PSALM 136:1-3 His Mercy Endures Forever. Are we always thankful for what God has done?

PSALM 136:1-3

His Mercy EnduresForever

His Mercy Endures Forever

Are we always thankful for what God has done?


Christians need to be individuals who are filled with thanksgiving.


Christians need to be individuals who are filled with thanksgiving. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which

indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Col 3:15, ESV).


Christians need to be individuals who are filled with thanksgiving. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which

indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Col 3:15, ESV).

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess 5:18).



In tonight’s text, the psalmist urges his fellow Israelites to be thankful.



In tonight’s text, the psalmist urges his fellow Israelites to be thankful. Psalm 136:1-3.




The Israelites should thank God, for he is good.




The Israelites should thank God, for he is good. God is good because of his creation & his redemption of the Israelites.





God’s mercy endures forever.





God’s mercy endures forever. “His mercy endures forever” occurs after each colon

in this Psalm.






in this Psalm.• This highlights the importance of God’s mercy.






in this Psalm.• This highlights the importance of God’s mercy.• God’s mercy refers to his loyal & unfailing love.


After exhorting God’s people to be thankful, the psalmist spends the rest of the text discussing why they should be thankful.


After exhorting God’s people to be thankful, the psalmist spends the rest of the text discussing why they should be thankful. He discusses the wonders of God’s creation.


After exhorting God’s people to be thankful, the psalmist spends the rest of the text discussing why they should be thankful. He discusses the wonders of God’s creation. He discusses the redemption history of Israel.



We have so much for which we should be thankful.



We have so much for which we should be thankful. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (Js 1:17, ESV).



We have so much for which we should be thankful. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (Js 1:17, ESV).

“A faithful man will abound with blessings” (Prov 28:20, ESV).


Tonight, we’ll examine some reasons why we can praise

God.


God Gives Temporal Blessings


We have the temporal blessing of food.


We have the temporal blessing of food. Our food comes from God.



“You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it” (Ps 65:9, ESV).




The psalmist prays: “May our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields” (Ps 144:13, ESV).




The psalmist prays: “May our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields” (Ps 144:13, ESV).

God “supplies seed to the sower and bread for food” (2 Cor 9:10, ESV).


We have the temporal blessing of food. Our food comes from God. As we seek God’s kingdom first, God supplies our

food & clothing (Mt 6:25-33).



food & clothing (Mt 6:25-33). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us not to

worry about food & clothing.



food & clothing (Mt 6:25-33). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us not to

worry about food & clothing. God richly provides for the lilies of the field, and he will

provide for us, too.


We have the temporal blessing of families.


We have the temporal blessing of families. God gives the blessings of spouses.



Women were created to be a blessing for their husbands.



Women were created to be a blessing for their husbands. God said, “It is not good that the man should be

alone” (Gen 2:18, ESV).




alone” (Gen 2:18, ESV). “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains

favor from the LORD” (Prov 18:22, ESV).




alone” (Gen 2:18, ESV). “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains

favor from the LORD” (Prov 18:22, ESV). “House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a

prudent wife is from the LORD” (Prov 19:14, ESV).




Because women are a blessing, they need to be cared for by their husbands.




Because women are a blessing, they need to be cared for by their husbands: “Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Pet 3:7, ESV).


We have the temporal blessing of families. God gives the blessings of spouses. It is God who gives the blessing of children.


We have the temporal blessing of families. God gives the blessings of spouses. It is God who gives the blessing of children: “Behold,

children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate” (Ps 127:3-5, ESV).


We have the temporal blessing of families. God gives the blessings of spouses. It is God who gives the blessing of children. It is God who gives the blessing of grandchildren.


We have the temporal blessing of families. God gives the blessings of spouses. It is God who gives the blessing of children. It is God who gives the blessing of grandchildren:

“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged” (Prov 17:6, ESV).


Are we thankful for the temporal blessings God has

given?


God Gives Spiritual Blessings


Every spiritual blessing is in Christ.


Every spiritual blessing is in Christ. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph 1:3, ESV).




If one is to receive spiritual blessings, he must be in Christ.




If one is to receive spiritual blessings, he must be in Christ. There is only one way to get into Christ.




If one is to receive spiritual blessings, he must be in Christ. There is only one way to get into Christ. “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put

on Christ” (Gal 3:27, ESV).


Let’s examine some of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ.


Let’s examine some of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ.

Eph 1:3-14.


God has chosen us, vv 4-5.


God has chosen us, vv 4-5. This does not mean that God chose who would be

saved & who would be lost.


God has chosen us, vv 4-5. This does not mean that God chose who would be

saved & who would be lost. This simply means that God has chosen to bless

Christians.


God has chosen us, vv 4-5.We have redemption, vv 7-8.



“Redemption” means “to set free a thing or person that has come to belong to another.”




In our sin, we came to belong to Satan.




In our sin, we came to belong to Satan. But, Jesus offered his blood to “buy” us back from

Satan.




In our sin, we came to belong to Satan. But, Jesus offered his blood to “buy” us back from

Satan. Therefore, we have the forgiveness of sins.


God has chosen us, vv 4-5.We have redemption, vv 7-8.We have an inheritance, v 11.



In the New Testament, to “inherit” came to mean to “obtain eternal life.”



In the New Testament, to “inherit” came to mean to “obtain eternal life.”

“For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Eph 5:5, ESV).


God has chosen us, vv 4-5.We have redemption, vv 7-8.We have an inheritance, v 11.We have the Holy Spirit, vv 13-14.



We receive the Holy Spirit at baptism.



We receive the Holy Spirit at baptism: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38, ESV).



We receive the Holy Spirit at baptism (Acts 2:38). In Christ, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.




In the ancient world, good were sealed to show to whom they belonged.




In the ancient world, good were sealed to show to whom they belonged.

Our being sealed with the Holy Spirit demonstrates that we belong to God.



We receive the Holy Spirit at baptism (Acts 2:38). In Christ, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance.




“Guarantee” was a deposit given to purchase something.




“Guarantee” was a deposit given to purchase something.

The payment of a “guarantee” obligated the party to make further payments.


Are you thankful for the blessings God gives?

PSALM 136:1-3 His Mercy Endures Forever. Are we always thankful for what God has done?

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Transcript of PSALM 136:1-3 His Mercy Endures Forever. Are we always thankful for what God has done?