Three Benefits of Being a Blessing
The Blessings of Being a Blessing
The average emphasis of the Christian is to get a blessing when it should be placed on being a blessing
Hebrews 13:1–3 AV
1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Just in these three verses, I see that we are to be a blessing to:
A. The Saints – vs. 1 – “…brotherly love…” – this is referring to other believers.
B. The Strangers – vs. 2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers…”
C. The Sinners (or slaves) – vs. 3 “Remember then that are in bonds…”
D. The Suffering – “…and them that suffer adversity…” (put yourself in their place.)
This is the essence of the GOLDEN RULE:
Matthew 7:12 AV
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Example of Onesiphorus
2 Timothy 1:16–18 AV
16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
Paul never mentioned how he had ministered to the house of Onesiphorus.
• He didn’t give us a list of “how many things he ministered” unto them while he was in Ephesus.
• He didn’t detail all the prayers, the messages, the hours studying, teaching, training.
Instead, Paul focused on the blessing that Onesiphorus was to him.
• He was thrilled to have a fellow believer that went out of his way to “refresh” him.
Let’s look at the Three blessings that come with being a blessing:
John 11:1–3 AV
1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
I. The Relationships that are Cultivated
John 12:1–2 AV
1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
People that sacrificially give of themselves enjoy the blessing of wonderful relationships.
There was a special relationship
between Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Jesus.
• Could it be because they opened their home and prepared meals for him?
Paul loved being around people that were a blessing!
He enjoyed and longed to be with those that “refreshed” him
Romans 15:30–32 AV
30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
II. The Record that is Circulated
People hear about you – one way or the other!
Bad Records
2 Timothy 1:15 AV
15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
Good Records
2 Timothy 1:18 AV
18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
Timothy had heard about the many ways that Onesiphorus had been a blessing to Paul
Why?
Because when you are a blessing to people, they share that with others!
People that are a blessing are known for being a blessing.
2 Corinthians 8:1–6 AV
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
And
2 Corinthians 9:1–3 AV
1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
In case you’re not motivated by a record of being a blessing,
notice this KEY word in verse 2.
· …and your zeal hath provoked very many.
Notice what Paul said in Hebrews 10:.
Hebrews 10:24 AV
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
PROVOKE: an inciting, incitement (in other words, start something!)
III. The Reward that is Commended
2 Timothy 1:16–18 AV
16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
Twice in this passage, Paul prayed for Onesiphorus to be rewarded for being a blessing.
• Vs. 16: The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus…
• Vs. 18: The Lord grand unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day:
Jesus promised His disciples this:
Matthew 5:7 AV
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Matthew 10:40–42 AV
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
It truly is a blessing to be a blessing
Instead of looking for a blessing
ask yourself
• Are you a blessing to other people?
• How can you be even more of a blessing to other people?
• Have you been good enough of a blessing
or
• could you do more?
Our hope at Irvington Bible Baptist Church is that this podcast provided some encouragement and has helped you to develop a closer relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ.
