Culture of Blessing Sermon Summary (Acts 2:42–47) Coleton continued teaching on the vision of the church: to see the fame and deeds of God repeated in our time by developing followers of Jesus. This vision requires a certain kind of culture. Last week, he emphasized a culture of the Gospel and a culture of pursuit. This week, he focused on cultivating a culture of blessing. Culture of Blessing A culture of blessing is one where followers of Jesus: • Understand their identity as God’s people called to bless the world. • Recognize their unique gifts given by the Spirit to bring flourishing where there is chaos. • Actively live out their calling so that others experience God’s goodness through them. Biblical Foundation • The First Commission (Gen. 1–2): Adam and Eve were commanded to fill the earth, rule it, and bring order and flourishing. • The Promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:3; 22:17–18): God promised Abraham’s descendants would bless all nations. • Fulfillment in Jesus (Gal. 3:16): Jesus is the promised offspring who brings blessing to the nations. • The New Commission (Matt. 28:18–20): Jesus calls His followers to multiply disciples and bring spiritual renewal to the world. • Equipped by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:7; Eph. 2:10): Every believer is gifted for the common good and created for good works prepared in advance. Historical Examples of Blessing • The Early Church: Outsiders marveled at Christians’ love in caring for the poor, orphans, the sick, and prisoners. Their lives made the gospel visible. • The Clapham Sect (18th century): William Wilberforce, John Newton, and others used their resources and influence to bless society—ending the slave trade, reforming prisons, starting schools, improving labor laws, and even protecting animals. Modern Examples of Blessing • A church member (Colin) comforting someone in the middle of a panic attack, bringing God’s peace. • A Starbucks worker intentionally making coffee to the glory of God, hoping people would “taste” God’s goodness. Application for Today • Blessing is our identity and purpose in the world. • We are called not to wait for someone else to act but to live with expectation that God has positioned us to bring renewal. • Every act—whether teaching, building, counseling, cooking, or studying—can be done to God’s glory so others encounter His presence. • As a church, opportunities to bless include local and international missions, prayer, using spiritual gifts, and serving in ministry teams. Coleton urged the church to embrace their calling as co-heirs with Christ, stepping into the works God has prepared for them, so that the city of Memphis and the nations might experience God’s blessings through His people. ⸻ Discipleship Discussion Questions Understanding the Message 1. How does the biblical story—from Genesis to Jesus—shape your view of what it means to be a person of blessing? 2. Why is it significant that blessing is both our identity and purpose as followers of Jesus? Personal Application 3. What unique gifts, skills, or opportunities has God given you that you could use to bring flourishing into someone else’s life? 4. How might you approach your daily work, tasks, or responsibilities differently if you saw them as ways to display God’s glory? 5. Where in your life right now do you see “chaos” that God might be calling you to step into with His blessing? Community Application 6. What can our church do to strengthen a “culture of blessing” both inside and outside our walls? 7. Which mission or ministry opportunities (local, international, or church-based) could you step into this year to bring God’s blessing to others? ⸻ Quotes from Authors • Alan Kreider, The Patient Ferment of the Early Church: “They looked at the Christians and saw them energetically feeding poor people and giving proper funerals to those who couldn’t afford them, caring for orphans who lacked property and parents, and being attentive to aged slaves and prisoners. They interpreted these actions as works of love. And they said, Vide, (look!) Look how they love. They did not say, ‘Aude, listen to the Christian’s message’; they did not say, ‘Lege, read what they write.’ Hearing and reading were important too. But we must not miss the reality: the pagans said look! Christianity’s truth was visible because it was embodied and enacted by its members.”