Embracing God's Call: Dispersion and Multiplication in Faith
Summary
Today, I began by addressing the congregation with a warm welcome and shared the joy of being part of a network of churches that uphold shared values and the gospel, yet are diverse enough to apply it across different contexts. I emphasized the importance of treasuring and preserving the gospel beyond our lifetimes, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of God's word.
As we delved into Genesis 11, I highlighted the story of the Tower of Babel, where humanity's unified language and new technologies led to the construction of a tower to make a name for themselves, defying God's command to fill the earth. This narrative served as a backdrop to discuss the inherent desire of humans to seek self-glory and self-sufficiency, contrasting it with God's plan for dispersion and multiplication.
I stressed the importance of understanding that dispersion is not a punishment but a divine strategy for fulfilling God's mandate to fill the earth and reflect His glory. This led to a discussion on the nature of sin and technology, and how advancements are often misused to further human pride rather than God's purposes.
Further, I explored the theme of being scattered and fruitful, drawing parallels with biblical figures like Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, who were all dispersed yet used by God to fulfill His purposes. This historical dispersion underlines the necessity of obedience to God's call to go forth, multiply, and subdue the earth.
The sermon then transitioned into a reflection on personal and communal responsibilities as Christians. I challenged the congregation to consider areas in their lives where they might be resisting God's call to dispersion and multiplication, whether through clinging to comfort zones or neglecting the Great Commission.
In closing, I brought our focus back to the core of our faith—Jesus Christ. I emphasized that our hope should not rest in earthly institutions or achievements but in the gospel. I encouraged the congregation to live out their faith through sacrificial love and self-denial, following Christ's example, and to actively engage in spreading the gospel, regardless of personal or global circumstances.
Key Takeaways:
1. The story of the Tower of Babel is not just about human pride but also about disobedience to God's fundamental command to fill and subdue the earth. This reflects a deeper rebellion against God's authority, preferring our plans over His. As followers of Christ, we must seek to align our ambitions with God's commands, promoting His glory rather than our own. [28:14]
2. God's command to multiply and fill the earth is as relevant today as it was in Genesis. This divine mandate calls us not to comfort and convenience but to active engagement in spreading the gospel across the earth. As Christians, we are called to be agents of God's creative power, reflecting His sovereignty and care in every place He sends us. [31:22]
3. The dispersion of believers is not a mere consequence of sin but a divinely ordained means of fulfilling the Great Commission. Through historical and biblical examples, we see that God uses the scattering of His people as a strategy to spread His message and demonstrate His power and love. [49:12]
4. In times of global or personal upheaval, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, our primary call remains unchanged. We are to be centered and sent in Christ, trusting in His sovereignty and goodness regardless of external circumstances. This perspective helps us navigate challenges while maintaining our focus on the kingdom of God. [51:14]
5. The ultimate measure of our faith is not found in the comfort of our routines but in our obedience to God's commands. Loving God and our neighbors requires a willingness to forsake personal idols and comfort zones, embodying Christ's sacrificial love in every aspect of our lives. This is the true expression of living out the gospel. [55:18]
Chapters:
0:00 - Welcome
22:40 - The Importance of Preserving the Gospel
23:59 - Understanding Scripture in New Contexts
25:09 - Introduction to Genesis 11
26:36 - Analyzing the Tower of Babel
28:14 - Human Pride and Divine Commands
31:22 - God's Mandate to Fill the Earth
33:00 - Biblical Examples of Dispersion
36:02 - The Challenge of Personal Disobedience
38:53 - Faithfulness to the End
41:48 - Reflections on Personal Calling
44:08 - The Consequences of Neglecting God's Call
45:38 - Embracing New Life in Christ
47:42 - Being Fruitful and Multiplying
49:12 - The Inevitability of Dispersion
51:14 - Centered and Sent in Christ
52:48 - Faithfulness Amidst Persecution
54:52 - The Church Beyond Buildings
55:18 - Living Out the Greatest Commandments
57:12 - Closing Reflections on Self-Denial and Sacrifice
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Genesis 11:1-9 (The Tower of Babel)
- Genesis 1:28 (God's command to be fruitful and multiply)
- Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission)
### Observation Questions
1. What were the two main sinful desires of the people building the Tower of Babel according to Genesis 11:4? ([28:14])
2. How does Genesis 1:28 relate to the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11? ([31:22])
3. What examples of biblical figures did the pastor mention to illustrate the theme of being scattered and fruitful? ([33:00])
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of dispersion in fulfilling God's mandate? ([49:12])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the desire to "make a name for ourselves" reflect human pride and self-sufficiency? ([28:14])
2. Why is dispersion seen as a divine strategy rather than a punishment? How does this perspective change our understanding of God's commands? ([49:12])
3. In what ways does the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) echo the original mandate given in Genesis 1:28? ([34:29])
4. How can personal and communal responsibilities as Christians be aligned with the call to be fruitful and multiply? ([41:48])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are resisting God's call to "go forth and multiply"? What steps can you take to align your actions with this divine mandate? ([34:29])
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of sacrificial love and self-denial. What is one specific way you can practice sacrificial love in your community this week? ([55:18])
3. Consider a time when you clung to your comfort zone instead of stepping out in faith. How did that impact your spiritual growth? What can you do differently next time? ([36:02])
4. How can you actively engage in spreading the gospel in your current context, despite any personal or global challenges you might face? ([51:14])
5. Identify one "tower of Babel" in your life—something you have invested in that may be hindering your obedience to God's call. What steps can you take to dismantle it? ([28:14])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of being centered and sent in Christ. How can you ensure that your daily actions reflect this principle? ([51:46])
7. Think of a specific person or group in your life who needs to hear the gospel. What is one practical step you can take this week to share your faith with them? ([34:29])
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Ambitions with Divine Commands
The story of the Tower of Babel is a poignant reminder of the dangers of human pride and the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. In Genesis 11, humanity's attempt to build a tower to make a name for themselves illustrates a deeper rebellion against God's authority. This narrative challenges us to examine our own lives for areas where we might be prioritizing our plans over God's. It is crucial to recognize that our ambitions should not just serve our self-interest but should promote God's glory and align with His divine mandates. [28:14]
Genesis 11:4-6 - "Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.' And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the Lord said, 'Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.'"
Reflection: What personal ambitions do you need to realign to ensure they are in obedience to God's commands rather than your own desires?
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Day 2: Embracing God's Mandate to Multiply and Fill the Earth
God's command to multiply and fill the earth, as given in Genesis, remains a foundational aspect of our Christian calling. This divine mandate calls us to step out of our comfort zones and actively engage in spreading the gospel across the earth. It is a call to be agents of God's creative power, reflecting His sovereignty and care wherever He sends us. This is not just about geographical dispersion but also about spiritual multiplication, influencing others through our faith and actions. [31:22]
Genesis 9:7 - "And you, be fruitful and multiply, increase greatly on the earth and multiply in it."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in God's command to multiply and fill the earth through your daily interactions and decisions?
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Day 3: The Divine Strategy of Dispersion
The dispersion of believers is not merely a consequence of sin but a divinely ordained strategy to fulfill the Great Commission. Through the scattering of His people, God spreads His message and demonstrates His power and love. Historical and biblical examples, such as the diaspora of the early church, show that God uses dispersion to reach diverse groups and cultures with the gospel. This understanding should inspire us to embrace our roles as messengers of God's word, wherever we are placed. [49:12]
Acts 8:1, 4 - "And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word."
Reflection: How can you view your current circumstances as part of God's strategy to use you for His purposes in new environments?
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Day 4: Centered and Sent in Christ Amidst Global Upheaval
In times of global or personal upheaval, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, our primary call to be centered and sent in Christ remains unchanged. Trusting in His sovereignty and goodness helps us navigate challenges while maintaining our focus on the kingdom of God. This perspective is crucial as it enables us to act with faith and courage, spreading the gospel and living out our faith irrespective of external circumstances. [51:14]
Colossians 1:17 - "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: How can maintaining a Christ-centered perspective help you overcome the challenges you face today?
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Day 5: Living Out the Gospel Through Sacrificial Love
The ultimate measure of our faith is found not in the comfort of our routines but in our obedience to God's commands. Loving God and our neighbors requires us to forsake personal idols and comfort zones, embodying Christ's sacrificial love in every aspect of our lives. This true expression of living out the gospel challenges us to reflect on how we can better serve and love those around us, following the example of Jesus. [55:18]
1 John 3:16-18 - "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: What are specific ways you can embody Christ's sacrificial love in your community this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Whether you like it or not, dispersion is inevitable. It was God's grace that he confused the languages of the men. Because if not, they would have sinned more. God's grace, he forces them to scatter, to spread out, perhaps delaying the judgment upon them." [48:40]
2. "By God's grace, Impact Church survived COVID not because of how good or how smart we are, but I believe simply by humbling ourselves, recognizing that the church is not the building, but the people, and the gathering as much as possible." [50:41]
3. "When dispersion comes, not if, when dispersion comes, be kingdom-centered. Be centered and sent in Jesus and you will be perfectly fine. Because what that means practically speaking, when change happens in life, your first response and your only trust should be this. Be centered and sent in Jesus Christ." [51:46]
### Quotes for Members
1. "This desire is summarized in verse four: 'Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.' There are two sinful desires going on in this verse. The first sin is to be god themselves, reaching to the heaven. It's a reflection again of the nature of sin: all sin to be gods yourself." [28:14]
2. "Genesis chapter 1 verse 28 says, 'And God said to them, be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.' The original mandate of God, even before the law, was to be fruitful and to multiply and to fill the earth and subdue it. This command is to reflect the character of God throughout existence." [31:22]
3. "The Great Commission is the greatest one, isn't it? To go, not invite people to church although that's good, but to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. As a church, the first question we must ask ourselves this morning is this: Is there any area in my life where I am content in staying where I am?" [34:29]
4. "Let us not be remembered for our sins. Let us not be remembered for our negligence or disobedience to the Great Commission. Rather, let us be remembered for our faithfulness, just like those who were buried in that cemetery." [44:08]
5. "God has taken care of everything that you need to have a new life. A new life that is no longer enslaved to your earthly struggles. A new life that is no longer enslaved to your old identity, your dead identity. You are now a slave to righteousness and God is the one who will call you out and use you for his glory." [45:38]
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