Embracing the Manasseh Blessing: Moving Beyond Our Past

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of the "Manasseh Blessing," inspired by the story of Joseph in Genesis 41:51. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh, saying, "It is because God has made me forget all my troubles and all my father's household." This blessing signifies a divine intervention where God allows us to move past our past pains and traumas, not by erasing them, but by overshadowing them with His abundant blessings. The journey to this blessing is not immediate; it requires a foundation of faithfulness and perseverance through trials, much like Joseph's 13-year journey from betrayal to becoming a leader in Egypt.

We began by understanding the nature of God's blessings, tracing back to the creation story where God blessed His creation after declaring it good. This act of blessing is a divine response to His own good works, and it sets a precedent for how we should respond to God's goodness in our lives. We are called to bless the Lord at all times, acknowledging His continuous work in our lives.

The narrative then shifted to the New Testament, where Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. This miracle teaches us the importance of being in the right posture to receive God's blessings. Jesus instructed the crowd to sit down, symbolizing humility and readiness to receive. In 2025, God may want to do new things in our lives, but we must be willing to let go of our egos and preconceived notions to perceive and receive His blessings.

The Manasseh Blessing is about God blessing us so abundantly that our past troubles no longer dominate our thoughts. It is a call to focus on the blesser rather than the blessings, drawing us closer to God. As we move into 2025, we are encouraged to remain faithful, as Joseph did, to access the reward portal of God's blessings. This faithfulness positions us to receive not just blessings, but a deeper relationship with God, the ultimate blesser.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Nature of Blessings: God's blessings are a response to His good works, and we are called to bless Him in return. This reciprocal relationship reminds us to always have a response of praise for what God has done in our lives. [06:29]

2. Posture for Receiving: To receive God's blessings, we must adopt a posture of humility and readiness, symbolized by sitting down. This means letting go of our egos and being open to new ways God might work in our lives. [12:05]

3. Focus on the Blesser: The purpose of blessings is to draw us closer to God, not just to receive more blessings. Our relationship with God should be our primary focus, and any additional blessings are a bonus. [19:09]

4. Faithfulness and Reward: Like Joseph, remaining faithful through trials positions us to receive God's rewards. The Manasseh Blessing is a testament to the power of faithfulness in accessing God's abundant blessings. [42:08]

5. The Manasseh Blessing: This blessing allows us to move past our past pains by overshadowing them with God's goodness. It is a reminder that God can bless us so abundantly that our past troubles no longer consume our thoughts. [28:40]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:44] - Introduction to the Manasseh Blessing
[02:17] - God's Creation and Blessing
[04:53] - Understanding Blessings
[06:29] - God's Response to His Good Works
[08:25] - Capacity to Receive Blessings
[11:24] - Posture for Receiving
[12:05] - Humility and Openness
[12:58] - God Doing a New Thing
[14:08] - Testimonies of God's Provision
[15:38] - Perceiving God's Miracles
[18:19] - Seeking the Blesser
[19:57] - Peter's Response to Jesus
[28:40] - The Manasseh Blessing Explained
[42:08] - Faithfulness and the Reward Portal
[50:15] - Prayer of Salvation
[54:20] - Next Steps and Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Manasseh Blessing

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 41:51: "Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, 'It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household.'"
- Genesis 1:22, 27: "God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.'"
- John 6:10: "Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.' There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down."

---

Observation Questions:

1. What does the name "Manasseh" signify in Joseph's life, and how does it relate to his past experiences? [00:44]

2. How does the act of God blessing His creation in Genesis 1:22, 27 set a precedent for understanding blessings in our lives? [02:17]

3. In John 6:10, why did Jesus instruct the crowd to sit down before performing the miracle of feeding the 5,000? What does this posture symbolize? [11:24]

4. How does the sermon describe the process of moving past past pains and focusing on God's blessings? [28:40]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of the "Manasseh Blessing" challenge the way individuals view their past troubles and God's role in their healing process? [28:40]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between humility and the ability to receive God's blessings, as illustrated in the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000? [12:05]

3. How does the sermon explain the importance of focusing on the "blesser" rather than the blessings themselves? What implications does this have for one's spiritual journey? [19:09]

4. In what ways does Joseph's story of faithfulness through trials serve as a model for accessing God's rewards, according to the sermon? [42:08]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt consumed by past troubles. How can the concept of the "Manasseh Blessing" help you shift your focus towards God's goodness in your life? [28:40]

2. In what areas of your life do you need to adopt a posture of humility and readiness to receive God's blessings? How can you practically "sit down" and let go of your ego? [12:05]

3. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God, the ultimate blesser, rather than focusing solely on the blessings you receive? What steps can you take this week to prioritize this relationship? [19:09]

4. Joseph remained faithful through 13 years of trials before receiving his reward. What trials are you currently facing, and how can you remain faithful in anticipation of God's blessings? [42:08]

5. The sermon mentions that God may want to do new things in your life in 2025. What new opportunities or changes are you open to, and how can you prepare yourself to perceive and receive them? [12:58]

6. Consider the blessings you have received in your life. How can you use these blessings to draw closer to God and serve others in your community? [19:09]

7. The sermon warns against letting blessings become idolatry. How can you ensure that your focus remains on God rather than the material or temporary blessings you receive? [19:09]

Devotional

Day 1: Reciprocal Blessing: Responding to God's Goodness
God's blessings are a divine response to His own good works, and they set a precedent for how we should respond to His goodness in our lives. From the creation story, we see that God blessed His creation after declaring it good, establishing a pattern of blessing that is both a gift and a call to action. We are invited to bless the Lord at all times, acknowledging His continuous work in our lives. This reciprocal relationship reminds us to always have a response of praise for what God has done. By recognizing and responding to God's blessings, we align ourselves with His purpose and open our hearts to His ongoing work in our lives. [06:29]

Psalm 103:1-2 (ESV): "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."

Reflection: How can you intentionally bless God today in response to His goodness in your life? What specific actions or words can you use to express your gratitude?


Day 2: Humility and Readiness: The Posture for Receiving
To receive God's blessings, we must adopt a posture of humility and readiness, symbolized by sitting down as Jesus instructed the crowd before feeding the 5,000. This act of sitting down represents letting go of our egos and being open to new ways God might work in our lives. In 2025, God may want to do new things, but we must be willing to let go of our preconceived notions to perceive and receive His blessings. By adopting this posture, we demonstrate our trust in God's timing and His plans, allowing Him to work in and through us in ways we might not expect. [12:05]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to let go of control and adopt a posture of humility? How can you practice this today?


Day 3: Seeking the Blesser: Prioritizing Relationship Over Rewards
The purpose of blessings is to draw us closer to God, not just to receive more blessings. Our relationship with God should be our primary focus, and any additional blessings are a bonus. By focusing on the blesser rather than the blessings, we cultivate a deeper relationship with God, which is the ultimate reward. This shift in focus helps us to appreciate the blessings we receive as expressions of God's love and care, rather than as ends in themselves. As we prioritize our relationship with God, we find fulfillment and joy in His presence, regardless of our circumstances. [19:09]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeking blessings to seeking a deeper relationship with God today? What practical steps can you take to prioritize your relationship with Him?


Day 4: Faithfulness Through Trials: Accessing God's Reward
Like Joseph, remaining faithful through trials positions us to receive God's rewards. The Manasseh Blessing is a testament to the power of faithfulness in accessing God's abundant blessings. Joseph's 13-year journey from betrayal to leadership in Egypt exemplifies the importance of perseverance and trust in God's plan. By remaining faithful, we demonstrate our commitment to God and our trust in His timing, even when the path is difficult. This faithfulness opens the door to God's rewards, which often exceed our expectations and bring healing and restoration to our lives. [42:08]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Reflection: What trial are you currently facing where you need to remain faithful? How can you demonstrate your trust in God's plan during this time?


Day 5: The Manasseh Blessing: Moving Beyond Past Pains
The Manasseh Blessing allows us to move past our past pains by overshadowing them with God's goodness. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh, saying, "It is because God has made me forget all my troubles and all my father's household." This blessing signifies a divine intervention where God allows us to move past our past pains and traumas, not by erasing them, but by overshadowing them with His abundant blessings. It is a reminder that God can bless us so abundantly that our past troubles no longer consume our thoughts. By focusing on God's goodness, we find healing and freedom from the burdens of our past. [28:40]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"

Reflection: What past pain or trauma do you need to release to God today? How can you invite His goodness to overshadow these memories and bring healing?

Quotes

"Some people think when God blesses you, that means you bless once you once you realize you blessed or once you hear in Scripture, you bless. But the reality is when God blesses, it's a response to something that he already did. Do y 'all see what I'm saying?" [00:06:15] (17 seconds)


"That's what it means when it says, God, God, God blessed. He responded. Somebody say he responded. I believe y 'all. That's why the psalmist said, I will bless the Lord at all times and his praises shall continue to be in my mouth. It was the psalmist saying, I will always have a response for what God has done in my life because he's just too good." [00:07:10] (24 seconds)


"he had him sit down really for two reasons because sometimes in order to be able to receive what he wanted to receive he had to sit down blessings we gotta we gotta be in a posture to receive so he says sit down somebody say sit down the two reasons he wanted them to sit down so they could receive and perceive see when you're seated it indicates that you have the right posture and now you are ready and some of us if you're gonna get some of the blessings and things that god has for you in 2025 god says you got to be able to sit down that means your ego gonna have to sit down sit down it means sometimes my education gonna have to sit down it means sometimes my experience gonna have to sit down it means sometimes my self -reliance and me trying to make everything happen because i put it on my 2025 goal list sometimes even your list gotta sit down so that you can be in a posture to receive" [00:10:15] (62 seconds)


"Perhaps he wants to send a little boy with a bag of lunch your way. Not literally, but what I'm saying is he might send something. He might send something. He might send something. He might send something. He might send some destiny partners through people that you didn't even expect. Do you hear what I'm saying?" [00:12:44] (14 seconds)


"he didn't say where else will we go what did he say he says to whom will we go do y 'all see what I'm saying everybody else when they left they went to a different place they went to different places because in their minds we can get bread anywhere else but Peter said to whom will I go they can find that bread anywhere but I can't find this bread nowhere Jesus you are the bread of life you are bread when I'm hungry he says you are the living bread you are bread from heaven I can't find this is that anybody's testimony you done searched all over and went to different places for different blessings but realize ain't nothing like Jesus I gotta get ready to go over time but I gotta before I go I gotta pronounce this blessing on you somebody say this blessing before we go God has put this thing in my heart that before they go into 2025 he says Stefan I need you to speak this blessing over everybody listening today everybody listening today you see what's wrong with the people who left what they don't understand is blessings can't reproduce blessings in and of themselves so they missed out but the blesser is able to keep on blessing you do you understand what I'm saying and that's what he wants to do today somebody say the Manasseh blessing" [00:22:50] (95 seconds)


"before i explain this blessing i i ain't even got to prompt you because some of y 'all you already know the trouble you're in you've been through some of us you've been carrying some pain not just from 2024 but since 2004 you've been going through some pain you've been going through some trauma you've been going through some struggles and it's been hard for you to to fight and i don't know who i'm preaching to but this blessing is for you you gotta understand the word manasseh means make and forget and if you know the rest of the story of joseph you know he didn't literally forget because when he saw his brothers he cried so he didn't literally forget but what this blessing means is that god ended up blessing joseph so good that what used to consume his mind barely even crossed his mind anymore and if you will lift your hands i speak that over your life that what used to consume your mind what currently is consumed Consuming your mind, the stress, the fear, the torment in your mind, the worry, the things, the trauma, the pain, what keeps it, it makes it hard for you to forgive and trust. I don't know who I'm preaching to, but God says in 2025, when you least expect it, he's going to open the door and bless you so that we're used to consume your mind." [00:26:57] (96 seconds)


"He'll leave just a little bit just enough so every now and you can be reminded of a time how all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose. He'll leave just enough for you to look back and remember that we've been willing to do it for a night, but joy came in the morning." [00:29:30] (27 seconds)


"Sometimes blessings will flow through the mercy portal. Where God will hold back something that he could have gave you. That's a blessing. It flows through the mercy portal. But what I need you to get that Joseph understood, the reason he got the Manasseh blessing, is because Joseph pulled from the reward portal." [00:40:40] (23 seconds)


"See, I didn't just skip one thing and went to the next. I told you that he went through all of that. But the main thing is he stayed faithful. Somebody say faithful. Despite all the suffering and the temptation and the test, he was faithful. So he received from the reward portal." [00:41:04] (16 seconds)


Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jan 04, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?