Embracing Our Identity as Instruments of Blessing

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of being created in God's image and how this identity calls us to be conduits of blessing in a world often marred by dysfunction and brokenness. We began by acknowledging the reality of dysfunctional environments, whether in families, workplaces, or communities, and the role we play in either perpetuating or transforming these atmospheres. As icons of God, we are designed to release His goodness into the world, replacing dysfunction with hope, love, and grace.

The creation narrative in Genesis reveals that humanity was made in God's image, not as static icons in a temple, but as living representations of His presence on earth. God's first word to humanity was one of blessing, setting the tone for how we are to interact with the world. However, sin has corrupted this image, leading us to curse rather than bless. Yet, through Christ, we are called back to our original purpose: to be instruments of blessing.

We delved into the practical ways we can embody this calling, emphasizing the power of prayer and spoken words. Prayers of blessing, even for those who may never hear them, can transform our hearts and the environments we inhabit. Similarly, words of affirmation and encouragement can uplift and inspire those around us. We also discussed the importance of living lives that align with these blessings, ensuring our actions reflect the words we speak.

The message also addressed the challenge of responding to evil and curses with blessing. Drawing on the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, we are encouraged to repay evil with blessing, recognizing that this is a form of spiritual warfare against the darkness that seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. By forgiving, blessing, releasing, and seeking wisdom, we align ourselves with God's power and purpose, changing the atmosphere around us.

Ultimately, we are reminded that we are most like God when we are instruments of blessing. This is our calling and our privilege as His image-bearers. As we embrace this identity, we become agents of transformation, bringing God's light and love into every corner of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Created for Blessing: We are made in God's image to be conduits of His blessing, replacing dysfunction with hope and love. This identity calls us to actively engage in transforming the atmospheres around us. [04:51]

2. The Power of Prayer and Words: Prayers of blessing, even when unheard, and words of affirmation can change hearts and environments. Our actions must align with these blessings to truly reflect God's love. [12:29]

3. Responding to Evil with Blessing: Repaying evil with blessing is a form of spiritual warfare, pushing back darkness and bringing God's light into the world. This requires forgiveness, blessing, releasing, and seeking wisdom. [19:47]

4. Living as Integrated Icons: We must live lives that consistently reflect the blessings we pray and speak, ensuring our actions align with God's purpose and love. This integrity is crucial in our witness to the world. [17:28]

5. Positioned to Change the Atmosphere: God has placed us in specific contexts to be agents of blessing. By starting at home and extending outward, we can transform our communities and reflect God's image. [39:12]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:33] - Understanding Dysfunctional Environments
[04:51] - Created in God's Image
[07:00] - The Impact of Sin
[12:29] - Power of Prayer and Words
[14:21] - Aligning Actions with Blessings
[17:28] - Role of Priests in Blessing
[19:47] - Responding to Evil with Blessing
[22:00] - Spiritual Warfare through Blessing
[25:00] - Forgive, Bless, Release, Wisdom
[30:00] - Living as Integrated Icons
[35:00] - Positioned to Change the Atmosphere
[39:12] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:27-28 - "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.'"
2. Numbers 6:24-26 - "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
3. 1 Peter 3:9 - "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Genesis 1:27-28, what was God's first interaction with humanity, and what does it signify about our purpose? [04:51]
2. In Numbers 6:24-26, what are the specific blessings that God instructs the priests to speak over the Israelites? How do these blessings reflect God's character? [17:28]
3. How does 1 Peter 3:9 challenge the typical human response to evil or insult, and what is the promised outcome of following this instruction? [19:47]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the impact of spoken blessings in transforming dysfunctional environments? [12:29]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does being created in God's image influence the way individuals should view their role in the world, especially in dysfunctional environments? [03:33]
2. What does it mean to be a "conduit of blessing," and how can this identity be practically lived out in daily interactions? [07:00]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer and spoken words can change the atmosphere around us? How does this align with the biblical passages discussed? [12:29]
4. How does the concept of repaying evil with blessing serve as a form of spiritual warfare, according to the sermon? [19:47]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you were in a dysfunctional environment. How did you contribute to the atmosphere, and what could you have done differently to bring blessing instead? [03:33]
2. Identify a specific person or situation in your life where you can intentionally practice being a conduit of blessing this week. What steps will you take to do this? [07:00]
3. Consider the power of prayer in your life. How can you incorporate prayers of blessing for those around you, even if they may never hear them? [12:29]
4. Think of a recent conflict or hurtful situation. How can you apply the principles of forgiving, blessing, releasing, and seeking wisdom to change the atmosphere in that relationship? [19:47]
5. How can you ensure that your actions align with the blessings you speak and pray over others? What changes might you need to make in your daily life to maintain this integrity? [14:21]
6. In what ways can you start changing the atmosphere in your home or workplace by being an agent of blessing? What specific actions will you take this week? [39:12]
7. Reflect on the idea that you are most like God when you are an instrument of blessing. How does this perspective challenge or encourage you in your current life circumstances? [19:47]

Devotional

Day 1: Created for Blessing
We are made in God's image to be conduits of His blessing, replacing dysfunction with hope and love. This identity calls us to actively engage in transforming the atmospheres around us. As we navigate through life, we encounter various environments that may be dysfunctional, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities. Our role is not to perpetuate these negative atmospheres but to transform them. Being created in God's image means we are designed to release His goodness into the world, bringing hope, love, and grace where there is brokenness. This is not just a passive state of being but an active calling to engage with the world around us, making a conscious effort to replace dysfunction with the blessings of God. [04:51]

Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you see dysfunction. How can you actively bring hope and love into that situation today?


Day 2: The Power of Prayer and Words
Prayers of blessing, even when unheard, and words of affirmation can change hearts and environments. Our actions must align with these blessings to truly reflect God's love. The power of prayer and spoken words cannot be underestimated. When we pray blessings over others, even if they never hear those prayers, we are participating in a transformative process that begins in our own hearts. Words of affirmation and encouragement have the ability to uplift and inspire those around us, creating a ripple effect of positivity. However, it is crucial that our actions align with the words we speak. To truly reflect God's love, we must live lives that embody the blessings we pray and speak. [12:29]

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

Reflection: Think of someone you can bless with your words today. What specific words of affirmation or encouragement can you offer them?


Day 3: Responding to Evil with Blessing
Repaying evil with blessing is a form of spiritual warfare, pushing back darkness and bringing God's light into the world. This requires forgiveness, blessing, releasing, and seeking wisdom. In a world where evil and curses are prevalent, responding with blessing is a radical act of spiritual warfare. It is a way to push back the darkness and bring God's light into the world. This approach requires a heart of forgiveness, a willingness to bless those who may not deserve it, and the wisdom to release any bitterness or resentment. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's power and purpose, changing the atmosphere around us and reflecting His love and grace. [19:47]

1 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."

Reflection: Consider a situation where you have been wronged. How can you choose to respond with blessing instead of retaliation today?


Day 4: Living as Integrated Icons
We must live lives that consistently reflect the blessings we pray and speak, ensuring our actions align with God's purpose and love. This integrity is crucial in our witness to the world. As image-bearers of God, our lives should be a reflection of the blessings we pray and speak. This means living with integrity, ensuring that our actions align with God's purpose and love. When our lives are consistent with the words we speak, we become powerful witnesses to the world of God's transformative power. This integrity is not just about avoiding hypocrisy but about living authentically as conduits of God's blessing in every aspect of our lives. [17:28]

James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."

Reflection: Reflect on your daily actions. Are there areas where your actions do not align with the blessings you pray and speak? How can you bring them into alignment today?


Day 5: Positioned to Change the Atmosphere
God has placed us in specific contexts to be agents of blessing. By starting at home and extending outward, we can transform our communities and reflect God's image. Each of us is strategically positioned by God in specific contexts to be agents of blessing. Whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities, we have the opportunity to transform the atmospheres around us. This transformation begins at home, where we can practice being conduits of God's blessing in our closest relationships. As we extend this outward, we can impact our communities, reflecting God's image and bringing His light and love into every corner of our lives. [39:12]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Identify one specific way you can be a blessing in your home or community today. How can you let your light shine in that context?

Quotes



Prayer is just bringing people before God and saying, God, would you just rain down favor and blessing and kind of goodness upon them? We were talking about this in my smog this past week. And one guy was talking about him in the car in traffic. Now, you know what comes out of your mouth in traffic, don't you? [00:12:29] (15 seconds)


Here's what i want to invite you to do instead because we're called to be blessing we're called to be blessing we're called to be people of blessing we're called to be agents of blessing we're called to be agents of blessing we're called to be instruments of blessing here's what i want to invite you to do instead because you are the most like god when you are when you're blessing people. [00:25:00] (14 seconds)


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Transcript
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