abundant Blessings Beyond Material Wealth
God, as a loving Father, desires to bless His children abundantly. This blessing is not limited to material wealth but extends to spiritual and relational well-being. To receive these blessings, one must align with God's will and principles. The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 is a testament to God's promise to bless His people, a covenant that remains true today. By aligning with God's will, individuals open themselves to the fullness of His blessings, which encompass every aspect of life. [40:24]

"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold." (Proverbs 3:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you align your life more closely with God's will to experience His blessings beyond material wealth?


Day 2: Abiding in God for Fruitful Living
To bear fruit and experience God's blessings, one must abide in Him. This involves maintaining a close relationship with God and living according to His principles. Abiding in God means being rooted in His word, seeking His presence, and allowing His Spirit to guide daily actions. As individuals abide in God, they become more attuned to His voice and direction, leading to a life that reflects His love and grace. This close relationship with God is essential for experiencing the fullness of His blessings. [46:21]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with God and abide in Him more fully?


Day 3: Restoration Through Christ's Redemption
Despite the brokenness introduced by sin, God has made provision for restoration through Jesus Christ. This restoration brings individuals back into a harmonious relationship with God. Through Christ's sacrifice, believers are redeemed and restored, allowing them to experience the fullness of God's blessings. This restoration is not just about personal salvation but also about being part of God's redemptive work in the world. As individuals embrace this restoration, they are called to live in a way that reflects God's love and grace to others. [50:33]

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Peter 5:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's redemptive work in your community, reflecting His love and grace to those around you?


Day 4: Being a Conduit of Blessing to Others
God's blessings are not just for personal benefit but for the good of those around us. Believers are called to be a blessing to others, using what God has given them to serve and uplift those in need. This involves recognizing the needs of others and responding with compassion and generosity. By being a conduit of God's blessings, individuals align their lives with God's story and experience His favor and grace in every aspect of their lives. [52:54]

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one person in your life who could benefit from your support or encouragement today. How can you be a blessing to them in a tangible way?


Day 5: Faith and Obedience as Pathways to Blessing
Believing in God's desire to bless requires faith and obedience to His word. As individuals trust in His promises and follow His commandments, they open themselves to the fullness of His blessings. Faith involves trusting in God's goodness and His plans, even when circumstances are challenging. Obedience requires aligning actions with God's principles, even when it is difficult. Together, faith and obedience create a pathway to experiencing God's abundant blessings in every area of life. [58:37]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to exercise greater faith and obedience to experience God's blessings more fully?

Quotes

"We want to be fruitful in our lives and the things that we do. We want to be fruitful in our homes, in our jobs, in our businesses. We want to be fruitful. We want to know that the efforts that we are making is not going in vain. And God wants us to be fruitful. He has given us this mandate through his blessings to be fruitful. But the question remains, why are we not fruitful? Why don't we feel as if we are blessed? Why do we find that sometimes we're always running behind the bus trying to catch up? I believe it's because we have broken some of God's commandments and some of God's laws." [00:48:46] (33 seconds)


"So God created man in his own image in the image of God, He created them male and female. He created them. Then God blessed them. And God said to them, be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdued. Have the dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. May the Lord add his blessing to the reading and understanding of his word." [00:44:39] (27 seconds)


"God wants to bless us. And I believe that if you put God first, God will bless you in whatever you put your hands to do. Someone said, blessed is a man who walks that in the counts of the ungodly, nor sits in the seats of all the scornful. He says, but his delight is in the law of the Lord. And in his law, he meditates both day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water that brings forth fruit in its season." [01:18:39] (24 seconds)


"God wants to bless us. And I believe that if you put God first, God will bless you in whatever you put your hands to do. Someone said, blessed is a man who walks that in the counts of the ungodly, nor sits in the seats of all the scornful. He says, but his delight is in the law of the Lord. And in his law, he meditates both day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water that brings forth fruit in its season." [01:18:39] (24 seconds)


"God wants to bless us. And I believe that if you put God first, God will bless you in whatever you put your hands to do. Someone said, blessed is a man who walks that in the counts of the ungodly, nor sits in the seats of all the scornful. He says, but his delight is in the law of the Lord. And in his law, he meditates both day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water that brings forth fruit in its season." [01:18:39] (24 seconds)


"God wants to bless us. And I believe that if you put God first, God will bless you in whatever you put your hands to do. Someone said, blessed is a man who walks that in the counts of the ungodly, nor sits in the seats of all the scornful. He says, but his delight is in the law of the Lord. And in his law, he meditates both day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water that brings forth fruit in its season." [01:18:39] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
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