10.12.25 9am Service BK

God’s heart has always been for the whole world, and from the very beginning, He has invited His people to participate in His global purposes. Whether serving in Poland, Guatemala, South Sudan, or right here in Milwaukee, each of us is called to be part of God’s story—a story that began with His promise to Abraham to bless all the families of the earth and that will culminate in the gathering of every nation, tribe, and tongue in worship before the throne. This is not a calling reserved for a select few who change their address or carry the title “missionary.” Rather, every follower of Christ is given the dignity, honor, and privilege of joining in God’s mission, each in a unique way.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that only those who go overseas are truly participating in God’s work, or to minimize our own contributions by saying, “I just pray,” or “I just serve coffee.” But God does not see our gifts as insignificant. Every act of service, every prayer, every effort to love our neighbor or welcome the stranger is a vital part of His redemptive plan. We are a kingdom of priests, not because of our background, education, or status, but because of Christ’s call and His life in us. Our response to this calling is worship—offering ourselves fully to God and making His glory known.

The story of God’s mission is woven throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. God’s blessing to Abraham was never meant to stop with him; it was always intended to flow outward, reaching every people group on earth. Today, there are still thousands of people groups who have never heard the name of Jesus, and the global church is called to care about those empty seats at the table. Some are called to go, others to send, but all are called to participate. The privilege of joining God in His work is not about efficiency or necessity—God could accomplish His purposes without us—but about relationship, transformation, and becoming more like Him.

God invites us, not because He needs us, but because He loves us and wants us to share in His joy. Like a parent inviting a child to help bake cookies, He knows we’ll make a mess, but He delights in our participation. Our greatest blessing is relationship with Him, and our greatest calling is to extend that blessing to others, both near and far, until every nation brings its unique glory and honor into the eternal city of God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Every Believer’s Unique Role in God’s Mission God’s global purposes are not reserved for a select few who move overseas; every follower of Christ is invited to participate in a unique way. Whether through prayer, acts of service, or simply being present in our communities, each contribution carries dignity and honor. We must resist the temptation to compare our roles or minimize our gifts, recognizing that God values every act done in His name. [37:10]
• 2. The Blessing of Abraham: Blessed to Be a Blessing From the very beginning, God’s promise to Abraham was that all the families of the earth would be blessed through his descendants. This blessing is not meant to be hoarded or enjoyed in isolation, but to overflow to others—locally and globally. Our resources, relationships, and opportunities are given so that we might extend God’s love to every nation, reflecting His heart for the world. [47:22]
• 3. A Kingdom of Priests: Our Identity and Calling In Christ, we are made a kingdom of priests, regardless of our background, education, or social status. This priesthood is not about hierarchy or exclusivity, but about representing God to the world and helping others bring their worship to Him. Our primary response to this identity is worship—living lives that glorify God and invite others into relationship with Him. [44:49]
• 4. The Global Family of God and the Unreached God’s vision is for a diverse family, made up of every nation, tribe, and language. Yet, there are still thousands of people groups who have never heard the name of Jesus—empty seats at the table of God’s family. The church is called to care deeply about these unreached peoples, praying, sending, and going so that all may know and worship Christ. [53:47]
• 5. Participation as Privilege, Not Obligation God invites us into His mission not because He needs our help, but because He loves us and desires relationship with us. Like a parent inviting a child to help bake cookies, He delights in our participation, even knowing we’ll make mistakes. Our involvement in God’s purposes is a privilege and an honor, shaping us to become more like Him and allowing us to share in His joy.
  
  ** [63:43]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [22:56] - Introductions from the Field
• [23:30] - God’s Unchanging Character
• [31:54] - The Quiet Work of Service
• [32:22] - Why We Need to Hear These Stories
• [33:00] - The “Danger” of Missions Weekends
• [33:59] - Everyone’s Role in God’s Purposes
• [34:29] - Surrendering Our Address to God
• [35:22] - The Bible: God’s Global Story
• [36:45] - No Comparison, No Guilt
• [37:44] - Honoring Every Gift
• [38:18] - Standing for the Word
• [39:37] - God’s Missionary Nature
• [41:43] - Christ: Risen and Ruler
• [42:56] - Hope in God’s Promises
• [44:49] - A Kingdom of Priests
• [45:39] - God’s Promise to Abraham
• [47:22] - The Scope of God’s Blessing
• [50:30] - The Nations in Revelation
• [53:47] - The Unreached and Empty Seats
• [55:37] - The Missionary Endeavor
• [57:42] - Made for God’s Mission
• [58:57] - Goers and Senders
• [60:48] - The Gift of God’s Word
• [61:37] - The Priesthood’s Role
• [63:43] - The Privilege of Participation
• [64:10] - Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Revelation 1:5-6 (ESV) — > "and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV) — > "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'"

Revelation 21:22-26 (ESV) — > "And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations."

Observation Questions

1. In Revelation 1:5-6, what does Jesus do for us, and what identity does He give to His followers?
2. According to Genesis 12:1-3, what was the purpose of God’s blessing to Abraham and his descendants?
3. In the sermon, what are some examples given of “gifts” or roles that people might be tempted to see as insignificant? [[37:28]]
4. What vision of the future does Revelation 21:22-26 give us about the nations and their place in God’s eternal city?

Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean that every follower of Christ is made a “kingdom of priests,” regardless of background or status? How does this challenge common ideas about who is qualified to serve God? [[44:33]]
2. The sermon says God’s blessing to Abraham was always meant to “overflow” to others. Why is it important that we don’t “hoard” God’s blessings? [[46:29]]
3. The preacher describes the “empty seats at the table” representing unreached people groups. Why should the global church care about these empty seats, and what does this reveal about God’s heart? [[53:47]]
4. The sermon compares God’s invitation to join His mission to a parent inviting a child to help bake cookies. What does this analogy teach us about God’s motives for involving us in His work? [[01:03:03]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon warns against saying “I just pray” or “I just serve coffee.” Is there a way you have minimized your own role or gift in God’s mission? What would it look like to honor that role instead? [[37:28]]
2. God’s promise to Abraham was that all families of the earth would be blessed through him. Who in your life—locally or globally—might God be calling you to bless this week? What is one practical step you could take? [[47:22]]
3. The preacher encourages everyone to “put their home address on the altar” before God. Have you ever offered your location, job, or daily routines to God for His purposes? What might it look like to do that now? [[34:29]]
4. The sermon highlights the dignity and honor of every act done in Jesus’ name. Can you think of a recent act of service, prayer, or hospitality you did? How might God see and value that act? [[37:44]]
5. The “empty seats at the table” represent people who have never heard of Jesus. What is one way you or your group could participate in reaching or praying for an unreached people group? [[53:47]]
6. The analogy of baking cookies with a parent shows that God delights in our participation, even if we “make a mess.” Is fear of failure or inadequacy holding you back from serving? How can you take a step forward anyway? [[01:03:03]]
7. The sermon says our greatest blessing is relationship with God, and our greatest calling is to extend that blessing to others. How can you intentionally share the joy of knowing God with someone this week? [[49:33]]