Seeking True Blessings: The Prayer of Jabez

 

Summary

In the sermon on the Prayer of Jabez, the focus is on the profound and earnest plea for God's true blessings, as exemplified by Jabez's prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:10. Jabez, despite being born in sorrow, was more honorable than his brethren, and his life illustrates the transformative power of divine blessings. The sermon emphasizes that true blessings are not merely superficial or temporary but are deeply rooted in God's grace and purpose.

The sermon begins by highlighting the contrast between human sorrow and divine joy, suggesting that the most significant blessings often follow periods of hardship and perseverance. It underscores the importance of seeking blessings that are genuine and enduring, rather than those that are fleeting or merely satisfying to the senses. The prayer "Oh that thou would bless me indeed" is presented as a model for seeking God's favor, emphasizing the need for blessings that are substantial and spiritually enriching.

The sermon also contrasts human and divine blessings, noting that while human blessings can be comforting, they are limited and often fall short of what God can provide. True blessings are those that come from God, carrying His authority and power, and are capable of transforming lives in meaningful ways. The sermon encourages believers to seek God's blessings with sincerity and humility, recognizing that only His blessings can truly satisfy the soul and lead to eternal joy.

Furthermore, the sermon warns against the dangers of seeking blessings that are merely imaginary or based on self-deception. It cautions against presumption and encourages believers to seek genuine faith and assurance in their relationship with God. The sermon concludes by urging believers to pray earnestly for God's true blessings, which are marked by spiritual growth, a deeper relationship with God, and the ability to glorify Him in all circumstances.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Transformative Power of Divine Blessings: True blessings often follow periods of sorrow and perseverance. Just as Jabez was born in sorrow but became more honorable than his brethren, our trials can lead to profound spiritual growth and joy when we seek God's blessings earnestly. [00:28]

2. The Superiority of Divine Blessings: Human blessings, though comforting, are limited and often temporary. In contrast, divine blessings are substantial, carrying God's authority and power, and are capable of transforming lives in meaningful ways. Seek blessings that are genuine and spiritually enriching. [06:38]

3. The Dangers of Imaginary Blessings: Beware of self-deception and presumption in your spiritual life. True assurance and faith are based on a genuine relationship with God, not on superficial or imagined blessings. Seek a faith that is grounded in the reality of God's grace and truth. [27:09]

4. The Importance of Spiritual Discernment: Not all that appears as a blessing is truly beneficial. Pray for discernment to recognize and seek blessings that lead to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God, rather than those that are merely temporary or superficial. [32:35]

5. The Eternal Value of God's Blessings: True blessings are those that have eternal significance and help us glorify God. Whether in joy or sorrow, seek blessings that draw you closer to God and prepare you for eternity, recognizing that anything that leads you to Him is a blessing indeed. [42:54]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Jabez
- [00:28] - Sorrow and Joy
- [01:02] - Perseverance in Service
- [01:42] - The Honor of Prayer
- [03:10] - The Essence of True Blessings
- [04:12] - Divine vs. Human Blessings
- [06:38] - The Authority of God's Blessings
- [09:08] - The Danger of Flattery
- [12:14] - Temporal vs. Eternal Blessings
- [15:29] - Wealth and Contentment
- [18:34] - The Pursuit of Fame
- [20:50] - Health and Spiritual Well-being
- [22:16] - The Blessing of Home
- [25:13] - Imaginary Blessings
- [32:35] - Discernment in Prayer
- [42:54] - Eternal Value of Blessings

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Prayer of Jabez

#### Bible Reading
- 1 Chronicles 4:10

#### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of Jabez being described as "more honorable than his brethren" in 1 Chronicles 4:10? How does this relate to his prayer? [00:12]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between sorrow and joy in the life of a believer? [00:28]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of blessings that are "indeed" from God compared to those that are temporary or superficial? [03:10]
4. How does the sermon contrast human blessings with divine blessings? What are the limitations of human blessings according to the sermon? [06:38]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "Oh that thou would bless me indeed" in the context of seeking God's true blessings? [03:10]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the dangers of seeking imaginary blessings or being self-deceived in one's spiritual life? [27:09]
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of spiritual discernment in recognizing true blessings from God? [32:35]
4. What does the sermon imply about the eternal value of God's blessings and how they prepare us for eternity? [42:54]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced sorrow that later led to joy. How did this experience shape your understanding of God's blessings? [00:28]
2. In what ways can you seek blessings that are genuine and spiritually enriching rather than those that are temporary or superficial? [03:10]
3. How can you guard against self-deception in your spiritual life and ensure that your faith is grounded in the reality of God's grace and truth? [27:09]
4. What steps can you take to develop spiritual discernment to recognize and seek blessings that lead to a deeper relationship with God? [32:35]
5. Consider the blessings in your life that have eternal significance. How can you use these blessings to glorify God in your daily life? [42:54]
6. Identify an area in your life where you may be relying on human blessings. How can you shift your focus to seek divine blessings in this area? [06:38]
7. How can you cultivate a sincere and humble approach in your prayers, asking for God's true blessings in your life? [03:10]

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Journey from Sorrow to Joy
In life, periods of sorrow and hardship often precede the most profound blessings. Jabez's story in 1 Chronicles 4:10 illustrates this truth, as he was born in sorrow but became more honorable than his brethren through God's blessings. This transformation is a testament to the power of divine grace, which can turn our trials into opportunities for spiritual growth and joy. By earnestly seeking God's blessings, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of His purpose and the joy that follows perseverance. [00:28]

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

Reflection: Think of a recent hardship you faced. How can you see God's hand in transforming that experience into a blessing?


Day 2: The Superiority of Divine Blessings
Human blessings, while comforting, are often temporary and limited. In contrast, divine blessings carry God's authority and power, offering a depth and permanence that human efforts cannot match. These blessings are spiritually enriching and capable of transforming lives in meaningful ways. By seeking God's favor with sincerity, we align ourselves with His will and open our lives to the profound impact of His grace. [06:38]

James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Reflection: Identify a blessing in your life that you believe is from God. How has it transformed you or your circumstances in a meaningful way?


Day 3: The Dangers of Imaginary Blessings
In our spiritual journey, it is crucial to avoid self-deception and presumption. Imaginary blessings, based on superficial desires or self-deception, can lead us away from true faith and assurance. A genuine relationship with God is grounded in His grace and truth, not in fleeting or imagined comforts. By seeking a faith that is rooted in reality, we ensure that our spiritual life is authentic and aligned with God's will. [27:09]

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you might be deceiving yourself. How can you seek God's truth and assurance in this area today?


Day 4: The Importance of Spiritual Discernment
Not all that appears as a blessing is truly beneficial. Spiritual discernment is essential in recognizing and seeking blessings that lead to growth and a deeper relationship with God. By praying for discernment, we can distinguish between temporary, superficial blessings and those that are genuinely enriching and aligned with God's purpose for our lives. [32:35]

Proverbs 3:21-23 (ESV): "My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble."

Reflection: Consider a decision you are currently facing. How can you seek God's wisdom and discernment to ensure it aligns with His will?


Day 5: The Eternal Value of God's Blessings
True blessings are those with eternal significance, drawing us closer to God and preparing us for eternity. Whether in joy or sorrow, these blessings help us glorify God and recognize that anything leading us to Him is a blessing indeed. By focusing on eternal values, we align our lives with God's purpose and experience the fullness of His grace. [42:54]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can shift your focus from the temporary to the eternal? How can this change help you glorify God more fully?

Quotes



we know very little about Jabez except that he was more honorable than his Brethren and that he was called Jabez because his mother bear him with sorrow it will sometimes happen that where there is the most sorrow in the antecedents there will be the most pleasure in the sequel as the Furious storm gives place to the clear Sunshine so the night of weeping precedes the morning of joy [00:16:44]

oh that thou would bless me indeed I commend it as a prayer for yourselves dear Brethren and sisters one which will be available at all seasons a prayer to begin Christian Life with a prayer to end it with a prayer which would never be unseasonable in your Joys or in your sorrows oh that thou the god of Israel the Covenant God would bless me indeed [00:32:42]

there are many varieties of blessing some are blessings only in name they gratify our wishes for a moment but permanently disappoint our expectations they charm the eye but Paul on the taste others are mere temporary blessings they perish with the using though for a while they Regale the senses they cannot satisfy the higher Cravings of the Soul [00:37:02]

but dear friends after all all that parents relatives Saints and grateful persons can do in the way of blessing Falls very far short of what we desire to have oh Lord we would have the blessings of our fellow creatures the blessings that come from their hearts but oh that thou woulds bless me indeed for thou canstless with authority Their Blessings may be but words [00:51:21]

perhaps in this place Jabez may have put the blessing of God in contrast with the blessings of men will bless thee will now doest well for thyself they will praise the man who is successful in business nothing succeeds like success nothing has so much the approval of the general public as a man's prosperity unless they do not weigh men's actions in the balances of the sanctuary but in quite other scales [00:56:59]

but there are ten thousand proofs that happiness consists not in the abundance which a man possesseth so many instances are well known by you all that I need not quote any to show that riches are not a blessing indeed they are rather apparently than really so hence it has been well said that when we see how much a man has we envy him but could we see how little he enjoys we should pity him [01:19:48]

if thou Hast honor and fame accept it but let this prayer go up my God bless thou me indeed for what profit were it if my name were in a thousand mouths if thou should spew it out of thy mouth what matter though my name were written on marble if it were not written in the Lamb's Book of Life these blessings are only apparently blessings windy blessings blessings that mock me [01:46:56]

yet oh let me not glory in my strength in a moment it may fail me a few short weeks May reduce the strong man to a skeleton consumption May set in the cheek May pale with the shadow of death let not the strong man glory in his strength the Lord delighteth not in the strength of the Horse He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man [02:00:00]

I am certain that I never did grow in Grace one half so much anywhere as I have upon the bed of pain it ought not to be so our joyous mercies ought to be great fertilizers to our spirit but not unfrequently our griefs are more salutary than our joys the pruning knife is best for some of us well after all whatever you have to suffer of weakness of debility of pain and anguish may it be so attended with the divine presence [02:09:48]

there is a great difference between presumption and full assurance full Assurance is reasonable it is based on Solid Ground presumption takes for granted and with Brazen face pronounces that to be its own to which it has no right whatever beware I pray thee of presuming that thou art saved if with thy heart thou just trust in Jesus then art thou saved but if thou merely sayest I trust in Jesus it does not save thee [02:55:58]

the prayer of everyone that serves God should be oh that that would bless me indeed plod on plodon if I only build one piece of masonry in my life and nothing more if it be gold silver or precious stones it is a good deal for a man to do of such precious stuff as that to build even one little corner which will not show is a worthy service it will not be much talked of but it will last there is the point it will last [03:56:00]

the blessings of God's grace are blessings indeed which in right Earnest we ought to seek after by these Mark shall you know them blessings indeed are such blessings as come from the pierced hand blessings that come from calvary's bloody tree streaming from the savior's wounded side thy pardon thine acceptance thy spiritual life the bread that is meat indeed the blood that is drink indeed thy Oneness to Christ and all that comes of it these are blessings indeed [04:06:02]

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Transcript
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