1. Under the Water Bucket
Point

2. Review God wants to give good gifts to his children How I handle my relationships with the people in my life determines my experience with God- and the blessings he wants to give

3. Review The basis of my fellowship with God is following by faith Without faith it is impossible to please God Faith is the key that opens the door to God's work in my life

4. Review The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him- 2 Chron. 16:9

5. Blessing- an undeserved, unmerited gift from God
Material
Relational
Health
Ability to enjoy what God has provided

6. What has God blessed me with? Why? What is its purpose?

7. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!- Matt. 7:11

8. God…richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment - 1 Tim. 6:17

9. Parents give because…?

10. God is different All made in his image Wants me to be like him
He is a giver, looking to bless

11. God's blessings are never just about me

12. Having My Baby…

13. …there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.

14. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years

15. Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside

16. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.

17. But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth…

18. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God
Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord – Luke 1:5-14, 16-17

19. Zechariah and Elizabeth are going to be blessed- and vindicated

20. Zechariah and Elizabeth are going to be blessed- and vindicated But the blessing is not just for them- it's for a whole nation

21. Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this
Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news

22. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time" vs

23. How I receive the blessing determines my experience of the blessing

24. KEY: It's not just about Zechariah and Elizabeth He will be a joy and delight to you and many will rejoice because of his birth

25. You do not have, because you do not ask God- James 4:2 There are things God wants to give us that we do not receive because we don't ask

26. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures- Jas 4:3
God never designed his blessings to terminate on me

27. God never designed his blessings to terminate on me
God's gifts should always go:
Upward (praise)
Outward (others)

28. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures- Jas 4:3 When I see all God's gifts as opportunities to bless others in his Name, I become open to receiving all that he wants to give

29. Bread vs. Extra

30. One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed- Proverbs 11:24-25

31. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid- John 14:27
Peace with God
Peace of God
Peace with others

32. Is peace a blessing? What does God want me to do with it?

33. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God - Matthew 5:9 God has given me peace so that I can make peace with and for others

34. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you - Ephesians 4:32 Is Christ's forgiveness a blessing? What should I do with it?

35. The basis for giving forgiveness is the forgiveness Christ has given me

36. I'm not called to just receive God's gifts, but do something with them in a way that blesses others and honors him In other words, be like Jesus

37. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment 

38. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share Who does this apply to? What are they to do?

39. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life- 1 Tim. 6:17-19 What's the promise?

40. If I'm not experiencing "life that is truly life," could it be because I'm holding on to my stuff too tightly? Again, God never designed his gifts and blessings to terminate on me

41. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men”- Eph. 4:7-8 I am gifted and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Why?

42. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good- 1 Cor. 12:7

43. Jesus lived with, trained and taught the disciples (learners)
He then died on the cross for the sins of the world, was resurrected and filled his people with his Spirit
Sins forgiven
Relationship with God secured
Empowered by God's Spirit

44. Before ascending into heaven, he leaves one command (all 4 Gospels and Acts):
Make disciples
Baptize (share, reach, bring to faith)
Teach to Observe (help grow and become so they can reach, too)

45. If I think salvation is about me, I've missed the whole point
I'm here because someone prayed for and shared with me
The greatest blessing was never meant to be hoarded but shared
Faith may be personal, but it was never mean to be private

46. God's gifts should always terminate in:
Praise to him
Blessings for others

47. What blessing has God given me. Why
What blessing has God given me? Why? What does God expect me to do with it? Will I?

48. Heaven and Hell: The Story of Forks