Carrying the Sacred: A Call to Mission

Jun 09, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Promise Is for All—Even Those Far Off

God’s promise is not limited by geography, background, or circumstance; it is for you, your children, and all who feel distant or disconnected. The message of Pentecost is that the gospel is meant to spread beyond its original hearers, reaching every corner of the world and every heart that longs for hope. No matter how far you feel from God—by culture, by choices, or by pain—His promise is extended to you. The sacred invitation is to receive, to be changed, and to carry this hope into every place you go, knowing that God’s love and Spirit are not bound by walls or borders. [04:51]

Acts 2:39
“For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” (ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life feels “far off” from God? How can you intentionally extend God’s promise of hope and love to them today?

Day 2: Take the Sacred with You—Be a Living Altar

Naaman’s story reminds us that encountering God transforms us so deeply that we desire to carry the sacred with us wherever we go. Just as Naaman took earth from Israel to build an altar in his homeland, we are called to bring the presence of God into every environment—our homes, workplaces, and communities. In a world that often feels secular and empty, you are a living altar, a carrier of God’s Spirit, able to bring hope and the reality of God’s love into the most unexpected places. Let your life be a testimony that the sacred is not confined to a building but is alive in you. [11:30]

2 Kings 5:17
“Then Naaman said, ‘If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord.’” (ESV)

Reflection: Where is God inviting you to bring His presence this week—perhaps in a place or relationship that feels spiritually barren?

Day 3: Humanity’s Deep Longing for the Sacred

Despite living in a secular age where belief in God is often dismissed, there remains a deep, unquenchable longing in every human soul for the sacred. This longing cannot be satisfied by material things, achievements, or trends; it is a God-shaped hunger that only He can fill. Even those who claim not to believe in God often sense a haunting absence, a nostalgia for something transcendent. You are called to recognize this longing in yourself and others, and to remember that true life is found in relationship with God, not in the empty promises of the world. [17:47]

Deuteronomy 8:3
“And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (ESV)

Reflection: What are you tempted to fill your soul with instead of God? How can you turn your longing into a deeper pursuit of His presence today?

Day 4: You Are God’s Temple—The Spirit Dwells in You

God’s desire is not just to meet you in sacred moments but to make you His dwelling place, His living temple. Through Jesus, you become the place where heaven meets earth, where the divine touches the ordinary. The Spirit of God dwells in you, making you a portable altar, able to bring the reality of God’s love, peace, and power wherever you go. This is the fulfillment of God’s promise—to be with His people, to fill the God-shaped hole in every heart, and to make His name known through your life. [26:24]

1 Corinthians 3:16
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you be more aware of God’s Spirit dwelling in you as you go about your daily routines?

Day 5: The Church Begins When We Go—Be the Light in a Secular World

The true work of the church begins not when we gather, but when we disperse—carrying the sacred into a world that desperately needs hope, peace, and the presence of God. You are called to be a light, to bring the altar of God’s love and mercy into every encounter, every conversation, every place you set your foot. The world may not recognize its need for God, but through your life, the haunting longing for the sacred can be met with the reality of Christ’s love. Let the fire on your altar never go out; take the sacred with you and let church begin wherever you are. [33:18]

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can let your light shine and bring the sacred into your community or workplace this week?

Sermon Summary

The presence of God is not confined to a building or a moment; it is meant to be carried with us into every part of our lives. Reflecting on the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5, we see a man who, after being healed, desired to take two mule loads of earth from Israel back to his homeland. This was not a superstitious act, but a recognition of the sacredness he had encountered—a longing to bring the presence of God with him into a place that did not know Him. In a world that is increasingly secular, where the sacred is being stripped from public life and even from the collective imagination, there remains a deep, unquenchable hunger in every human soul for the divine.

We live in a time when many have lost not only the practice of faith but even the very conditions that make belief possible. Yet, the longing for God persists, often unnamed and unrecognized, but present nonetheless. As David wrote, “My soul thirsts for you in a dry and exhausted land where there is no water.” This is the spiritual landscape of our age—a desert of meaning, where people try to fill the void with everything but God, only to find themselves still longing, still missing something essential.

But the promise of Pentecost is that the gift of the Holy Spirit is for all who are afar off. We are called to be living temples, portable altars, carrying the sacred presence of God into every place we go. The world may try to erase the memory of God, but it cannot erase the hunger for Him. When we take the sacred with us—when we allow the Spirit of God to dwell in us and move through us—we become beacons of hope and reminders of the reality of God’s love to a world that has forgotten.

This is not just a call to personal devotion, but to mission. The church is not a building; it is the people who carry the presence of God into the world. When we leave this place, church truly begins. We are to bring the altar with us, to be the place where heaven meets earth for those who are searching, longing, and even those who do not yet know what they are missing. The sacred is not meant to be hoarded, but shared—so that all who are afar off might know the promise and presence of God.

Key Takeaways

1. The Sacred Must Be Carried Into the Secular Naaman’s desire to take earth from Israel back to his homeland is a powerful image of carrying the sacred into places that do not know God. In a world that increasingly removes God from public life, we are called to be living reminders of His presence, bringing the altar with us wherever we go. The sacred is not confined to holy places, but is meant to transform every space we enter. [10:15]
2. Humanity’s Deepest Longing Is for God Despite the rise of secularism and the erasure of God from culture, there remains a God-shaped hole in every human soul. This longing cannot be satisfied by material things, achievements, or even relationships—it is a thirst that only the Creator can quench. Even those who claim not to believe in God often find themselves haunted by a sense of absence, a nostalgia for the transcendent. [17:47]
3. The Church Is a Living, Moving Temple We are not called to keep the presence of God within the four walls of a building. Each believer is a temple of the Holy Spirit, a portable altar where God’s name is remembered and His presence is made known. True church begins when we leave the building and become the hands, feet, and voice of God in the world, carrying the sacred into every encounter. [27:12]
4. The Power of the Sacred in Everyday Moments The sacred can break into the most ordinary or even unlikely places—a restaurant, a workplace, a conversation with a hurting friend. When we are sensitive to the Spirit and willing to pray, listen, and love, God meets people right where they are. Our willingness to bring the altar with us can be the difference between despair and hope for someone who is longing for God, even if they cannot name that longing. [31:14]
5. Pentecost Is a Call to Mission, Not Just Celebration The outpouring of the Spirit was never meant to be contained or celebrated in isolation. Pentecost is about the spread of the gospel to all who are afar off. We are called to take what we have received and share it, to be the living evidence of God’s love and power in a world that desperately needs both. The fire on the altar is meant to go with us, igniting hope and faith wherever we go. [34:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:51] - Receiving the Message in Prayer
[06:19] - Naaman’s Story: Captivity and Promise
[07:46] - The Servant Girl’s Faith
[08:45] - The King’s Reaction and the Prophet’s Invitation
[10:15] - Naaman’s Cleansing and the Sacred Earth
[11:30] - Transformation: From Skepticism to Reverence
[12:34] - The Altar of Earth: Biblical Foundations
[14:29] - Understanding the Secular Age
[16:31] - The God-Shaped Hole in Humanity
[17:47] - Humanity’s Longing for the Sacred
[21:02] - The Consequences of Forgetting God
[23:46] - Religious Nostalgia and the Haunting of the Transcendent
[25:05] - Taking the Sacred with You
[26:24] - The Temple Within: Christ in Us
[27:12] - The Infilling of the Holy Spirit
[28:42] - Encountering Brokenness in Everyday Life
[31:14] - Bringing the Altar to the World
[32:07] - The Church Beyond the Building
[33:18] - When Church Truly Begins
[34:39] - Pentecost: The Outpouring and the Mission
[35:24] - God’s Invitation to Relationship
[36:03] - The Altar Is Open: Invitation to Encounter God
[56:49] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Take the Sacred With You

Bible Reading

- 2 Kings 5:17
Then Naaman said, “If not, please let your servant be given two mule loads of earth, for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord.”

- Acts 2:39
“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

- Psalm 63:1
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

Observation Questions

Why did Naaman ask for two mule loads of earth to take back to his homeland after being healed? What did this act represent for him? ([10:15])
According to Acts 2:39, who is the promise of the Holy Spirit for? How does this connect to the idea of “those who are afar off”? ([04:51])
In Psalm 63:1, what kind of spiritual condition does David describe? How does this relate to the “spiritual landscape” described in the sermon? ([17:47])
What was the king of Israel’s reaction when Naaman came seeking healing, and what does this reveal about the spiritual state of Israel at that time? ([08:45])

Interpretation Questions

What does Naaman’s desire to take earth from Israel teach us about encountering the sacred and wanting to bring it into everyday life? ([10:15])
The sermon describes a “God-shaped hole” in every human soul. How does this idea help us understand the deep longings people experience, even in a secular world? ([17:47])
The pastor said, “The church is not a building; it is the people who carry the presence of God into the world.” What does it mean to be a “living, moving temple” in practical terms? ([32:07])
How does the story of the servant girl in Naaman’s house illustrate the idea of carrying the sacred into places that do not know God? ([07:46])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to “take the sacred with you” into secular spaces. Think about your daily routine—work, school, home, or community. What is one specific place or situation where you feel God’s presence is most needed? How could you intentionally bring the sacred into that space this week? ([10:15])
The pastor shared a story about praying with someone in a restaurant, bringing the altar with him into an ordinary moment. Have you ever felt prompted to pray or share your faith outside of church? What held you back, or what helped you follow through? ([31:14])
The sermon described a world that is “a dry and exhausted land where there is no water.” Who in your life do you sense is spiritually thirsty or searching, even if they can’t name it? How might you be a “beacon of hope” to them? ([17:47])
The message said, “When we leave this place, church truly begins.” How does this challenge your view of what it means to be the church? What is one way you can live out this calling in the coming week? ([33:18])
The pastor talked about the “power of the sacred in everyday moments.” Can you recall a recent time when you sensed God’s presence in an unexpected place? What did you do, and what might you do differently next time? ([31:14])
Pentecost is described as a call to mission, not just celebration. What is one way you can share what you have received from God with someone who is “afar off”—whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually? ([34:39])
The sermon mentioned that the sacred is not meant to be hoarded, but shared. Are there ways you have been keeping your faith private that you feel challenged to change? What step could you take to make your faith more visible or available to others? ([25:05])

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage and sensitivity to carry God’s presence into every part of their lives, and for open doors to share the sacred with those who are searching.

Sermon Clips

“Pentecost is about the spread of the gospel. It is about the spread not just the receiving but the spread of the gospel to the whole world and today we celebrate this day this pentecost day but i want to bring us back to that part of this verse to all that are afar off.”

“Now, leprosy in Scripture, you might know. It's often used as a metaphor for sin. When you read through the Old Testament and you see that, it's used mostly as a metaphor towards that. And so she is there in this place, and she sees her master against her will, her master, sick. And she makes this beautiful statement. And if we can maybe put the verse up, this is in 2 Kings 5 and verse 3. She says, If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria. Why did she say that? There was something inside of this young girl. Some promise. Something that she took. From knowing God. Even into the place of captivity.”

“She brought a promise out with her. She brought something sacred with her. And Naaman heard of this from his wife. And perhaps in the idea of when you're this sick, you'll try anything, he goes to the land of Israel. And he goes to the king. Who else do you go to when you're going to a foreign country? And goes to the king and presents a letter saying, I'm here to be healed. I've heard there's healing here.”

“And the prophet sends his messenger out and says, go and bathe in the Jordan River and go there and be cleansed. And he wanted to then, he was cleansed and he was cleansed of his leprosy and he wanted to pay for his salvation. He wanted to give some money, some clothing. He brought gold. He brought silver. He brought changes of clothing. And the prophet said, no, you don't pay for this. You can't pay for this.”

“Because he considered the dirt, the dust of Israel to be sacred ground. And he said, I want to take this sacred thing with me. I want to talk today about the promise. I want to talk today about the Holy Ghost. I want to talk today about those who are afar off. The title of my message today is, take the sacred with you. Take it with you.”

“In this story, Naaman had an amazing change happen in his life. There's one change we can see. He goes from being a leper to being cleansed of leprosy. But also, there's another change as well. Because throughout this story, when he is told, go and bathe in the Jordan River, he says, why would I do that? The Jordan River is green. It's... murky. It's full of algae. It's kind of stagnant. It's nothing compared to the beautiful rivers of Aram, my country, my land. They're crystal clean. You can drink from them. They are beautiful. Why can't I just go there? To the change now where he says, I will not even sacrifice on the dirt of my home country. I have to bring something from here with me in order to sacrifice. This is an amazing change that happens in his life.”

“And he says, in every place where I cause my name to be remembered, I will come and bless you. And Naaman says, I'm taking that earth with me home. I am taking the sacred home. Why is that important? Church, we live in a secular age. We live in a secular age.”

“We live in a secular age. We live in an age where not just that God is ignored, but in the collective conscience of our world, he doesn't exist, and he doesn't need to exist. It's blank. It's empty. A secular age is one where people no longer even consider the idea that there might be a divine being.”

“The scariest part about this is to quote Luke 4 .4. Jesus said, Man shall not live by bread alone. Man shall not live by bread alone. You see, just as we have a human longing for food and nourishment, we have a God -sized hole in our humanity. That only he can fill. And when he is eliminated from our collective conscience, death follows very shortly. Humanity longs for the sacred. Humanity all over this world longs for the sacred things of God.”

“Apart from that connection to your creator, the one who made you and loves you and knows more about you than even you do and still came and died on the cross for your sins. We cannot live by bread apart from God.”

“It's almost like David's words foreshadow to David. age of a dry land, a desert land, where there is no idea of God. And so you can start to see now why a secular age is equal to death and why it's a desert place, because it's one in which man's soul departs from God, separates from God, not only to the point of a conscious decision to not believe in God, but to literally walk past him and not even know that he's there.”

“This world says, I know where your salvation is. It's in a bigger home. It's in a better job. It's in more money. It's in higher education. It's in this new fad diet. It's in this new social media app. It's in this new trend. It's in this new subculture. The world says, come, I will give you salvation. It's empty promises based on nothing but people's own greed. We are both flesh and spirit.”

“No matter what we do in trying to wipe the slate clean and move it aside and say, I've got my own ideas and plans, there's still something deep inside of mankind that yearns for that sacred thing and that divine encounter. There's a God -shaped hole in all of us.”

“I think my favorite quote on this was from a, an author. He's an atheist turned agnostic author. His name's Julian Barnes. And he said, I don't believe in God, but I miss him. I miss him. I tell you something. That is the phrase that echoes through the heart of every person you walk by in the streets of the city. Every school you go to, every child you meet, every parent, every person, there's a yearning they can't put their hands on. I miss him. I don't know what it is, but I miss him. It doesn't have to be that way. Not if we can take the sacred with us.”

“If we take the sacred with us into that secular age, we can be a light of hope. And we can say, remember, oh soul, remember, remember. Remember. life. Remember, there's a God who loves you. There is a God who loves you. So take it with you.”

“Paul said it like this in 1 Corinthians 3 and 16. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? You're called to be the temple of God. Remember the earth that Naaman picked up and he took the earth. The Hebrew word there is Adama. That is the word for earth. And out of earth, God made Adam, made man. And God took that and made it perfect on Calvary when he said, I will dwell in you. You will be my altar. You will be my temple. You will be the place where I will cause my name to be remembered.”

“Jesus did that on the cross by dying for our sins. So we can now be that portable temple, that portable altar, if you will. The dirt altar from the dust of the earth and be the place where he causes his name to be remembered. Lord, you are the temple. And it's right there where God sets down and meets you and where we meet God. That is the definition of the infilling of the Holy Spirit.”

“In this secular age, we're in a place where the sacred, the divine, where God himself can still touch down and meet earth. It doesn't matter what this world thinks. It doesn't matter what we create. It doesn't matter the philosophies we're getting to in a secular age. It, it, it's just an idea. And it has no connection to the reality of who God is. Nothing. Take it with you. Take it with you. Take it with you.”

“But we had, I brought the altar there. It's with me all the time. The sacred is there. And it spoke to him in that moment. Church, that is what we do. We take the sacred with us. We take that altar with us where we go. And we become that light into the world. We bring it with us.”

“Let me tell you, the four walls of this building, this is just a building. No, this is not the church. And I know that maybe is a stereotypical thing to say, but this, it's not the church. The church is staring back at me right now. I am looking out at tabernacles and temples and altars to God that walk through this city of Surrey every single day. This is who we are.”

“When this service is done, the last handshake has been enjoyed. The last neck has been hugged. The doors are locked. Church starts. That's when church starts. It's when the altars disperse from this place and they go out. And they tell everyone about the good news and the great things of God.”

“He loves you so much. He loves you so much. He wants to draw you back to him. He wants to introduce himself to him. He's a God of love. He's your heavenly father. He's the prince of peace. Peace in a world that is so desperately lacking peace.”

“This is the sacred time. This is the divine touching earth. This is that real authentic transcendence that transcends everything else in this world. This is the thing that people don't know about. This is the thing people ignore. This is the thing that people are so unfortunately unfortunately ... ...unaware of but they know there's something.”

“The true and full human definition of humanity is one who breaks bread with both god and man god and man come break bread with god today talk to him today talk to him today just lift your hands and say god i don't i don't know who you are but i'm here to meet you make yourself real to me he will meet you where you're at right now and pour his spirit on you make you a temple whose builder and maker is god.”

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