Blessings From God: Understanding Spiritual Gifts and Grace

Devotional

Day 1: The Blessing of Christ’s Blood

From the very beginning, God’s plan for the forgiveness of sins involved the shedding of blood. The sacrifice of animals in the Old Testament pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, whose blood was shed so that we could be free from our sins. This blood is not only a symbol of life but also a continual reminder of the cost of our redemption every time we partake of the Lord’s Supper. The blood of Christ is a vital blessing, making atonement possible and opening the way for us to be reconciled to God. [07:44]

Hebrews 9:22
“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (ESV)

Reflection: When you take communion, how can you more intentionally remember and give thanks for the sacrifice Jesus made for you through His blood?

Day 2: Love—The Greatest Blessing

Love is at the heart of God’s relationship with humanity, demonstrated from the first pages of Scripture and emphasized throughout. God calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as ourselves. The love God shows is steadfast and sacrificial, culminating in the gift of His Son. Without love, we cannot truly know God, for God is love, and He expects us to reflect that love in our lives. [10:30]

1 Corinthians 13:13
“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God’s love through you today, and what is one specific way you can show them that love?

Day 3: The Promise of Eternal Life

Eternity is a concept that stretches beyond our understanding, yet God promises eternal life to those who believe and obey His Son. This promise is not based on our merit but is a free gift, secured by Christ’s sacrifice and our abiding in Him. The assurance of eternal life gives us hope and purpose, reminding us that our faithfulness now leads to an everlasting dwelling with God. [13:52]

John 3:36
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life shape the way you approach challenges and decisions in your daily life?

Day 4: God’s Strength in Our Weakness

God is the source of our strength, equipping us to face life’s challenges and to serve Him faithfully. Throughout Scripture, faithful men and women recognized that their strength came from God, not from themselves. Jesus taught that we are to love God with all our strength, and the apostles affirmed that God supplies the strength we need to glorify Him. When we rely on God’s strength, we can endure, serve, and overcome. [18:23]

Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to rely more on God’s strength instead of your own, and how can you take a step of faith in that area today?

Day 5: The Gift of Salvation

Salvation is the greatest gift God offers, made possible by His grace and received through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not something we can earn, but a blessing freely given to all who accept it. The longing for salvation is echoed by the psalmist, the prophets, and the apostles, all pointing to the truth that salvation is found in Christ alone. This gift brings hope, peace, and the assurance of God’s presence now and forever. [29:13]

Titus 2:11
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.” (ESV)

Reflection: If you truly believe salvation is a gift, how might that change the way you talk about your faith with someone who does not yet know Jesus?

Sermon Summary

As we gather in this season of Thanksgiving, it’s fitting to reflect on the many blessings God has poured into our lives. Each holiday throughout the year draws our attention to different aspects of God’s goodness—resolutions at New Year’s, love on Valentine’s Day, the resurrection at Easter, honoring parents on Mother’s and Father’s Day, and the birth of Christ at Christmas. But Thanksgiving calls us to pause and consider the abundance of spiritual blessings we have in Christ, blessings that are far greater than any material gift.

To help us remember these blessings, we can look at the word “blessings” itself, with each letter representing a unique gift from God. First, the “B” stands for blood—the blood of Christ, which was foreshadowed from the very beginning in Genesis and fulfilled in Jesus’ sacrifice. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness, and the Lord’s Supper continually reminds us of this precious gift.

“L” is for love, a word found over 680 times in Scripture. God’s steadfast love is the foundation of our relationship with Him, and He calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Without love, we cannot truly know God, for God is love.

“E” stands for eternal. Our God is eternal, and He promises eternal life to those who believe and obey. This is a promise that transcends our understanding of time and gives us hope beyond this life.

The first “S” is for spirit. God created us with a spirit and gives us His Spirit to guide, comfort, and empower us. We are called to worship Him in spirit and in truth, surrendering our lives fully to Him.

The second “S” is for strength. God is our strength and our song, equipping us to face life’s challenges and to serve Him faithfully. We are called to love God with all our strength, relying on Him for the power to persevere.

“I” is for intercession. When we are weak and don’t know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes for us, and Jesus Himself is our mediator before the Father. Through Christ, we have access to God and the assurance that our prayers are heard.

“N” stands for new covenant. Through Jesus’ death, the old covenant was made obsolete, and a new covenant was established—one that offers forgiveness and eternal inheritance to all who are called.

“G” is for gift. God’s gifts are many: the Holy Spirit, eternal life, grace, and above all, Jesus Himself. These are gifts we could never earn, given freely out of God’s love.

Finally, “S” is for salvation. Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus, and it is offered to all by the grace of God. This is the greatest blessing we can receive.

No matter the season, let us always be mindful of these blessings and respond with gratitude and obedience to God.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Christ’s Blood The shedding of blood, from the earliest pages of Scripture to the cross, is central to God’s plan for forgiveness. Christ’s sacrifice is not just a historical event but a continual source of cleansing and hope. Each time we remember His blood, we are reminded of the depth of God’s mercy and the seriousness of sin. [05:42]
2. Love as the Foundation of Faith Love is not merely an emotion but the very nature of God and the foundation of our relationship with Him. To love God with all our being is to align ourselves with His heart and purposes. Without love, our faith is empty, but with it, we reflect God’s character to the world. [09:46]
3. The Gift of Intercession When words fail and our hearts are heavy, God’s Spirit intercedes for us, and Jesus stands as our mediator. This means we are never alone in our struggles or prayers. God Himself bridges the gap, ensuring our needs and confessions reach His throne, even when we cannot express them. [19:45]
4. The New Covenant’s Transforming Power The new covenant in Christ replaces the old, offering true forgiveness and eternal inheritance. This covenant is not based on rituals or our own merit but on Jesus’ finished work. Living under this covenant means embracing grace and walking in the freedom Christ provides. [22:18]
5. Salvation as the Ultimate Blessing Salvation is not just a future hope but a present reality for those in Christ. It is the culmination of God’s gifts—His blood, love, Spirit, and grace—all working together to rescue and restore us. To long for salvation is to delight in God’s law and trust in His promises, knowing that in Christ, we are secure. [27:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - Family Updates and Prayer Requests
[01:10] - Holidays and Their Spiritual Emphases
[03:41] - Thanksgiving and Counting Blessings
[05:02] - Introduction to “Blessings” Acrostic
[05:42] - B: The Blessing of Blood
[08:25] - L: The Blessing of Love
[11:48] - E: The Blessing of Eternal Life
[13:52] - S: The Blessing of Spirit
[15:57] - S: The Blessing of Strength
[19:08] - I: The Blessing of Intercession
[21:40] - N: The Blessing of the New Covenant
[24:18] - G: The Blessing of God’s Gifts
[27:08] - S: The Blessing of Salvation
[29:13] - Reflecting on God’s Blessings
[29:53] - Invitation and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Thanksgiving Blessings in Christ

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Bible Reading

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
> “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”

Romans 6:23 (ESV)
> “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Hebrews 9:22 (ESV)
> “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”

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Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 1:3, what kind of blessings has God given us in Christ? How does the sermon describe these blessings compared to material gifts? [05:02]
In Hebrews 9:22, what is said to be necessary for the forgiveness of sins? How does the sermon connect this to the Lord’s Supper? [07:44]
Romans 6:23 talks about a “free gift” from God. What is this gift, and how does the sermon explain why we could never earn it? [25:39]
The sermon uses the word “blessings” as an acrostic. Can you recall what each letter stands for and how each one is described as a blessing from God? [05:02]

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Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that spiritual blessings in Christ are “far greater than any material gift.” Why might spiritual blessings be more significant than physical ones, especially during Thanksgiving? [05:02]
The “B” in blessings stands for the blood of Christ. Why is the shedding of blood so central to God’s plan for forgiveness, and how does this shape our understanding of communion? [07:44]
The sermon highlights love as the foundation of our relationship with God. What does it mean that “God is love,” and how does this affect the way we relate to Him and others? [09:46]
The new covenant is described as replacing the old and offering true forgiveness. How does living under the new covenant change the way we approach God and our daily lives? [22:18]

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Application Questions

The sermon encourages us to pause and consider our spiritual blessings. When you think about your own life, which of the “blessings” (blood, love, eternal, spirit, strength, intercession, new covenant, gift, salvation) do you tend to overlook? How can you become more mindful of it this week? [05:02]
The Lord’s Supper is described as a continual reminder of Christ’s sacrifice. How does participating in communion affect your sense of gratitude and awareness of God’s mercy? Is there a way you could approach it more thoughtfully? [07:44]
The sermon says that God’s love is steadfast and foundational. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to reflect God’s love more intentionally? What is one step you could take to do that? [09:46]
When you feel weak or unsure how to pray, the Spirit intercedes for you. Can you recall a time when you didn’t have the words to pray? How does knowing the Spirit and Jesus intercede for you change your approach to prayer? [19:45]
The new covenant offers forgiveness and an eternal inheritance, not based on our merit but on Jesus’ finished work. Are there areas where you still try to “earn” God’s favor? What would it look like to rest in His grace instead? [22:18]
The sermon says salvation is not just a future hope but a present reality. How does this truth impact your daily choices and your sense of security in Christ? [27:53]
The message ends by calling us to respond with gratitude and obedience. What is one practical way you can show gratitude to God this week—either privately, with your family, or in the church? [29:13]

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Sermon Clips

And you know, each each holiday that we that we seem to to go through throughout the year has a different emphasis. For example, New Year's, we tend to focus on maybe some some resolutions. I know some of us don't. Jim mentioned that last week, but some people start new year resolutions. Psalms 119 and verse 12, the Bible says, "I incline or resolve or decide my heart to perform your statutes forever to the end." [00:01:04]

Then we come back down to thanksgiving. We tend to focus on on blessings, things that we're thankful for. In Ephesians 1 and verse three, as was already read our scripture reading, it says, "Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. I don't know about you, but our family tradition was that when we got around the table to eat our Thanksgiving meal, we'd go around the table and we'd share what we were thankful for. [00:03:16]

From the beginning of time, the shedding of blood was part of the plan for the forgiveness of sins for mankind. In Genesis 3 and verse 21, even though the word is not mentioned, but it the first mentioning of blood is actually takes place in the Bible. The Bible says, "And the Lord made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed clothe them." So because God provided garments for Adam and Eve, it's implied that some kind of animal provided those garments. Blood was involved. Thus the first animal sacrifice. [00:05:51]

Blood, as you know, as as a as to sustain our life, we can't live without blood. There's many things in our body. Blood was used as a sacrifice in the Old Testament and Jesus shed his blood in the New Testament so that we could be free from our sins. Blood, a vital part of the Lord's supper, is a continual reminder of Jesus sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. Truly, blood is a blessing from God. [00:07:44]

Do you know the word love is found over 680 times in our Bibles? A lot of emphasis on the word love. In Genesis 22 and verse two, the first time love is mentioned in scripture, the Bible says, he said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Mariah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." So Isaac was very special to Abraham and Sarah. He was born in Abraham and and Sarah's old age, well past the natural child birthing years. [00:08:25]

God expected mankind to love him just as he demonstrated agape love to us time after time. In in Deuteronomy chapter 6 and verse 4, we read about the great commandment, the greatest commandment. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, with all your mind. God made his wishes and desires quite plain to mankind. First and foremost, we are to love God more than anything or anyone this world has to offer. [00:09:46]

Paul when he summarized the love chapter here in 1 Corinthians he emphasized the three most important things faith hope and love and trump love trumps all the rest and verse 8 Paul or John says anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love. John makes it quite clear if we lacked love in our lives then we don't know God. Love God demands it from his people. [00:10:36]

He created the world that provides all the physical necessities in life. He created us in his likeness. He sent his only son to be our savior and redeemer. And he has a special place for us to abide in once we leave this life. Love. A truly a true blessing from God. [00:11:15]

We pretty much associate everything with a date and time. So it's hard for us to comprehend something that never had a beginning and never has an ending. In Deuteronomy 33:27, the Bible says, "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms, and he thrust out the enemy before you and said, "Destroy." God isn't going anywhere. He is our eternal God. [00:11:48]

Jesus said that if we believe in him, we'll have eternal life. And he goes on to say that that belief includes obedience. In Romans 6 and verse 23, Paul said, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Paul reminds us that even though we deserve the death sentence because of our sins, Jesus came and offered us eternal life. [00:12:42]

God created us with a soul and a desire to worship him. He wants us to do so with our hearts. At the same time, God made it quite clear that we are to worship him with our intellect. Cain found out the hard way when he chose to worship God the way he wanted to rather than how God wanted him to. [00:14:55]

In Exodus 15 and verse two, the Bible says, "The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will please him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." Shortly after God had saved the Israelites from the Egyptians, Moses and the Israelites sang this song, which includes acknowledging that God is their strength. [00:16:05]

Jesus taught that we are to love God with all our strength. That tells me that we have to give it our all the time. In 1 Peter 4 and:e 11, Peter says, "Whoever speaks as the one who speaks oracles of God. Whoever serves as one who serves by the strength that God supplies in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him be belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." [00:17:34]

Just think when you're speechless, when you're at a loss of words, and when you're having difficulty in putting your thoughts into words, the spirit of God interceds for us, fills the gaps, and makes our pleas to God complete. In Hebrews chapter 7 and verse 25, the Hebrew writer says, "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him since he always lives to make intercession for them." [00:20:09]

The old covenant which served its purpose was never adequate for the removal of sins from our lives and it was about to end. In 1 Corinthians 11 and verse 25, Paul writes, "In the same way, after he took the cup after supper, saying, "This covenant or this cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me." So when we parttook of the Lord's supper earlier, we were reminded of that new covenant that we take every Lord's day. [00:22:06]

We need all the help we can get. The Holy Spirit may not be something tangible that we can put our finger on, but we know that the Holy Spirit is there guiding us in our walk in life. In Romans 6 and verse 23, Paul said, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Another gift from God, eternal life. [00:25:01]

Paul when he wrote to Titus reminds us that salvation is received by the grace of God. Salvation truly a gift from God. The Psalmist descri desired it. Isaiah the prophet believed it. Peter preached it. Paul reminded us about it. Salvation, what a blessing from God and Jesus Christ. [00:28:53]

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Blessings From God: Understanding Spiritual Gifts and Grace

Devotional

Day 1: The Blessing of Christ’s Blood

Day 2: Love—The Greatest Blessing

Day 3: The Promise of Eternal Life

Day 4: God’s Strength in Our Weakness

Day 5: The Gift of Salvation

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Blessings From God: Understanding Spiritual Gifts and Grace

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