Blessed to be a blessing. 

What does it mean to bless or be blessed? 

Old Testament- barak “to kneel” to bless came from a person of authority or superior position.  They in turn use their position to improve, encourage, or strengthen another.  Occurs 122 times in OT but only 10 times in NT.  HBD

New Testament- makarios “to be fortunate, made joyful” more commonly used as the word blessed as there is more of an emphasis of having received blessing from God.  Blessed occurs 88 times in NT as compared to the word bless being used 10 times.   

We are blessed.  Matthew 13:10-17

• We have been given a gift to see and have a clear perception. (14a, 16a)
• We have been given a gift to hear and understand. (14b, 16b)
• We have been given a faith that will produce blessing. (23)

When blessed you have the resources to be a blessing. 

Luke 12:48 “But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

• There is a greater account before God when we KNOW his blessings.
• We have been given much, so of course we are expected to give much.
• If we have much, God will ask more of us. 

It is more fun to bless than to horde. 

Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

*Illustration: Unexpected visit in the hospital.  Christmas Eve breakfast paid for.  In the drive through paying for someone behind you.  Having a dining room table given to you.  God providing a puppy.  Delivering a meal to strangers.  Stopping to help someone whose car broke down.  People from LEFC providing food for my extended family in Philadelphia without knowing the need. 

It is awesome to be blessed by another, especially when it is unexpected.

Take Aways:

1. Write down how you have been blessed and thank God for those blessings.
2. What do you have that you can share so that others might be fortunate and experience joy with you?
3. During this advent season, make a point to bless one person each day with an unexpected blessing.