Embracing God's Global Heart Through Faith and Action
Summary
In today's message, I shared a personal journey of faith and ministry, emphasizing the importance of being available to the Holy Spirit's guidance. My story began with a passion for motorcycles and a heart for pastors, leading me to travel across the country, praying for church leaders. This journey highlighted the struggles many pastors face and the need for support and prayer. One significant encounter was in a small town where God led me to a church in distress, reminding me of His intimate care for each of us.
Reflecting on my calling, I recounted my salvation experience at 15 and the clear call to preach God's Word. This calling has driven me to emphasize the importance of Scripture in our lives, urging believers to engage deeply with the Bible. We explored Genesis 12, where God called Abram to leave his familiar surroundings and trust in His promises. This passage illustrates God's plan of salvation and His desire to bless all nations through us.
I challenged the congregation to consider whether we are in the right "house" spiritually, urging us to align with God's heart for the world rather than being confined to our comfort zones. The church's mission is not just to grow in numbers but to make disciples and bless others. I shared my journey from a predominantly white, middle-class faith to embracing a diverse congregation, reflecting God's heart for all nations.
We delved into various scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, highlighting God's consistent desire to bless all people. This global perspective calls us to be "glocal" Christians, impacting both our local communities and the world. I shared my experiences in Asia, teaching pastors how to study the Bible and equipping them to lead their congregations effectively.
Finally, I introduced "Motorcycles for Missions," a project to provide pastors in developing countries with motorcycles, enabling them to reach more people with the gospel. This initiative combines my love for motorcycles with a passion for supporting global ministry.
Key Takeaways:
1. Availability to the Holy Spirit: God seeks those who are available, not necessarily the most capable. Our willingness to be led by the Spirit can lead to divine appointments and opportunities to minister to others in unexpected ways. [30:39]
2. God's Global Heart: God's plan has always been to bless all nations through His people. We are called to move beyond our comfort zones and embrace a global perspective, recognizing that God's love extends to every tribe and nation. [50:54]
3. The Importance of Scripture: Engaging deeply with the Bible is crucial for spiritual growth and understanding God's heart. We must prioritize Scripture in our lives and churches, ensuring it remains the foundation of our faith. [42:02]
4. Blessed to Be a Blessing: We are blessed by God not to hoard His blessings but to share them with others. Our mission is to be conduits of God's love and grace, impacting both our local communities and the world. [53:07]
5. Embracing Diversity: God's heart is for all people, and our churches should reflect this diversity. Embracing different cultures and backgrounds enriches our faith and aligns us with God's vision for His kingdom. [40:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [29:29] - Divine Appointment in Kooskia
- [30:39] - Availability to the Holy Spirit
- [32:22] - Personal Calling and Salvation
- [33:59] - Genesis 12: God's Plan of Salvation
- [35:27] - Right Neighborhood, Wrong House
- [36:58] - God's Global Heart
- [39:33] - Embracing Diversity in Ministry
- [42:02] - The Importance of Scripture
- [44:37] - God's Promises to Abram
- [46:42] - Leaving the Old Life Behind
- [48:39] - Holiness and Distinctiveness
- [50:54] - Blessed to Be a Blessing
- [53:07] - God's Heart for the Nations
- [56:13] - Local and Global Mission
- [01:00:44] - Loving Our Neighbors
- [01:03:42] - Motorcycles for Missions Initiative
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 12:1-3
- Isaiah 49:5-6
- Matthew 28:19-20
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Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 12:1-3, what specific promises does God make to Abram, and what actions does He require from Abram in return?
2. How does the pastor's story about the church in Kooskia illustrate the concept of being available to the Holy Spirit? [30:39]
3. What was the significance of the pastor's experience in Layhill, and how did it change his perspective on diversity in the church? [39:33]
4. How does the pastor describe the role of Scripture in his life and ministry, and why is it important for believers to engage deeply with the Bible? [42:02]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be "available" to the Holy Spirit, and how can this availability lead to divine appointments in our lives? [30:39]
2. How does the calling of Abram in Genesis 12 reflect God's global heart and His desire to bless all nations through His people?
3. In what ways does the pastor's journey from a predominantly white, middle-class faith to embracing a diverse congregation reflect God's vision for His kingdom? [40:40]
4. How can the concept of being "blessed to be a blessing" change the way we view our resources and opportunities in life? [53:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt led by the Holy Spirit to take action. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [30:39]
2. Consider your current spiritual "house." Are there areas where you feel confined to your comfort zone? How can you step out in faith to align more closely with God's heart for the world? [35:27]
3. How can you actively engage with Scripture in your daily life to ensure it remains the foundation of your faith? What specific steps can you take this week? [42:02]
4. Identify a way you can be a blessing to someone in your local community this week. What resources or talents can you share to impact their life positively? [53:07]
5. Think about the diversity within your church or community. How can you embrace and celebrate different cultures and backgrounds in a way that reflects God's heart for all nations? [40:40]
6. The pastor shared his passion for "Motorcycles for Missions." What unique interests or hobbies do you have that could be used to support global ministry or outreach efforts? [01:09:56]
7. How can you cultivate a "glocal" mindset, impacting both your local community and the world? What practical steps can you take to live out this calling? [01:00:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Availability to the Holy Spirit's Guidance
In our spiritual journey, God often seeks those who are available rather than the most capable. Being open to the Holy Spirit's guidance can lead to unexpected opportunities to minister to others. This availability requires a willingness to step out of our comfort zones and trust in God's plan, even when it seems uncertain. By being attentive to the Spirit, we can experience divine appointments that not only impact others but also deepen our own faith. Consider how you can make yourself more available to the Spirit's leading in your daily life. [30:39]
"And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and join this chariot.' So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?'" (Acts 8:29-30, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit. How can you respond more openly to such promptings in the future?
Day 2: Embracing God's Global Heart
God's plan has always been to bless all nations through His people. This global perspective calls us to move beyond our comfort zones and embrace a broader vision of God's love. Recognizing that God's heart extends to every tribe and nation challenges us to reflect this love in our actions and attitudes. As believers, we are called to be "glocal" Christians, impacting both our local communities and the world. How can you align your heart with God's global mission today? [50:54]
"And 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.'" (Genesis 12:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one way you can engage with a culture or community different from your own this week. How can you demonstrate God's love to them?
Day 3: The Importance of Scripture
Engaging deeply with the Bible is crucial for spiritual growth and understanding God's heart. Scripture should be the foundation of our faith, guiding our decisions and shaping our worldview. By prioritizing the study of God's Word, we can better discern His will and align our lives with His purposes. Consider how you can incorporate more intentional Bible study into your daily routine to strengthen your relationship with God. [42:02]
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to deepen your engagement with Scripture this week? How can you make Bible study a more integral part of your daily life?
Day 4: Blessed to Be a Blessing
We are blessed by God not to hoard His blessings but to share them with others. Our mission is to be conduits of God's love and grace, impacting both our local communities and the world. This calling challenges us to look beyond our own needs and consider how we can use our resources and talents to bless others. Reflect on how you can be a blessing to those around you today. [53:07]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one person or group you can bless this week with your time, resources, or talents. How can you intentionally share God's love with them?
Day 5: Embracing Diversity in the Church
God's heart is for all people, and our churches should reflect this diversity. Embracing different cultures and backgrounds enriches our faith and aligns us with God's vision for His kingdom. By fostering an inclusive community, we can better represent the unity and love that God desires for His people. Consider how you can contribute to a more diverse and welcoming church environment. [40:40]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively promote diversity and inclusion within your church community? What steps can you take to build relationships with those from different backgrounds?
Quotes
"All God's looking for is people that are available. And that's something we can all be, is available." [00:32:27] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"John Wesley said, the world is my parish. He said that because in the Church of England, they were divvied up in parishes. And so this pastor or priest had this parish like Quincy, and then you had, and you didn't, and the Quincy pastor never went over to the Wenatchee area and preached over there because that's his parish. Well, Wesley got kicked out of his parish out of the pulpit. So he had no parish to preach in. I know how that feels. And so he said, the world is my parish. And so it actually released him to have a more godly view." [00:36:58] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Because God's heart is not, and I was really good at growing my own local church. I was excellent at it. In fact, the free Methodist church in San Francisco, which is, I had the privilege of pastoring, were some of the fastest growing free Methodist churches in the country for decades, for two decades." [00:38:37] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And I began to see God's heart for the first time. His heart isn't for just white people. His heart is for the world. Always has been." [00:41:40] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The Lord had said to Abram, leave your native country, your relatives, your father's family, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous. And you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you." [00:42:45] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"When you give yourself away, that's when you find yourself. That's when you start delving into the riches of God is when you surrender all, all to Jesus I surrender. When you give, you get. It's scriptural." [00:55:16] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We've gotta be local Christians, but we gotta be global Christians, which would make us glocal. Let's be glocal." [01:01:13] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Motorcycles for missions. God laid this on my heart. I noticed that these guys were on these bad motorcycles in Myanmar and other places that I visited and they can't afford it. They make squat. Let me tell you, they make nothing. And so some of them have to walk I love motorcycles. So I combined motorcycles and I started raising money just on my own. And I started motorcycles for missions." [01:10:28] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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