Be A Blessing
Be A Blessing
Romans 12:4-16; 1 Peter 3:8-11
A couple of weeks ago, Pastor Jerry spoke about Gideon and his need for a sign from God. I have to admit, my mind immediately chased a rabbit and went to “What if God used church signs to speak to us?” Let’s look at a few…
“Try these four-letter words: LOVE PRAY HOPE”
“If you don’t study the Bible, you won’t get the answer!”
“This too shall pass. It might pass like a kidney stone, but it’s gonna pass.”
“Our church is like fudge – sweet with a few nuts.”
“Forgive your enemies – it messes with their heads.”
“Kind words can be short and sweet, but their echoes are truly endless.”
All too often, we forget that our words carry a lot more weight than we give them credit. When we think of being a blessing, we tend to only think about tangible ways like giving someone money or meeting a need. But what about the blessing that all of us can give with our words? Not something just to pacify them, but to truly speak life over them and into their lives.
We are to be the Body of Christ, which means we have to all work together. That is why we all have been given different gifts. This makes it possible for us to be that Body.
ILLUS: Fold thumb over on both hands. Pick up Bible and turn to Romans 12
Thumbs have been given a bad rap. Have you ever heard “I’m all thumbs”? In the movie “Spy Kids” the Thumbkins were the bumbling henchman. We NEED our thumbs! They are the ones that help us to get a grip on things. “Okay, Ken, but I don’t feel like I am an important part of the body….I feel like I am the appendix.” Well, at first people thought it was a part that was no longer useful to the body, but now they are finding that it provides “good” bacteria for the intestines to help with digestion and our immune system. * So, while we could live without it, it serves a purpose. This is why every part of the body is important.
*https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-does-the-appendix-do-5270731
READ: Romans 12:4-16
Paul wrote these words to the people of Galatia and to us to remind us that we are to use our gifts selflessly, never for selfish gains, but in order to honor God and to see His blessings poured out on the whole body!
Peter has some similar words to say as he wrote to the people of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (which is now modern day Turkey)
READ: 1 Peter 3:8-11
What does that have to do with being a blessing? EVERYTHING!
We are all to be working together to build the kingdom of God for His glory and honor, not just for our own benefit. The late Rev. Dr. Jack Hyles, pastor of First Baptist Church in Hammond, IN once stated: “The greatest blessing in the whole world is being a blessing.” He was known for building one of the nations largest bus ministries that then led to opening schools and training resources to help minister to the needs of the church and community. God used his giftings and those of the people in the church to make a difference for both current and eternal needs.
So today we are going to give you scriptural answers to the following questions:
- Who is to be a blessing?
- When are we to be a blessing?
- How are we to be a blessing?
- Why are we to be a blessing?
Let us pray….
I. Who is to be a blessing?
1 Peter 3:8:
“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.”
- Be of one mind (the body)
- Sympathize with each other
- Love each other as family
- Be tenderhearted with each other
- Keep a humble attitude toward each other.
II. When are we to be a blessing?
“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
- Rejoice always
- Be patient
- Keep praying
- Be ready to help
- Eager to practice hospitality
- Encourage each other
- Build each other up
ILLUS: George Mraz and weightlifting training.
III. How are we to be a blessing?
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”
- God has given each of us different gifts:
- Prophesy, speak the words God has given you.
- Serving, then serve others well
- Encouragement, then be encouraging
- Giving, then give generously
“When God blesses you financially, don’t raise your standard of living. Raise your standard of giving.” (Matt Batterson)
- Leadership, then take it seriously
- Showing kindness, then do it gladly
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.”
- Can’t fake it till you make it!
- Not just for married couples.
- Really love and be genuine.
- Keep in mind what is good.
- Enjoy recognizing that love by honoring each other.
IV. Why are we to be a blessing?
- 1 Peter 3:9:
“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.”
- Don’t do what sinful nature leads you to do, but rather allow the Spirit to lead you to pay back with a blessing.
- Do what God has called you to do…and you will be blessed.
- Think about it this way…God did not add another day to your life because you needed it. He did it because someone out there needs you!
- When we serve others in love, we are showing our love for God in what we do and say.
Conclusion:
Today, I have given you the scriptural evidence that proves 1) Who is to be a blessing; 2) When we are to be a blessing; 3) How we are to be a blessing; and 4) Why we are to be a blessing. Imagine what our world would be like if we, as Christians, put this into practice as a “norm” for our lives. Peter quoted the Psalmist David in 1 Peter 3:10-11 (repeats Psalm 34:12-14) to give encouragement as to why we should live this way.
“For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”
So take this as your next challenge to help change the atmosphere of this world in which we live. Live on purpose to be a blessing.
Closing Blessing Prayer: EPHESIANS 1:16b-19a
“I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.”
You can watch the message by clicking HERE.