Disclaimer:
Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many sources including those at Sermoncentral.com, any similarities and wording, including sermon titles, that may appear to be the same as any other sermon are purely coincidental. In instances where other minister’s wording is used, due recognition will be given. These sermons are not copyrighted and may be used or preached freely. May God richly bless you as you read these sermons. It is my sincere desire that all who read them may be enriched. All scriptures quoted in these sermons are copied and/or quoted from the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Pastor James May
PROCURING THE BLESSINGS OF GOD
There isn’t a day that passes when someone will come to me and say, “Please pray for me that God will bless me.” The needs are varied with each one who asks. Some may need deliverance from sickness or disease, for either their own bodies or someone in their family. Others need financial blessings because of sudden expenses that are hard to plan for. Others need help with depression or a failing relationship. Many of them seek prayer for blessings that are spiritual in nature such as a greater faith, to know God’s Will for their lives, or for better understanding of the Word of God.
All of these requests are valid and these are the kinds of requests that Jesus expects us to seek answers for. God has promised us that he would meet our every need. He hears our every prayer, knows our concerns, feels our desperation and pain, and because of his loving mercy and grace, God’s greatest desire is for every one of those needs to be met. He will never forsake us. He will never allow us to go for very long without extending his tender hand of mercy to us.
The riches of his grace, the wealth of Heaven, and all of the power of creation are God’s and, because we are his children, they are ours also through our adoption into the family of God when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Most of us would love to have the prayer of Jabez answered in our own lives. It is not my intention this morning to minister or teach concerning the prayer of Jabez. I think that messages on that prayer have been given in every pulpit in America since the book entitled, “The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life”, was written by BruceWilkinson. I simply want to read from the Bible what Jabez’ prayer was.
1 Chronicles 4:10, "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."
That simple prayer brought an answer from the Lord. It has also spawned countless articles, a number of sequels and multitudes of sermons. A vast number of those sermons have had to do with personal growth or self-improvement. When Jabez prayed that prayer and God answered him, there is no doubt that all of this was included in God’s blessing that was poured out upon Jabez. How many of us would like to hear God say yes to our prayer?
I believe that the key to Jabez receiving his answer from the Lord can be found in the verse before this one. Look with me at 1 Chronicles 4:9, "And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren…"
There is always a reason that God answers prayer quicker for some than he does for others. God’s answers are triggered by obedience to his Word. Jabez received his answer because he was more “honorable” than his brethren. In other words, he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord as much as was within him to do. He wasn’t perfect but he was striving to be perfect. He wasn’t without sin, but he was willing to obey God, to worship God, to serve God, and to be above reproach in his dealings with other men. It’s a testimony to Jabez’ character that God saw fit to comment through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, that Jabez was the most honorable of all of the Children of Israel.
When we finally get to the place where we are “honorable” to the Lord and to men; when we have finally given ourselves totally to be “up front” with God; when we cease to live in an attitude of disobedience; when we cease to pray for what we want and begin to pray for the will of God is; and when we start to give to God the honor that is due to him – that’s when we will begin to see God granting the blessings that we desire.
Very early this morning, as I lay awake, praying for this service and for the message that God wanted me to give to his people, God began to give me an outline. That’s what I intend to give to you right now and I pray that the Holy Spirit allows me to show you what He wants you to see.
Let us begin by thinking about our Checking or Savings Account at the local bank. Regardless of whether you have a little or a lot, those accounts all work the same way. You will only be able to withdraw if you put something in, and you can’t withdraw it, in most cases, when it immediately deposited. Most banks force you to let your deposit sit in your account for 1 to 3 days before you can make any withdrawals because too many people were putting in checks, withdrawing cash, then the checks would bounce, leaving the bank “holding the bag” so to speak, because the cash that was received would leave the account in the red. Banks are not in the business of losing money and if any practice becomes a losing proposition, they will immediately take steps to correct the problem. Thus we are all made to obey the rules that a few unwitting or unscrupulous people have forced upon us.
In God’s economy, there is a similar situation that occurs. If we are to make withdrawals in the form of blessings in our lives, then there must be “sufficient deposits” to cover those withdrawals in our personal account and our personal relationship with God.
The question may arise, “Does that mean that we can earn more blessings from the Lord by simply doing more for him?” The answer to that question is that we cannot do anything to earn even one blessing from the Lord. The answers to every prayer we pray come only by the grace and mercy of God and not by our works.
However, there is a valid point to be made here. Our actions are like deposits after a fashion, in that our actions that are performed in obedience to God, keep the channels of communication open with the Lord, while disobedience causes a wall, or a “teller closed” sign, if you will, to be posted between our need and God’s provision. In other words, God cannot bless a disobedience and dishonorable servant. In fact, that act of disobedience not only blocks our answers, but instantly empties our account.
James 2:10, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
If we are disobedient to God’s commandments, and we do not those things that God requires of us, we are committing sin. One sin makes us guilty of all and that, my friend, brings the sentence of death upon our soul until that sin is washed away by the Blood of Christ through repentance. I can think of no better example of being spiritually bankrupt, and unable to receive any of God’s blessings, than to be spiritually dead in sin. That stops the flow of God’s blessing and passes the blessing that we should be receiving on to the next heir of God who is in line to receive it.
If you don’t believe that’s true then read with me what happens in the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25:24-28, "Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents."
Matthew 25:29-30, "For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
That’s why some are blessed more than others. That’s why some people seem to hear from the Lord while others do not. That’s why God presence, His glory, His blessings seem to be poured out on some people in the House of God while others stand around wondering why they aren’t feeling anything or being touched by God. It’s all based on our own account, our own relationship with Jesus, and how much honor we are giving to the Lord.
This is not a “sermon on the amount” that you give. It’s not my intention to preach on giving of tithes and offerings per se, but since all of life is governed to a such a great extent by the amount of money that a person has, it seems that financial needs and blessings are always at the forefront of everyone’s prayer requests.
So how can we expect God to bless us financially? What is it that brings his blessing and what is it that stops that blessing from coming and leaves us to our own wiles to meet the financial needs of our families?
Too many people quote that verse in Psalms 37:25 when David said, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."
We love to quote that last part as though we were holding God’s feet to the fire and shoving that verse from God’s on contract with man, in his face and saying, “Do you see that God? You have to feed me! You have to give me what I need! You have to supply all of my need!
We do the same thing with the verse from Philippians 4:19 where Paul writes, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
But there’s something you need to see here. It is only the “Righteous” that have never been forsaken or left begging for bread. And it is only “by Christ Jesus” that all your need shall be met. If we aren’t living righteously and we aren’t “by Jesus”, meaning closely communicating with him in obedience, then he isn’t obligated to supply all your need either. The teller at your window of Heaven’s bank has closed down and your account is empty. We must get back to that place of communion with Christ and living a holy, sanctified and righteous life, so that we can become honorable servants who make deposits of faith, service and worship to our account. Then, after we have made those deposits for a while and proven that our service to the Lord is from the heart and the motives are right, then and only then will windows of Heaven be reopened for us.
On the other hand, what does the Word of God say about how to obtain the financial blessings of God?
It’s a familiar passage of scripture for all of us but turn with me to Malachi 3:10-12, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts."
Another familiar passage is found in Luke 6:38, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
This verse speaks not only about finances but every need and desire in your life. Life is much more than money. It’s health, happiness, joy, peace, and so much more. Give yourself, your time, your energy, your love, your faith and all of it will come back to you through the love and appreciation of those whom you have served and blessed. In other words, make your deposits not only in serving the Lord, but also in serving other people.
In the 25th chapter of Matthew’s gospel we also read of the story of the separation of the sheep and goats. God speaks from his seat of judgment to those who are righteous. Read his words to them.
Matthew 25:37-40, "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
In Malachi, we see God’s promise, his contract on how to receive a blessing from him. In Luke we how to make deposits in the Bank of Heaven, that will cause an outpouring of a return on our investments into the lives of other people.
God’s blessings will only be poured out “after” we have obeyed and “after” we have served. That’s how God’s economy works. We must sow before we can reap. We must give before we can receive.
It is no surprise that the Bible says in Acts 20:35, "I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."
If we keep giving our account grows and the windows of Heaven are open and the “Teller”, our loving, Heavenly Father, is able to continually pour out blessings that we can’t contain in return. If all we do is receive without giving first, our blessing soon ends because the account is emptied immediately and window is closed until we sow once again.
What about blessings in the area of Physical needs? How does the Law of Sowing and Reaping in God’s economy work for us there?
There is no one here that is immune to sickness and disease. The scriptures tell us that it is appointed to every one of us that we will one day face death and enter the grave. There is no escaping that end. But that doesn’t mean that we have to be in continual sickness. It doesn’t mean that we have to spend every dime we earn in the doctor’s office. God is still in the healing business, but if we are going to be healed there are certain deposits to our account that must be made before the blessings of healing can be given to us in return.
Isaiah 53:5, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
Exodus 15:26. "...for I am the LORD that healeth thee."
These are just a few verses that promise God’s healing blessings to each of us but understand that none of those healings can be claimed without first making the investment of “FAITH IN GOD AND IN THE BLOOD OF CHRIST”.
Jesus was crucified for our sin, bruised and battered for our disobedience and rebellion, beaten so that our peace could be purchased and given stripes where his blood flowed for our healing. But we cannot have our transgressions removed, or our peace restored or have our healing come until we first place our faith in Him and the price that he paid, surrendering our lives to his will. First, there must come a deposit of Faith and Accepting Him as our sacrifice, proven over a time that is established in each of us by the will of God to test our faith and commitment, before the blessing can be poured out.
There are other things that affect our ability to receive the blessings of healing as well. We can also add some other blessings that we pray for at this point also.
Some people pray for blessings of emotional needs, mental abilities, and relationship problems. So many aspects of life are affected for either the receiving of God’s blessing or the blocking of those blessings by the things that we do in the flesh.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."
How many Christians live their lives as though they owed God nothing? We go about every day, never giving him a thought; never asking what God’s will is in anything we do; determining within ourselves what we will do regardless of what God desires of us; and never making one single deposit into our account with God.
What can we do to make deposits that will bring emotional blessings, mental blessings, and heal relationships and heal a lot of our physical problems at the same time? We can have enough of the Holy Ghost living in us to help us bear the fruit of the spirit. Those Fruits of the Spirit will be as deposits that we can draw upon that will, in turn, bring a healing to so many of our needs.
Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:"
It is a proven medical fact that a tremendous amount of the physical ailments of modern man are the by-product, or the direct result of stress, worry, fear and anxiety. I was speaking to one of the teachers in our local school district a few days ago who said that she was constantly having “anxiety attacks” and felt that she was losing it because of the constant pressure at home and on the job. Worry, fear and stress was killing her emotionally, mentally and eventually physically. How true the scripture is proving to be where Jesus said that men’s hearts would be failing them for fear in these last days!
Yet we continue on, day after day, to pour our lives into those things that cause the stress levels to rise, the worries to grow larger than life, and the anxiety to build to the breaking point. What are those “works” that will bankrupt your spirit and shut off the blessings of God? Why is it that no matter how much we attempt to pray, to attend the House of God, and to do some of the works of righteousness, that our prayers go unanswered?
Remember, all it takes is one sin, especially one habitual sin, that we refuse to let go, that can and will shut the windows of Heaven’s bank and close our account with God. Here is a list of some of those things that will stop your blessing!
Galatians 5:19-21, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Which of these has found a way into your life this week, perhaps even today? Which one, or more, are you guilty of? It is any wonder that your blessings are far from you and the windows of Heaven seem as brass, and you haven’t heard the voice of the Lord?
There are many other blessings that we seek after. There are blessings of a good home, a good job, and blessings of a church where we can feel at home and grow in grace.
All of these blessings are poured out upon us because we first make deposits to our account that give us a return.
Blessings of a good home only come if we spend time, work hard, pray hard and give our families reason to trust us, reasons to believe in us, reasons to love us, and reasons to want to be around us. Too many people think that good homes are automatic when we must realize that good homes are a product that is produced through long hard work. God can’t pour out a blessing of a good home until we first invest ourselves in making it the best we can.
Blessings of a good job can only come after we have given much time, sweat equity and commitment to being a productive and reliable worker in whatever place God puts us.
There is a large number of people who refuse to even enter the work force at the beginning levels because they think that good, honest, hard work is beneath their dignity. They will sit at home and “act all dignified” while they draw on welfare or unemployment. Real dignity comes through earning honor by serving other men and serving God. God can only pour out the blessing of a good job if we are willing to make the investment into our account by being faithful in those jobs that may not be so good in the beginning.
In the Parable of the Talents in Luke 19:17 Jesus says of the faithful servant, "… Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities."
The windows of the Bank of Heaven will only open, and the Father in Heaven, your Heavenly Teller will only bring forth your blessing after you have made your deposits of faithfulness in the those things that seem so small in your sight but so very large in the sight of God.
The blessings of a good church are received the same way. I cannot imagine just how many Christian seek after a good church without knowing that a good church doesn’t exist unless their time, work, faithfulness, and commitment are not deposited in that church first.
No church can be a blessing unless we make ourselves a part of it. Anyone can sit on a pew and absorb what is given out during the service. It takes committed Christian to really make the church a good church and that means getting off of the pew and mopping the floors, cleaning the toilets, vacuuming the carpets, washing the dishes, painting the rooms, planning the fellowships, cooking, ministering to the hurting and doing whatever is necessary to see the ministry of the church go forward.
Which of these things is beneath you? Which of these things will you not desire to do? What makes this church a good church is you, and I, and everyone else working together under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
You may ask, but Bro. May, where is the Holy Ghost in cleaning toilets? Where is the Holy Ghost in vacuuming carpets? There’s nothing spiritual about that, that will make a deposit in my account with the Lord.
I beg to differ! Which of you would attend a church where the restrooms are nasty, filthy and dirty? Which of you would attend this church if you had to kick aside empty drink cups, crumpled papers and books all over the floors, and then brush the dust off your pew before you could sit down? CAN YOU SEE THAT IT TAKES ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE A GOOD CHURCH?
The final blessing that I want to talk about this morning is the one that we all pray for more than any other – the Spiritual Blessing!
Spiritual blessings can include salvation, operating in the Gifts of the Spirit, being called into one of the 5-fold ministries of the church, being used as a part of the worship service, an increase in our faith, or any number of spiritual things.
But spiritual blessings can only come through making spiritual deposits into Heaven’s Bank Account.
- Can salvation be had without spiritual repentance of heart, and accepting of Jesus as Savior through faith and the help of the Spirit?
- Can we learn to be used rightly and anointed in the Gifts of the Spirit if we are not investing time in studying God’s Word, knowing God’s voice and understanding how the Holy Ghost moves in the hearts of people?
- How can we ever expect to receive a blessing of being used by God in a ministry if we can’t learn to be faithful to him and obey his word?
- Will those who are not faithful to the House of God and faithful to their calling ever be used to their fullest to edify the Body of Christ in the worship service?
- Faith will not grow through disobedience and distrust.
It takes depositing our whole heart, every fiber of our being, into the Work of the Lord and into getting close to Jesus before we can expect any spiritual blessings to be poured out upon us! Are you immersed in God? Is your life focused on His will? Is everything you do and everywhere you go based upon what God wants you to do and where he wants you to go?
Make those deposits into your account with Heaven’s bank. Then wait a little while to allow your faithfulness to clear God’s time of testing. Then you will begin to receive God’s spiritual blessings!
Are you still waiting for the blessings and none seem to be coming your way? Then start doing a checkup on what you are depositing in Heaven’s Bank. You have to make those deposits first before you will earn a return on your investment.
