Living in the Abundance of God's Blessings | Rev. Jonathan Banzuelo

When considering the abundance of God’s blessing, it’s easy to reduce it to a simple transaction: we have needs, we pray, God provides, and we say thank you. But God’s blessings are far richer and more dynamic than this. There are general blessings—like life, air, and sunlight—that God gives to all, regardless of whether we ask. Then there are conditional blessings, which God gives in response to our obedience and faithfulness. Both types reveal God’s generosity, but also His desire for us to grow in relationship with Him.

Happiness, often seen as a byproduct of receiving what we want, is actually much deeper in the biblical sense. Scripture does not sugarcoat life’s difficulties. God’s promises are not just for ideal circumstances, but for real life, with its losses, struggles, and disappointments. The true blessing is not just what we receive, but who we receive—God Himself. Even in hardship, as seen in the life of Paul, joy abounds when we discover God’s purpose, experience genuine fellowship, and hold onto the hope of eternity with Christ.

Looking at Abraham, we see that blessing is tied to obedience and trust. He left his homeland and believed God’s promise, even when it seemed impossible. With Moses and the priestly blessing, we learn the power of speaking blessings over others, rather than curses, becoming channels of God’s goodness. David’s testimony in Psalm 23 reminds us to declare God’s faithfulness, even when surrounded by enemies or adversity.

Blessings are not meant to be hoarded. Growth and multiplication are God’s intentions: as we are blessed, we are to bless others, drawing closer to God and to one another, and pointing others back to the Source. Blessings come in many forms—material, relational, and spiritual. The greatest of these is spiritual, purchased at great cost by Christ’s sacrifice. God’s blessings cultivate gratitude, resilience, and a sense of purpose in us.

Sometimes, blessings are blocked by sin or compromise, and God withholds them to prompt us toward repentance and alignment with His will. Obedience brings a “double portion”—the blessing of right living and the reward of God’s favor. Ultimately, the secret of happiness is not in counting troubles, but in counting blessings and cultivating a thankful heart, which overflows to others and glorifies God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Blessings are both general and conditional, revealing God’s generosity and His desire for our obedience. General blessings—like life and nature—are given freely, while conditional blessings require us to step out in faith and obedience, as Abraham did. Recognizing both types helps us see God’s hand in every aspect of life, not just in answered prayers but in the very air we breathe. [01:05]
• 2. True happiness is not dependent on circumstances, but on the presence and purpose of God in our lives. Paul’s joy in prison was not rooted in comfort or freedom, but in discovering God’s purpose, experiencing fellowship, and holding onto eternal hope. This teaches us that joy is possible even in loss or hardship, because God Himself is our greatest blessing. [04:26]
• 3. Blessings are meant to flow through us, not just to us. Like the priests who were instructed to speak blessings, and like David who testified to God’s goodness, we are called to be channels of blessing—speaking life, encouragement, and hope to others. When we bless others, we participate in God’s work of healing and restoration, and we ourselves are healed from bitterness and isolation. [16:46]
• 4. Spiritual blessings outweigh material ones, as they were purchased at the highest cost—Christ’s sacrifice. While God provides for our material needs, the gift of salvation, transformation, and relationship with Him required Jesus to leave His throne, suffer, and die for us. This perspective cultivates deep gratitude and helps us value what is eternal over what is temporary. [25:00]
• 5. A thankful heart is both the fruit and the goal of God’s blessing. Gratitude is not automatic; it must be cultivated, especially when blessings are not obvious or when life is hard. Praying for a thankful heart, as in the closing story, aligns us with God’s will and opens us to deeper joy, resilience, and purpose, making us contagious carriers of hope to those around us. [37:53]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:34] - Rethinking Blessings: Beyond Simple Gratitude
• [01:05] - General and Conditional Blessings
• [02:01] - Blessings Beyond Material Things
• [03:17] - Happiness in Ideal and Difficult Situations
• [04:10] - Joy in Loss: Paul’s Example
• [05:44] - Discovering God’s Purpose in Hardship
• [06:50] - The Power of Fellowship and Support
• [07:41] - Hope Beyond Suffering
• [09:58] - Lessons from Abraham: Obedience and Blessing
• [14:20] - The Power of Words: Blessing vs. Cursing
• [17:13] - Testifying to God’s Goodness
• [19:14] - Growth and Multiplication: The Purpose of Blessing
• [22:26] - Types of Blessings: Material, Relational, Spiritual
• [25:41] - Blessings Cultivate Gratitude, Resilience, Purpose
• [30:36] - Blockages to Blessing: Sin and Compromise
• [32:46] - The Double Portion Principle
• [34:00] - Living as a Channel of Blessing
• [35:54] - The Contagious Power of Gratitude
• [36:14] - The Prayer for a Thankful Heart

Bible Reading

Genesis 12:1-3 (NKJV) — > Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV) — > “The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”

Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV) — > Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 12:1-3, what did God ask Abraham to do before promising to bless him? What was Abraham’s response?
2. According to Numbers 6:24-26, what are the specific things the priests were instructed to speak over the people?
3. In Philippians 4:11-13, what does Paul say he has learned about contentment, and what is the source of his strength?
4. The sermon described two types of blessings: general and conditional. What are examples of each type mentioned in the message? [01:05]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God’s promise to Abraham required him to leave his homeland and step out in faith? What does this teach about the relationship between obedience and blessing? [10:46]
2. The priestly blessing in Numbers 6 is meant to be spoken over others. What does this suggest about the role of our words in the lives of those around us? [16:46]
3. Paul found joy and contentment even while in prison. What does this reveal about the true source of happiness and blessing according to the sermon? [04:26]
4. The sermon mentioned that sometimes blessings are blocked by sin or compromise. Why might God withhold blessings in these situations, and what is He hoping to accomplish in us? [30:36]

Application Questions

1. Abraham obeyed God even when it seemed impossible or uncomfortable. Is there an area in your life where God is calling you to step out in faith or obedience, but you are hesitant? What is holding you back, and what would it look like to trust Him in that area? [11:25]
2. The priestly blessing teaches us to speak life and encouragement over others. Think of someone in your life who needs encouragement right now. What specific words or actions can you offer this week to be a channel of God’s blessing to them? [16:46]
3. Paul’s joy was not based on his circumstances but on his relationship with God. When you face disappointment or hardship, what helps you remember that God Himself is your greatest blessing? How can you remind yourself of this truth in difficult times? [05:44]
4. The sermon emphasized that blessings are not meant to be hoarded but shared. In what ways can you intentionally share your material, relational, or spiritual blessings with others this month? [20:57]
5. Sometimes, sin or compromise can block God’s blessings. Is there an area of your life where you sense God is prompting you to repent or realign with His will? What practical step can you take this week to address it? [30:36]
6. The message ended with a prayer for a thankful heart. When was the last time you specifically asked God to help you be more grateful? What is one daily practice you can start to cultivate gratitude, even when blessings are not obvious? [37:53]
7. The sermon said that gratitude is contagious. How can you model a thankful attitude in your home, workplace, or church so that others are encouraged to “count their blessings” too? [35:54]