Just Three Words - "God Bless You"
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Everyone is welcome to join us for lunch after the morning service as we celebrate what God has done in and through Grace Church over the past 32 years!
Everyone is welcome to join us for lunch after the morning service as we celebrate what God has done in and through Grace Church over the past 32 years!
Monday, November 10th - Stephanie Starks
Thursday, November 13th - Dawn Conklin
Saturday, November 15th - Elaine Russell
Thursday, November 13th - Dawn Conklin
Saturday, November 15th - Elaine Russell
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We are in a five week series called "Just three words."
Week 1: I Love You - saying "I Love You" should reflect the love God shows each of us. We learned that love is an action, not an emotion.
Week 2: God Bless You
Week 3: How's it Going
Week 4: Thanks So Much
Week 5: Come On In
Week 1: I Love You - saying "I Love You" should reflect the love God shows each of us. We learned that love is an action, not an emotion.
Week 2: God Bless You
Week 3: How's it Going
Week 4: Thanks So Much
Week 5: Come On In
Much like last week's phrase, we often take our next phrase for granted. We use it as a means of showing good manners or as a cultural norm rather than in a Biblical sense.
This week our three words are: "God Bless You"
There are a couple of theories as to how God Bless You came to be used following a sneeze.
Today we use God Bless You as less of a means of relying on God or His blessing and more of a polite thing to say.
This week our three words are: "God Bless You"
There are a couple of theories as to how God Bless You came to be used following a sneeze.
Today we use God Bless You as less of a means of relying on God or His blessing and more of a polite thing to say.
As Christians, we need to look at the correct usage of God Bless You and to do so, we'll break down the phrase and look at each word.
God - God is many things but one of the most important is that He is able to do all things. Matthew 19:26
When we say "God Bless You we are calling on God to do something we can't. His supernatural nature gives Him the ability to go beyond the things that you and I can do. If we were capable of doing all of these things, would we really ask Him for help?
God - God is many things but one of the most important is that He is able to do all things. Matthew 19:26
When we say "God Bless You we are calling on God to do something we can't. His supernatural nature gives Him the ability to go beyond the things that you and I can do. If we were capable of doing all of these things, would we really ask Him for help?
Matthew 19:26
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26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
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Bless - This word often gets used as if God were a genie in a bottle. It's focused on what we want, instead of what He can provide. In a Biblical sense, a blessing is a "statement of good will and happiness that is said about another, as well as the condition that fulfills those good words." The definition is derived from 4 words translated as blessing in the Bible.
Hebrew words in Old Testament: Barak and Esher
Greek words in New Testament: Makarios and Eulogeo
Together these four words speak of God's work in our lives, our understanding of His authority, and the happiness and fulfillment we find through Him.
Hebrew words in Old Testament: Barak and Esher
Greek words in New Testament: Makarios and Eulogeo
Together these four words speak of God's work in our lives, our understanding of His authority, and the happiness and fulfillment we find through Him.
You - Originally this word was used to describe people in the plural sense (more than one person). Over time, it has been transformed by culture to be used for a single individual. In the case of God Bless You, it could be used as both. When we say to someone or a group of people, God Bless You, we are addressing them.
When we combine these three words, we find that a blessing is not just a kind word. It is a call for God's authority in the person's life and has both a spiritual and practical revelation to it.
We see several blessings in Genesis but today we'll look at just one.
Genesis 12:2
From this passage we see several things that God promised Abram (later Abraham): Abundance, growth of family into a nation, great name, family will bless others.
Just like Abraham and his blessing from God, our lives to have the ability to do great things. However, this does not mean that we are all destined for a story that is so big that it catches the world’s attention. We are not all called to lead the masses, but we are called to make an impact. That could be for one person, a small group, a church, or even a community. When we are faithful to God and ask for His blessing for our lives, we can maximize our impact for God's Kingdom too.
We see several blessings in Genesis but today we'll look at just one.
Genesis 12:2
From this passage we see several things that God promised Abram (later Abraham): Abundance, growth of family into a nation, great name, family will bless others.
Just like Abraham and his blessing from God, our lives to have the ability to do great things. However, this does not mean that we are all destined for a story that is so big that it catches the world’s attention. We are not all called to lead the masses, but we are called to make an impact. That could be for one person, a small group, a church, or even a community. When we are faithful to God and ask for His blessing for our lives, we can maximize our impact for God's Kingdom too.
Genesis 12:2
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2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
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So far our focus has been on the blessing of an individual, but what if we switched it to a group and instead said, "God Bless America".
How do these words make you feel? Proud? Angry? Do they make you think deeper about our country? Does it make you wonder if God still sees America as worthy of His blessing?
Because God loves us, we are to love others. 1 John 4:19
Regardless of how you view the current state of America, God still sees our potential as a great nation. America was founded by godly people following biblical principles. Yet just like the Israel of old, we better heed the warnings of God. As Americans, if we will submit to His plans, follow His paths and share His story we will once again feel His blessing.
How do these words make you feel? Proud? Angry? Do they make you think deeper about our country? Does it make you wonder if God still sees America as worthy of His blessing?
Because God loves us, we are to love others. 1 John 4:19
Regardless of how you view the current state of America, God still sees our potential as a great nation. America was founded by godly people following biblical principles. Yet just like the Israel of old, we better heed the warnings of God. As Americans, if we will submit to His plans, follow His paths and share His story we will once again feel His blessing.
1 John 4:19
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19 We love because He first loved us.
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Unlike many places in the world, here in the USA we still have some freedoms and those freedoms are protected by the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces.
President Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919 as Armistice Day with this message: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
In 1954 Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to include veterans from all wars, not just the first World War.
President Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919 as Armistice Day with this message: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
In 1954 Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to include veterans from all wars, not just the first World War.
Our veterans exemplify many traits that are consistent with the call God asks of each of us. Today we'll touch on three of them:
1. They embody what it means to Sacrifice.
As Christians, we are also called to make sacrifices. We are called to take up our crosses and follow Jesus. We are called to die to our old selves and live for God. Christians in Nigeria are paying the ultimate price for the Kingdom.
1. They embody what it means to Sacrifice.
As Christians, we are also called to make sacrifices. We are called to take up our crosses and follow Jesus. We are called to die to our old selves and live for God. Christians in Nigeria are paying the ultimate price for the Kingdom.
2. They exemplify what it means to give their Service.
There is a genuine sense of pride in serving for the greater good and they will set their own wants and needs aside for the betterment of their country. "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." Joseph Campbell
There is a genuine sense of pride in serving for the greater good and they will set their own wants and needs aside for the betterment of their country. "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." Joseph Campbell
3. They ensure our Sovereignty (Freedom).
The entire purpose of our Armed Forces is to ensure freedom for the United States. They face threats here at home and abroad. They answer the call at a moments notice and place the greater good of our country above all else.
The entire purpose of our Armed Forces is to ensure freedom for the United States. They face threats here at home and abroad. They answer the call at a moments notice and place the greater good of our country above all else.
Our veterans have some amazing qualities. These qualities can often hold true of the great qualities that God asks of us. Just as our veterans willingly serve a bigger purpose, we are called by Christ to serve a bigger purpose. God Bless America and, in turn, God Bless our Veterans.
A challenge for us today is to actively seek out people in our daily lives that we can ask God's blessing on. Not just a casual or polite saying but a genuine call for God to bless others. This could be an individual or a group of people that you want to see do great things. "God Bless You" should be a powerful tool in our arsenal for the Kingdom of God, but just like any tool, it must be used correctly and with intent. God answers prayer! Keep praying for the blessing and favor of God in the lives of others.
Numbers 6:24-26
Numbers 6:24-26
Numbers 6:24-26
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24 ‘May the LORD bless you and keep you;
25 may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’
25 may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’
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Be the catalyst for blessing others. When we give our time, talent, treasure, and share our testimony we can bless others. There are many opportunities to do so. We just thanked our veterans today but you don't need to wait until Veterans Day to thank a vet. They deserve to be blessed often.
When we prioritize blessing others, we too can see God return the blessing.
Luke 6:38
Quote from Robert H. Schuller (Pastor/Writer/Speaker) "The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it."
Luke 6:38
Quote from Robert H. Schuller (Pastor/Writer/Speaker) "The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it."
Luke 6:38
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38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
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