PRACTICE: Outreach

Devotional

Day 1: Seeing Jesus in the Least of These

Jesus identifies Himself with the marginalized and calls us to serve them.

Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

In this powerful passage, Jesus makes it clear that He is present among those who are overlooked, marginalized, or in need. The way we treat the “least of these” is the way we treat Christ Himself. It is easy to be drawn to those who are celebrated or important in the world’s eyes, but Jesus calls us to see Him in the faces of the hungry, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned. He invites us to pay attention to those who are often invisible in our communities, reminding us that our faith is lived out in how we love and serve those who cannot repay us. [08:14]

Reflection: Who is someone in your daily life that often goes unnoticed or overlooked? How can you intentionally see and serve them as you would serve Jesus today?

Day 2: Authentic Love, Not Projects

Genuine care for others must come from authentic love, not ulterior motives.

People can sense when they are being treated as a project rather than as a person. Authentic love means focusing on the individual, not on what you might gain or how you might be perceived. When you interact with others, especially those who are different from you or in need, let your motivation be genuine care and friendship, not a hidden agenda. True ministry is not about checking off a box or impressing God or others; it is about loving people as Christ loves us, with sincerity and without pretense. [30:50]

John 13:34-35 (ESV)
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Reflection: Think of a relationship or interaction where you may have treated someone as a project rather than a person. What is one step you can take today to show them authentic, agenda-free love?

Day 3: Faithfulness in the Process

God’s calling unfolds over time and requires patience, commitment, and humility.

Discovering your purpose and calling is rarely a straight path. God often leads through a series of small steps, unexpected turns, and even mistakes. The journey may feel slow or confusing, but each experience, skill, and relationship can be a breadcrumb that God uses to shape you for His purposes. Faithfulness means committing to the process, being willing to learn from mistakes, and trusting that God is weaving your story together even when you cannot see the full picture. [31:58]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel uncertain or impatient about God’s direction? How can you practice faithfulness and trust in the process this week?

Day 4: Embracing Messiness for the Sake of Love

Loving others deeply, especially the marginalized, is often messy but transformative.

Entering into the lives of those who are hurting or overlooked can be challenging and uncomfortable. True love, the kind that Jesus modeled, is not neat or easy—it is sacrificial and sometimes painful. Yet, it is in these messy places that faith becomes real and transformative, both for you and for those you serve. When you commit to loving others with authenticity and perseverance, you reflect the love of Christ, who loved us to the point of the cross. [34:08]

1 John 3:16-18 (ESV)
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

Reflection: What is one “messy” situation or relationship you have avoided? How might God be inviting you to step into it with sacrificial love this week?

Day 5: Discovering Your Unique Calling

God weaves together your experiences and passions for a unique purpose in His kingdom.

Each person’s story is uniquely crafted by God, with every interest, skill, and experience serving as a potential thread in His greater plan. Sometimes, the path only makes sense in hindsight, as God brings together seemingly unrelated pieces for a purpose you could not have imagined. Whether you are in a church, a coffee shop, a construction site, or anywhere else, God is placing people in your life for you to notice and love. Your calling may not look like anyone else’s, but it is significant in God’s kingdom. [28:39]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Reflection: Looking back over your life, what are some “breadcrumbs” or recurring interests and experiences that God might be using to shape your unique calling? How can you take a step toward that calling today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on how God weaves together the seemingly random threads of our lives to shape us for a unique purpose—often in ways we never anticipated. Drawing from my own journey, from the foothills of East Tennessee to the heart of Berkeley’s coffee culture, I shared how God used my love for languages, soccer, and even my indecision about a career to prepare me for a calling I never saw coming: serving refugees and newcomers through 1951 Coffee Company. The story of the 1951 Refugee Convention reminds us that, in the wake of global conflict, the world recognized the need to protect the vulnerable—those forced to flee their homes. This historical backdrop is not just a policy issue; it’s a deeply spiritual one, echoing the heart of Jesus in Matthew 25.

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus paints a vivid picture of the final judgment, where the King identifies himself with “the least of these”—the hungry, the stranger, the sick, the imprisoned. The challenge is not just to see these people, but to recognize that in serving them, we are serving Christ himself. Both the “sheep” and the “goats” in the parable are surprised; neither realized that their treatment of the overlooked was, in fact, their treatment of the King. This passage is not about earning salvation through good works, but about the natural outflow of a heart transformed by Christ—a heart that sees and values those whom society ignores.

My own story is one of missing the breadcrumbs God was laying out, only to look back and see how each experience, each interest, was a piece of a larger puzzle. Meeting Jeremiah, a refugee from Eritrea, shattered my assumptions and opened my eyes to the millions who journey through unimaginable hardship. God used that friendship to redirect my life, leading to the founding of 1951 Coffee Company—a place where newcomers find dignity, community, and opportunity.

The call is for each of us to pay attention to the people God places in our path, especially those who are unseen or undervalued. This work is not a project or a performance; it’s a messy, authentic, and often slow process that requires humility, commitment, and a willingness to make mistakes. Yet, it is in this messiness that we most deeply encounter Christ and discover our true purpose.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Breadcrumbs Are Often Unseen Until We Look Back God rarely reveals the full picture of our calling in advance. Instead, He leaves breadcrumbs—interests, experiences, relationships—that only make sense in hindsight. Trusting God means being faithful with what’s in front of us, even when the path seems unclear, knowing He is weaving a story greater than we can imagine. [16:55]
2. The Litmus Test of Faith Is How We Treat the Overlooked Jesus identifies Himself with the “least of these,” making our response to the vulnerable a true measure of our discipleship. It’s not about performing good deeds for recognition, but about having a heart so aligned with Christ that we naturally see and serve those whom others ignore. Our faith is revealed not in what we profess, but in how we love the unseen. [13:46]
3. Authenticity Matters More Than Project-Oriented Ministry People can sense when they are treated as projects rather than as people. Genuine love and friendship, not ulterior motives or hidden agendas, are what open hearts and build trust. Ministry that flows from authentic relationship, rather than obligation or performance, reflects the heart of Christ and has lasting impact. [30:12]
4. Purpose Emerges Through Process, Patience, and Mistakes Discovering God’s calling is rarely instant; it unfolds over time, through trial, error, and even failure. Commitment to the process, humility to learn from mistakes, and grace for ourselves are essential. God refines us through the journey, not just the destination, and uses even our missteps to shape us for His purposes. [31:58]
5. Loving the Marginalized Is Messy, But It’s Where We Meet Jesus Engaging deeply with those society overlooks will challenge and stretch us, often in uncomfortable ways. Yet, it is in the messiness of real relationships and sacrificial love that we most profoundly encounter Christ. The call to love as Jesus loved is costly, but it is also the place of greatest transformation and joy. [33:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Introduction to 1951 Coffee Company
[01:48] - The Meaning Behind “1951”
[02:20] - The Refugee Convention and Its Legacy
[05:01] - Opening Prayer
[05:41] - Reading Matthew 25:31-46
[08:14] - Jesus Identifies with the Least of These
[09:48] - Tunnel Vision and Missing What Matters
[13:04] - Faith, Works, and the Heart of the King
[14:35] - My Unexpected Journey
[20:34] - Jeremiah’s Story: A Refugee’s Journey
[23:18] - The Global Refugee Crisis
[24:23] - Volunteering and Finding My Calling
[26:34] - Founding 1951 Coffee Company
[29:07] - Lessons Learned: Authenticity and Patience
[33:11] - The Messiness and Beauty of Loving Others
[34:29] - Invitation to Reflect and Respond
[35:03] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV) —
> 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Observation Questions

In the parable Jesus tells, what specific needs does the King mention that were either met or ignored? (hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, in prison) [06:25]
How do both the “sheep” and the “goats” respond when the King tells them what they did or didn’t do? What is surprising about their reaction? [07:00]
According to the sermon, what kinds of people in our society today might be considered “the least of these”? [10:34]
What are some of the “breadcrumbs” or small interests and experiences the speaker noticed in his own life only in hindsight? [16:55]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus identifies himself so closely with “the least of these” in this passage? What does that say about God’s priorities? [08:14]
The speaker says that the way we treat the overlooked is the “litmus test” of our faith. What does this mean for how we understand what it means to follow Jesus? [13:46]
The sermon emphasizes that serving others should flow from authenticity, not as a project or for recognition. Why is this distinction important, and how can it affect the impact of our actions? [30:12]
The process of discovering God’s purpose is described as slow, messy, and full of mistakes. How does this challenge the idea that God’s calling is always clear or easy? [31:58]

Application Questions

The speaker shared how he missed God’s “breadcrumbs” until looking back later. Are there interests, experiences, or relationships in your life that might be “breadcrumbs” God is using to shape your purpose? What might they be? [16:55]
Think about your daily life—work, school, neighborhood. Who are the people that often go unseen or undervalued? What is one practical way you could notice and serve them this week? [10:34]
Have you ever treated someone as a “project” rather than as a person? How did that affect the relationship? What would it look like to approach people with genuine friendship and no hidden agenda? [30:12]
The speaker describes loving the marginalized as “messy” and sometimes uncomfortable. What fears or hesitations do you have about getting involved in the lives of people who are overlooked? How might you take a small step past those fears? [33:11]
When have you learned something important about God or your faith through a mistake or failure? How can you show yourself grace as you try to follow God’s calling, even when you mess up? [31:58]
The parable in Matthew 25 shows that both groups were surprised by the King’s words. How can you cultivate a heart that naturally sees and responds to the needs of others, rather than just doing good when you think someone is watching? [07:00]
The speaker’s journey led him to start 1951 Coffee Company, but he says everyone’s calling will look different. What is one area of your life where you sense God might be inviting you to pay attention or get involved, even if it feels small or unclear? [28:39]

Sermon Clips

``So we see in this passage that the king is very specifically associating himself with the least of these. We see that it's easy for us as people to pay attention to those who are wealthy, who are important. If we had a celebrity among us today, there would probably be a whole lot more people here in this room if we had, you know, a world-renowned musician standing up here today. If we had someone that we had broadcast out, like, hey, so-and-so's gonna be here, you gotta come and see it. You wouldn't have had to invite anyone. They would have just shown up, right? It's very easy for us to pay attention to what the world tells us is important. But the king here is making it very clear that, for me, I am paying attention to those that you are not paying attention to. I am watching when you think I'm not watching. [00:08:20] (76 seconds) #ValueTheUnseen

But both of them have the same response. Both of them say, Lord, when did we see you? And here, the king, again, is reminding them that among you, right? Remember, when Jesus comes, what is a title that is given to him is Emmanuel, God with us, among us. That he is paying attention throughout our society to the things that we, as followers of him, are doing to people within our communities. [00:09:59] (41 seconds)

And so I think if Jesus were telling this to us today, he would say, how are you paying attention to the people that most of you don't see, that most of you don't understand what is happening in their lives? How are you paying attention there? [00:11:20] (18 seconds)

What is being implied here, however, is that faith, genuine belief and following of who Jesus is, will lead to us also having the same type of vision. That the king will have. That in following him, we cannot help but pay attention to those he is paying attention to. Regardless of where they are in the stratas of society, regardless of how known, how important our society deems them to be, we will value them by our faith in our king in following Jesus. We will value them as he values them. [00:13:10] (40 seconds) #PurposeInEveryPlace

And here he's telling us the way that we treat them is the litmus test for what our faith really is in following him. Now, the process of doing this is not something that is simple, that is easy. [00:13:50] (23 seconds) #AlignWithHisVision

Yes, I learned a lot of the technical terms and scriptures and things like that, but when it comes to where like that rubber meets the road point of how does my faith play out in life, I've learned it just through being around people who challenge my assumptions, challenge my thoughts, challenge my ideas, but then living and interacting with them in authenticity, in love, and in unbreakable commitment to their well-being. [00:33:28] (25 seconds) #BridgingGapsWithGrace

And at the same time, I encourage you to look outwardly. Say, like, God, where are you shining light for me to see? None of us will be the answer to every single challenge that we are facing right now. But where is God directing your attention at this time? [00:34:40] (19 seconds)

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