True Blessing
Key Takeaways
True blessing comes from heaven, not from our efforts or rituals.
We are blessed with a Trinitarian blessing: adopted by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sealed by the Spirit.
These blessings are for us (not about us), designed to bring praise to God's glorious grace.
Freedom comes from knowing we have everything we need in Christ and don't need to perform to be accepted.
All spiritual blessings are found only in Christ. Outside of him, we have nothing; in him, we have everything.
Study Questions
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Paul describes believers as chosen before the foundation of the world. How does understanding that God chose you before you did anything right or wrong change the way you approach your relationship with him?
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Paul uses the image of redemption as buying a slave out of the marketplace. In what specific ways do you experience sin as a conquering force or unpayable debt in your daily life?
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Mary poured out a year's worth of wages on Jesus while Judas calculated the waste. What does your use of time, money, and energy reveal about whether you are living with extravagant gratitude or careful calculation?
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The crowd on Palm Sunday wanted Jesus to bless their plans rather than surrender to his kingship. In what areas of your life are you asking Jesus to bless your agenda instead of submitting to his?
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The boy who built the boat said it was his twice: once because he made it and once because he bought it back. How does viewing yourself as belonging to Christ twice (by creation and redemption) affect your sense of identity and security?
Seeking God’s Face Devotional
This year, we’ll be using the devotional “Seeking God’s Face” for our personal daily discipleship, including during this special week where we are called to reflect on Christ’s journey to the cross. We suggest pairing this devotional with the EasterNow app, which provides step-by-step notification of Easter events and locations from Palm Sunday until Easter morning.
This Week’s Liturgy
Call to worship
Matthew 21:5,9
Leader: “Daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
All: Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
Confession of FAITH
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Confession of sin
Heavenly Father, we confess that like the crowd on Palm Sunday, we have welcomed Jesus on our own terms, wanting him to serve our agendas rather than surrendering to his. We have shouted “Hosanna!” while secretly wanting a king who does our bidding. All the while we have strived to earn an adoption already given, labored to repay a debt already redeemed by his blood, and doubted a seal that cannot be broken. Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us, and ride into our hearts today as our king. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Ephesians 1:7-10
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.
This Week’s Playlist
Looking Ahead
Invite a friend and join us next week for Easter Sunday!