Exporting Our Best: A Commitment to God's Mission
Summary
### Summary
Welcome back, everyone! Today, we delve into one of our core values at Tabernacle Church: "We export the best." This principle is rooted in our mission to invest resources beyond our building, send our best leaders, and generously engage the world around us. This value is not about being superior but about giving our best—our talents, resources, and leaders—to God's mission. This idea is deeply embedded in the heart of God and has been a fundamental part of our church's mission from the beginning.
We draw inspiration from Acts 13:1-3, where the early church in Antioch, despite being a new and diverse congregation, was instructed by the Holy Spirit to send out their best leaders, Barnabas and Saul, for God's work. This passage reminds us that even when we feel we lack resources or are still finding our way, God calls us to step out in faith and prioritize His mission.
Recently, I had the privilege of visiting Gemina, Chad, where our church, in partnership with other local churches, is actively working to reach 92 unengaged, unreached people groups. This mission is not led by us but by local leaders who understand the culture and language. Our role is to support and empower them. Since last October, we've seen significant progress, with gospel witness already happening among five people groups.
This mission is a long-term commitment, potentially spanning 10-15 years, requiring continuous resources and faith. Yet, as we give our best, God provides abundantly, meeting our needs and blessing us in return. It's a humbling and exciting journey to be part of God's work from Norfolk to the nations.
### Key Takeaways
1. Exporting the Best: Our core value of "exporting the best" means giving our best talents, resources, and leaders to God's mission. This principle is not about superiority but about wholehearted dedication to God's work. When we give our best, we are blessed in return, experiencing God's provision and abundance. [02:42]
2. Biblical Foundation: Acts 13:1-3 illustrates the early church's commitment to missions. Despite being a new and diverse congregation, the church in Antioch sent out their best leaders, Barnabas and Saul, in obedience to the Holy Spirit. This passage challenges us to prioritize God's mission, even when we feel unprepared or lacking resources. [03:53]
3. Faith Over Security: Often, we hesitate to engage in missions because we feel the need to secure our own needs first. However, Jesus teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that all our needs will be met. This step of faith is essential in living out our mission to export the best. [07:52]
4. Partnership in Chad: Our mission in Gemina, Chad, involves partnering with local leaders who understand the culture and language. This approach ensures that the gospel is effectively communicated and received. Our role is to support and empower these leaders, recognizing that God is already at work in their hearts and communities. [10:49]
5. Long-term Commitment: Reaching the 92 unengaged, unreached people groups in Chad is a long-term commitment, potentially spanning 10-15 years. This mission requires continuous resources and faith. As we invest in this mission, we witness God's provision and the transformative power of the gospel in these communities. [16:32]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:42] - Core Value: We Export the Best
[03:53] - Biblical Foundation: Acts 13:1-3
[05:05] - The Church in Antioch
[07:52] - Faith Over Security
[08:40] - Mission in Gemina, Chad
[10:49] - Partnership with Local Leaders
[12:07] - Progress and Updates
[14:13] - Blessings of Mission Work
[16:32] - Long-term Commitment
[18:24] - Closing and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 13:1-3 (NIV): "Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the names of the prophets and teachers mentioned in Acts 13:1-3, and what were they doing when the Holy Spirit spoke to them?
2. According to the sermon, what does the core value "We export the best" mean for Tabernacle Church? [02:42]
3. How did the early church in Antioch respond to the Holy Spirit's instruction to send out Barnabas and Saul? [03:53]
4. What recent progress has been made in the mission work in Gemina, Chad, as mentioned in the sermon? [12:54]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Holy Spirit chose Barnabas and Saul for the mission work, and what does this tell us about God's selection of leaders? [03:53]
2. How does the example of the church in Antioch challenge our modern-day approach to missions and resource allocation? [05:05]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between faith and security when it comes to engaging in missions? [07:52]
4. How does partnering with local leaders in Chad align with the principle of "exporting the best," and why is this approach significant? [10:49]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unprepared or lacking resources but were called to step out in faith. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [07:52]
2. In what ways can you personally contribute your best talents, resources, or time to support God's mission, both locally and globally? [02:42]
3. How can you prioritize God's mission in your life, even when you feel the need to secure your own needs first? What practical steps can you take to seek first the kingdom of God? [07:52]
4. Think about the long-term commitment required for the mission in Chad. How can you stay motivated and faithful in supporting a mission that spans 10-15 years? [16:32]
5. Identify a local or global mission that resonates with you. How can you get involved in supporting this mission, either through prayer, financial support, or active participation? [08:40]
6. How can you build relationships with local leaders or organizations to better understand and support their mission efforts? What steps can you take to empower and support them effectively? [10:49]
7. Reflect on the blessings and growth you have experienced when you have given your best to God's work. How can these experiences encourage you to continue or increase your commitment to missions? [14:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Giving Our Best to God's Mission
Our core value of "exporting the best" means giving our best talents, resources, and leaders to God's mission. This principle is not about superiority but about wholehearted dedication to God's work. When we give our best, we are blessed in return, experiencing God's provision and abundance. This value is deeply embedded in the heart of God and has been a fundamental part of our church's mission from the beginning. By giving our best, we align ourselves with God's purpose and open ourselves to His blessings.
Acts 13:1-3 illustrates the early church's commitment to missions. Despite being a new and diverse congregation, the church in Antioch sent out their best leaders, Barnabas and Saul, in obedience to the Holy Spirit. This passage challenges us to prioritize God's mission, even when we feel unprepared or lacking resources. It reminds us that God calls us to step out in faith and prioritize His mission, trusting that He will provide for our needs.
Acts 13:1-3 (ESV): "Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off."
Reflection: What is one talent or resource you can offer to God's mission today? How can you step out in faith to prioritize His work in your life? [02:42]
Day 2: Prioritizing God's Mission
Acts 13:1-3 illustrates the early church's commitment to missions. Despite being a new and diverse congregation, the church in Antioch sent out their best leaders, Barnabas and Saul, in obedience to the Holy Spirit. This passage challenges us to prioritize God's mission, even when we feel unprepared or lacking resources. It reminds us that God calls us to step out in faith and prioritize His mission, trusting that He will provide for our needs.
The early church in Antioch serves as a powerful example of faith and obedience. They did not hold back their best leaders but sent them out to fulfill God's mission. This act of faith demonstrates their trust in God's provision and their commitment to His work. As we reflect on this passage, we are encouraged to prioritize God's mission in our own lives, even when it requires sacrifice and stepping out of our comfort zones.
Isaiah 6:8 (ESV): "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel unprepared or lacking resources? How can you trust God to provide as you prioritize His mission? [03:53]
Day 3: Faith Over Security
Often, we hesitate to engage in missions because we feel the need to secure our own needs first. However, Jesus teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that all our needs will be met. This step of faith is essential in living out our mission to export the best. When we prioritize God's mission over our own security, we experience His provision and abundance in ways we could never imagine.
Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:33 reminds us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all our needs will be met. This requires a shift in our mindset from self-reliance to dependence on God. As we step out in faith and prioritize His mission, we witness His faithfulness and provision in our lives. This journey of faith not only strengthens our relationship with God but also allows us to be a blessing to others.
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are holding back from engaging in God's mission due to fear or insecurity? How can you take a step of faith today to trust in God's provision? [07:52]
Day 4: Empowering Local Leaders
Our mission in Gemina, Chad, involves partnering with local leaders who understand the culture and language. This approach ensures that the gospel is effectively communicated and received. Our role is to support and empower these leaders, recognizing that God is already at work in their hearts and communities. By empowering local leaders, we honor their unique gifts and contributions to God's mission.
Partnership with local leaders is crucial in mission work. These leaders have a deep understanding of their culture and language, allowing them to effectively communicate the gospel. Our role is to support and empower them, providing resources and encouragement as they lead their communities. This collaborative approach not only strengthens the local church but also fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose in God's mission.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."
Reflection: How can you support and empower local leaders in your community or mission field? What resources or encouragement can you offer to help them fulfill God's mission? [10:49]
Day 5: Long-term Commitment to God's Mission
Reaching the 92 unengaged, unreached people groups in Chad is a long-term commitment, potentially spanning 10-15 years. This mission requires continuous resources and faith. As we invest in this mission, we witness God's provision and the transformative power of the gospel in these communities. This long-term commitment reflects our dedication to God's mission and our trust in His timing and provision.
Long-term commitment to God's mission requires patience, perseverance, and faith. It involves investing resources and time, trusting that God will bring about transformation in His perfect timing. As we commit to this journey, we witness the power of the gospel to change lives and communities. This commitment not only impacts those we serve but also deepens our own faith and reliance on God.
Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: What long-term commitment can you make to support God's mission? How can you remain faithful and patient as you invest in this journey? [16:32]
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We believe God has charged us to be on a mission. We invest a disproportionate amount of resources beyond the building to meet people where they are. We send our best leaders to expand the mission and generously engage the world around us." [02:42] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things will be provided for us. And so it's a step of faith, another core value, right? We're fueled by faith here at Tab. But this is the essence of it. When God gives us instruction, we respond by doing it." [07:52] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Whenever we have an opportunity to partner with God and what he's already doing around the world, when we have an opportunity to join him on the front lines of what God is doing around the world, man, we're the ones that are blessed. We're the ones that have a fresh perspective of what God is doing around the world." [14:13] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We live in a world today, right, where it's so easy to get focused on the things that we feel are not happening or is God even moving? What is God doing around the world? And when we have an opportunity to partner and to get on the front lines of where God is moving, I'm telling you, God is moving. God is on the move today." [14:49] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We all got a role to play in sharing God's story, exporting the best, being fueled by faith, and all our other core value statements, right? We'll continue to look at. Over the course of this summer." [18:24] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We want to be a church that is exporting the best of what we have in mission for what God is doing around the world. And again, when we do that, we're the ones that are blessed. We're the ones that God continues to pour out a blessing. But this is what we're talking about today when we're talking about exporting the best." [03:53] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "This was a new congregation of believers who were still trying to get their bearings, right, on what it meant for them to be Jesus followers. And right off the bat, the Holy Spirit says, send out two of your best. To be on mission for me. I just think that, again, is such a good challenge for us because what do we often do in our own lives? What's kind of the pull of what we experience here, even at Tab sometimes, right? We think, well, we've got all these needs around the church, or let's personalize it for a second. I've got all these needs in my own life, right?" [06:53] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So let me just give you a little inside scoop on what's happening in Gemina, Chad right now. There's about 92 people groups, right? And this goes beyond a website. And websites are great and statisticians are great. Like they have their place, but we've actually got boots on the ground. We've got local leaders that are going out and they're traveling around the country of Chad and they're getting real-time data for us. And from that real-time data, we've been able to get a pretty close grip on the reality that there are 92 unengaged, unreached people groups in Chad, Africa." [09:23] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And over the course of these last several months, I'm so excited to report to you that as we get the information from them and we're seeing the pictures and we're seeing the baptisms that are happening, people are responding to the gospel as those leaders go out. And honestly, I've been humbled because I'm like, man, how are these things happening so quickly, right? I don't understand, but then I have to take a step back and I have to remember that we serve a really big God who is on the move and the Holy Spirit goes before." [12:54] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And the more that we export the best, the more God continues, not to an abundantly kind of a thing, right? But He provides every step of the way. And in that sense, He is abundant, right? He provides every step of the way to meet our needs, to continue to help us to export the best as we're fueled by faith." [17:45] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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