Intentional Blessings: Sowing Kindness and Love
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the theme "I am a blesser of people," focusing on how we can intentionally bless others through acts of kindness and generosity. We began with a story of a humble farmer who sowed seeds in unlikely places, trusting God to bring the increase. This story serves as a metaphor for our lives as Christians, called to sow seeds of kindness and love, trusting God to bring forth fruit in due time. We reflected on the life of Mother Teresa, whose selfless acts of service impacted millions, demonstrating that one person's dedication can transform lives and communities.
Living in India for over 16 years, I've witnessed firsthand the power of small acts of kindness. Whether it's offering a meal to a hungry teenager or supporting a young woman through life's challenges, these gestures reflect God's love and open doors for deeper connections. Jesus taught us that our good works should glorify our Father in heaven, and through our actions, we can point others to Him. Our love for one another is a testament to our discipleship, and it begins at home, extending to our communities and beyond.
We delved into practical ways to bless others, emphasizing the importance of presence, possessions, perspective, and prayer. These "four P's" guide us in being intentional about our actions, ensuring that our blessings are not just words but tangible expressions of love. We also discussed the contagious nature of kindness, how one act can ripple through a community, inspiring others to do the same.
As we concluded, I encouraged everyone to commit to blessing at least one person this week. By doing so, we live out our calling as blessers of people, bringing life, hope, and joy to those around us. Let us step out in faith, knowing that God will use our efforts to make a difference in the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Sowing Seeds of Kindness: Like the farmer who sowed seeds in unlikely places, we are called to plant seeds of kindness and love, trusting God to bring forth fruit in due time. Our small acts of generosity can transform barren grounds into places of blessing. [01:04:14]
2. Reflecting Christ's Love: Our actions should glorify God and point others to Him. By loving one another, we demonstrate our discipleship and open doors for conversations about faith, even with non-believers. [01:06:29]
3. Practical Ways to Bless: The "four P's"—presence, possessions, perspective, and prayer—guide us in being intentional about blessing others. These actions ensure that our love is not just spoken but demonstrated through tangible acts. [01:08:36]
4. Kindness is Contagious: One act of kindness can create a ripple effect, inspiring others to do the same. As Christians, we have access to a deeper well of kindness through the Holy Spirit, allowing us to impact the world uniquely. [01:07:15]
5. Commitment to Blessing: We are called to be blessers of people, and this requires intentionality. By committing to bless at least one person each week, we live out our Christian life, bringing hope and joy to those around us. [01:30:13]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:01:00] - Introduction to "I am a blesser of people"
- [00:03:00] - The Story of the Farmer
- [00:06:00] - Mother Teresa's Legacy
- [00:10:00] - Personal Experiences in India
- [00:15:00] - The Power of Small Acts
- [00:20:00] - Reflecting Christ's Love
- [00:25:00] - Practical Ways to Bless
- [00:30:00] - The Four P's of Blessing
- [00:35:00] - Kindness is Contagious
- [00:40:00] - Commitment to Blessing
- [00:45:00] - Encouragement to Act
- [00:50:00] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "I Am a Blesser of People"
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) - "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
2. John 13:35 (NKJV) - "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
3. Genesis 12:2-3 (NKJV) - "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing."
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the farmer's response when people questioned his decision to sow seeds in unlikely places? How does this relate to our calling as Christians? [01:04:14]
2. How did Mother Teresa's actions exemplify the concept of being a "blesser of people"? What impact did her work have on the world? [01:06:29]
3. What are the "four P's" mentioned in the sermon, and how do they guide us in blessing others? [01:08:36]
4. How does the sermon describe the contagious nature of kindness? Can you recall an example shared in the sermon? [01:07:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Matthew 5:16 encourage Christians to live out their faith in a way that glorifies God? What might this look like in everyday life?
2. In what ways does John 13:35 challenge believers to demonstrate their discipleship through love? How can this be applied in interactions with non-believers? [01:06:29]
3. Reflect on Genesis 12:2-3. How does the promise to Abraham relate to the idea of being a blessing to others in our own lives?
4. The sermon mentions that kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. How does this spiritual aspect differentiate Christian kindness from general acts of niceness? [01:07:15]
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Application Questions:
1. Think of a time when you were blessed by someone else's kindness. How did it impact you, and how can you replicate that blessing for someone else this week? [01:30:13]
2. The sermon encourages us to commit to blessing at least one person each week. Who is someone in your life you feel called to bless, and what specific action will you take? [01:30:13]
3. Consider the "four P's" of blessing: presence, possessions, perspective, and prayer. Which of these do you find most challenging, and how can you work on it this week? [01:08:36]
4. Reflect on the story of the young woman in Darjeeling. How can you be more attentive to the needs of those around you and respond with kindness? [01:30:13]
5. How can you incorporate the principle of "sowing seeds of kindness" into your daily routine, even in small ways? What might be a first step for you? [01:04:14]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit's guidance in blessing others. How can you become more attuned to this guidance in your life? [01:30:13]
7. How can you ensure that your acts of kindness point others to Christ, as encouraged in Matthew 5:16? What might be a practical example of this in your community?
Devotional
Day 1: Sowing Seeds of Kindness
In the journey of life, we are called to be like the farmer who sows seeds in unlikely places, trusting God to bring forth fruit in due time. This metaphor encourages us to plant seeds of kindness and love, even when the ground seems barren or unpromising. Our small acts of generosity, like offering a meal to someone in need or lending a listening ear, can transform lives and communities. By trusting in God's timing and provision, we can be confident that our efforts will yield a harvest of blessings, even if we do not see the immediate results. [01:04:14]
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from a small act of kindness today, and how can you trust God to use your actions to make a difference?
Day 2: Reflecting Christ's Love
Our actions should glorify God and point others to Him, serving as a testament to our discipleship. By loving one another, we open doors for conversations about faith, even with those who do not yet believe. This love begins at home and extends to our communities and beyond, creating opportunities for deeper connections and understanding. As we reflect Christ's love in our daily interactions, we become living examples of His grace and mercy, drawing others to the hope and joy found in Him. [01:06:29]
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally demonstrate Christ's love to someone who may not know Him, and what impact could this have on their perception of faith?
Day 3: Practical Ways to Bless
The "four P's"—presence, possessions, perspective, and prayer—guide us in being intentional about blessing others. Presence involves being fully attentive and available to those around us, while possessions remind us to share our resources generously. Perspective encourages us to see situations through the lens of compassion and understanding, and prayer connects us to God's guidance and strength. By incorporating these elements into our daily lives, we ensure that our love is not just spoken but demonstrated through tangible acts of kindness and support. [01:08:36]
"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." (Romans 12:13, ESV)
Reflection: Which of the four P's can you focus on this week to bless someone in your life, and what specific action will you take to make this happen?
Day 4: Kindness is Contagious
One act of kindness can create a ripple effect, inspiring others to do the same. As Christians, we have access to a deeper well of kindness through the Holy Spirit, allowing us to impact the world uniquely. When we choose to act with compassion and generosity, we set an example that encourages others to follow suit, creating a chain reaction of love and goodwill. This contagious nature of kindness has the power to transform communities and bring about positive change in ways we may never fully comprehend. [01:07:15]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent act of kindness you witnessed or received. How can you pay it forward and inspire others to do the same?
Day 5: Commitment to Blessing
We are called to be blessers of people, and this requires intentionality and commitment. By dedicating ourselves to blessing at least one person each week, we live out our Christian life, bringing hope and joy to those around us. This commitment challenges us to step out in faith, trusting that God will use our efforts to make a difference in the world. As we embrace this calling, we become conduits of God's love and grace, impacting lives in ways that extend far beyond our immediate reach. [01:30:13]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person you can commit to blessing this week, and what specific action will you take to bring hope and joy into their life?
Quotes
By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. So people are also going to know if we're his disciples by the way we love one another. And when people look at your life, what are they seeing? Are you reflecting the love of Jesus to those around you? [01:06:23] (25 seconds)
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Verse 38. This is the first and great commandment. And verse 39. And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbour as yourself so i feel like with the first one you know we can pretty quickly say lord i love you but the second one love your neighbor as yourself might not be as easy. [01:09:47] (33 seconds)
We can just love people one blessing at a time doesn't have to be some big thing we can show love in action be intentional to think of others more than ourselves and one john um 419 it also says we love each other because he first loved us so jesus loved us so it out of that love that he has given us we we want to love other people right. [01:10:47] (33 seconds)
Sometimes we might feel to bless someone right it might just be a one-off thing sometimes we might feel to bless someone right it might just be a one-off thing we might know the person and other times we might feel to bless a stranger last week we heard from peter who was saying he'd gone down to the shopping center with some cards and he just felt who who am i going to bless with this these um cards. [01:11:47] (22 seconds)
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