The Blessings We Don’t Really Want

May 12 - June 9 | 9:00 am | Room 214
Led by Christian Blumenfeld

Everyone everywhere wants to be blessed. That is because the state of blessedness is synonymous with happiness. Since man longs to be happy, he wishes to be blessed. Across many religions, languages and cultures a blessing is understood as an unmerited favor, gift, commendation, godsend, advantage, fortune, an answer to prayers that bring prosperity, protection and success.

The range of what is considered to be a blessing is not limited to a particular type, size or value, so we randomly call ourselves blessed by a birth of a child, a work promotion, a good meal, finding a ten dollar bill on the sidewalk, an encouraging word, on-time plane arrival, an inheritance, receiving an Oscar or hearing “bless you” as divine protection when we sneeze; the invocation or the mere mentioning of a God’s name upon receiving of a blessing is incidental at best. 

How should Christians view the idea of blessings?

At the minimum, Christ-followers should acknowledge that all blessings come from God. God the Greater blesses man the lesser, according to His perfect wisdom and will. Illustrations and examples of how and when He blessed people are found throughout the pages and stories of the Bible. In fact, Scriptures about God’s blessings start in the Genesis account (Genesis 1:28) and run through the entire Bible all the way to the end of Revelation (Revelation 22:14). One could say that the Bible is a book of blessings. 

Despite the rather large pool of scriptural representation, the blessing theme is either misunderstood or misapplied in Christian usage. For example, the main word in Hebrew for blessing carries a double meaning of invocation as either favor toward the obedient or curse toward the disobedient. Yet, most believers, are quick to “claim” the blessings of obedience while rejecting the idea of curses of disobedience. 

A more serious misunderstanding stems out from ignoring the shift in the purpose and aim of God’s blessings in the Old Testament compared to the New Testament. Specifically from predominantly physical prosperity and well-being in the Old Testament to a predominantly spiritual blessing through poverty and oppression in the New Testament.

We read what Jesus taught about blessings in Matthew 5:3 and 5:10,  
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” and “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

…and wonder how these blessings can possibly feel like blessings?  So, are God’s blessings then, conditional, or unconditional? Perhaps conditional? Can we earn His blessings? Can we claim the blessings that God made specifically to Israel? 

Join us, as we explore the topic of blessings to gain better understanding of God and to learn from Scripture the true purpose of God’s blessings for us—especially those we don’t really want!

Resources and Links:

CLICK HERE for supporting resources and materials for the elective, Discipling As You Go.

How to Get Involved

Adult Electives are FREE and there is no registration required, so come to the class—or classes—you like!

Questions?

We will be happy to answer any questions you might have:

Christian Blumenfeld
Adult Elective Ministry Leader
Email Christian

Tim Bruns
Pastor of Adult and Care Ministries
815-459-1095 x329
Email Pastor Tim