Embracing God's Mission: Unity, Joy, and Service

Devotional

Day 1: God's Mission: A Global Display of Mercy

God's mission is not limited to individual salvation; it is a grand narrative that encompasses His truthfulness and mercy being displayed to the entire world. This mission is deeply rooted in His promises to Israel and extends to the Gentiles, showing that God's plan is comprehensive and inclusive. In Romans 15:7-13, Paul emphasizes that the church's unity is grounded in this global mission. The call to welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us is not just a simple command but a reflection of God's overarching purpose for all nations. This unity is a testament to God's faithfulness and His desire for all peoples to glorify Him for His mercy. [12:46]

Isaiah 49:6 (ESV): "He says: 'It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.'"

Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's global mission today, perhaps by reaching out to someone from a different cultural background and showing them the love and mercy of Christ?

Day 2: Unity Reflects God's Global Purpose

The unity within the church is a reflection of God's work in the world. In Romans 15:7-13, Paul instructs the church to welcome one another as Christ has welcomed them, grounding this call in the grand narrative of God's mission. Our relationships within the church are not just about personal harmony but are a testament to God's global purpose. This unity is supported by God's mission, reminding us that our actions and relationships are part of a larger story that God is writing for the world. As we embrace this unity, we become a living testimony of God's truthfulness and mercy. [07:21]

Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Reflection: Is there someone in your church community with whom you need to reconcile or strengthen your relationship? How can you take a step towards unity today?

Day 3: Christ's Voluntary Service as Our Model

Christ's incarnation and sacrifice were acts of voluntary service to demonstrate God's truthfulness. This self-giving love is the foundation for our understanding of God's mission and our role in it. In Romans 15:7-13, Paul highlights that Christ became a servant to the Jews to confirm God's truthfulness and fulfill the promises made to the patriarchs, which include the salvation of the Gentiles. This act of service was not out of coercion but a voluntary demonstration of God's truthfulness and mercy. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate this self-giving love in our own lives, serving others as Christ served us. [10:34]

Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV): "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."

Reflection: In what ways can you serve others voluntarily and selflessly this week, following the example of Christ's service?

Day 4: Joy as a Response to God's Mercy

The appropriate response to God's mercy is joy, which leads to hope and praise. Our joy in God is foundational to glorifying Him, as it reflects our deep satisfaction in His character and works. In Romans 15:7-13, Paul emphasizes that the response of the Gentiles involves praising, rejoicing, and hoping in God. This joy is not just an emotional response but a profound acknowledgment of God's mercy and truthfulness. As we find joy in God, we are led to hope and praise, culminating in singing and extolling His name. This joy becomes a powerful testimony of God's work in our lives and His mission in the world. [37:57]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can choose to find joy in God's mercy today, even if circumstances are challenging?

Day 5: The Church's Central Role in Global Missions

The church is called to participate in God's mission by spreading His mercy and truth to all peoples. This mission is not just an add-on to the church's activities but is central to its identity and purpose. In Romans 15:7-13, Paul underscores that the church's unity and mission are supported by God's global purpose. As we celebrate God's faithfulness, we are encouraged to look forward to the future, trusting that the best days of global missions are yet to come. The church's role is to be a beacon of God's mercy and truth, actively engaging in His mission to reach all nations. [22:58]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: How can you personally contribute to the church's mission of spreading God's mercy and truth to all peoples? What specific action can you take this week to support global missions?

Sermon Summary

In this sermon, we explore the profound depth of God's mission and the role of the church in it. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often constructs what might seem like modest houses—simple instructions or commands—and then drills deep theological foundations beneath them. This approach is evident in his teachings on marriage and community relations, where he ties everyday actions to the grand narrative of Christ's work and God's eternal purposes. For instance, in Ephesians 5, Paul connects the way spouses treat each other to the profound mystery of Christ's relationship with the church. Similarly, in Romans 14, he addresses the disputes between vegans and meat lovers in Rome, grounding his call for unity in the lordship of Christ over life and death.

The focus of this message is on Romans 15:7-13, where Paul instructs the church to welcome one another as Christ has welcomed them. This seemingly simple command is undergirded by the vast scope of God's global mission. The text reveals that God's purpose for the nations is the foundation for the church's unity. Christ became a servant to the Jews to confirm God's truthfulness and fulfill the promises made to the patriarchs, which include the salvation of the Gentiles. This act of service was not out of coercion but a voluntary demonstration of God's truthfulness and mercy.

The sermon emphasizes that God's mission is radically God-focused and God-exalting. The ultimate goal is for all peoples to glorify God for His mercy. This glorification is not just about receiving mercy but about recognizing and exalting God because of His mercy. The response of the Gentiles, as outlined in the text, involves praising, rejoicing, and hoping in God. Joy in God is foundational, as it leads to hope and praise, culminating in singing and extolling God's name.

The message concludes with a call to action for the church to embrace its role in God's mission. The church's unity and mission are supported by God's global purpose, not the other way around. As we celebrate 150 years of God's faithfulness, we are encouraged to look forward to the future, trusting that the best days of global missions are yet to come.

Key Takeaways

1. giving love is the foundation for our understanding of God's mission and our role in it. [10:34]
4. Joy as a Response to Mercy: The appropriate response to God's mercy is joy, which leads to hope and praise. Our joy in God is foundational to glorifying Him, as it reflects our deep satisfaction in His character and works.

5. The Church's Role in Global Missions: The church is called to participate in God's mission by spreading His mercy and truth to all peoples. This mission is not just an add-on to the church's activities but is central to its identity and purpose.

** [10:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:07] - Prayer for Miracles
[00:54] - Paul's Modest Houses
[02:40] - Treating Each Other Well
[03:00] - Romans 14: Unity in Diversity
[05:17] - The Drill Bit of Truth
[06:10] - Welcome Each Other
[08:17] - Christ's Service to Israel
[11:06] - God's Truthfulness
[12:46] - Confirming Promises
[14:55] - Global Glorification
[17:58] - God's Second Purpose
[19:02] - Who Are the Gentiles?
[24:05] - What is God's Mercy?
[32:04] - Glorifying God for His Mercy
[37:57] - Joy in God's Mercy
[42:05] - The Drill Bit of Incarnation
[43:04] - God's Mission Supports the Church

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 15:7-13
- Ephesians 5:25-32
- Genesis 12:3

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Observation Questions:

In Romans 15:7-13, what specific command does Paul give to the church, and how does he relate it to Christ's actions? [06:10]
How does Paul use the example of Christ's service to the Jews to illustrate God's truthfulness and mercy? [11:06]
What is the significance of the Old Testament quotations in Romans 15:9-12 regarding the Gentiles? [19:17]
According to the sermon, what is the ultimate goal of God's mission as described in Romans 15:7-13? [34:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of welcoming one another as Christ welcomed us challenge the church's current approach to unity and diversity? [06:10]
In what ways does Christ's voluntary service and sacrifice serve as a model for the church's mission today? [10:34]
How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's promises to Israel and the inclusion of the Gentiles in His plan? [14:55]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of joy in the life of a believer, particularly in response to God's mercy? [37:57]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your personal experience within the church. How can you actively contribute to fostering unity and welcoming others as Christ has welcomed you? [06:10]
Consider the voluntary nature of Christ's service. What are some ways you can serve others in your community without feeling coerced or obligated? [10:34]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of joy as a response to God's mercy. Identify a recent situation where you experienced God's mercy. How did you respond, and how can you cultivate a more joyful response in the future? [37:57]
How can you personally engage in God's global mission, whether locally or globally, to spread His mercy and truth? What steps can you take this week to begin or continue this engagement? [22:58]
The sermon highlights the importance of God's promises to Israel and their fulfillment in Christ. How does understanding this connection deepen your appreciation for God's faithfulness in your own life? [14:55]
Think about a time when you felt disconnected from the church community. What practical steps can you take to reconnect and contribute to the church's mission? [06:10]
Identify one person in your life who may not feel welcomed or included in the church. How can you reach out to them this week in a way that reflects Christ's welcoming nature? [06:10]

Sermon Clips

When you read the letters of the apostle Paul, you discover that there's a trademark, and the trademark is he builds modest houses, and then digs mild deep foundations under them. For example, marriage is a modest house. How you treat each other, modest house. Paul builds that house in Ephesians 5. [00:58:16]

And then he puts the drill bit in place, and he drills a mile down to put a foundation under it, that goes more or less like this: the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, infinite, eternal God, having a bride by predestination before the foundation of the world, destined to be holy and pure and blameless. [01:01:40]

So that they might enjoy each other forever and ever and ever. So this afternoon guys, treat her well. There's another example of a modest house with a mild deep foundation built under it. Romans 14, the vegans and the meat lovers in Rome are quarreling. That's what Romans 14 is about. [01:57:36]

And so Paul builds a little house, and the house goes like this: get along and stop judging each other. That's the house, it's a simple house. And then he fastens the drill bit, and he sinks this mild deep foundation under it that goes like this: for none of us lives to himself and none of us dies to himself. [02:00:31]

If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or whether we die, we belong to the Lord. For to this end Christ died and rose again, that we might, that he might be Lord of the living and of the dead. Vegans, meat lovers. [02:32:40]

Welcome each other, Bethlehem, welcome each other the way Christ has welcomed you. Fasten the drill bit, we're going a mile down to support that. We're going to the globe, we're going to heaven, we're going to hell under that little house. We often think the other way around, don't we? [06:12:40]

Like, well, we're supposed to get along with each other as a church so that we can support missions. Not in this text. It's the other way around. This text makes God's global purpose for the nations what holds up getting along in church. You see that? You will see it if you don't yet. [06:41:20]

Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness for the sake of God's truth. Christ came into the world as the Jewish Messiah to prove to the universe God tells the truth, nothing but the truth, always the truth. He never lies. Everything he says happens. That's why he came. [11:18:00]

Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, one, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, two, in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. And you might jump to the conclusion that those two purposes are distinct and separate. [13:14:40]

When the Jewish Messiah came to serve Israel, when he died and rose again to confirm the promises made to Israel, in that very act, he secured the global Gentile glorification of the God of mercy in the very act of dying for Israel, confirming the promises to Israel. [14:50:16]

God's mission to the world is radically God-focused, God-exalting. The end of all things is God, a God so great, he uses the word glory so glorious, so great, so valuable, so beautiful, that his glorious fullness overflows in mercy. Mercy is the stream, and God is the fountain. [33:26:88]

Joy is at the bottom. Rejoice, verse 11, rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people. Joy is the root, joy in seeing and savoring the glory of the God of mercy. Second, hope. I'm building from the bottom to the top. Hope, what's that? Hope is the expectation that the joy gets better and better forever. [37:44:00]

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Embracing God's Mission: Unity, Joy, and Service

Devotional

Day 1: God's Mission: A Global Display of Mercy

Day 2: Unity Reflects God's Global Purpose

Day 3: Christ's Voluntary Service as Our Model

Day 4: Joy as a Response to God's Mercy

Day 5: The Church's Central Role in Global Missions

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Embracing God's Mission: Unity, Joy, and Service

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