Psalm 84:1 – The Blessed Man – Bible study

Psalm 84:1 The Blessed Man Three times in this Psalm, God points to the blessed. 1. \#4\ Blessed are those who dwell in Gods house. 2. \#5\ Blessed is the man whose strength is in the Lord. 3. \#12\ Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. 13x the Bible says "blessed is the man," but the truths apply equally to women but let us consider the blessed man or woman tonight. I. What does it mean to be blessed by an Almighty God? A. The word seems to mean in its most basis definition, HAPPY. 1. Most of the time, HAPPY is the single word common to all definitions of this word. 2. Sometimes you will also find the word favored. B. I have never believed HAPPY sufficiently defines this word. 1. Happy may be the basic meaning, but when applied to God giving blessings to His people, HAPPINESS alone just will not describe it. 2. I would suggest that the word is bigger than its simple definition. a. Blessed is like the word CHURCH in the New Testament. (1) The word CHURCH means AN ASSEMBLY, CALLED OUT. (2) Basically, the word means A MEETING. (3) However, anyone who knows what a church is, knows it is much more than a meeting. b. Blessed is like the word BAPTISED in the New Testament. (1) The word BAPTISED means IMMERSED or PUT UNDER. (2) It could be applied to a dish or a dog as well as a new convert. (3) However, anyone who knows what baptism is, knows it is much more than a dunking. c. So the word BLESSED means much more than just happy. C. So, what is a blessed individual? What does God do for him? How does God bestow favor to them? 1. God approves them. a. Everyone wants approval, acceptance, love, worth. b. In humanistic psychology, (1) we are taught that we can help people by accepting them; (2) we can give them self-esteem by demonstrating unconditional love; (3) we can make them into worthwhile individuals by giving worth to them. c. Perhaps it is helpful to some, I really dont know. d. However, the only validation that really counts is Gods. e. When God accepts and approves you, you are worth something. f. The blessed man is the one that God puts His stamp of approval, acceptance, and worth upon. 2. God prospers them. a. God says of the Blessed Man being described in Psalm 1. Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. b. The blessed man has the prosperity of God upon him. (1) People typecast the Jewish people as bargain makers. (2) So much so that the term JEW has come to be used to mean TO NEGOTIATE OR BARGAIN SKILLFULLY. (3) Since it is politically incorrect to "profile" anyone these days, some say it is insulting to say this of the Jewish people. (4) I say there is a reason why this characteristic is so common upon that nationality. (5) It is because God has blessed them. He has made them to prosper. (6) The Bible says of Joseph: Genesis 39:3 3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. (7) The Bible says of Hezekiah. 2 Chronicles 31:21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered. (8) These are just a few of the people who were BLESSED by God. Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 3. God gives them permanence. Psalm 1:3his leaf also shall not wither a. That is permanence. b. There is neither a dry, dormant, or dead season in the life of the blessed person. c. God is always real to them. d. Their Christianity is always alive and green. e. There is no legitimate reason why a Christians cannot have a spiritual experience with God everyday. II. Being blessed sounds wonderful. How do we get to be blessed? A. The Bible gives us many ways to step in that place. 1. Most of them are based on our behaviors. 2. We have said many times before that while salvation cannot be earned by works the righteous life is a life of works. 3. Might I suggest that the more you do for the Lord, the more blessed you will be. B. What are some of these works? 1. The man who has no sin laid to his account his blessed. Psalms 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. a. This blessings implies that the person has been born again. (1) All have sin \#Romans 3:10, 3:23\ (2) The only way to have sinned removed is through salvation. b. It also means they keep short tabs with God. (1) During the Last Supper, Jesus took His disciples apart and washed their feet. (2) That was the role of the subservient, so Peter refused. (3) Jesus rebuked and Peter wanted all of his body washed. (4) Jesus explained: "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit. John 13:10 (5) Everyday we walk in dirty world. (6) The Christians that are wise enough to repent of their sins and confess them for forgiveness will be blessed. 1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 2. Blessed is the one who doesnt allow himself to wonder into sin. a. The world is a very wicked place. Temptation are all around. b. Many verses pronounce blessings upon the one who keeps himself clean. James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Psalms 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Psalms 106:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Psalms 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. c. Can God forgive sins? Certainly, but the best kind of forgiveness is unused forgiveness. d. Unused forgiveness means you resisted the temptation and gained the victory without falling. 3. Blessed is the one who hears and obeys the Word of God. Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Proverbs 8:32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 4. Blessed is the one who is watching for and living for his Lord when Jesus returns. Matthew 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 5. Blessed is the one who gives on the Lords behalf. Psalms 41:1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. Proverbs 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Malachi 3:10 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. Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring 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. III. The only thing worse than not having the blessings of God upon your life would be to have the curses of God upon it. A. Just like God can move for you, so God can move against you. 1. Thankfully, I did not find many curses in the Bible. 2. Although the word is used often, some 181 times, most of them were people speaking of a curse. 3. Most of the times when God was speaking of a curse, it related to a specific instance (person, place, or a people). B. However, there are some passages where it is possible that God will curse anyone who does a particular behavior. 1. Cursed be those who will not obey the Word of God. Deut 11:26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; 27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: 28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. Deuteronomy 27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. a. We make much of the Word of God. (1) It is not just a book. (2) It is not just an inspiration. (3) It is the Living Word of God. b. Those who disdain it and reject it do so at their own peril! c. God will be against you! (1) You say, "I have never believed the Bible and Im all right." (2) It wont take but one time of God moving against you to damn you for all eternity. 2. Cursed be those who worship false gods. Deuteronomy 27:15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen. 3. Cursed be those who are guilty of sexual sins. Deuteronomy 27:16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen. Deuteronomy 27:20 Cursed be he that lieth with his fathers wife; because he uncovereth his fathers skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen. 21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen. 22 Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen. 23 Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen. 4. Cursed be those who steal. Deuteronomy 27:17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbours landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen. 5. Cursed be those who are cruel to the unfortunate. Deuteronomy 27:18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen. 6. Cursed be those that twist justice for their own gain. Deuteronomy 27:19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen. 7. Cursed be those who do evil secretly. Deuteronomy 27:24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen. 8. Cursed be hired killers. Deuteronomy 27:25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. 9. Cursed be anyone will not agree to live by the commands of Gods Word. Deut 27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.