"Blessed To Be A Blessing" - 26m:45s

Scott McFarland
12/23/18 - Sun AM Worship

Scripture Reading:  Galtians 3:5-9

Blessed to Be a Blessing

At age 16 Andor Foldes was already a skilled pianist, but he was experiencing a troubled year. In the midst of the young Hungarian's personal struggles, one of the most renowned pianists of the day came to Budapest. Emil von Sauer was famous not only for his abilities; he was also the last surviving pupil of the great Franz Liszt. Von Sauer requested that Foldes play for him. Foldes obliged with some of the most difficult works of Bach, Beethoven, and Schumann.  When he finished, von Sauer walked over to him and kissed him on the forehead. "My son," he said, "when I was your age I became a student of Liszt. He kissed me on the forehead after my first lesson, saying, 'Take good care of this kiss--it comes from Beethoven, who gave it to me after hearing me play.' I have waited for years to pass on this sacred heritage, but now I feel you deserve it."*

I must like pianist stories; I think this is the second one in just a few weeks.  Regardless of what kind of story it is, however, I love the sentiment described here.  The passing on of something meaningful is a practice that goes back all the way to Bible times.  We see the passing down of the birthright in Abraham’s families, and the passing along of inheritance in New Testament stories like the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.  Whatever we are passing on, many of us want to pass along something meaningful to the next generation. It is a desire that is born in us as humans.

Have you ever thought about what you are passing along right now, to the people around you?  This morning, we wrap up our series “The Gift” with the lesson: “Blessed to Be a Blessing.” Join us as we discover how God intended for his people to live in relation to the world around them.

*Story taken from http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/b/blessing.htm

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