Starting Our Mission: Greater Reach Begins at Home
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that greater reach begins at home. As we navigate the complexities of our world, it's crucial to remember that our primary citizenship is in heaven, and our allegiance is to Jesus above all else. This perspective should guide our actions, especially in times of political and cultural division. We are called to be witnesses of Christ's love and truth, starting in our immediate surroundings and extending outward. This principle is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, who instructed His disciples to begin their mission in Jerusalem before reaching out to the ends of the earth.
Reflecting on the early church's experience in Acts, we see how the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to be effective witnesses, leading to the salvation of thousands. This historical account reminds us that our mission begins with obedience to God's call in our lives. We must be willing to step out in faith, starting with those closest to us—our family, friends, and community. It's easy to feel accomplished by supporting missions financially, but the true essence of our calling is to personally engage with those around us, sharing the love and message of Jesus.
As we look forward to the coming year, we are challenged to stretch our faith and trust God for greater things. Our church's mission goals reflect this desire to expand our reach both locally and globally. However, this expansion is only possible if we first shine brightly in our own communities. By being faithful in the small things, we prepare ourselves for the greater works God has in store. This journey requires us to be obedient, even when it means stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting God to provide the resources and opportunities needed to fulfill His mission.
Key Takeaways:
- Our primary allegiance is to Jesus, and our actions should reflect His love and truth, especially in divisive times. This means being polite and honoring Jesus in all circumstances, including political engagements. [02:20]
- The mission of Christ begins at home, with our family, friends, and community. We are called to be witnesses of Jesus' love and truth, starting with those closest to us. This personal engagement is essential to fulfilling our calling. [10:42]
- Obedience to God's call is crucial for experiencing greater things. The early church's experience in Acts shows that when we follow God's instructions, we unlock the supernatural and see His power at work in our lives and communities. [30:06]
- Stretching our faith involves trusting God for greater things and being willing to step out of our comfort zones. Our church's mission goals reflect this desire to expand our reach both locally and globally, but it starts with shining brightly in our own communities. [19:41]
- To see greater things from the Lord, we must be obedient. This means being faithful in the small things and trusting God to provide the resources and opportunities needed to fulfill His mission. [36:25]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:20] - Jesus First, Not America First
[03:46] - Building a Healthy Culture
[05:08] - Greater Reach Begins at Home
[06:34] - Theme Verse: Acts 1:8
[07:51] - Peter's Address and the Holy Spirit
[10:42] - Starting Locally
[12:00] - The Importance of Local Witness
[13:55] - Personal Engagement in Faith
[15:52] - Celebrating Local Impact
[17:37] - The Significance of Numbers
[19:41] - Stretching Our Faith
[21:26] - Missions Goals for 2025
[23:11] - Faith Promises Explained
[24:38] - Hearing from the Lord
[26:33] - Preparing for Greater Reach
[30:06] - Obedience Unlocks the Supernatural
[33:07] - Confession and Obedience
[36:25] - Greater Reach Begins in the Heart
[38:45] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[41:40] - Personal Decision and Prayer
[43:54] - Moving Towards Obedience
[45:20] - Closing and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 1:8
- Acts 2:14-47
- Philippians 3:20
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Acts 1:8 say about the power of the Holy Spirit and the mission of the disciples? How does this relate to the idea of starting the mission at home? [06:34]
2. In Acts 2:14-47, how did Peter address the crowd, and what was the outcome of his sermon? What does this tell us about the impact of obedience and the Holy Spirit? [07:51]
3. According to Philippians 3:20, where is our citizenship, and how should this influence our actions and priorities, especially in times of political division? [02:20]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "greater reach begins at home" challenge the traditional view of mission work? Why is it important to start with those closest to us? [10:42]
2. What role does obedience play in experiencing the supernatural and seeing God's power at work, as demonstrated by the early church in Acts? [30:06]
3. How can the principle of being polite and honoring Jesus in all circumstances, including political engagements, be practically applied in today's divisive climate? [02:20]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationships with family, friends, and community. How can you be a more effective witness of Jesus' love and truth in these circles? [10:42]
2. Consider a time when you felt called to step out of your comfort zone in faith. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your spiritual growth? [19:41]
3. In what ways can you prioritize your allegiance to Jesus over political or cultural affiliations in your daily life? How might this change your interactions with others? [02:20]
4. Identify one small act of obedience you can commit to this week that aligns with God's call in your life. How do you anticipate this will affect your faith journey? [36:25]
5. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to trust God for greater things. What steps can you take to actively stretch your faith in this area? [19:41]
6. How can you ensure that your financial support for missions is accompanied by personal engagement with those around you? What practical steps can you take to balance both? [13:55]
7. Reflect on a recent situation where you struggled to be polite and honor Jesus. What could you do differently next time to better reflect His love and truth? [02:20]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Allegiance to Jesus in Divisive Times
Our primary allegiance is to Jesus, and this should be evident in our actions, especially during times of political and cultural division. As citizens of heaven, we are called to reflect Christ's love and truth in all circumstances, including our political engagements. This means being polite, respectful, and honoring Jesus above all else. In a world that often prioritizes national or cultural identity, we must remember that our ultimate loyalty is to Christ. This perspective not only guides our personal conduct but also influences how we interact with others, fostering unity and understanding in a divided world. [02:20]
Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate your allegiance to Jesus in your daily interactions, especially when faced with divisive topics or conversations?
Day 2: Mission Begins at Home
The mission of Christ starts with those closest to us—our family, friends, and community. We are called to be witnesses of Jesus' love and truth, beginning in our immediate surroundings. This personal engagement is essential to fulfilling our calling. While it may be easier to support missions financially or from a distance, the true essence of our mission is to actively share the love and message of Jesus with those around us. By doing so, we lay the foundation for a broader impact, as our local witness can inspire and influence others to do the same. [10:42]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: Who in your immediate circle needs to hear about the love of Jesus today? How can you take a step to share His message with them?
Day 3: Obedience Unlocks the Supernatural
Obedience to God's call is crucial for experiencing greater things. The early church's experience in Acts demonstrates that when we follow God's instructions, we unlock the supernatural and witness His power at work in our lives and communities. This historical account serves as a reminder that our mission begins with obedience to God's call. By stepping out in faith and following His guidance, we open ourselves to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, leading to profound changes in our lives and the lives of those around us. [30:06]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to obedience? How can you take a step of faith in that area today?
Day 4: Stretching Our Faith
Stretching our faith involves trusting God for greater things and being willing to step out of our comfort zones. Our church's mission goals reflect this desire to expand our reach both locally and globally, but it starts with shining brightly in our own communities. By being faithful in the small things, we prepare ourselves for the greater works God has in store. This journey requires us to trust God to provide the resources and opportunities needed to fulfill His mission, even when it means stepping into the unknown. [19:41]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Reflection: What is one area where you feel God is calling you to stretch your faith? What practical step can you take today to move out of your comfort zone?
Day 5: Faithfulness in Small Things
To see greater things from the Lord, we must be obedient and faithful in the small things. This means trusting God to provide the resources and opportunities needed to fulfill His mission. By being diligent in the tasks and responsibilities He has given us, we prepare ourselves for the greater works He has planned. This faithfulness not only strengthens our relationship with God but also sets an example for others, inspiring them to pursue their own calling with dedication and trust. [36:25]
Luke 16:10 (ESV): "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."
Reflection: What small task or responsibility has God entrusted to you that you can be more faithful in today? How can this faithfulness prepare you for greater opportunities in the future?
Quotes
"So what that really means is be polite and honor Jesus. When you go to the polls, be polite and honor Jesus after the election. What's that really mean is don't gripe if your candidate loses and don't brag if your candidate wins." [00:02:58] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"It means show the love of Jesus. That's what it means. That's what it means. So, you know, the crazy thing about modern elections is that it's really a reflection of our culture and the changes that have taken place in our culture." [00:03:16] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Then last November, we felt like the Lord saying, you're still building. We're still building. We're still building. And we added to this, to that, the idea of the 2024 and 2024. Do y 'all remember that? Some of you do. Some of you do." [00:03:59] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And it's something he's asking of us individually and collectively as an entire congregation. And that's for us to be witnesses in all those places. But that actually means we have to take responsibility for the kingdom locally, regionally, and globally." [00:07:06] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"You know, there's something really, really important about us living out our faith among our friends, among our family, around our coworkers and our neighbors. There's just something. There's just something about that. You see, our deepest faith connections to the mission of Christ, they begin right where we are." [00:12:52] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Can you begin to see that as we are faithful following Jesus and working and reaching people locally, that we have a greater reach? Because greater reach begins at home." [00:17:19] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"See, I pray and I ask the Lord, what is it that you want me to give above my regular giving for the local, regional, and global kingdom responsibilities? And we hear that. We hear from the Lord." [00:25:01] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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