Blessed to be a Blessing Part 1
We just got back from Manila for a series of talks at our home church (Greenhills Christian Fellowship-Ortigas). October is missions month and it was truly a privilege for us to share with our church what missions is and what God is doing where we are. Grace spoke at the youth service on Saturday evening while Mang preached on all three services on Sunday. We'll share with you in three parts Mang's message Blessed to be a Blessing. After which we'll share with you in two parts Grace's message to the youth What is Real?
Blessed to be a Blessing
Genesis 12:1-3
By Thanggoumang Dousel
Introduction: God’s bidding to Abraham in Genesis 12 resulted in the blessing of his descendants and the peoples of the earth. As his spiritual children through salvation in Christ, we have become partakers of this blessing not only to enjoy it but more importantly to share it. Like Abraham, we are blessed to be a blessing.
I. The Bidding (Gen. 12:1-3)
Abraham was commanded to leave all the things that he held very dear—his country, his people and his father’s household—and go to the land that God will show him. It was almost like a blind leap and he had no guarantees but God Himself; no one else and nothing else. But Abraham was a man of faith and he chose to step into the unknown to follow God’s bidding.
If we look at this story and think of our present day and age, it is but natural to want to be sure of things, especially when talking about the future. That’s why we ensure our children’s education. We make sure we land a stable job. And we secure our family the best way we can. While considering our future and planning out our lives, we are not usually ready to face or go through changes. Are you familiar with the saying “Never say never”? Before coming to the Philippines and while securing a visa at the Philippine embassy in New Delhi, I told myself that I will never do two things. I will never have anything to do with Muslims. If someone loves them good but it’s not for me. And I will never marry a Filipina. Five years later, I am married to a loving and beautiful Filipina and serving Muslims. One thing I learned is to never say never because God is a God of surprises. He has the best plan and he will direct our paths.
Abraham, too, would have found this bidding from God a very trying one. His faith was really tested. In the ancient world a man’s identity, including his wealth, lands and property, remains in the father’s household. To leave means Abraham would have to give up his inheritance and his rights to the family property. However, God did not just bid him without a reason or plan. It was actually God’s invitation to Abraham into a relationship with Him, a covenant. While he was commanded to leave his country, his people and his father’s household and go to the land God will show him, it is only Abraham’s obedience that is required of him. This initial command can be seen as an invitation to covenant. It is an invitation to a binding relationship. By means of his response, Abraham can choose whether or not to enter into a treaty relationship with God. Once Abraham agreed through his obedience, God’s involvement in the relationship was more comprehensive. God promised to: 1) make Abraham into a great nation; 2) bless him; 3) make his name great; 4) make him a blessing; and 5) bless all peoples on the earth through him. Because Abraham obeyed, blessing followed him and his descendants. The God who made the covenant is a promise-keeper and He followed through.
In our lives we have proven time and again that when we enter in a relationship with God, we are never on the losing end. His end of the deal is always more comprehensive. His promises are always encompassing. His words are always sure and reliable. He will never fail even if we do. He will always bless even if we are not faithful.
Blessed to be a Blessing
Genesis 12:1-3
By Thanggoumang Dousel
Introduction: God’s bidding to Abraham in Genesis 12 resulted in the blessing of his descendants and the peoples of the earth. As his spiritual children through salvation in Christ, we have become partakers of this blessing not only to enjoy it but more importantly to share it. Like Abraham, we are blessed to be a blessing.
I. The Bidding (Gen. 12:1-3)
Abraham was commanded to leave all the things that he held very dear—his country, his people and his father’s household—and go to the land that God will show him. It was almost like a blind leap and he had no guarantees but God Himself; no one else and nothing else. But Abraham was a man of faith and he chose to step into the unknown to follow God’s bidding.
If we look at this story and think of our present day and age, it is but natural to want to be sure of things, especially when talking about the future. That’s why we ensure our children’s education. We make sure we land a stable job. And we secure our family the best way we can. While considering our future and planning out our lives, we are not usually ready to face or go through changes. Are you familiar with the saying “Never say never”? Before coming to the Philippines and while securing a visa at the Philippine embassy in New Delhi, I told myself that I will never do two things. I will never have anything to do with Muslims. If someone loves them good but it’s not for me. And I will never marry a Filipina. Five years later, I am married to a loving and beautiful Filipina and serving Muslims. One thing I learned is to never say never because God is a God of surprises. He has the best plan and he will direct our paths.
Abraham, too, would have found this bidding from God a very trying one. His faith was really tested. In the ancient world a man’s identity, including his wealth, lands and property, remains in the father’s household. To leave means Abraham would have to give up his inheritance and his rights to the family property. However, God did not just bid him without a reason or plan. It was actually God’s invitation to Abraham into a relationship with Him, a covenant. While he was commanded to leave his country, his people and his father’s household and go to the land God will show him, it is only Abraham’s obedience that is required of him. This initial command can be seen as an invitation to covenant. It is an invitation to a binding relationship. By means of his response, Abraham can choose whether or not to enter into a treaty relationship with God. Once Abraham agreed through his obedience, God’s involvement in the relationship was more comprehensive. God promised to: 1) make Abraham into a great nation; 2) bless him; 3) make his name great; 4) make him a blessing; and 5) bless all peoples on the earth through him. Because Abraham obeyed, blessing followed him and his descendants. The God who made the covenant is a promise-keeper and He followed through.
In our lives we have proven time and again that when we enter in a relationship with God, we are never on the losing end. His end of the deal is always more comprehensive. His promises are always encompassing. His words are always sure and reliable. He will never fail even if we do. He will always bless even if we are not faithful.
posted by grace gaston-dousel | 1:52 PM
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