#blessed Week 1: Blessed & Kept Message Summary: One of the best blessings from God is one that we often overlook, namely, the fact that he “kept” us as Christians for another day. Despite the Devil’s lies, the world’s ways, and the desires of our flesh, God kept us as his repentant, believing children. That is no small gift. That’s why we are #blessed. ✦ Being blessed is a good thing! ✦ 2 Samuel 7:18,28-29 — Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?…Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.” ✦ Being BLESSED is a God thing! ✦ Ephesians 1:3 — Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ✦ Numbers 6:22-27 — The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 ‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” ✦ Numbers 6:24 — The Lord bless you and keep you The First Article - I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. What does this mean? I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still preserves them; that He richly and daily provides me with food and clothing, home and family, property and goods, and all that I need to support this body and life; that He protects me from all danger, guards and keeps me from all evil; and all this purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I am in duty bound to thank and praise, to serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true. ✦ Matthew 6:9-13 — This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one ✦ The Father’s keeping makes us #blessed! ✦ Philippians 4:19-20 — And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — Study the lyrics of the song The Blessing. Which parts come directly from Numbers 6:24-26? What additional thoughts are added? GROUP — Ask a friend how blessed they feel today (0-100 scale). If they ask you the same question, share something you learned from today’s message. GROW — Read Jesus’ famous definition of the blessed person in Matthew 5:1-12. What surprises you about his teaching? GIVE — “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” according to Jesus (Acts 20:35). How can giving make a person happier than spending/saving? GO — Do you know someone who complains more than they praise? They need to hear the rest of this series. Invite them to join you. Homework: Numbers 6:22-27 (Hashtags: blessing, happiness, gratitude)