Blessed To Be A Blessing: The Favor That Fuels The Mission

Psalm 67 reminds us that God’s blessing is never meant to be an end in itself, but a means for His glory to be known among all nations. When God’s face shines upon us, it’s not just for our comfort or provision, but so that His ways and salvation can be seen through us. Every day, wherever we go—whether it’s across the world or across the street—we are on a mission trip. The question is not whether we are sent, but whether we recognize the purpose behind our sending. God’s favor and increase are given so that we can participate in His mission, not just receive provision for ourselves.

The blessing of God is always tied to purpose. When we walk in His favor, it’s an invitation to let His blessing flow through us, not just to us. This is why we must be doers, not just hearers—actively participating in the mission, not just trying or hoping, but stepping out in faith and obedience. God’s provision always follows His vision, and when we align ourselves with His purpose, we find that He supplies all we need to accomplish what He’s called us to do.

Praise is both our response to God’s favor and the way we release His favor into the world. It’s not about following a formula, but about maintaining a focus on God as the source and goal of all things. When we praise, we acknowledge that everything we have is from Him and for Him. This heart posture positions us to receive more, but also to steward more—preparing not just for today’s needs, but for tomorrow’s increase.

God’s plan has always been global. The increase and favor He gives are meant to fund His influence, not our own fame. Our stories of blessing become invitations for others to encounter faith in Christ. But with increase comes responsibility: we must build for it, prepare for it, and disciple others as we go. We are not reservoirs, but rivers—meant to let God’s blessing flow through us to the ends of the earth. The mission is not competition, but completion: to see all people praise His name and know His salvation.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Blessing with Purpose: God’s blessing is never just for our comfort or personal gain. It is always given with a purpose—that His ways and salvation would be known among all nations. When we understand this, we stop seeking blessing for its own sake and start asking how God wants to use us as conduits of His grace and truth. [46:01]
• 2. Participation, Not Just Provision: God’s favor is not just about meeting our needs, but about inviting us to participate in His mission. Provision follows vision; when we step out in obedience to God’s call, He supplies what is needed. The blessing is not just for us to enjoy, but for us to join in the work of making Him known. [51:30]
• 3. Praise as Focus, Not Formula: True praise is not a transaction or a formula to get something from God. It is a focus—a heart posture that recognizes God as the source and goal of all things. When we praise with this focus, we release God’s favor and presence into our lives and the world around us, and our increase becomes inevitable. [1:08:41]
• 4. Prepare for Increase: God’s promise of increase requires us to build and prepare for more. Just as you wouldn’t pray for rain without digging a ditch, we must expand our vision, build systems, and disciple others to hold the harvest God wants to bring. Increase is not seasonal for those who continually sow and prepare in faith. [1:17:19]
• 5. Be a River, Not a Reservoir: We are called to let God’s blessing flow through us, not just to us. The favor and increase we receive are meant to complete God’s mission, not to compete for status or comfort. Ask yourself: is your life positioned to receive and release God’s blessing, or are you holding back what God wants to multiply through you? [1:24:19]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [32:33] - Joyful Praise and Unity
• [33:32] - Introduction to Psalm 67
• [34:13] - God’s Unconditional Love and Presence
• [35:00] - Mission Mindset: Everyday Mission Trips
• [36:59] - Don’t Lose Heart: Keeping Eyes on Jesus
• [39:20] - Living in Response to God
• [41:54] - The Missionary Psalm: What Is Your Mission?
• [44:01] - The Blessing’s Purpose
• [47:15] - Vision and Provision
• [48:43] - Testimony: Purpose in Action
• [51:30] - Participation in the Mission
• [56:00] - The Language of Favor and Exposure
• [58:28] - Blessing Flows Through Us
• [1:01:01] - God’s Global Plan
• [1:08:41] - The Power and Focus of Praise
• [1:11:07] - The Promise of Increase
• [1:14:19] - Building for the Harvest
• [1:17:19] - Preparing for Rain: Expectation and Urgency
• [1:20:57] - Continual Increase: Planted by the River
• [1:23:17] - The Missional Mandate: For All People
• [1:24:19] - River or Reservoir: Releasing Blessing
• [1:28:02] - Ready for Tomorrow’s Increase
• [1:30:33] - Always on Mission
• [1:31:01] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
• [1:34:28] - Final Announcements and Dismissal

1. According to Psalm 67, what is the purpose of God’s blessing on His people? (see verses 1-2)
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the connection between God’s blessing and the mission to the nations? [[46:01]]
3. What does the psalmist repeat in verses 3 and 5, and why might this repetition be important?
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between being a “reservoir” and a “river” of blessing? [[01:24:19]]

1. The pastor says, “The blessing has a purpose…that he may be known on earth, not so you can just have good health or peace of mind.” How does this change the way someone might view the blessings in their life? [[46:01]]
2. The sermon emphasizes that “provision follows vision.” What does it mean for God’s provision to follow His vision, and how might this affect the way someone steps out in faith? [[47:15]]
3. The pastor talks about praise as a “focus, not a formula.” What is the difference between praising God as a formula and praising Him as a focus? [[01:08:41]]
4. The sermon says, “We are not blessed to compete, but to complete God’s mission.” What does this mean in practical terms for how we use our resources and influence? [[01:23:41]]

1. The pastor said, “Every day, wherever we go—whether it’s across the world or across the street—we are on a mission trip.” What is one place you go regularly where you could be more intentional about living on mission? [[41:54]]
2. Think about a recent blessing or increase in your life. How could you use that blessing to make God’s ways and salvation known to others? [[46:01]]
3. The sermon challenges us to be “doers, not just hearers.” Is there an area where you’ve been waiting for more provision before stepping out in faith? What is one step you could take this week to participate in God’s mission? [[52:21]]
4. The pastor asks, “Is your life positioned to receive and release God’s blessing, or are you holding back what God wants to multiply through you?” What is one way you can let God’s blessing flow through you to someone else this week? [[01:24:19]]
5. The sermon says, “Don’t just pray for rain—dig a ditch.” What is one practical way you can prepare for the increase or opportunity you are asking God for? [[01:17:19]]
6. The pastor talked about stories of blessing becoming invitations for others to encounter faith in Christ. Can you think of a story from your own life that you could share with someone this week to encourage their faith? [[01:03:11]]
7. The message says, “Praise is both our response to God’s favor and the way we release His favor into the world.” What is one way you can make praise a regular part of your daily routine, not just at church? [[01:08:41]]