As the year draws to a close, this sermon invites us to reflect deeply on God’s unwavering compassion, faithful provision, and sustaining grace through every trial and triumph. Rooted in Scripture and rich in theological insight, it calls us to a posture of gratitude and hope, recognizing God’s blessings not just in abundance, but even in adversity.
Sermon Title: Counting God’s Blessings.
Occasion: Year Ending – December 31, 2025 (Wednesday)
Bible Readings: Lamentations 3:21–31 | Psalm 66 | Philippians 4:10-23 | 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 | Luke 7:11-17 | Matthew 28:16–20.
Original Language Reflections (For deeper study, refer to the Table of Hebrew and Greek Terms in Section 3 of the sermon).
Website: www.reverendbvr.com
1. Introduction
As we draw the curtain on the year 2025, our hearts are invited into a sacred space of reflection. The waning hours of a calendar year offer not just a cultural milestone, but a profound theological opportunity: to remember, recount, and give thanks. In the midst of weariness or celebration, loss or gain, the Christian call is clear—to count God’s blessings. This discipline is not merely an emotional exercise but a biblical imperative steeped in the narrative of God’s faithfulness across generations. Theologically, this act reflects anamnesis—a sacred remembering of God’s salvific acts.
I. Remembering the Faithfulness of God (Lamentations 3:21–31):
The year-ending theme finds its anchor in one of the most despairing books of the Bible. Yet amidst Lamentations’ grief, we find a liturgical confession of hope: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lam 3:22–23)
The Hebrew phrase רֵב חָסַד (“rev chesed” – “great love”) and נְחִוּלְים (“rakhamim” – “compassions”) signal divine covenant loyalty and tender mercy. The prophet, in his lament, anchors hope not in circumstance, but in God’s character. To count God’s blessings is to remember who He is, not merely what we have received.
II. Testimony and Praise: Declaring What God Has Done (Psalm 66):
Psalm 66 invites all creation to praise God: “Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” (Ps. 66:5)
The Psalm recounts historical deliverance (v.6) and personal salvation (v.16-20). Its theology hinges on corporate memory. The psalmist exhorts worshippers to remember trials (“we went through fire and water”, v.12) and their transformation into testimonies (“you brought us to a place of abundance”). The Hebrew verb רָאִה (“ra’ah” – “see”) becomes an imperative to perceive God’s past acts as assurance for the future.
III. Contentment and Trust in Providence (Philippians 4:10–23):
Paul’s epistle provides a New Testament theology of contentment: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation… I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:12–13)
Here, the Greek word αἐρκεκῖν (“aarkekein” – “to be content”) denotes inner sufficiency rooted in Christ. Counting blessings is not a tally of material gains but an acknowledgment of Christ as our sufficiency. The church at Philippi is praised not only for their generosity but also for their spiritual discernment in supporting gospel ministry—a fragrant offering, πνεῖα εἰστῖμην (“pneia euōstēmenēn” – “acceptable sacrifice”).
IV. Grace-Driven Generosity (2 Corinthians 9:6–15):
Paul links generosity to divine abundance: “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…” (2 Cor. 9:11)
Biblically, blessing is not an end in itself but a means to bless others. The Greek term εἰλεουγεσία (“eileousia” – “cheerfulness”) is translated as “cheerful” in the phrase God loves a cheerful giver. Paul redefines abundance not as accumulation but as capacity to reflect divine generosity.
V. God Who Restores and Raises (Luke 7:11–17):
At the heart of divine blessing is the God who gives life. Jesus’ compassion toward the widow of Nain reflects God’s redemptive initiative: “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her… Young man, I say to you, get up!” (Luke 7:13–14)
The Greek word σπλαγχνίζομαι (“splanchnizomai” – “his heart went out”) reflects a visceral compassion. This moment shows us that God’s blessings are not abstract—they are incarnational, arising in our loss and need. Jesus interrupts death itself to bless a grieving mother.
VI. Application: A Call to Count Rightly
To count God’s blessings is not to deny grief or hardship, but to interpret our lives through the lens of divine mercy. As we end this year, we are called to:
- Remember God’s past faithfulness (Lamentations 3)
- Rejoice in God’s mighty acts (Psalm 66)
- Rest in God’s provision (Philippians 4)
- Reflect God’s generosity (2 Corinthians 9)
- Receive God’s restoration (Luke 7)
Each blessing is an echo of divine grace. May our final moments of 2025 not be consumed by regret or anxiety but marked by gratitude and hope.
2. Closing Prayer
Gracious and faithful God, As we stand at the threshold of a new year, we pause to remember your mercy, your steadfast love, and your abundant grace. We thank you for every blessing—seen and unseen, received in joy and in trial. Teach us to count rightly, not merely in numbers but in the knowledge of your character. Strengthen our hearts for the year ahead. Make us generous as you are generous, content in your sufficiency, and faithful as you are ever faithful. We commit our past, present, and future into your hands. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
3. Learn Words from the Original Scriptures (For deeper understanding and meditation on today’s theme)
| S.No | Word (Click on each Word to view its lexical details) | Language | Transliteration | Meaning / Context | References |
| 1 | רֵב חָסַד | Hebrew | rev chesed | “great love” / covenant loyalty | Lamentations 3:22–23 |
| 2 | נְחִוּלְים | Hebrew | rakhamim | “compassions” / tender mercy | Lamentations 3:22–23 |
| 3 | רָאִה | Hebrew | ra’ah | “see” / perceive | Psalm 66:5 |
| 4 | αἐρκεκῖν | Greek | aarkekein | “to be content” / inner sufficiency | Philippians 4:12–13 |
| 5 | πνεῖα εἰστῖμην | Greek | pneia euōstēmenēn | “acceptable sacrifice” | Philippians 4:18 |
| 6 | εἰλεουγεσία | Greek | eileousia | “cheerfulness” | 2 Corinthians 9:7, 9:11 |
| 7 | σπλαγχνίζομαι | Greek | splanchnizomai | “his heart went out” / compassion | Luke 7:13 |
4. Bibliography
- Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Poetry. Basic Books, 2011.
- Fee, Gordon D. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1995.
- Goldingay, John. The Theology of the Book of Lamentations. Cambridge University Press, 2020.
- Keener, Craig. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. IVP Academic, 2014.
- Motyer, Alec. The Message of Lamentations. IVP, 1991.
- N. T. Wright. Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Fortress Press, 2013.
- Wenham, Gordon. The Psalms as Torah: Reading Biblical Song Ethically. Baker Academic, 2012.
“Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” May your new year begin in the grace that remembers. Amen.
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