Blessed To Be a Blessing Text: Mark 12: 30-31
30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Introduction: Listen to this again. “Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength! I think it’s safe to say, “That Christ wants all of us!” He doesn’t want just a portion; He desires to have everything! He craves to become first in your life! Remember, as Jesus was talking, all around Him stood men and women who just wanted to be noticed for their social stance within the community! Most had their own agenda, some just didn’t want change; they liked the old! After all, loving the Lord with their being meant they couldn’t have their cake and eat it too!
I. God told Abraham in Genesis 12: 2-3 Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. (What if Abram had decided he didn’t like the “being a blessing” part?)
A. Before blessings came there had to be obedience on behalf of Abraham. Abraham’s participation would make him blessed to be a blessing! [Before a person can give they have to learn how to receive, and what that person does with what he or she receives determines how they give]!
B. Illustration: 1. Dollar bills flash in their eyes. 2. Going on a spending spree. 3. Saving, Stewardship, helping others, giving unto the Lord’s work.
C. Rev. Ken Davis said, “I do not know if being selfish will cause you to go to hell, but I do know a lot of other people will go to hell if you are selfish!” O.S. Hawkins president and CEO of the SBC Annuity Board said: “The principle hindrance to the advancement of the kingdom of God is greed. It is the chief obstacle to heaven-sent revival. It seems that when the back of greed is broken, the human spirit soars into regions of unselfishness. I believe that it is safe to say there can be no continuous revival without ‘hilarious’ giving. And I fear no contradiction: wherever there is ‘hilarious giving, there will soon be revival!”
D. As a person seeks the scriptures he or she will find this same principle not only in the Old Testament, but also in the New Testament. II. Cor. 9: 10-14 NIV 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
D. Paul is saying that everything you have is to be a blessing to others. In return, men and women will rise up and call you blessed! (You will be made rich in every way!)
E. In a recent survey, George Barna found that 72% of Americans believed that people are blessed by God so they can enjoy life. 52% agreed with the statement that the primary purpose of life is enjoyment and fulfillment. Just a few % thought that they were called by God so they could be blessed in order to be a blessing!
F. II. Cor. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
G. Listen to that, all grace, in all things, all times, all you need for every good work! If God can’t in-trust a true blue believer with His riches who can He depend on? God desires that you flow in His abundance, so you can help others!
H. In Matthew 25:21 One day if we are faithful over what He gives us we will hear Him say these words. 21). His master replied, ’Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
I. If you understand that you are blessed to be a blessing please come around this altar right now for a prayer of rededication! ( This is why you were created!)
