God's Heart for All Nations: A Call to Disperse

Summary

In today's message, we explored the genealogies and narratives found in Genesis chapters 10 and 11, often referred to as the "Table of Nations" and the story of the Tower of Babel. These passages, though sometimes overlooked, are rich with insights into God's plan for humanity and the unfolding of His promise through history. We began by acknowledging the generosity of our congregation in supporting disaster relief efforts, a testament to our calling to be a giving church. This spirit of giving aligns with the broader theme of today's message: God's heart for all nations and His desire for us to reach them with the gospel.

Genesis 10 and 11 provide a historical account of how nations descended from Noah's sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and how they were dispersed across the earth. This dispersion was not merely a historical event but a divine orchestration to fulfill God's command to fill the earth. Despite humanity's rebellion at Babel, where people sought to make a name for themselves rather than obey God's command to spread out, God intervened by confusing their language and scattering them. This act of dispersion was not a punishment but a means to ensure His plan for humanity's multiplication and the spread of His image bearers across the globe.

The genealogies in these chapters also point us to the lineage through which the promised Savior, Jesus Christ, would come. This thread of the gospel woven through the names and stories reminds us that God's plan is unthwarted by human sinfulness. The hope for all nations, as revealed in these passages, is found in Jesus, who came to reconcile humanity to God.

As we reflect on these truths, we are reminded of our mission to share the gospel with all nations. The nations continue to move away from God, and it is our responsibility to bring the hope of Jesus to them. We are called to be a church that does not settle but disperses, taking the good news to our neighbors, our nation, and the world. Let us be a people who fill the earth with the gospel, driven by the same heart that God has for all peoples.

Key Takeaways:

- Generosity Reflects God's Heart: Our church's generous giving to disaster relief is a reflection of God's heart for all nations. Just as we support those in need, we are called to extend the hope of the gospel to every corner of the earth. This generosity is a tangible expression of our faith and mission. [33:57]

- God's Sovereign Plan in History: The genealogies in Genesis 10 and 11 reveal God's sovereign plan unfolding through history. Despite human rebellion, God's promise of a Savior through the lineage of Shem is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This reminds us that God's purposes prevail, even amidst human sinfulness. [42:39]

- The Dispersion at Babel: The story of Babel illustrates humanity's tendency to rebel against God by seeking self-glorification. God's intervention in confusing languages was not punitive but a means to fulfill His command to fill the earth. This teaches us that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human pride. [52:31]

- The Need for the Gospel: The dispersion of nations and the confusion of languages highlight the ongoing need for the gospel. With over 7,000 unreached people groups today, the task of sharing the hope of Jesus remains urgent. We are called to be active participants in God's mission to reach all nations. [01:13:01]

- Our Mission to Disperse with the Gospel: Just as God commanded humanity to fill the earth, we are called to disperse with the gospel. The Great Commission compels us to take the good news to our neighbors, our nation, and the world. Let us not settle but be a church through which the gospel spreads. [01:16:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [33:57] - Generosity and Giving
- [34:33] - Opening Scripture: Genesis 10 and 11
- [35:13] - Nations Descend and Disperse
- [35:51] - The Generations of Noah's Sons
- [36:40] - The Mighty Hunter Nimrod
- [37:27] - The Descendants of Shem
- [38:12] - The Tower of Babel
- [38:50] - Human Rebellion and God's Intervention
- [39:24] - The Confusion of Languages
- [39:57] - The Lineage of Shem
- [40:28] - God's Promise Through Abram
- [41:23] - The Hope of the Gospel
- [42:01] - The Relevance of Genesis Today
- [42:39] - God's Plan and Our Mission
- [01:21:04] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 10-11

---

Observation Questions:

1. What are the key events described in Genesis chapters 10 and 11, and how do they relate to the dispersion of nations? [35:13]

2. How does the story of Nimrod and the Tower of Babel illustrate humanity's tendency to rebel against God? [50:58]

3. What role do the genealogies in Genesis 10 and 11 play in pointing to the lineage of Jesus Christ? [58:39]

4. How does the sermon describe the significance of the dispersion at Babel in fulfilling God's command to fill the earth? [52:31]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the generosity of the congregation in supporting disaster relief reflect God's heart for all nations, as discussed in the sermon? [33:57]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's sovereign plan is evident through the genealogies and narratives of Genesis 10 and 11? [42:39]

3. How does the sermon interpret the confusion of languages at Babel as a means to fulfill God's command rather than a punishment? [52:31]

4. What is the ongoing need for the gospel in light of the dispersion of nations and the confusion of languages, according to the sermon? [01:13:01]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the spirit of generosity within your own life. How can you align your giving with God's heart for all nations, as exemplified by the congregation's support for disaster relief? [33:57]

2. Consider the genealogies in Genesis 10 and 11. How can understanding God's sovereign plan through history strengthen your faith in His promises today? [42:39]

3. The sermon highlights the need for the gospel among unreached people groups. What practical steps can you take to participate in sharing the hope of Jesus with those who have never heard His name? [01:13:01]

4. How can you personally contribute to the mission of dispersing with the gospel, as opposed to settling and keeping it to yourself? What specific actions can you take in your community or beyond? [01:16:11]

5. Reflect on the story of Babel and the tendency to seek self-glorification. Are there areas in your life where you are building "towers" for your own name rather than for God's glory? How can you redirect your focus? [38:50]

6. The sermon calls for a heart to reach all nations. How can you cultivate a heart that desires to see all people come to know Jesus, regardless of cultural or geographical differences? [01:19:00]

7. In light of the sermon, how can you actively engage in the Great Commission, both locally and globally, to ensure the gospel spreads through you and your church community? [01:16:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Generosity as a Reflection of God's Heart
Generosity is more than an act of giving; it is a reflection of God's heart for all nations. When we give, especially in times of need, we mirror the divine generosity that God extends to humanity. Our church's commitment to supporting disaster relief efforts is a testament to this calling. It aligns with the broader mission of sharing the gospel with every corner of the earth. This spirit of giving is not just about meeting physical needs but also about extending the hope and love of Jesus to those who may not yet know Him. As we give, we participate in God's mission to reach all nations, embodying the faith and mission we profess. [33:57]

"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." (Proverbs 19:17, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent opportunity you had to give, whether time, resources, or encouragement. How did it reflect God's heart, and how can you continue to embody this generosity in your daily life?

Day 2: God's Sovereign Plan in History
The genealogies in Genesis 10 and 11 reveal the unfolding of God's sovereign plan throughout history. Despite humanity's rebellion and sinfulness, God's promise of a Savior through the lineage of Shem is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This lineage is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises, demonstrating that His purposes prevail even amidst human failings. The story of these genealogies is not just a historical account but a reminder of the hope and redemption found in Jesus. It encourages us to trust in God's plan, knowing that He is at work in ways we may not always see or understand. [42:39]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you doubted God's plan in your life. How can the story of God's faithfulness through history encourage you to trust Him more fully today?

Day 3: The Dispersion at Babel
The story of Babel illustrates humanity's tendency to seek self-glorification rather than obey God's commands. When people sought to make a name for themselves, God intervened by confusing their language and scattering them across the earth. This act was not punitive but a means to fulfill His command to fill the earth. It teaches us that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human pride or rebellion. Instead, His purposes are accomplished in ways that may seem unexpected to us. This story challenges us to examine our own lives for areas where we may be seeking our own glory rather than God's. [52:31]

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you might be seeking your own glory. How can you realign your intentions to focus on God's purposes instead?

Day 4: The Need for the Gospel
The dispersion of nations and the confusion of languages highlight the ongoing need for the gospel. With over 7,000 unreached people groups today, the task of sharing the hope of Jesus remains urgent. We are called to be active participants in God's mission to reach all nations, bringing the message of reconciliation and hope to those who have not yet heard it. This call to action is not just for missionaries but for every believer, as we are all entrusted with the responsibility to share the gospel in our own contexts. The urgency of this mission compels us to step out in faith and share the love of Christ with those around us. [01:13:01]

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one person in your life who has not heard the gospel. How can you intentionally share the hope of Jesus with them this week?

Day 5: Our Mission to Disperse with the Gospel
Just as God commanded humanity to fill the earth, we are called to disperse with the gospel. The Great Commission compels us to take the good news to our neighbors, our nation, and the world. This mission is not about settling in comfort but about actively spreading the message of Jesus wherever we go. As a church, we are called to be a community through which the gospel spreads, driven by the same heart that God has for all peoples. This call to action challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with the world around us, sharing the transformative power of the gospel. [01:16:11]

"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." (Matthew 28:19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to share the gospel with someone in your community? How can you be intentional about living out the Great Commission in your daily life?

Quotes

1) "The good news is this table of nations in Genesis 10 and 11, and even this tower of Babel, remind us that God has a plan. And his plan would never be thwarted by evil, sinful men. God had a plan to send hope for the nations, a hope that is thread through these names. And my hope this morning is to open your eyes to see the sinfulness of the nations. I want to remind you that all people need a Savior, and to remind us that that Savior has come sent us on a mission to reach all the nations. Our God has a heart for all peoples. I pray that he gives you that heart this morning." [45:00] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "The nations continue to move away from God. As multiplication of man and filling the earth continues, sin continues. People groups, nations continue to descend and descend. They metaphorically continue to move eastward away from God. Think about it. The sins we see at Babel are still present in our post-flood world. People all around us obeying God. People all around us wanting to be their own gods. People flocking to false religions, seeing the almost as a Babel tower that will get them to God. Pride is all around us. People wanting to make a name for themselves rather than to honor the creator. Sin survived the flood. It's present. It's rampant." [01:11:08] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Genesis 10 and 11 reminds us the only hope for the nations is the Son of God. That's the line. That's the person we're being pointed to. The hope that would come. Well, that hope has come. Jesus, the hope of the nations. It is through Him and Him alone that people who are far from God can be brought close to Him again. Colossians 1, 21 and 22 reminds us at one time, we are all alienated from God. We are all separated. We are far from Him because we have rebelled against Him. Well, we and all the peoples of the earth, like the people of Babel, have rebelled against God. But the good news is there is hope for the nations. That hope is Jesus." [01:13:01] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "The hope for the nations, the hope for our neighbors, and the hope for you is found in one name, and that name is Jesus Christ. If you want your sin, forgiven, your broken relationship with God restored, Jesus is the only one who can do this. I pray that even through Genesis 10 and 11, a table of nations and a tower of Babel, I hope that He works through this to draw you to His Son, to help you see He's the Savior who has come. He is the one who can set you free from sin. He is the one who can give you right standing with God. He is the one who can bring you from death to life. All this is possible in Jesus Christ." [01:14:38] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Christians, the nations continue to descend and move away from God. The only hope for the nations is the Son of God. We need to remember the nations will only be reached with this hope if we disperse and tell them the good news of God's Son. We need to fill the nations with the good news, not settle and keep it to ourselves. God's plan for His people was for them to fill the earth. They disobeyed that command and tried not to disperse. Well, God's command for us, His people today, is to disperse and fill the earth with the gospel. Matthew 28, 18, go into all the world and make disciples." [01:16:11] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "The gospel was never meant to stop with us. It was always meant to spread through us. Thousands around us are far from God and need the hope of the gospel. Let's be a church that takes the gospel to our neighbors. Millions in North America are far from God and need the hope of the gospel. Let's be a church that takes the gospel to the nation. Billions around our world are far from God and need the hope of the gospel. Let's be a church that takes the gospel to the nations." [01:17:39] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "Every nation is my family. We're all related. There's one human race. We've all descended from Adam and descended through Noah. Everyone. You can't look at anyone and look in the eyes of someone. I don't care about them. You should. The nations descended. We all descended from Noah. And these nations are my family. I don't care about them. I don't care about them. We are all interrelated in some way, one or another. And as I looked at that and was reminded, I'm like, oh my goodness, man, I don't want to see any people, any people group separated from God and spend eternity separated from him." [01:19:00] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?