Embracing Blessings: Gratitude and Joy in Giving

 

Summary

Filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude, I began my day with a run through the coastal foothills, a rare occurrence that reminded me of the blessings in life. This sense of blessing is not new; it is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who were righteous yet childless, illustrates how God sees and blesses us in unexpected ways. When Elizabeth became pregnant, she praised God for removing her disgrace. Her relative Mary, also blessed with a miraculous pregnancy, visited Elizabeth, and upon hearing Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's unborn child leaped with joy. This moment of shared blessing highlights the profound joy and gratitude that comes from recognizing God's promises.

Blessing is a recurring theme in these stories. It is not just something we receive but something we give. Our interactions with others are opportunities to bless or withhold blessing. God, the ultimate source of blessing, created the world and declared it good, blessing all creation. We are made to bless and be blessed, and Elizabeth's exuberant joy exemplifies this. Her loud exclamation of blessing is akin to the raucous joy of Fred Flintstone's "Yabba-Dabba-Doo," a metaphor for the uncontainable joy that comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Blessing is not merely about personal joy; it is about expressing joy to God. The theologian Tom Oden's journey reminds us that our praise should be directed to Yahweh, the God who reveals Himself. Elizabeth's blessing is not just for her; it is a call to be a blessing to others. Even in the face of future sorrow, as Mary would later experience, the promise of blessing remains. Today, we are called to be conduits of blessing, to see each person as an opportunity to share God's love. Whether through words, gestures, or actions, we can choose to bless others, recognizing that the breath within us is God's spirit. This day is a gift, and we are invited to be a blessing, allowing God's love to flow through us to the world.

Key Takeaways:

1. Gratitude as a Gateway to Blessing: Starting the day with gratitude opens our hearts to recognize the blessings around us. This awareness transforms ordinary moments into opportunities for joy and connection with God and others. [01:53]

2. Blessing Beyond Circumstances: Blessing is not confined to favorable circumstances; it is about what God does through us. Even in challenging times, we can be vessels of God's love and grace, impacting those around us. [09:47]

3. The Power of Presence: Our interactions with others are chances to bless or withhold blessing. By being present and intentional, we can choose to will the good for others, reflecting God's love in our daily encounters. [04:32]

4. Expressing Joy to God: True joy is not just personal; it is directed towards God. Our praise should acknowledge Yahweh, the God who reveals Himself, and our expressions of joy should be acts of worship. [08:58]

5. Choosing to Bless: Every day presents opportunities to bless others, whether through words, gestures, or actions. By recognizing the divine breath within us, we can choose to be a blessing, allowing God's spirit to work through us. [11:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:53] - Morning Gratitude
- [02:16] - The Story of Zechariah and Elizabeth
- [03:22] - Mary's Visit and Fetal Joy
- [04:19] - Understanding Blessing
- [05:23] - God's Blessing in Creation
- [06:16] - Elizabeth's Exuberant Joy
- [07:26] - The Flintstones Metaphor
- [08:05] - Expressing Joy to God
- [09:14] - The Significance of Alleluia
- [09:47] - Blessing Through Us
- [10:14] - Everyday Opportunities to Bless
- [11:04] - Spirit Breath and Blessing
- [11:29] - Conclusion: Be a Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 1:5-25 - The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth
2. Luke 1:39-45 - Mary's visit to Elizabeth and the blessing
3. Genesis 1:27-28 - God's blessing in creation

Observation Questions:
1. What was Zechariah's initial reaction to the angel's message about having a child, and how did this affect him? [03:00]
2. How did Elizabeth respond when she realized she was pregnant, and what did she say about her disgrace? [03:13]
3. Describe the interaction between Mary and Elizabeth when Mary visited. What happened to Elizabeth's unborn child? [03:36]
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of blessing in relation to our interactions with others? [04:32]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth teach about God's timing and the nature of blessings? How might this apply to personal experiences of waiting or disappointment? [02:39]
2. In what ways does Elizabeth's loud exclamation of joy reflect the idea of being filled with the Holy Spirit? How does this compare to the metaphor of Fred Flintstone's "Yabba-Dabba-Doo"? [07:26]
3. How does the sermon suggest that blessing is not just about personal joy but also about expressing joy to God? What role does gratitude play in this expression? [08:58]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that blessing is something that happens through us rather than just to us? What examples from the sermon support this idea? [09:47]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. How did it change your perspective or actions that day? How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude in your daily life? [01:53]
2. Consider a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you be a vessel of God's love and grace in this situation, despite the circumstances? [09:47]
3. Think about your daily interactions. How can you be more intentional in choosing to bless others through your words, gestures, or actions? [04:32]
4. Identify a specific way you can express joy to God this week. How can this act of worship impact your relationship with Him and others around you? [08:58]
5. Who in your life could use a blessing right now? What practical steps can you take to be a conduit of God's love and blessing to them? [11:04]
6. Reflect on the idea that the breath within you is God's spirit. How does this perspective influence the way you view your daily activities and interactions? [11:04]
7. How can you remind yourself each day that it is a gift and an opportunity to be a blessing to others? What specific actions can you take to live out this calling? [11:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude as a Gateway to Divine Awareness
Gratitude is a powerful spiritual practice that opens our hearts to the blessings that surround us. By starting the day with gratitude, we become more attuned to the presence of God in our lives and the ways He is working through us. This awareness transforms ordinary moments into opportunities for joy and connection with God and others. When we cultivate a grateful heart, we are more likely to recognize the divine in the mundane and to see each day as a gift from God. [01:53]

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)

Reflection: What are three specific things you are grateful for today, and how can you express this gratitude to God and others in a tangible way?


Day 2: Blessing Beyond Circumstances
Blessing is not limited to favorable circumstances; it is about what God does through us, even in challenging times. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth illustrates how God can bless us in unexpected ways, regardless of our circumstances. Their faithfulness and righteousness were rewarded with a miraculous blessing, reminding us that God's timing and ways are beyond our understanding. We are called to be vessels of God's love and grace, impacting those around us by allowing His blessings to flow through us. [09:47]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you be a vessel of God's blessing to someone else in the midst of this challenge?


Day 3: The Power of Presence
Our interactions with others are opportunities to bless or withhold blessing. By being present and intentional, we can choose to will the good for others, reflecting God's love in our daily encounters. Elizabeth's exuberant joy upon Mary's visit is a testament to the power of presence and the impact it can have on others. When we are fully present with others, we create space for God's love to be experienced and shared. [04:32]

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can be more present with today? What specific action can you take to show them that they are valued and loved?


Day 4: Expressing Joy to God
True joy is not just personal; it is directed towards God. Our praise should acknowledge Yahweh, the God who reveals Himself, and our expressions of joy should be acts of worship. Elizabeth's blessing was not just for her; it was a call to be a blessing to others. Even in the face of future sorrow, the promise of blessing remains. We are invited to express our joy to God as an act of worship, recognizing His presence and promises in our lives. [08:58]

"Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" (Psalm 96:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you express your joy to God today in a way that acknowledges His presence and promises in your life?


Day 5: Choosing to Bless
Every day presents opportunities to bless others, whether through words, gestures, or actions. By recognizing the divine breath within us, we can choose to be a blessing, allowing God's spirit to work through us. This day is a gift, and we are invited to be a blessing, sharing God's love with the world. As we choose to bless others, we become conduits of God's grace and love, impacting the lives of those around us. [11:04]

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can choose to bless someone today, allowing God's love to flow through you to them?

Quotes

so i got up this morning and the strangest thing happened i found myself for no reason at all so filled with gratitude so thankful to be alive that i didn't know what to do i went out for a long run i ended up running up and down the coastal foothills for an hour and 15 minutes you know how long it's been since i have run up and down coastal foothills for 15 minutes i just got back i haven't shaved haven't showered but i wanted to talk to you about the blessing because i'm so grateful for it and and feel it so intensely right now [00:01:42]

we're looking at how what's unprecedented is not the troubles of 2020. troubles are as old as history there have been 400 years worth of troubles and stagnation and then god did a new thing when the word became flesh and this is how it started an angel came to an old man named zechariah we're told that zechariah and his wife elizabeth were righteous that just means they were really really good people and they were devout they observed all the commandments of the lord very carefully but they were very old and they had no children [00:02:18]

and the angel says to zechariah uh god has seen you and god has blessed you and you're gonna have a child and zechariah is responsible how can i know this i'm so old my wife's really old and so as the cursor may be a blessing zechariah is silenced until that little baby is born but elizabeth becomes pregnant and she praises god you have taken away my disgrace from among the people and then her relative mary as we have seen finds out that she's going to have a child [00:02:52]

and so after she finds this out she travels from her home into the hill country of judea to visit elizabeth and the most remarkable thing happens when elizabeth heard mary's greeting the baby leaped in her womb this is the first case of fetal delight syndrome and elizabeth was filled with the holy spirit in a loud voice she exclaimed blessed are you among women and blessed is the child that you will bear why am i so blessed that the mother of our lord will come to meet me [00:03:25]

as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my urge breached my ears the baby in my womb leaped for joy blessed is she who believed that the lord would fulfill his promises to her now the word that keeps coming up here is blessing blessed are you blessed is the child that you will bear blessed is she who believed that the lord would fulfill his promises to her so let's talk about blessing for a moment to bless us something that we do all the time [00:04:01]

and we give or withhold blessings or we curse whether we think about it or not your will is always oriented to the good of somebody or not oriented to the good of somebody so we bless or we curse all the time whether we're trying to or not and we're very sensitive to this we're very aware when with with other people just by their expressions by the tone of their voice by the words that they say they are conduits of blessing they will the good or they withhold blessing [00:04:29]

there is no interaction that you have with another human being that that does not give or withhold the blessing and we're so sensitive to that that's why there's some people that we long to be with because we know i will be blessed when i'm with you you will the good for me or the blessing will be withheld now god is a god of blessing and this goes way back to genesis when god creates god sees that what god makes is good and god blesses it [00:05:03]

god starts in genesis when he blesses the fish blesses his creation and then blesses human beings we were made to bless and we were made to receive blessings from other people and that's what's going on in this text elizabeth is filled with the holy spirit and so she blesses so often in life so many days but not today i go through life on autopilot i'm looking down i don't notice people i don't see them i don't see the wonder of each unique person that god made that god loves [00:05:34]

let alone the beauty of the world that god has blessed but today i see today when i woke up i felt the blessing of god and that's what happens with elizabeth she is filled with the spirit and this is quite an extraordinary scene we're told that uh when she came to bless she exclaims now uh this is a word that's used jack levinson says five times in the old testament of raucous rowdy rambunctious worship so it's quite a loud word but it's not just that she exclaims with a voice she exclaims with a loud voice [00:06:08]

this is uh you know pious devout old elizabeth who just lets it rip this is used on the other one of the time in the new testament in the book of acts when there is a violent outburst and the romans are afraid paul's going to get ripped to shred that's the other time this is a verse of great exuberant joy only metaphor that i could think of uh that would be able to get this across my son-in-law told me not long ago about the difference between people of dubai and people of abu dhabi [00:06:47]

and the difference is people in dubai do not like the flintstones but abu dhabi do [Laughter] i love that nancy begged me not to say that but i will there's this character fred flintstone and when he had great joy when he got a promotion when it was a good day at the lodge when he had a good time bowling with barney when wilma gave him a great kiss when he got a really good brontosaurus burger nothing else would communicate it yeah now that captures something of the raucous spirit that comes out of elizabeth [00:07:17]

she is so filled with joy the baby is cartwheeling inside her womb but i want to say something else we don't simply express joy we express joy to god we bless god there's a great theologian named tom oden and he spoke many years ago at my alma mater fuller seminary tom was a brilliant man but over the years he had kind of drifted so that there was not much of a belief in a robust personal god in him anymore and a lot of his work just went from one social political movement to the next [00:07:52]

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Transcript
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