The Blessing Of The Blessing

“THE BLESSING OF THE BLESSING”

INTRODUCTION:

A mother invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to her six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" "I wouldn’t know what to say," the girl replied. "Just say what you hear Mommy say," the mother answered. The little girl bowed her head and with sincerity in her voice said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"

Some Blessing, huh?

Already today, we have witnessed and been reminded of the wonderful and miraculous blessing of a child given by God (pic). We have joined together to pray that the LORD would continue to bless this wonderful family. And, we should all be reminded at these times that the most blessed gift of all - Jesus - began His earthly ministry through the incarnation, in the womb and emerging as a newborn babe. The abundance of blessings that have flowed forth as a result can never be over-stated! Again and again, we have soaked in these blessings and praised God. So I ask: Now what? Now that He has blessed us, how are we to respond? (insert Val Shower pic) Not like this, but sometimes we do.

We’ve all heard much about the power of “self-fulfilling prophecies”: One child grows up constantly being told he/she is dumb or will never amount to anything. Lo and behold, that’s just what happens. Not because it’s truth or because it must be, but because the child and, later adult, believes it. They accept it as inevitable. But when a child is told throughout his or her life that they can overcome any obstacle, they do just that - because where others give up this person has the confidence to adapt, adjust and keep pushing.

This is a powerful truth of human nature. Yet, imagine how much more powerful this would be if, when applied, it were done so within the plan and hand of the LORD God Almighty? Guided and empowered by His Holy Spirit? This, in a rough sense, is what it is to bestow a spiritual blessing upon another.

This brings us back to the question posed just a moment ago. Now that He has blessed us, how are we to respond?

PROPOSITION: God wants to bless people, and He wants to do it through YOU! We respond to God’s blessings through blessing and being a blessing unto others.

Through our obedience and His power, God’s Light and Kingdom will expand.

THE PROBLEM: We have, in this day, greatly neglected this incredible provision and privilege from God. Our problem is NOT that God no longer desires to bless. Our problem IS that WE have stopped seeking His blessing for ourselves and others! And we are paying the price, aren’t we? Why? (1.) Pride (2.) Little Faith (3.) The Lies We Believe

FIVE LIES WE HAVE TOO OFTEN ACCEPTED

1.Blessing is dead. It is just “OT”, old-fashioned and/or myth.

2.Blessings are only for priests/clergy to give.

3.Blessings are only for God to give directly (from His Hand to theirs).

4.Blessings are purely symbolic and contrived.

5.To bless is just to provide material and temporal things for others.

It is time dear people that we see these lies for what they are – LIES. It is time that we reclaim a Biblical understanding of The Blessing. And it is time that we not just “file away” this understanding, but regularly apply it. It is time that, in Jesus’ name and according to His will, we bless one another!

I.)UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL BLESSING

WHAT is a blessing?

Barak in the Hebrew (Old Testament) and eulogeo in the Greek (NT)

Barak literally means “to kneel” and both words carry the same general meaning:

“to enrich – to convey a gift by a potent utterance.”

* It is to add to that which is already good – to now make it even better! Gen. 1:1-2:3

The expected granting of extra-ordinary provision from God – spiritual or material.

WHY? What is the purpose & promise of the blessing?

1. “Be fruitful and multiply” Gen. 1:28; 48:3-4 (Jacob to Joseph)

2. To extend God’s blessing Gen. 12:1-3

3.A beginning and anointing of a life purpose and ministry for the Lord.

Adam – Abraham – Isaac – Jacob – Joseph . . . – Jesus

Luke 2:25-35; Matthew 3:13-17

Imagine the strength this must have given Jesus throughout all the trials, sufferings, ups

and downs, betrayal and ultimately crucifixion that would follow.

WHERE from? The Source of the Blessing

GOD!!! And God alone, in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Gen. 1:28

Acts 17:28 “for in Him we live and move and have our being . . .” everything depending upon Him

& His blessing

Gen. 12:1-3 “I will make . . . I will bless . . . I will bless . . .” says the Lord