Enjoying The Benefits Of Salvation Series

Enjoying The Benefits Of Salvation

Prepared For Lexington For Sunday Morning, March 9th, 2003

TEXT: Psalms 68:18-20, Psalms 103:1-6, Psalms 116:12

Psalms 68:18-20 (KJV)

18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.

Psalms 103:1-6 (KJV)

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

Psalms 116:12 (KJV)

12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

Introduction:

I have been struggling with this message, these thoughts for a couple of weeks or more.

I know what happens when you preach something like this, someone will feel like or accuse you of picking on them.

But I BRING THIS TO YOU today knowing that I have heard from God

And that my plans, my notes, my sermon for today is in His DIRECT WILL.

(1) You have my permission to do what ever you want to do with

this message.

(2) But I hope you will receive the instructions from it and that you

will allow it to help you, your family and your church this morning.

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There are others things that I could have entitled this message this morning;

(1) “To Be Blessed Or Not To Be Blessed”

(2) “To Be Blessed Or To Be Stressed”

QUESTION: How many of you want to walk in His Blessings?

FACT: Many of the blessings from God, The benefits of His Kingdom

Are only accessible to us by our obedience to Him, to His Word.

FACT: There are conditions that must be met.

(1) We don’t always like to hear things like that.

(2) But what I am telling you this morning is the truth.

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The following definitions are not theological definitions, but they come from Mr. Webster.

BENEFACTOR - One who gives financial or other aid.

Jesus is our benefactor.

All of the benefits of salvation are accessible only

through Him.

BENEFICIARY - The recipient of a benefit, as from an insurance

policy will, or trust fund.

You and I are the beneficiaries of His Covenant.

The New Testament, The Will

BENEFIT - An advantage, An aid, Help, A payment or series of

payments to one in need.

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To be helpful or advantageous.

To derive advantage; profit

We can tap into the endless and limitless blessings of God

Through Jesus Christ as we walk in obedience to His Word.

I. Obedience Brings Blessings & Benefits

[A] Obedience to His Word and to His will is the KEY

1 Sam 15:21-23 (KJV)

21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

(1) The scriptures are very plan, if you do things your own way, you

will reap the rewards of your independence.

(2) If you do things His Way, You will reap the rewards of obedience.

(3) God cannot and will not bless a life of rebellion & stubbornness.

*Rebellion & Stubbornness is sinful.

*God does not bless of life of sin.

[B] How many of you here today want to walk in His Favor?

(1) I want God on My side or by my side in everything that I do

and in every place that I go.

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(2) I have missed the boat a few times in my life.

Enough times to know that doing things my way is brings

un-needed stress into my life.

You can do things His way and things will fall into place much

sooner and so much easier than they will doing things your way!