How to attain this Blessed Life as sons and daughters of our Lord Jesus Christ
Good morning. Let us open with prayer
So many of us want blessings in life. We want to be loved and happy. We want a blessed life. When we feel happy and loved, we feel so blessed. Now wondering how do we attain this Blessed Life as what the Lord wants us to live by?
Our life goal is to attain this blessed life that brings true happiness, peace joy and love- a sense of self-worth, a sense of self-esteem and a sense of security in our lives!!
Let us find out the three points:-How to attain this Blessed Life as Sons and daughters of our Lord Jesus Christ from Psalm 1.
1)UNDERSTAND SPIRITUAL LESSON FOR US FROM PSALM 1 AS WE READ
2)WHAT IS A BLESSED LIFE. WHAT DO I MEAN WITH THE WORD BLESSED
3)WHAT IS REQUIRED TO ATTAIN THIS BLESSED LIFE
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1)UNDERSTAND THE SPIRITUAL LESSON FOR US FROM PSALM 1 AS WE READ PSALM 1
Well, we learn that humanity is divided into two distinct camps: There is always the good and the Bad. The truth and there are the lies. Then there is the right living and then there is the wrong kind of lifestyle
Right living are those who seeks after the ways of God and have a relationship with God by faith
Wrong Lifestyle or choices are those who are alienated from Him, they are in rebellion as a result of their sin and unbelief having worldly standards.
In the end, we have a choice to follow one of two paths: one leads to a life of blessings- the straight and narrow path, God’s way or the other to a life of difficulty and judgment-Worldly standards-serving money-mamon, a path that is broad and look attractive, fun and in the end leads to destruction
Sin and rebellion is a downward spiral. If you listen to fools you will start to think like a fool.Romans 10:17-is about listening to Faith we receive Faith but the opposite applies. So,when you start thinking like a fool you will act like and live like a fool.
So let us make wise choices on how to attain a blessed life as sons and daughters of our Lord Jesus Christ
2) WHAT IS A BLESSED LIFE? WHAT DO I MEAN WITH THE WORD BLESSED
Let us read Psalm 1
Psalm 1NIV “1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”
What does the word blessed mean in Psalm 1?
Blessed means supremely happy or fulfilled
Blessed is the word that not only begin this Psalm but in it lies the essence of what is promised to those who read and meditate on all the psalms. In the Hebrew, it is plural(Blessings) and is equivalent to the Greek word for “Blessed”or “happy”(Matt5:3NIV ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.)
So right living is that the righteous man will be a blessed man, a happy man.
Again, “ Blessed means supremely happy or fulfilled. In fact, in Hebrew the word is actually a plural, which denotes either a multiplicity of blessings or an intensification of them.”
Church, Blessed is the Hebrew word for happy. If you are happy it is because you have been blessed, and if you are blessed, you are happy! True Happiness is what everyone is looking for. As we look at the spiritual lesson, this applies to everyone, there are only two approaches to life – man’s way or God’s way. As the Word of God tells us we can’t serve mammon and God. A choice has to be made
Matthew 6:24 NIV “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Challenge:To stay happy,ie, to stay blessed choose this day whom you will serve?
First, in Psalm 1:1 we learn that happiness, a blessed life comes by choosing to walk on a righteous path, that is, Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
This determination is directly connected to the company we keep,ie, other people in our lives. Each line in this verse tells us to avoid the wrong kinds of interpersonal relationships and keeping sin away from our lives. Your friends make all the difference in your life
As well as Sin is a spiral that leads us downwards into rebellion and unbelief. Notice the term “pathway.” People often think we are all travelling a neutral road. At some point on that road there is a fork where we must decide if we’ll go God’s way or not. There are not three paths.
The Bible makes it clear that there are only two paths. The broad road where everyone appears to be happy, but they are really miserable, leads to death. The narrow path has its share of hardships and difficulties, pain and sorrows, persecution and problems but is filled with happiness, peace, contentment and joy, that leads to life everlasting.
We are all attracted on the broad path until we choose to follow Jesus. There is no neutral ground. You will miss God’s blessing if you walk the wrong path. Don’t let others rob you of a blessing! Be blessed is to be happy
So,Church, the friends we choose, the company we keep and work in, the relationships we have, determine to a large extent, of our destiny and success in life, so choose wisely by seeking after the ways of our Lord Jesus Christ and have wise counsel which is prerequisite for prosperity (Ps1:3) in the broadest sense
3)WHAT IS REQUIRED TO ATTAIN THIS BLESSED LIFE
To attain something of utmost importance is to put action, to work for it
So to attain this Blessed Life, having true happiness
i)Take delight in the Law of the Lord-Take delight on the word of God(Psalm 1:2)
The “Law”in Psalm1:2, Hebrew “torah”connotes more than written laws. It is the revealed lifestyle of God’s chosen people.
The “blessed” man delights in the precepts of the Word. There is a “delight” —a peace, joy, and satisfaction of soul—pure and stable, to be found in subjection to God’s will, which is obtainable nowhere else.
ii)Meditates day and night the Word of God(Psalm 1:2)
Joshua 1:8-9NIV “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
iii)Rooted in the Word of God and fruitful
Psalm 1:3NIV “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers
For a tree to grow healthy and strong it has to have deep roots
iv)Spiritually alive and a hotline to Jesus
A blessed man is spiritually alive and nothing takes him unaware because he is plugged into God like electric socket adapter, ie, a hotline to Jesus (Jeremiah 33:3).
v)Upward movement –obedience and faith and trust in Jesus
A blessed man can never go down in life – it is an upward movement and never backward. The Bible says, “His leaf also shall not wither, brings forth fruit in season.”(Psalm 1:3)
vi)Keep good company, build strong Godly relationships with Jesus and each other of like minded
vii)We have the Beatitudes-
Matthew 5:1-12-Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount NIV “ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes-He said:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Conclusion
Psalm 1 proclaims truths echoed in the book of Proverbs: that following the wisdom of God is the best and wisest way to live. Like Proverbs, this psalm declares that those who obey God’s teachings can avoid consequences arising from sin and disobedience.
There is no neutral path but only two paths to take –eithe God’s ways or Man’s Worldly ways. You can’t serve two masters. Choose you whom you will serve God or mammon. Sin and sinners are company’s we need to annilate in our lives. The relationships we have, the company we keep and work in will either build us stronger in faith or corrupt our ways leading us to rebellion and sin.
Attaining a blessed life, being happy require works to be done in our lives and obedience in choosing the right pathway, keeping ourselves righteous before our Lord Jesus Christ
Psalm 1 tells us that this Man, Jesus Christ, is blessed. But Psalm 2 goes on to tell us that ‘all those who put their trust in him’ are blessed (Ps 2:12). We see this all the time in the New Testament: those who trust in Jesus are now ‘in Christ’ and so we’re blessed’ in Christ.
Stay happy, stay blessed!! The Lord knows the ways of the righteous. Church, He is attentive to all our needs. Keep trusting Him
Let us close
Dear Jesus, You are my Lord, savior, master and King . Help me to make wise choices in life to stay blessed and attain true happiness in Jesus name amen
Sydney Gateway Church 