A CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP SONGS OF ASCENT THE BLESSED MAN - HAPPINESS Text: Psalm 128

INTRODUCTION: "The way of the unfaithful (trangressors - AV) is hard." Proverbs 13:15 "but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it." Proverbs 2:22

INTRODUCTION: "Therefore a lion from the forest will attack them, a wolf from the desert will ravage them, a leopard will lie in wait near their towns to tear to pieces any who venture out for their rebellion is great and their backsliddings many." Jeremiah 5:6

I. THE PROMISES OF GOD Psalm 128: 1,2 "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord." Psalm 119:1 "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.“ Luke 11:28 "Now that you know these things you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:17

I. THE PROMISES OF GOD Psalm 128: 1,2 "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 15:22 "In this world you will have trouble . . .” John 16:33

II. THE PRONOUNCEMENT OF GOD - Psalm 128: 3,4 "May your breasts be like the clusters of the vine, the fragrance of your mouth like apples, 9. and your mouth like the best wine . . . 12. Let us go early to the vineyards to see if the vines have budded, if their blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates are in bloom - there I will give you my love." Song of Songs 7:8,9,12 A. His Wife Like a Fruitful Vine

II. THE PRONOUNCEMENT OF GOD - Psalm 128: 3,4 “But the vine answered, 'Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and men." Judges 9:13 A. His Wife Like a Fruitful Vine

II. THE PRONOUNCEMENT OF GOD - Psalm 128: 3,4 Therefore the wife and the children were symbolized by the long-living and ever producing vine and olive tree. One produced the wine while the other offered the oil. B. His Children Like Olive Shoots

III. THE PROVISION OF GOD Psalm 128: 5,6 Children are indeed part of God's blessing. We all need children like "Daniel" (the Lord is my Judge); "Elizabeth" (Consecrated to God); "Elisha" (God is my Salvation); "Gabrielle“ (Woman of God); "Jane" (God's gift of Grace).