Date: 02-02-25
Preacher: Ps Henson Lim
Title: Blessed In Christ

Blessed In Christ

I thank God for the way He’s teaching me to become more well-versed with His word. To start writing my response to this morning’s message, I had to read Numbers 21-25 for that was quoted as the biblical reference for the message.  Reading it with a sense of purpose brought the message alive to me thus enhancing its spirit with better understanding.

Ps Henson Lim’s started by asking the congregation whether they had ever had a bad day, month or even a bad life. He was setting the context for his message as he shared that most people would go at lengths to do things to ward off bad things from happening to them, even among some Christians. Such was the case when King Balak saw that Israel as a threatening force and was moving to his country. He then summoned Balaam to curse the people of Israel so that he could then defeat a much weakened people with the curse. God however warned Balaam against any such action. Balaam still went to meet King Balak but before he could do anything, God told him he could only say what He was instructed to say and in effect, Balaam repeated God’s blessings on the people of Israel not once but three times. Outraged, King Balak sent Balaam away but before he left, he prophesised the first coming of Christ and the destruction of the people who had cursed the people of Israel. 

However Ps Henson said that the blessings of God are not only meant for Israel but also Gentiles like us too. Then he asked an important question: ‘since we are already blessed can’t we not just do as we like?’, which then led him to the second part of his message which is equally important. 

In Ps Henson’s very pertinent words, while Balaam was not able to curse the people of Israel from without, he would seduce God’s people with idolatry and sexual immorality and many succumbed to them. God was angry enough to send a plague that wiped out 24000 Israelites. Ps Henson remarked that idolatry and sexual immorality were big sins not just during the Old Testament but were also likewise in the New Testament. In fact the modern society of present days is still grappling with them. And he cautioned the congregation against narrowing the concept of idolatry to just idol worship but to include things like money or whatever that we put first before God.

In summary Ps Henson listed 5 points which I feel is a great reminder if we are going to keep God’s blessings intact and these are worth repeating below:

1. We are blessed in Christ. (Kingdom blessedness is more than just material blessing).

2. Even in ‘bad’ situations, we are still blessed. (We have to keep trusting and believing, learning and growing in Christ).

3. Whoever curses us is cursed. (When cursed choose to bless).

4. Do not commit idolatry and sexual immorality. (Wilful sinning against God carries consequences).

5. Live the blessed life by the Spirit. (Christ has saved us from the power of sin).

I especially like No 5 above as we don’t have to fight alone because we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us. We must also remember we do not deserve God’s blessings so we need to guard them very well.