THEN GOD BLESSED

Text: Genesis 1-2
1 July 2012

(I) THE VERY FIRST WORDS OF BLESSING PRONOUNCED

1. And God blessed them (Genesis 1:22)

a) Be fruitful and multiply

b) Fill the waters in the sea

c) Let bird multiply on the earth

2. Then God blessed them and God said to them

a) Be fruitful and multiply

b) Fill the earth

c) Subdue it

d) Have dominion over the fish of the sea,

e) Over the birds of the air,

f) And over every living thing that moves on the earth ( Genesis 1:28 )

(II) THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE WORDS OF BLESSING

1. Introduces God

a) As the Source (Creator)

b) As the Sustainer

i) His blessing is to be understood

ii) His blessing is needed

iii) His blessing is desired

2. Introduces us to Man

a) Made in the image of God

b) Both male and female

c) Responsibility to be understood

i) To fill the earth

ii) To subdue it

iii) To have dominion over the earth

(III) DIVINE BLESSINGS OUTPOURED

1. Little understood

2. Taken too much for granted

3. Nevertheless God’s blessings have been outpoured

4. Recognising and acknowledging the blessings of God

a) Sustenance of Life

b) Bearing the image of God

c) Subduing/overcoming the world

d) Success in life