Be A Blessing

Genesis 12:2-4; Galatians 6:1-10

Genesis 12:1-3 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

Introduction: So Xmas is in 3 Days and I want to tell you what I want from you for Xmas. I don’t ask for much and what I ask for is usually to further this work. So put your phones up, because You can’t get it off Amazon, and it’s nowhere online. I already checked. But I really believe this is something that can be amazing. What I want for my church family is for you to always be a blessing. That’s it

I took this job not for status or money, but I accepted this call to help God’s people realize how much they could be a blessing to others and to further the promise given to Abraham by God. That’s it, The Bible teaches us that blessings are not meant to stop with us—they are meant to flow through us. God blesses us so that we can bless others. When we truly understand the heart of God, we truly recognize that being a blessing is a privilege, not a burden.

We come to church out of obligation, the bible says about given to give from the heart not grudgingly for God loves a cheerful giver. Don’t apologize when you don’t mean it.

Longtime time ago God made a covenant with Abraham to transform the lives of many multitudes so they could be a blessing.

Do you know who this is? I tell you in a minute

Have you heard of a show called Hard Knocks? It’s a reality sports documentary television series produced by NFL Films and HBO. The show follows a (NFL) team through its training camp and covers the team's preparation for the upcoming football season. The series depicts the personal and professional lives of players, coaches, and staff, including their family life, position battles, and even inside jokes and pranks. It particularly focuses on rookies' adjustments to playing in the NFL, usually with emphasis on the team's most recent top draft pick. and occasionally will focus on undrafted players who are attempting to make the team. A few weeks ago I came across the cleveland browns 2018 training camp where it featured Baker Mayfield the browns #1 draft pick. But what caught my eye was a wide receiver named Jarvis Charles Landry a wide receiver for the browns. He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. With the Dolphins, Landry made three Pro Bowls and with the Browns, earned two more Pro Bowls. During this segment they Highlighted him due to His exceptional work ethic on and off the field. Its as if every opportunity he was given he wanted to do his best. He has exceptional hands and a work ethic that it amazing.

Jarvis made plays in practice that caught the attention of all his teammates. After he makes a awesome play, players and coaches would tell him great job, excellent catch and he would respond with Bless Him. Meaning I do this to bless God and others. He would tell other receivers go out there and bless that defensive back. Show them what God has done for you and how you can use that talent to make that defensive back be better as well. He said this”God has given us the ability to bless people and because of our talent I want to make God proud by blessing others. Don’t wait until Sunday but coming to work everyday with a goal to bless someone.

When you look at God’s definition of blessing its to live in a way that reflects God’s love, kindness, and generosity, by impacting others positively and bringing joy, and encouragement in their lives.

Being a blessing is less about what you have and more about how you represent.

Matthew 5:16 “ Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”

My granddaughter made her xmas wishlist 2 weeks ago and told her mom to make sure to send it to me. it had specific items, and with us being a blessing God has given specific instructions on how that looks. In Gen. 12:2 Look at what God promised to Abraham in Genesis 12:2

“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you”

God made a promise to abram at the time and he didn't say He would try. It was a guarantee assurance that the almighty God would make Abram into a great man that it change his name. God was a great salesmen and motivator that a man would leave his family and protection and take his family whom He as been in charged of to a place he has no idea if it's worth it. Abram had to recognize something inside himself that he could do this. We need to realize who made this promise and recognize that you are blessed to be a blessing.

Recognizing the good God has placed in us requires reflection, faith, and intentional focus on His work in our lives. Here are some ways to cultivate this awareness:

1. Seek God in Prayer

Spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal His purpose and the gifts He has given you. Ask for wisdom to see His hand in your talents, character, and circumstances.

2. Study Scripture

The Bible reminds us of our identity in Christ. Verses like Ephesians 2:10 (“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. This verse highlights that we are intentionally made for good purposes.

Listen to Affirmation from Others

Sometimes, others can see God’s work in us more clearly than we can. Pay attention to how people recognize your kindness, leadership, creativity, or other qualities.

• Proverbs 16:24 – “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

• A kind word to a discouraged friend.

• A meal for a struggling family.

• Lending a listening ear.

• Remember that our words have the power to bless and heal others.

Engage in Service

When you use your gifts to help others, the good God has placed in you often becomes more apparent. Serving others highlights your God-given abilities and affirms His purpose for your life. John

John 15:13 (NLT) There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

7. Practice Gratitude

Regularly thank God for the blessings and abilities He has given you. Gratitude opens your eyes to the good that’s already present in your life.

By seeking God’s guidance and intentionally reflecting on your identity in Him, you can better recognize and celebrate the good He has placed within you.

Whether through our time, resources, or words, God equips us to pour out His goodness into the lives of those around us. This world dictates our worth and when we realize that we are truly a blessing because of the God who makes it possible, because He woke me up so that I can help someone get up, so that I can be a shining light is truly why I’m living today. My wife would write scriptures on the kids bathroom mirror and One of those came from

Psalm 139:14: "I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well"

I like how the psalmist starts this out. I will give thanks, How do we give thanks to the Lord? By being a blessing.

4. Reflect on Your Growth

Look back on challenges or experiences that have shaped you. God often uses difficult seasons to cultivate patience, kindness, and wisdom within us.

Being a blessing isn’t just about helping others; it’s also a reflection of your faith and obedience to God. It fulfills the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Moreover, when you bless others, God blesses you, by deepening your sense of purpose and joy.

Acts 20:35 (NLT)

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Closing: Why Does It Matter?

Let me show this video

Turn you bibles to

Galatians 6:7-10 (NLT) 7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Giving reflects God’s character as He is the ultimate giver of life

Ultimately, being a blessing means living out God’s calling in your life to be a light in the world, spreading His love and grace wherever you go.

After seeing this video I believe my prayers and Xmas gift is coming true. So I ask you to Never give up being a blessing