Various Scripture - Blessed with a purpose God Blesses His people to be a blessing to the nations

I went to high school living in a town on the Ohio River. Show picture. Beautiful river.

However, every spring water from the river would overflow and find its way into backwater low spots. In Greenup’s park, this would be the water you would find.

In the land of Israel you find a similar phenomenon. The source of the Jordan River is in the Mount Hermon area. Picture. Water falls and rushing water.

It flow into the Sea of Galilee (Picture) – a lake fresh and living, abounding in life.

The Jordan then flows rapidly down a steep grade giving life to its banks (picture).

And then it arrives at the Dead Sea (picture) – The water goes nowhere. It consumes the blessing of water upon itself rather than passing that blessing on, the lake. With no outlet, the water just sits. True to its name, virtually nothing lives here. (final picture)

God overflows into His people’s lives. The people of God abound with blessing. But this blessing was never intended to be merely consumed on oneself. God blesses his people and desires His people then to be a blessing. And throughout scripture the Lord blesses His people so that they can be a blessing to the nations.

The Lord blesses so that His people can be a blessing to others. And the nations might come into a relationship with this gracious God.

I. Abraham: Blessed to be a blessing to the nations.

Abraham was blessed with a purpose

A. Calledto a relationship with God Genesis 12:1

(ESV) Genesis 12 1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your countryand your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

1. Called out of an old life into a continuous journey with God

B. Blessed in his earthly life Genesis 12:2a

(ESV) Genesis 12 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, …

1. Began a new journey with Him

2. Received His promises

3. Began to enjoy those promises

C. Intended to be a blessing to the nations Genesis 12:2b

(ESV) Genesis 12 2 … so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earthshall be blessed.”

1. More than just an intention to bless him individually – make life good

2. Purpose to impact all the nations through the blessings God gave him

3. Gave him a son – a blessing – would impact all nations through his family line, Christ

II. Hebrews: Blessed to intercede for the nations.

The Hebrew people were blessed with a purpose

A. Redeemed for a relationship with God Exodus 19:3b-4

(ESV) Exodus 19 3 … “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

1. Speaking through Moses to His people

2. Brought them out of slavery and bondage

3. Redeemed them for Himself

4. Began a personal journey with God

B. Blessed as a special treasure of God Exodus 19:5

(ESV) Exodus 19 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possessionamong all peoples, for all the earth is mine;

1. Treasure – special relationship with God

2. Will receive a land / blessings in that land – given by the God who owned it – as a demonstration of how great He is and how how great is His reward

C. Intended to stand between God and the nations Exodus 19:6

(ESV) Exodus 19 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ …

1. Given a responsibility to use that blessing

2. Priests –tell them about God – pray for them to God – intercede for them to God

3. Set apart nation – example to others in living a life that points to the invisible God

III. Israel: Blessed to reveal God to the nations

The nation of Israel was established as a nation and blessed in the land – to reveal God to other nations

A. Serving in a relationship with God 1 Kings 8:59

(ESV) 1 Kings 8 59 Let these words of mine, with which I have pleaded before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, and may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires,

1. The people to serve as Gods servants

2. The Lord sustains them in this service

B. Blessed by the powerful presence of God 1 Kings 8:41-42; Isaiah 42:6a

(ESV) 1 Kings 8 41 “Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for your name’s sake 42 (for theyshall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm), …

(ESV) Isaiah 42 6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, …

1. The Lord blesses immensely – so others will hear about it

2. Demonstrates His great power among them

3. The Lord that works on behalf of His people

4. This is where a real God works in a mighty way

C. Intended to bring the nations to God 1 Kings 8:43, 60; Isaiah 42:6b

(ESV) 1 Kings 8 43 hear in heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, …

1. With a purpose that others might come to know Him as well

2. Come into a relationship with the God who is real

(ESV) 1 Kings 8 60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other.

(ESV) Isaiah 42 6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,

3. Give light to those in darkness

IV. Christian: Blessed to display the love of God to the nations

So it is still true that the Christian is blessed with a purpose. To show the nations the God who loves them

A. Enjoyingthe relationship with Christ John 13:34

(ESV) John 13 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

1. Enjoy the privilege of knowing Christ and His love

2. Gave Himself for our sin

3. Shows His love to take on our sin so that we might know Him

4. Enjoy this relationship with Him – acceptance / encouragement / help in time of need / companionship

B. Blessed within God’s community John 13:34

(ESV) John 13 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

1. Enjoying the love of those around us in the church

2. From church – acceptance / encouragement / help in time of need / community

C. Intended to display Christ to the nations John 13:35

(ESV) John 13 35 By this all people will knowthat you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1. Reveal the love of Christ to those who don’t know Him

2. Create a hunger in others for this same love