I am Blessed Ch 4, "Who Do You Think You Are" by, Mark Driscoll

June 25 Mon - Rom 10

June 26 Tues - Mark 2

June 27 Wed - Mt 5

June 28 Thr – Phil 4

June 29 Fri - Mt 23

June 30 Sat – Eph 1

PRAYER: A - Adoration (prayer of centering; focus on God's goodness)

C - Confession (prayer of repentance and asking for God's forgiveness)

T - Thanksgiving (prayer of gratefulness, content, joy, avoiding pessimism)

S - Supplication (prayer for others; then pray for yourself)

S - STOP and listen... give God some time to speak to you --- end with the LORD'S PRAYER

I. Your Ultimate Concerns Shape Your Identity, Your Identity Shapes Your Life

- For Christians (in theory), Jesus as Lord of all that is IN you

- Rom 10:9, "If you confess Jesus as your Lord, ... then you will be saved"

a. Lord = authority, master, ruler, primary and superior influence over ???

b. Lord of? Jesus vs. I.D.O.L.S. Items, duties, others, longings, sufferings

- Daily Starting Point? Who you are, Eph 1:1-14, YOU are in Christ; Jesus as Lord

II. Eph 1, "to all the saints who are in Christ who has blessed us" - I AM BLESSED

a. "who has blessed us" includes a myriad of blessings - Eph 1:1-14 (count them)

b. How (and why?) are we blessed by God?

- "to be blessed" is NOT: 1) a comparison (ie, to be special (as opposed to NOT special people; lucky vs unlucky); or 2. a trophy (for good behavior)

1) Other religions? you give, suffer, fast, pray, visit a guru, organize your home with feng shui, rub a bead 20x, to manipulate God and earn God's blessing

2) the great lie = You being a good person is what pleases God, and thus being a good person is what "Earns" you God's blessings.

3) Mark 2:17, "I did not come for the righteous, but for sinners"

- Vs. "To be Blessed" IS 1. to think highly of; 2. bestow a favor by whom?

recognition of Who God is + Who YOU are in God's sight (only God's opinion matters)

- Eph 1:1-1, "It is God who blesses us"; the key is to discern the WHY?

1) Mt 23, ch. on Hypocrisy, then culminating in vs. 39, "Blessings only upon those who come in the Lord's Name" (ie, "in Christ"), not "good" actions

2) Your heart (Ultimate Concerns), your place in Christ is all that matters

3) God's Nature, not our actions, obligates God to bless us; it's who God is

4) Alyssa's story (pg. 43), "God blesses me when I come to him empty"

III. Joyce, "I started to believe my identity in Christ was measured by how well I did in life's circumstances" - we measure our "blessings" by circumstances (unhealthy)

IV. The blessings of God are NOT primarily circumstantial (from Eph. 1:1-14)

a. Blessing of Holiness because of the cross (forgiven and redeemed)

b. Blessing of God's Sovereignty, Salvation and Eternity in Heaven

c. Blessing of Adoption as Sons and Daughters of God

d. Blessing of Freedom from True (inner) Oppressors

e. Blessing of Grace (God's unmerited love and FAVOR)

Application? BEING BLESSED IS A MINDSET/a choice

Scarcity vs. Abundance,

Victim vs. Fortunate (blessed);

1 Thess 5:18, "Rejoice always. =

I am blessed = Christian Response to scarcity temptation

Give thanks (for what?) in ALL circumstances" ---

I am blessed = Christian Response to Victim mentality

what perspective do YOU choose today/this week?

scarcity? victim? or a blessed child of God?