Genesis 12:1-3

God's covenant relationship with his children is a two-way deal -- a partnership with God. Once you and I do our part, God comes alongside and some marvelous things happen. Today, I want to talk to you about how to be a blessing to other people.

You see, God's covenant with Abraham included...

This covenant that God gave to Abraham. goes completely across to the New Testament and applies to us.

God was a blessing to the children of Israel so that other nations would see how he was blessing them, realize that he was the living and true God and turn toward him. The problem was Instead of being a blessed nation, taking all the good things God was giving them and allowing them to be a blessing to others, they were greedy, and ungrateful and selfish, and lost their identity that God had intended them to have.

Throughout the Old Testament, you see God blessing his people for a reason: so that they could, in turn, be a blessing to others. This great Biblical principle is almost entirely lost in the Christian community today. Most Christians could better be described as soakers, sponges. We grab hold of that blessing and hoard it, and hold it, and clutch it, and then wonder why the blessing doesn't continue to come. Because we've never learned to pass it on.

This covenant is for the church of today (Luke 22:20).

Just as God had a covenant with the children of Israel, he has one with us as his children.

"In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:20).

Jesus ushered in a new covenant with the church.

This covenant is for us to pass on to others (Luke 6:12-13).

Abrahamic Covenant

and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. {13} When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:" (Luke 6:12-13).

The blessing Jesus promises is determined by our attitude (Luke 6:20-49) toward...

Circumstances w. 20-26.

People vv. 27-38.

Ourselves w. 39-45.

God w. 46-49.

Realize that some will obey and others will not - "But I tell you who hear me...." (Luke 6:27).

Treat others as you want to be treated (w. 27-31).

Instead of putting others in their place, put yourself in their place.

The Golden Rule: "...Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" (Luke 6:27).

Look at verse 28, "Bless those who curses you. " "Pray for those who mistreat you. "

Give for the right reasons (vv. 32-36).

Wrong reasons to give (vv. 32-34):

Because somebody has given to you: "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them." (Luke 6:32) .

For the praise of people.

Right reasons to give (vv. 35-36).

Because it's what God expects.

Because it's what Cod has modeled.

What you sow, you will reap (vv. 37-38)

Jesus said in verse 37, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

At the University of Missouri, they found that people who lived the longest were those that helped others and enjoyed social relationships.

The Institute of Health in New York City found that people who help others get what they call a "helper's high," and they report better health and an improved sense of well-being in their life.

They conclude that people with good mental health are givers and people with bad mental health are takers.

Richard J. Foster, Money, Sex and Power

Jesus says, "I want to pour out unbelievable blessings upon you. I want to bless your family, I want to bless your health, I want to bless you financially. But when you walk the low road, you don't meet the conditions and you're not blessable." Jesus says, "If you become a giver in your lifestyle, I'll bless you unbelievably."