Introduction

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, to another blessed gathering in the house of our Lord. It's a joy to see each one of you here today, ready to receive the nourishment of God's Word. As we come together in fellowship, let us remember that we are all part of the body of Christ, each one of us a unique and integral part of His divine plan.

Our sermon today revolves around the themes of belief, obedience, and prophecy. We will be reflecting on the blessings that belief brings, the burden of obedience we are called to bear, and how we become partners in the prophetic promise.

In the words of Corrie ten Boom, "Let God’s promises shine on your problems." This profound truth reminds us that our faith is not merely a passive acceptance, but an active gaze upon God, a steadfast belief in His promises and His plan for us.

Let us now turn our hearts and minds to the Scripture that will guide our reflections today. From the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1, verses 45 to 55:

"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.'"

And from the book of Genesis, Chapter 12, verse 2:

"And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."

Let us bow our heads in prayer.

Dear heavenly Father, we thank You for bringing us together today to hear Your Word. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive the lessons You have for us. May we grow in faith, bear the burden of obedience with grace, and become partners in Your prophetic promise. Guide us, Lord, as we seek to understand and apply Your Word in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Belief in the Blessings

The power of belief: Belief isn't just about accepting something as true. It's about trusting in it, relying on it, and living in a way that reflects it. When we believe in the blessings of God, we're not just acknowledging that they exist. We're trusting in their reality, relying on their promise, and living in a way that reflects their power.

Luke 1:45: We read, "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." This verse speaks of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her belief in the promise of God. Mary didn't just believe in the promise. She trusted in it, relied on it, and lived in a way that reflected it. And because of that, she was blessed.

Mary's belief: It wasn't just a passive acceptance of the promise. It was an active trust in the promise. She didn't just hear the words and accept them. She took them to heart, trusted in them, and lived in a way that reflected them. And because of that, she was blessed. This is a powerful lesson for us. When we believe in the blessings of God, we're not just accepting them as true. We're trusting in them, relying on them, and living in a way that reflects them. And when we do, we too will be blessed.

The nature of God's blessings: In Genesis 12:2, God says to Abraham, "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing." This verse shows us that God's blessings aren't just about us. They're about how we can be a blessing to others. When God blesses us, He doesn't just do it for our benefit. He does it so that we can be a blessing to others. This is a powerful reminder for us. When we believe in the blessings of God, we're not just believing for our own benefit. We're believing so that we can be a blessing to others.

The power of God's blessings: In Luke 1:49, Mary says, "For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." This verse shows us that God's blessings are not small or insignificant. They are great and mighty, reflecting the power and holiness of God. This is an important truth for us. When we believe in the blessings of God, we're not just believing in small or insignificant things. We're believing in great and mighty things, reflecting the power and holiness of God.

The enduring nature of God's blessings: In Luke 1:50, Mary says, "And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation." This verse shows us that God's blessings are not temporary or fleeting. They are enduring and everlasting, extending from generation to generation. This is a comforting assurance for us. When we believe in the blessings of God, we're not just believing in temporary or fleeting things. We're believing in enduring and everlasting things, extending from generation to generation.

Bearing the Burden of Obedience

Obedience is a burden we bear, not out of compulsion, but out of love for our heavenly Father ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO