The Secret to God's Blessing

LESSON: The secret to God’s blessing is learning to trust in a risen Christ.

INTRO: How some people are trying to obtain God's blessing -- self-denial, flagellation, and even 'good' behaviors such as trying harder, praying more, becoming more spiritual, etc.

SERMON QUOTES:

1. "We believe in zillions of things that we’ve never seen -- gravity, atoms, electricty; why not a risen dead man?"
2. "Thank God that not everyone requires to see Jesus first-hand like Thomas."
3. "We have the same problem as Thomas -- we weren't there when Jesus first showed them the scars in his hands and feet."
4. "Christianity is not primarily about some do's and don'ts; its about believing in a risen Christ."

BOTTOM LINE: God's blessing does not come to us primarily by what we do or don't do (although we should always try to do what is right). God's blessing comes to those who live life, trusting in a risen Christ.

BIBLE VERSE: Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble; but take heart, I have overcome the world" (John 16).