Rejoicing in the Blessings of God

Temple Baptist Church - 7-13-2025

Psalm 33

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, I preached for the 249^th Birthday of the United States on verse 12 of this Psalm.  “God Bless America.”

 

Psalms 33:12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

 

B.  God has blessed us all in so many ways that to count them would not be possible.  The context of Psalm 33 is “Rejoicing in God’s Blessings.”  Although I believe that we enjoy the blessings God has bestowed upon this great nation, I fear that we do not truly rejoice in the Lord for the blessings that we have.

 

C.  We are admonished to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”  (Philippians 4:4)

 

D.  Verse 12 is one of the middle verses of this Psalm, as it has 22 verses.  That being said, the context is on both sides of the verse!  To understand what God is saying, we need to break down the Psalm.

 

1.  Verses 1-3.  The Command of worship.

 

a.  Verse 1.  The rejoicing of the Righteous.  The unrighteous have no sense of gratitude for the many blessings of God, but the righteous understand that every good and perfect gift cometh down from the “Father of Lights.”  “Comely” – suitable or beautiful. 

 

Psalms 22:3  But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

 

b.  Verses 2-3.  Rejoicing in musical instruments: skillfully and loudly.  This is not the modern “Praise Bands” playing worldly music.  This is righteous music, not worldly music.

 

Ephesians 5:19-20  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  (20)  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

 

2.  Verses 4-11.  The Cause of Worship.

 

a.  Verse 4.  For the Word of God that we hold in our hands.  I fear that the least used of all gifts from God is that of His precious Word.

 

b.  Verse 5.  The righteousness and goodness of the Lord.  We often associate goodness with our possessions, and I am genuinely grateful for them.  Brother Harold would frequently request the song “Count Your Blessings” because he knew that they were innumerable.  God has been so good to us in many ways that are righteous, not simply worldly, eternal, and not simple temporal.

 

c.  Verses 6-9. The glory of His creation.  He spoke and it stood fast.  It remains steadfast.  “In all around, God I see!”  By “THE BREATH OF HIS MOUTH!”  The knowledge, the wisdom, the understanding, the power of an all-knowing, omnipotent Creator!  His creation declares the glory of God; His creation shows His handiwork!

 

d.  Verses 10-11.  The Counsel of the Lord.  As the psalmist reflects on the majesty of God’s creation and the deep reasons for worship, the imagery naturally leads us to consider the tender care and guidance that God provides to those who follow Him. This transition from acknowledging God’s power and righteousness to experiencing His personal leadership is beautifully captured in the next passages.

 

1.  Verse 10.  The Lord Overrules.  Spiritual wisdom always “trumps” worldly wisdom. The counsel of this world may fail us, but the counsel of the Lord remaineth to all generations.

 

2.  Verse 11.  The Lord Oversees.  The Lord watches over and guides His sheep.  In the multitude of counselors, there is safety, but they will sometimes either fail you or not be enough. In the counsel of the Lord, there is righteousness and peace of heart and mind.  Perfect leadership from our Great Shepherd.

 

Psalms 23:2-3  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  (3)  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 

John 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

 

e.  Verses 13-19.  The Care of the Lord.

 

1.  Verses 13-14.  The Lord watches over our lives.  This is an amazing thought that God cares about every aspect of our lives.

 

Psalms 40:17  But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

 

1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

2.  Verses 15.  The Lord fashions our hearts.  The transformation of our heart and soul through the “renewing” of our minds.

 

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

3.  Verses 16-19.  The Lord delivers in hard times.  Barbara and I can personally testify that God has done exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask of think!

 

Psalms 37:25  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

 

Philippians 4:19-20  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  (20)  Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

f.  Verses 20-22.  The Confidence in the Lord.

 

Psalms 118:8-9  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.  (9)  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

 

Proverbs 3:25-26  Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.  (26)  For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

 

1.  Verse 20.  Wait upon the Lord.  God’s will, God’s time, God’s way!

 

Isaiah 40:29-31  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.  (30)  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:  (31)  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

 

2.  Verse 21.  Trust in the Lord.  God knows what He is doing so learn to trust Him!

 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

3.  Verse 22.  Hope in the Lord.  The Lord is on our side in this world and one day, just like today,  He is coming again to take us home.

 

Jeremiah 17:7  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

 

Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

Psalms 33:12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Spiritual Blessings

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-30-2023

Psalm 115

Introduction:

 

A.  I believe that the key to this Psalm is found in verse 2:  “Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? “

 

B.  The Key words in the verse are the words “now” and “their”.  Evidently, from the question of the heathen, something had transpired that caused them to doubt the God of the Psalmist or some other believer.

 

C.  There can be more than one reason for this, but I believe that these heathens had watched something or more than one thing bad happened to believers.

 

1.  The question may be asked, “If there is a God and He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, why does He not intervene as to either stop bad things from happening or to give a visual victory in such problems.

 

2.  Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people.  Sin has its consequences, and we all have the curse of sin in our bodies.

 

3.  “Where is now their God?”  They see God’s children suffer in many cases just like they suffer.  We have hard times, we get sick, we get cancer, we have tight financial times, we have family problems just like all people.  God did not save us from hardship, He helps us through hardship.

 

D.  The world cannot discern spiritual things.  The Psalmist goes on to explain that the blessings of God are sometimes physical and all the time spiritual.

 

E.  In verse 3, the Psalmist says, “Our God!”  “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. “ shows the believer bowing to the providence and sovereignty of God.  What happened was in the will of God, either God did something of God had to allow something.

 

F.  From verse 4 to the end of the Psalm, the Psalmist lists some unseen blessings that the world will never grasp until they come to Christ Jesus by faith and repentance.  Some things that the world cannot see:

 

1.  The Lost do not understand God’s unseen blessing of love for His children.  The lost do not understand the unconditional, absolute love of God when we are glad, sad, mad, or bad!  Better felt than tellt as one person said.  What a blessing that God loves you and me spiritual blessings.

 

Ephesians 3:17-19  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  (18)  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  (19)  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

 

1 John 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

2.  The Lost do not understand God’s unseen blessing of goodness and mercy to His children the follow them ALL the days of their life.

 

Psalms 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

 

3.  The Lost do not understand God’s unseen blessing of grace for His children.  Grace for every trial, grace for every mile (Dean Shook).

 

1 Peter 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

 

4.  The Lost do not understand God’s unseen blessing of presence with His children.

 

Matthew 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 

5.  The Lost do not understand God’s unseen blessing of the Spirit of God that indwells in His children.

 

John 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

 

6.  The Lost do not understand God’s unseen blessing of compassion for His children.

 

Hebrews 5:2  Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

 

7.  The Lost do not understand God’s unseen blessing of care for His children’s cares.  Does Jesus care?  Oh, yes He cares!”

 

Psalms 103:13-14  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.  (14)  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

 

1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

Conclusion:  “Where is now their God?”  We see what they cannot see.  Our God is with us and for us.

The Blessed Man

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-22-2022

Psalms 1

 

Introduction:

 

A.  It is interesting that the first Psalm pronounces both a blessing (the Righteous) and a cursing (the Rebellious).  As we read the admonitions found in this Book, it shows us the way of happiness in the Lord as well as the wrath of God upon the wicked who refuse to repent and turn to Him.

 

1.  The Righteous will Flourish.  I will deal with this first part as I am preaching to God's people, not the unrighteous!

 

2.  But, The Rebellious will Fall.  Verses 4-6.  The ungodly are not so!!!  They will not be blessed; they will be driven; they will not be happy; they will be judged; and their way will perish!

 

B.  It begins with the word “blessed.”  Many will substitute the word “happy” in the place of “blessed” but I believe that it is a cardinal mistake.  Though both “blessed” and “happy” come from the same root word (which means to be straight, to be level, to go forward, to be honest, to prosper, happy), the words are a little different in their meanings within the context.

 

C.  "Blessed" is found 302x in the Bible while "happy" (in one form or another) is only found 28x in your Bible.  This vast difference in usage is by design. 

 

1.  To be happy is a manner of disposition.  It always means happiness or to be extremely glad in your circumstances.  Everyone wants to be happy, but we are not always so for life is hard at times and we wish things to be different.

 

2.  To be blessed is a word that pertains to our personal welfare.  You can be unhappy and still be blessed.  Do you see what I mean?  In the worst of circumstances, you can be unhappy but still be blessed.  That is what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  Not to be thankful for cancer, death, or sinfulness but to be thankful that you are saved, God is meeting your needs, etc. during these hard times.

 

D.  People substitute “love” for “charity” in 1 Corinthians 13 which is also detrimental to proper Bible interpretation as “charity” is a specific type of love while “love” is an umbrella that covers all love.

 

E.  Psalm 1 tells us how to be “blessed,” not “happy.”  I am glad that the things in this Psalm will ultimately (and sometimes instantly) make you happy, but they will ALWAYS make you blessed.

 

F.  Throughout the Book of Psalms, we find contrasts between good and evil, happy times and hard times, times of victory and times of defeat for God's people.  In Psalms, chapter one, we find blessing and cursing.  I want to use a New Testament verse that helps to explain verse 1.

 

1 Corinthians 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

 

 

1.  The Conditions Of God’s Blessings.  In verse 1, we find a negative progression: walking, standing, and sitting.  If you walk with the world, you will stand with the world, and will ultimately sit with the world!

 

a.  The Blessed Man Finds His Counsel In God’s Word, Not The World – “walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly”  This means to both listen and agree with the counsel of the world.  Their counsel is anti-God.  “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

 

b.  The Blessed Man Finds His Pleasure In The Things Of God – “standeth in the way of sinners”  As the wages of sin is still death, the way of sinfulness brings about the certain judgment of God.  “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

 

c.  The Blessed Man Finds His Fellowship With The People Of God – “nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful”  Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.  The world scorns (to have in derision) the things of God.  They mock you if you serve God and will make you mock those who serve the Lord if you run with them.  “Evil communications corrupt good manners!”

 

d.  The Blessed Man Finds His Delight In The Law Of The Lord – “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”  Proverbs 19:23 says, “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.”  We will have problems but God will deliver us out of them all!

 

2.  The Characteristics Of God’s Blessed.

 

a.  God’s Blessed Are Prominent - “he shall be like a tree”  God’s people will “stand out” and “stand above” the world!  “They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” The world may not like you but they will recognize you and most of the world will respect you.

 

b.  God’s Blessed Are Planted – “planted by the rivers of water”  The child of God will be vibrant, lively, and lovely during the most horrible spiritual droughts!  They will have a constant, unending source of both life and strength.

 

c.  God’s Blessed Are Productive – “that bringeth forth his fruit in his season”  The child of God will produce godly fruit that will be both observed and beneficial to others.  You never know who is watching your life but you do know who you want to follow in your footsteps!  “If my kids follow me they will be drug free” is a familiar bumper sticker.  If my kids follow me, they will follow the Lord!

 

d.  God’s Blessed Are Perpetual – “is leaf also shall not wither”  One of the greatest of spiritual assets is that of predictability!  When the world not only recognizes a life of godliness in the believer but expects to see it every time they come around.  Not shocked that our lives have changed but expectant of our spiritual consistency.

 

e.  God’s Blessed Are Prosperous – “whatsoever he doeth shall prosper”  The believer will be successful in both his public and personal life.  That does not mean that we will have no problems but it does mean that we shall come through them victoriously!  We can overcome hardship with the help of an ever present, all powerful, and graciously loving God at our side.

Bless The Lord

Temple Baptist Church - 11-22-2020

Psalm 103

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  I preached a couple of weeks on “The Blessed Blessing The Blesser.”  Verses 1-2.

 

B.  I have nothing new to report to you concerning blessings.  I love this Psalm because it says it all!  The blessings of God upon us has been consistent ones.  Year after year, He pours out his blessings and we NEVER want to take them for granted.

 

C.  This morning, I looked at our possible impending loss of the things that we hold so dear.  The things that make our lives so easy, comfortable, and free.

 

1.    We are so blessed to live in this great nation!  We can say in a good way, “I have need of nothing!” 

 

2.  As Bro. Jim Rutland often said, “All this and heaven too!”  God has been so good to America, but especially to those of us who are saved and have the privilege to live here.

 

D.  Is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord!  God has so blessed us, and it is a good thing to bless the Lord with our soul: the seat of our affections.  God has been so good to us in salvation, but His blessings go far beyond that.  It does us good to just “look around” occasionally and count our many blessings.

 

E.  This Psalm is a good reminder:

 

1.  The blessing of God’s Forgiveness – vs. 3, 12

 

2.  The blessing of good Health – vs. 3

 

3.  The blessing of Divine Protection – vs. 4

 

4.  The blessing of His loving Kindness – vs. 4

 

5.  The blessing of bountiful Provision – vs. 5

 

6.  The blessing of Divine Intervention – vs. 6-7

 

7.  The blessing of His Mercy – 8-9, 15-18

 

8.  The blessing of His Infinite Wisdom – 10-14

 

9.  The blessing of His Sovereignty – 19-22

The Psalm of the Holy Spirit - The Blessed Man

Temple Baptist Church - 2-12-2017

Psalms 1

Introduction:

A.  This great Psalm may take more than one service because of both its importance as a preface to 150 chapters, which makes it the longest of all books of the Bible. 

1.  It is a Psalm of great content as it sets forth the beginning and end of both godliness and sinfulness. 

2.  This little Psalm is one of great encouragement as living for Christ is rewarded in this life as well as the life to come.  The blessedness of living for Christ is often shrouded by a worldly view of “much is good and little is not.” 

Luke 12:15  “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”  (Life does not consist of the possessions that we have but the peace that we have with God and the peace that we find as we live a life with little regret.  Godliness great gain – It will be worth it all when we see Christ!)

3.  It is a Psalm of dire warning as it also shows the beginning and end of the wicked, both in this life and the life to come.  As the “god of this world” has blinded the minds of the lost to the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, he has also blinded their minds to the result of sinfulness. 

Ecclesiastes 8:11  Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

B.  Several things stand out in this first Psalm that I think are important to look at.

1.  The Psalm has no title.  Other than the 1st and 2nd Psalm, the rest of the Psalms have titles that give either a general or specific backdrop.  Because of the structure and contend of the 1st Psalm, it has been called by some “The Preface of the Holy Ghost” or “The Psalm of the Holy Ghost.”   

2.  The Book of Psalms has also been called “The Hymn Book of Israel.”  Think of our hymn book for a moment.  It is a book filled with songs of Worship!  The songs that we sing are meant to glorify our wonderful Lord in both the good and the bad times of our lives.  I love to sing!  What a blessing to come to church and have the blessed opportunity to worship the Lord with a grateful heart.  Come before His presence with singing.  These Psalms were meant to glorify Jehovah God!

3.  Our hymnal is not a Book of Complaints or Disappointments.  The hymns are to elevate the Lord and to encourage the child of God.  There is much in the Psalms where God’s people did not understand their suffering, the seemingly elevation and blessedness of the wicked, the silences of God through many of the hard times of their lives.  The Psalms elevated God above the strife of this present world.

C.  What makes the Bible a “God Book” instead of the writings of man is the absolute honesty that it shows. 

1.  The Psalms show man what he is as well as tell man who and what God is.  This “preface” to the Psalms divides naturally into two nearly equal portions.

a)  In Psalm 1:1-3 the essence of the righteous is described, and his reward is promised.

b)  In Psalm 1:4-6 the condition of the wicked is considered, and his ultimate destruction predicted.

D.  The first Psalm is an expanded version of a proverb as it contrasts wisdom and foolishness. 

E.  The Book of Psalms is the “Hymn Book” of the Jewish nation.  It is a “Prayer Book” and a “Worship Hymnal” combined.  I have gotten more help from the Psalms over the past few years than from any other place in the Bible.  It encourages us to remain faithful and trust; it illuminates us to God’s ways; it glorifies His holiness and impending judgment on the wicked; it is the resting place of the soul that is endangered or discouraged.

F.  It begins with the word “blessed.”  Many will substitute the word “happy” in the place of “blessed” but I believe that it is a cardinal mistake.  Though both “blessed” and “happy” come from the same root word (which means to be straight, to be level, to go forward, to be honest, to prosper, happy), the words are a little different in their meanings.

1.  To be happy is a manner of disposition.  It always means happiness or to be extremely glad in your circumstances.  Everyone wants to be happy but we are not always so for life is hard at times and we wish things to be different.

2.  To be blessed is a word that pertains to our personal welfare.  You can be unhappy and still be blessed.  Do you see what I mean?  In the worst of circumstances, you can be unhappy but still be blessed.  That is what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  Not to be thankful for cancer, death, or sinfulness but to be thankful that you are saved, God is meeting your needs, etc. during these hard times.

G.  Psalm 1 tells us how to be “blessed,” not “happy.”  I am glad that the things in this Psalm will ultimately (and sometimes instantly) make you happy but they will ALWAYSmake you blessed.

1.  The Conditions Of God’s Blessings

a.  The Blessed Man Finds His Counsel In God’s Word – “walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly”  This means to both listen and agree with the counsel of the world.  Their counsel is anti-god.  “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

b.  The Blessed Man Finds His Pleasure In The Things Of God – “standeth in the way of sinners.”  The wages of sin is still death!  “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

c.  The Blessed Man Finds His Fellowship With The People Of God – “nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”  Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.  The world scorns (to have in derision) the things of God.  They mock you if you serve God and will make you mock those who serve the Lord if you run with them.  “Evil communications corrupt good manners!”

d.  The Blessed Man Finds His Delight In The Law Of The Lord – “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”  Proverbs 19:23 says, “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.”  We will have problems but God will deliver us out of them all!

2.  The Characteristics Of God’s Blessed

a.  God’s Blessed Are Prominent - “he shall be like a tree.”  God’s people will “stand out” and “stand above” the world!  “They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” The world may not like you but they will recognize you and most of the world will respect you.

b.  God’s Blessed Are Planted – “planted by the rivers of water.”  The child of God will be vibrant, lively, and lovely during the most horrible spiritual droughts!  They will have a constant, unending source of both life and strength.

c.  God’s Blessed Are Productive – “that bringeth forth his fruit in his season.”  The child of God will produce godly fruit that will be both observed and beneficial to others.  You never know who is watching your life but you do know who you want to follow in your footsteps!  “If my kids follow me they will be drug free” is a familiar bumper sticker.  If my kids follow me, they will follow the Lord!

d.  God’s Blessed Are Perpetual – “is leaf also shall not wither.”  One of the greatest of spiritual assets is that of predictability!  When the world not only recognizes a life of godliness in the believer but expects to see it every time they come around.  Not shocked that our lives have changed but expectant of our spiritual consistency.

e.  God’s Blessed Are Prosperous – “whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”  The believer will be successful in both his public and personal life.  That does not mean that we will have no problems but it does mean that we shall come through them victoriously!  We can overcome hardship with the help of an ever present, all powerful, and graciously loving God at our side.

Conclusion:  The ungodly are not so!!!