Faith Temple Church
Sunday Morning Worship-12/21
  • Joy to the World
  • O Come, All Ye Faithful
  • Emmanuel
  • I Come to Glorify His Name
  • This Is The Day

      • Psalm 100NKJV

  • Song

      • Luke 11:27–28NKJV

  • Blessed Beyond Measure

    Thy kingdom come what’s in heaven is greater

    Bible Passage: Luke 11:27–28

    The Bible is a book of promises, a book of prosperity, prosperity is all in it. all through it.
    Summary: In Luke 11:27-28, a woman praises Jesus' mother for bearing Him, prompting Jesus to highlight that true blessing comes from hearing and keeping God's word.
    Application: This passage reminds us that our true blessing lies not in our lineage or external circumstances but in our commitment to God's word and actions that align with it. It encourages believers to reflect on how they can actively listen to and implement God's guidance in their daily lives, offering hope and purpose even in challenging times.
    Teaching: The sermon teaches that the essence of being blessed by God is rooted in obedience to His word rather than in mere physical or familial connections. It challenges the audience to see the importance of spiritual engagement over surface-level accolades.
    How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Christ as the fulfillment of God's promise and the ultimate example of a life in perfect obedience to the Father. He emphasizes the relation of our blessings directly to our response to God's revelation through Him.
    Big Idea: True blessings come from a life aligned with God's word, prioritizing spiritual obedience over external recognition or heritage.
    Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider examining the original Greek terms used in this passage, especially regarding the words for 'blessed' and 'hearing.' Utilizing the tools in your Logos library can help you explore different translations and their nuances while also looking at related biblical themes that track through Luke's gospel. Additionally, evaluating the cultural context of women in first-century Judea may provide depth in understanding the woman's praise of Mary and Jesus' redirection toward spiritual blessings.

    1. Praise Beyond Progeny-a descendant or the descendants of a person

    Luke 11:27

    a. The Misplaced Focus of Surface Admiration

    This woman expressed a natural, human sentiment, admiring Jesus for His wisdom and power by praising His lineage. This represents a "fan" mentality—admiring the Lord from a distance or valuing Him based on external factors like family, heritage, or physical association.

    b. The Cultural Trap of Biological Privilege- Jacob and esau Birth order

    In the first-century Jewish context, a woman’s worth was often tied to the success of her sons. By praising Mary’s "blessedness" as a mother, the woman highlighted a privilege that only one person could ever have. Jesus uses the following verse to shift the focus from a unique physical privilege that only one person could have to a spiritual opportunity available to everyone.

    c. The Call to Move Beyond Sentiment to Obedience

    While the woman’s words were a genuine tribute, they remained an emotional reaction to Jesus' miracles and teaching. This sub-topic explores the danger of being "impressed" by the Gospel without being "transformed" by it. It sets the stage for Jesus’ response in verse 28, where He redirects the crowd toward the lasting blessedness of hearing and keeping the Word of God.

    2. Listen to Lasting Truth

    A. The Redirection From Superficial Blessings

    Jesus shifts the focus from physical lineage and worldly status—which the crowd was praising—to a spiritual reality that transcends human understanding. He teaches that true favor is not found in outward circumstances or biological connections, but in a heart aligned with the Divine.

    B. The Priority Of Spiritual Attentiveness In the "clamor of daily life," hearing the Word of God requires intentionality. This point emphasizes that "hearing" is more than an auditory act; it is the vital, spiritual discipline of silencing the world's noise to perceive God’s voice, which serves as the foundation for a deeper, more resilient faith.

    C. The Commitment To Earnest Listening

    Learn to use the mistakes of others. Getting high everyday? where did that get yall, what did it do for you?

    The message concludes with a call to self-assessment and action. Believers are invited to examine their own attentiveness to God’s message and to make a conscious commitment to listen earnestly for His guidance, allowing His Word to become the primary authority in their lives. Active vs. Passive Hearing: True listening involves not just hearing but also trusting, obeying, and applying God's word, leading to transformation (James 1:22-25, Matthew 7:24-27). 3. Keep the Commandment Connection

    Luke 11:28 “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
    A. The evidence Of True Blessedness: Beyond Hearing To Doing
    This point explores the shift from passive listening to active obedience. While many see God’s blessing through religious proximity our intellectual knowledge, Jesus defines “blessedness” as the fruit of a lived out faith. I Challenge this congregation to move beyond the “Amen” in the pews to the application in our daily lives, demonstrating that obedience is the ultimate hallmark of a believer.
    Emphasizing that internalizing God's word leads to meaningful transformation.
    B. The Spiritual Mirror: Actions as a Reflection of the heart
    Focus on the connection between our external actions and our internal spiritual state use this section to emphasize that internalizing God’s word naturally leads to a visible transformation. If the word is truly rooted in the heart it will inevitably manifesting wants character and choices, serving as a diagnostic tool for our current relationship with Christ.
    C. The Path Of Alignment: Practical Steps For Faithful Living
    I encourage a concrete commitment to living out God’s commandments. Provide the congregation with actionable steps such as daily scripture meditation, seeking accountability, or specific acts of service to help them align their purposes with God’s will. This section should transition the sermon from theological concept to a practical role map for spiritual growth.
    1. Internalize the Word (The "Grasp") 
    Before you can keep the Word, you must truly receive it into your heart. Scholars often use the "Hand of the Word" illustration for five ways to hold onto it: 
    Hear: Listen to sermons and Bible teaching regularly.
    Read: Establish a daily habit of reading the Scriptures for yourself.
    Study: Examine the Bible with a specific purpose or topic in mind.
    Memorize: "Hide" verses in your heart to recall them during temptation or difficult times.
    Meditate: Think deeply about what you have read to understand how it applies to your specific life situations. 
    2. Put It Into Practice (The "Walk") 
    Keeping the Word means acting on what you have learned: 
    Obey the "Law of Christ": Jesus summarized the commandments as loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself.
    Show Mercy and Forgiveness: Actively practice forgiveness towards others, even when it is difficult, as a direct application of Jesus’ teachings.
    Serve Others: Look for practical ways to help those in need, such as volunteering or providing for the poor, rather than just talking about faith.
    Submit to Authority: This includes walking in humility and honoring those in positions of responsibility, reflecting God's order. 
     
    Seek the Holy Spirit: Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the Truth and provide the strength to obey it.
    Pray Through the Word: Turn the scriptures you read into personal prayers, asking for help to live them out.
    Maintain Accountability: Share your journey with other believers who can encourage you and hold you responsible for living according to the Word. 
            

  • Blessed Beyond Measure

    Thy kingdom come what’s in heaven is greater

    Bible Passage: Luke 11:27–28

    The Bible is a book of promises, a book of prosperity, prosperity is all in it. all through it.
    Summary: In Luke 11:27-28, a woman praises Jesus' mother for bearing Him, prompting Jesus to highlight that true blessing comes from hearing and keeping God's word.
    Application: This passage reminds us that our true blessing lies not in our lineage or external circumstances but in our commitment to God's word and actions that align with it. It encourages believers to reflect on how they can actively listen to and implement God's guidance in their daily lives, offering hope and purpose even in challenging times.
    Teaching: The sermon teaches that the essence of being blessed by God is rooted in obedience to His word rather than in mere physical or familial connections. It challenges the audience to see the importance of spiritual engagement over surface-level accolades.
    How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Christ as the fulfillment of God's promise and the ultimate example of a life in perfect obedience to the Father. He emphasizes the relation of our blessings directly to our response to God's revelation through Him.
    Big Idea: True blessings come from a life aligned with God's word, prioritizing spiritual obedience over external recognition or heritage.
    Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider examining the original Greek terms used in this passage, especially regarding the words for 'blessed' and 'hearing.' Utilizing the tools in your Logos library can help you explore different translations and their nuances while also looking at related biblical themes that track through Luke's gospel. Additionally, evaluating the cultural context of women in first-century Judea may provide depth in understanding the woman's praise of Mary and Jesus' redirection toward spiritual blessings.

    1. Praise Beyond Progeny-a descendant or the descendants of a person

    Luke 11:27

    a. The Misplaced Focus of Surface Admiration

    This woman expressed a natural, human sentiment, admiring Jesus for His wisdom and power by praising His lineage. This represents a "fan" mentality—admiring the Lord from a distance or valuing Him based on external factors like family, heritage, or physical association.

    b. The Cultural Trap of Biological Privilege- Jacob and esau Birth order

    In the first-century Jewish context, a woman’s worth was often tied to the success of her sons. By praising Mary’s "blessedness" as a mother, the woman highlighted a privilege that only one person could ever have. Jesus uses the following verse to shift the focus from a unique physical privilege that only one person could have to a spiritual opportunity available to everyone.

    c. The Call to Move Beyond Sentiment to Obedience

    While the woman’s words were a genuine tribute, they remained an emotional reaction to Jesus' miracles and teaching. This sub-topic explores the danger of being "impressed" by the Gospel without being "transformed" by it. It sets the stage for Jesus’ response in verse 28, where He redirects the crowd toward the lasting blessedness of hearing and keeping the Word of God.

    2. Listen to Lasting Truth

    A. The Redirection From Superficial Blessings

    Jesus shifts the focus from physical lineage and worldly status—which the crowd was praising—to a spiritual reality that transcends human understanding. He teaches that true favor is not found in outward circumstances or biological connections, but in a heart aligned with the Divine.

    B. The Priority Of Spiritual Attentiveness In the "clamor of daily life," hearing the Word of God requires intentionality. This point emphasizes that "hearing" is more than an auditory act; it is the vital, spiritual discipline of silencing the world's noise to perceive God’s voice, which serves as the foundation for a deeper, more resilient faith.

    C. The Commitment To Earnest Listening

    Learn to use the mistakes of others. Getting high everyday? where did that get yall, what did it do for you?

    The message concludes with a call to self-assessment and action. Believers are invited to examine their own attentiveness to God’s message and to make a conscious commitment to listen earnestly for His guidance, allowing His Word to become the primary authority in their lives. Active vs. Passive Hearing: True listening involves not just hearing but also trusting, obeying, and applying God's word, leading to transformation (James 1:22-25, Matthew 7:24-27). 3. Keep the Commandment Connection

    Luke 11:28 “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
    A. The evidence Of True Blessedness: Beyond Hearing To Doing
    This point explores the shift from passive listening to active obedience. While many see God’s blessing through religious proximity our intellectual knowledge, Jesus defines “blessedness” as the fruit of a lived out faith. I Challenge this congregation to move beyond the “Amen” in the pews to the application in our daily lives, demonstrating that obedience is the ultimate hallmark of a believer.
    Emphasizing that internalizing God's word leads to meaningful transformation.
    B. The Spiritual Mirror: Actions as a Reflection of the heart
    Focus on the connection between our external actions and our internal spiritual state use this section to emphasize that internalizing God’s word naturally leads to a visible transformation. If the word is truly rooted in the heart it will inevitably manifesting wants character and choices, serving as a diagnostic tool for our current relationship with Christ.
    C. The Path Of Alignment: Practical Steps For Faithful Living
    I encourage a concrete commitment to living out God’s commandments. Provide the congregation with actionable steps such as daily scripture meditation, seeking accountability, or specific acts of service to help them align their purposes with God’s will. This section should transition the sermon from theological concept to a practical role map for spiritual growth.
    1. Internalize the Word (The "Grasp") 
    Before you can keep the Word, you must truly receive it into your heart. Scholars often use the "Hand of the Word" illustration for five ways to hold onto it: 
    Hear: Listen to sermons and Bible teaching regularly.
    Read: Establish a daily habit of reading the Scriptures for yourself.
    Study: Examine the Bible with a specific purpose or topic in mind.
    Memorize: "Hide" verses in your heart to recall them during temptation or difficult times.
    Meditate: Think deeply about what you have read to understand how it applies to your specific life situations. 
    2. Put It Into Practice (The "Walk") 
    Keeping the Word means acting on what you have learned: 
    Obey the "Law of Christ": Jesus summarized the commandments as loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself.
    Show Mercy and Forgiveness: Actively practice forgiveness towards others, even when it is difficult, as a direct application of Jesus’ teachings.
    Serve Others: Look for practical ways to help those in need, such as volunteering or providing for the poor, rather than just talking about faith.
    Submit to Authority: This includes walking in humility and honoring those in positions of responsibility, reflecting God's order. 
     
    Seek the Holy Spirit: Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the Truth and provide the strength to obey it.
    Pray Through the Word: Turn the scriptures you read into personal prayers, asking for help to live them out.
    Maintain Accountability: Share your journey with other believers who can encourage you and hold you responsible for living according to the Word. 
            
Faith Temple Church
3 members