All about Blessings (Lesson One)

Ephesians 1:1-3 NASB

(1)  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:

(2)  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(3)  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

God is the source of all blessings.  God’s specialty is to take difficult situations and turn them into blessings.  Has this happened to you?  Was the blessing worth the difficult times?

God’s blessings can come in the form Physical healing, Forgiveness, Heaven, Character, and Hope.  How would you rank these in your life?  How does the blessing of physical Health in a mortal body compare with the blessing of eternal life in an immortal body?

We serve an amazing God who knows how to bless his children.  His love for us is beyond all comprehension.   If we got what we deserved our sentence would be death, but with Jesus Christ our Mediator, Priest, Lord and Friend.  God says forgiven and blesses us with His blessing in His time.  

Shrimp Salad, Shrimp Gumbo, Fried Shrimp (Lesson three)

In the movie Forrest Gump, Bubba, told Forrest his story and his story was all about shrimp and his plan to start a shrimpin’ business.  Bubba testified to Forrest about buying a shrimpin boat and even after he died, Forrest bought the boat.

Each of us has a story.  In this series, Paul tells his.   

Acts 26:22-32 NASB

(22)  "So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place;

(23)  that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."

(24)  While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad."

(25)  But Paul *said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth.

(26)  "For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.

(27)  "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do."

(28)  Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."

(29)  And Paul said, "I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains."

(30)  The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them,

(31)  and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, "This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment."

(32)  And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."

Your personal testimony is a powerful tool that will create interest in others.  Paul now has the opportunity to tell his story.  He tells King Agrippa about the Damascus road experience, the time when Jesus spoke to Paul, the time when Saul of Tarsus was saved.  Agrippa says that in short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.  Paul says that he would like to see everyone become a Christian.

Everyone has a story to tell.  People do not tend to argue with the personal story of another.  People like to hear about lives that are changed.  People can relate to a story of life before and after Christ. We need to be ready always to give testimony of Jesus.

ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TELL YOUR STORY

Shrimp Salad, Shrimp Gumbo, Fried Shrimp (Lesson Two)

In the movie Forrest Gump, Bubba, told Forrest his story and his story was all about shrimp and his plan to start a shrimpin’ business.  Bubba testified to Forrest about buying a shrimpin boat and even after he died, Forrest bought the boat.

Each of us has a story.  In this series, Paul tells his.   

Acts 25:9-10 NASB

(9)  But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?"

(10)  But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried.  I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know.

Even false accusations may open doors to witness for Christ.  Felix was forced to return to Rome because of poor leadership.  Paul has now been there for two years and Festus is in charge.  Festus after hearing the Jews accusations once more asks Paul if he is willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried.  Paul appeals to Caesar because he knew the Jews intended to kill him.

While Paul is being held, King Agrippa and his sister Bernice come to visit Festus.  Agrippa wants to hear Paul’s Story.  Paul gets to witness to King Agrippa.  God has everything under control.  When Paul was converted God said he would witness to Kings (check it out in Acts 9).  Paul has been given the opportunity to witness in places most people would not be able to go and Paul’s story has been recorded for future witness.

 
We need to be ready always to give testimony of Jesus.  Knowing, even in times of false accusations God is in control and able to open doors for His Word to be told.

Shrimp Salad, Shrimp Gumbo, Fried Shrimp (Lesson One)

In the movie Forrest Gump, Bubba, told Forrest his story and his story was all about shrimp and his plan to start a shrimpin’ business.  Bubba testified to Forrest about buying a shrimpin boat and even after he died, Forrest bought the boat.

Each of us has a story.  In this series, Paul tells his.   

Acts 24:24-26

(24)  But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

(25)  But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you."

(26)  At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him.

God uses unusual circumstances to make missionaries of us.  Paul is accused of being a pest, a creator of a revolt among the Jews, the ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes and of profaning the temple.  Paul says he was not there long enough to cause the problems he was accused of.  He denies all the charges but one.  In Acts 24:14 he says that he is a member of a sect and serves the god of Jews and the Prophets. 

In opposition, Paul is given the opportunity to witness to Felix and Drusilla.  Felix was a slave that Claudius Caesar freed and made him Governor of Judea, Galilee, Samaria, and Peraea.  Paul tells him of his conversion and about Jesus Christ.  Felix responds by saying, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee”. 

Paul told his story.  That is what we are charged with as Christians we are to tell our story of our conversion.  We are not to condemn.  We are to show the love of Christ.  Even Jesus said he did not come to condemn but that the world through Him might be saved.

Bubba told Forrest about all you can do with shrimp and Forrest bought the boat.  

We need tell everything Christ can do for those who believe.