November 5, 2006

What New Believers Need to Know - Part 9
Be a Blessing

Steve Lane

A. Introduction/Review

Hebrews 12: 1 - 3
Jeremiah 6: 14
Dressing the wound as if it were not serious
"The terrifying diagnosis with a miraculous cure" John Piper

What stops the overflow of Joy?

A seed I would like to see planted in every new believer's heart

B. Planting of the seed

Genesis 12: 1 - 2
A scriptural principle
God blesses us - we bless others
God called Abraham out to be a blessing
Sanctified to be a blessing
John 14: 12
2 Timothy 2: 2
Matthew 10: 8
1 Corinthians 13
Proverbs 11: 24 - 25
Matthew 25
We don't put limits on how much we receive...
1 John 4: 10 - 19
When you received grace, it was with a specific goal

C. Go to a land I will show you

Genesis 12
Get out of the old life - depart the land of sin and flesh
Man offering up what is precious to is the way to the blessing of God

The life of the Spirit, of fellowship with God in which he will lead you
A life focused on the purposes of God
"Oh God, bless me and I will live my life wholly to be a blessing to others"

D. Being a blessing even under pressure

Paul's example - 2 Corinthians 6: 1 - 10
6: 1 Do not receive His blessing in vain - Paul is a fellow worker with God 5: 20

6: 2 Today is the day - don't receive His grace in vain
Windows of opportunity do not stay open forever
He desires to bless others through you
Being a blessing brings joy and sorrow

6: 3 - 10
The sacrifice of relationship
"Family Focused on God's Purposes... Being a Blessing to Others"
1 Corinthians 15: 58

The promise is, "I will bless you"
The command is, "be a blessing"