MISSION_OF_GOD___Part_2.docx

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Heart Beats for Every Nation

From the very beginning, God’s plan has always included all peoples, not just one nation or group. When He called Abraham, He promised that through him, “all the families of the earth” would be blessed. This global vision is not a side note in Scripture—it’s woven into the stories of Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets. God’s desire is to gather people from every tribe, language, and background into His family.

When we read the Bible with this in mind, we start to see God’s love for the nations everywhere. His mission is not limited by borders or cultures. He invites us to see the world as He does: full of people He longs to bless and redeem. As followers of Jesus, we are called to share in this vision and open our hearts to God’s global mission.

Genesis 12:2-3 (ESV): “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. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Reflection: Who is someone from a different background or culture that you can intentionally pray for or reach out to this week, as a way of joining God’s heart for the nations?

Day 2: God’s Story Is Bigger Than Our Own

It’s easy to read the Bible and focus on how it applies to our personal lives and struggles. But when we step back, we see that God is telling a much larger story—one that is about His glory being made known among all peoples. Our individual stories matter deeply, but they find their fullest meaning when they are connected to God’s grand mission to redeem and unite the nations.

When we “zoom out,” we realize that our lives are part of something much greater than ourselves. God invites us to see our challenges, gifts, and opportunities as part of His bigger plan. This perspective can transform the way we pray, serve, and live each day, knowing that we are part of God’s unfolding story for the world.

Psalm 67:1-2 (ESV): “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to “zoom out” and see how God might be using your story as part of His bigger mission?

Day 3: God’s Power Shines Through the Unexpected

Throughout Scripture, God consistently chooses unlikely people and situations to accomplish His purposes. Abraham and Sarah had a child in old age, David defeated Goliath as a young shepherd, and Daniel’s friends survived the fiery furnace. These stories remind us that God’s mission moves forward not through human strength, but through His surprising grace and power.

God delights in using the weak, the overlooked, and the improbable to show His faithfulness to the world. When we feel inadequate or unqualified, we are in good company. God can use our limitations as opportunities to display His glory and invite others to trust in Him.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”

Reflection: Where do you feel weak or unlikely to make a difference? How might God want to use that very area to show His power to others?

Day 4: Jesus—The Blessing for All Peoples

The story of Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham. The genealogy in Matthew is more than a list of names—it’s a declaration that God’s plan has always been moving toward Jesus. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus makes salvation available to everyone, regardless of background or history.

As followers of Christ, we are called to carry this good news to the ends of the earth. The mission that began with Abraham continues through the church today. Jesus is the center of God’s mission, and we are invited to join Him in sharing His love and hope with the world.

Matthew 1:1, 17 (ESV): “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham... So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.”

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear that Jesus is for them, no matter their story? How can you share this hope with them this week?

Day 5: Joining God’s Mission—A Privilege and a Call

The vision in Revelation of people from every nation worshiping together is not just a distant hope—it’s a present invitation. God calls each of us to play a part in His mission, whether by going, sending, supporting, praying, or welcoming. We may not be able to do everything, but we are all called to do something.

Participating in God’s mission is both a privilege and a responsibility. As we join in what God is already doing to bring the nations to Himself, we discover deeper purpose and joy. Ask God to show you your unique role in His global story, and take a step of faith to join Him today.

Revelation 7:9-10 (ESV): “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to participate in God’s mission—whether by praying, giving, serving, or welcoming someone from another culture?

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon**

In this sermon, we explored the overarching Mission of God as revealed throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. Using the analogy of suddenly noticing a specific car everywhere once it’s pointed out, we learned that God’s heart for the nations is a theme woven through the entire Bible—not just a few select verses. We traced the Abrahamic Covenant and saw how God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham’s family is fulfilled through the stories of the patriarchs, Moses, David, and the prophets, culminating in Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of this promise, and the church is called to participate in God’s ongoing mission to reach every tribe, tongue, and nation. The sermon closed with a personal story about language barriers, pointing to the hope that one day, all God’s people will worship together in unity before His throne.

**K

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Mission Is Global and Always Has Been From the very beginning, God’s promise to Abraham was not just about one family or nation, but about blessing all the families of the earth. This global vision is not a New Testament innovation but is embedded throughout the Old Testament, visible in the stories of Abraham, Moses, David, and Daniel. When we read Scripture with this lens, we see that God’s heart has always been for the nations, and His mission is to gather people from every tribe and tongue into His family.
2. Zooming Out Reveals God’s Bigger Story It’s easy to read Bible stories as if they’re primarily about us and our personal challenges. But when we “zoom out,” we see that God is orchestrating a much larger narrative—one that is about His glory being made known among all peoples. Our personal stories matter, but they find their deepest meaning when connected to God’s grand mission to redeem and unite the nations.
3. God Uses the Unlikely to Accomplish His Purposes The stories of Abraham having a child in old age, David defeating Goliath, and Daniel’s friends surviving the furnace all highlight God’s pattern of working through the unexpected and improbable. These miracles are not just for the benefit of the individuals involved, but serve as signs to the nations of God’s power and faithfulness. God’s mission advances not through human strength, but through His surprising grace and intervention.
4. Jesus Is the Fulfillment and Center of God’s Mission The genealogy of Jesus in Matthew is not a dry list of names, but a declaration that God’s promise to Abraham finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Jesus is the blessing for all nations, and through His life, death, and resurrection, salvation is made available to everyone. The church is now commissioned to carry this good news to the ends of the earth, continuing the story that began with Abraham.
5. Our Participation in God’s Mission Is Both a Privilege and a Responsibility The vision in Revelation of people from every nation worshiping together is not just a future hope, but a present calling. Whether we go, send, support, pray, or welcome, each of us is invited to play a part in God’s mission. We may not be able to do everything or reach everyone, but we are called to do something—to join God in what He is already doing to bring the nations to Himself.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Mission of God**

---

### Bible Reading

- **Genesis 12:1-3**
Now 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. 2 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. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

- **1 Samuel 17:46-47**
“This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand… that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear.”

- **Revelation 7:9-10**
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

---

### Observation Questions

In Genesis 12:1-3, what does God promise to Abraham, and who is included in the scope of this promise?
According to 1 Samuel 17:46-47, what reason does David give for God delivering him from Goliath?
In Revelation 7:9-10, what do you notice about the diversity of the people gathered before God’s throne?
From the sermon, what are some examples of God using unlikely people or situations to accomplish His mission?

---

### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God’s promise to Abraham included “all the families of the earth” and not just Abraham’s own descendants?
How does “zooming out” and seeing the bigger picture of God’s mission change the way we read familiar Bible stories like David and Goliath or Daniel in the furnace?
What does it say about God’s character that He chooses to work through unlikely people and situations?
The vision in Revelation 7:9-10 shows people from every nation worshiping together. What does this reveal about God’s ultimate goal for humanity?

---

### Application Questions

The sermon used the analogy of noticing a certain car everywhere once it’s pointed out. Now that you’ve heard about God’s heart for the nations, where do you see this theme showing up in Scripture or in your own life?
When you read the Bible, do you tend to focus on what it says about your personal life, or do you look for how your story fits into God’s bigger mission? How might you start reading with a “zoomed out” perspective?
Can you think of a time when God used an unlikely person (maybe even you) to bless someone else or point them to Him? What happened?
The sermon mentioned that God’s mission is not just a future hope but a present calling. What is one practical way you can participate in God’s mission this week—whether by praying, giving, welcoming, or sharing your faith?
The story about language barriers and the hope of worshiping together in heaven was very personal. Is there someone in your life who feels “far off” because of culture, language, or background? What could you do to reach out to them?
The church is called to be a blessing to all nations. What are some ways our small group or church could be more intentional about reaching people from different backgrounds?
The sermon said, “You can’t do everything, but you can do something.” What is one “something” you feel God might be nudging you to do in response to His global mission?

---

Sermon Quotes

When you become aware of something, you start to see it everywhere. In the same way, once you realize God’s mission to reach all nations, you’ll notice it woven throughout the entire story of Scripture.

The stories of the Bible go beyond me and my situation. If we never zoom out, we fail to see that God is often up to something so much bigger than just you or the character in that story.

From Genesis to Revelation, God’s heart has always been to reach people of every tribe, tongue, and nation—drawing them together into one family under God as Father.

God didn’t just rescue Israel from Egypt for their sake alone. He wanted the nations to see the kind of God He is—a God who guides, provides, and protects.

Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. In Him, God provides salvation to every tribe, tongue, and nation—not just by knowing about God, but by knowing Him personally.

The mission of God is not just for a select few. Whether it’s going, sending, supporting, praying, welcoming, or equipping—will we look beyond ourselves and give ourselves in some way to God’s mission?

Those who were scattered because of sin to different tribes, tongues, and nations in Genesis will one day be gathered together as one people, under one God, singing together in one tongue in Revelation.

You can’t do everything, but you can do something. You can’t go everywhere, but you can go somewhere. You can’t reach everyone, but you can reach someone. Now that we see what God is doing, let’s join Him.

One day, people from every nation, tribe, and language will stand together before God, united in worship. The divisions of this world will be healed as we cry out with one voice, “Salvation belongs to our God!”

The story of God is not just history—it’s His story, and it hinges on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the hero. Trust in Him, and you’ll be truly blessed.

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Give me some sermon illustration ideas

Create a fill-in-the-blank worksheet

Sermon structure and transition feedback

Sermon application ideas