Kingdom Blessings are not automatic

Rev Enoch Thompson | March 25, 2023 | Matthew 1:11-16

KEY VERSE:

If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. Matthew 10:13 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

Most people believe in the power of blessings and curses, and the Bible teaches a lot about blessings and curses. The God of the Bible is a God of blessings. His call of Abraham was one of the blessings (Gen. 12:1-3), and Abraham’s sons walked into those blessings. The Christian life is considered in the light of the foregoing; “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Gal 3:14 (NIV). In Deut 28 we have the record of an extensive list of blessings and curses that were to be experienced by the people of Israel.

The God of the Bible is a God of blessings, but the blessings of God are not automatic or accidental. God’s blessings work based on conditions that are firmly set by God Himself. Our text today teaches us that the spread of the Good News of the Kingdom of God was to be accompanied with the spread of the Shalom, the peace of God which touches all aspects of human life and brings an added advantage and progress in the lives of people. When the Christ-followers went out they were to proclaim Shalom upon individuals, homes, families, and communities. ,

However, they were to note that the realisation of the peace of God they spoke was conditioned by the deserving reception of that peace: “If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.” Matt 10:11-16 (NIV).

There are many times that we may find ourselves in environments where blessings are spoken by godly agents of God, but we do not benefit from those blessings. Even a “Good morning,” spoken by a godly person carries a divine blessing, but the blessing will be missed if we have mental and spiritual attitudes that reject the blessing. A clearly antagonistic attitude to the preaching of the word of God before salvation or while we have become church members will remove the power of the word to impact us positively. Some have been cursed in their attendance of Christian services, and we must be careful we do not miss the blessings of God too (Acts 5:1-10; 1 Cor. 11:27-33). And for all these rejections of divine blessings, we shall be held accountable by the God who had desired to bless us.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

We need the blessings of God as we live in an evil fallen world where Satan and his agents are at work to undo us. Position yourself in mind, behaviour, and confession to receive and benefit from Kingdom blessings.

PRAYER:

Dear God of blessings, how I need you and your blessings as I battle out against all that is around me and against me. Please help me to re-orient my thoughts, words, and behaviour, so that your blessings will attach to me and follow me all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!