Recognizing and appreciating the many blessings from God

1
Count Your Many Blessings

• Recognizing and appreciating the many blessings
  from God

2
Introduction

• In nearly every topic within the scriptures the
  Bible God typically reveals a simplistic/physical
  truth with its greater/spiritual truth.
• Creation physical creation of this world
  spiritual creation in Christ.
• Temple physical tabernacle/temple under Moses
  spiritual heaven under Christ.
• Sacrifice physical (animal) sacrifice
  spiritual (man) sacrifice. Rom. 121-2
• What God wants man to learn is that while there
  are great physical events and truths in this
  physical world we live in, the greater rests in
  eternity.

3
Introduction

• We can also learn about Gods blessings through
  the covenants
• Under the Old Testament scriptures we learn of
  Gods physical blessings through the riches God
  promised and provided for those who belonged to
  Him.
• Under the New Testament we learn of Gods
  spiritual blessings through the riches God
  promised and provides through Jesus Christ.

4
Introduction

• That said, we shall consider the blessings God
  promised and provided under both covenants
• Appreciating (giving thanks) for all God has
  given to man.
• Manifesting that appreciation and thanksgiving in
  our lives as living sacrifices.

5
Blessings From God in Both Testaments

• Use of the word blessing
• It is the bestowing of divine favor. Cp. Gen.
  23 Gen. 272-4
• To speak well of (another). Cp. Jas. 39
• The result naturally is the benefit and joy
  for the one who is given blessings. Psa. 103

6
Blessings From God in Both Testaments

• From the beginning through the Old Testament
• God blessed creation and man. Gen. 122 23
  (Gen. 128 52)
• He blessed man with children. Gen. 1716 Gen.
  212 (cp. Gen. 41)
• He blessed sinful man with atonement through the
  blood of animals.
• He blessed Abraham to be a great nation. Gen.
  121ff
• He abundantly blessed the Israelite nation to
  enter the promised land (milk and honey). B. of
  Josh.

7
Blessings From God in Both Testaments

• New Testament.
• God blessed those who are a new creation in
  Christ.
• He blessed His new creation as His own children
  in His household. Eph. 219
• He blessed sinful man with atonement through the
  blood of Jesus Christ. Heb. 1019
• He blessed all those following Abrahams faith as
  a spiritually great nation. Eph. 13
• He abundantly blessed the true Israel with the
  eternal promise land. Heb. 1139-40

8
Blessings From God in Both Testaments

• In other words God gives abundantly, beyond
  measure!
• How many days of your life have you been given
  food, clothing, and shelter?
• How many times have you been spared from
  potential (physical) harm or death?
• How many times have you been encouraged by Gods
  faithful?
• How many times have you been forgiven of your
  sins?

9
Manifesting Our Appreciation As Living Sacrifices

• A Christian not spiritually minded does not
  recognize or truly appreciate all the blessings
  he has received in Christ. Cp. 1 Co. 211
• This person does not see the gravity of his
  eternal life through Jesus earthly sacrifice
  his creation, atonement, adoption, salvation in
  Christ.
• He cannot grasp the magnitude of Gods grace that
  covers his wages sins.
• Therefore he does not express (through his
  relationship with God) all the riches bestowed
  upon him.

10
Manifesting Our Appreciation As Living Sacrifices

• The Christian who truly appreciates Gods
  blessings in his life. Cp. Psa. 103
• Manifests his appreciation through his life
  service to the Lord. Rom. 121-2
• Manifests his appreciation through his sincere
  and devout worship of Almighty Jehovah. Cp. B. of
  Psalms
• In other words, his life is abundantly giving to
  the one who gave him everything!

11
Conclusion

• How much has God blessed you?
• How much are you giving thanks and manifesting
  your thanksgiving to Him?