Christ our Blessing

The Lord’s Table: Bible Study/Prayer meeting

(Every Wednesday 6-7 pm in the Chapel)

St Paul’s Church

The Anglican Church of Canada

4 January 2012

Opening Prayer

Theme: The Good News

Topic: Christ our Blessing

Reading: Numbers 6:22-27

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ²³Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, ²⁴ The Lord bless you and keep you; ²⁵ the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; ²⁶ the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. ²⁷ So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

Introduction

In our text for today’s study one striking point is that it was God who chose to bless and not the other way round. The prayer for blessing in this passage can be divided into 5 parts: a) the Lord bless and keep you- God’s presence; b) make His Face shine upon you- Divine favor; c) God be gracious to you- God’s love, mercy and grace; d) lift up His countenance upon you- Divine acceptance and protection; e) give you peace. In Christ, we find these blessings; God became flesh and dwelled with us, died for our sins and restored the broken relationship we have with God. The blessing we find in Christ is indescribable- He is our peace, hope, healer, provider and the list goes on; and the best part is that we are undeserving of His blessings upon us. Today’s discussion will focus on the blessing we have in Jesus Christ.

Questions/Discussion

1. We often hear Priests and people say God bless you; what does that mean to you?

Numbers 6:22-24

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ²³Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, ²⁴ The Lord bless you and keep you;

1 Chronicles 23:13

The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to consecrate the most holy things, so that he and his sons for ever should make offerings before the Lord, and minister to him and pronounce blessings in his name for ever;

2. How are we blessed through Christ?

Ephesians 1:3-10

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴just as he chose us in Christ^* before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. ⁵He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. ⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight ⁹he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, ¹⁰as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

3. What shall we do to be blessed in Christ?

Matthew 5:3-12

³ ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ⁵ ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ⁶ ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ⁷ ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ⁸ ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ⁹ ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ¹⁰ ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely^* on my account. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

John 15:16

You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— ⁹not the result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

4. What hinders the blessings of Christ in our lives?

Isaiah 59:1-3

See, the Lord’s hand is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. ² Rather, your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. ³ For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue mutters wickedness.

Matthew 13:53-58

When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place. ⁵⁴ He came to his home town and began to teach the people^* in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? ⁵⁵Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?’ ⁵⁷And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour except in their own country and in their own house.’ ⁵⁸And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

Intercession

Conclusion

God Himself chose to bless us; we do not deserve His blessings but due to His love mercy and grace He blessed us through the gift of Jesus Christ. Let us yield continually to His will for us that His blessings will continually be upon us.

Closing Prayer

Lord we thank you for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ through whom you have blessed us immensely. Grant us the grace to accept your blessings in our lives and use them to your praise and glory through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.