Christians are blessed . . . with a duty to bless others.

Christians are blessed . . . with a duty to bless others.

Where does this truth/idea come from, that we are blessed and should bless others?

Gen 12:1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, 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 earth shall be blessed.”

God has designed the world such that we find blessing when we bless others.

1Peter 3:8-9

God’s blessing those who bless others is embedded in the Old Testament.

1Peter 3:10-12

[ What does this blessing-others look like? ]

1Peter 3:13-17

Keep your tongue from evil and deceit

Turning from evil to do good

Be zealous to do good

Seek peace

Exalt Jesus Christ in your heart

Be ready to make a defence/explanation of your hope

Have good behaviour “in Christ”

Do you have these in your life?

What is the blessing that we are to receive from blessing others?

Loving life and seeing good days (10)

Finding peace (11)

Comfort in God’s eyes, face, power guard/keep/shield his people (12 leads to v13)

Having a hope in you (15)

Experiencing goodness even in the midst of difficulty. (14)

Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you (4:14)

Praise, glory, and honour from God for our genuine faith (1:7)

We are also blessed by the end-results of our faithfulness to God and to bless others.

Revilers will be put to shame (16)

Some will turn and be brought to faith (day of visitation, 2:12)

Seek to bless others out of the overflow of your being blessed.