Trusting God: Blessed to Be a Blessing

This morning, we gathered as a people desperate for God’s presence, not because we have it all together, but because we know only He can meet our deepest needs. In a world that thrives on fear and anxiety, we are called to be different—people who trust in the Lord’s faithfulness, even when life feels chaotic or uncertain. Our journey as a church has been marked by God’s provision, from unexpected moves to new spaces, and next week we’ll celebrate four years of His faithfulness. But our focus remains on Jesus, not on ourselves or our circumstances.

We turned to Psalm 67, a song that begins with a familiar blessing: “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us.” This blessing is not just for our comfort, but so that God’s ways may be known on earth and His salvation among all nations. We are blessed to be a blessing. Every gift, every provision, every answered prayer is meant to overflow from our lives into the lives of others, pointing them to the hope found in Jesus Christ.

The world is undeniably broken, and we are more aware of its darkness than ever before. Yet, I hold a deep conviction: Jesus Christ is the only hope for this world. Our calling is not to play it safe, but to pray bold prayers—prayers that only God can answer, prayers that stretch our faith and expand our vision beyond our own comfort zones. God’s heart has always been for the nations, and He invites us to join Him in making His glory known to every people, language, and tribe.

We are not defined by our careers, backgrounds, or even our church building. Our true identity is as followers of Jesus, given a kingdom purpose to make disciples of all nations. Whether that means going overseas or reaching the nations God has brought to our own city, we are called to be a multi-ethnic, multi-generational family that reflects the diversity of God’s kingdom. Like Adoniram Judson, whose faithfulness in obscurity led to a movement of millions, we may never see the full impact of our prayers and obedience—but God does.

So today, we prayed bold prayers: for God’s blessing, for our lives to be used to impact the world, for salvation to reach every nation, for our church to reflect the diversity of God’s family, and for God to provide all we need to fulfill His mission. We responded in worship, communion, and giving—reminded that we are blessed to be a blessing, and that God’s purposes are so much greater than our own.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Trusting God in Uncertainty: In a world that feeds on fear and anxiety, we are called to lay down our burdens and trust in God’s higher ways. True peace is not found in having control, but in surrendering to the One whose thoughts and plans far exceed our own. This trust is not passive; it is an active, bold faith that prays for what only God can do, even when hope feels distant. [28:22]
• 2. Blessed to Be a Blessing: God’s blessings are never meant to terminate on us. Every provision, every answered prayer, and every gift is given so that we might make His ways known on earth. The measure of our blessing is not in what we accumulate, but in how we leverage what we have for the sake of others and the advancement of the gospel. [57:07]
• 3. Embracing a Global Purpose: The call to follow Jesus is a call to a global vision. God’s heart is for all peoples, and our purpose is to make disciples of every nation, tribe, and tongue. This means refusing to settle for small dreams or insular thinking, and instead asking God to use our lives—wherever we are—to impact the world for Christ. [75:51]
• 4. Faithfulness Over Fame: The story of Adoniram Judson reminds us that God delights in using ordinary, even nameless, people to accomplish extraordinary things. Our impact is not measured by recognition or numbers, but by our willingness to say “yes” to God’s call, even when the fruit is slow or unseen. True legacy is built on faithfulness, not fame. [77:51]
• 5. Welcoming the Nations Among Us: God has brought the nations to our doorstep, and we are called to be a church that reflects the diversity of His kingdom. This requires intentionality—changing our preferences, our hospitality, and even our worship—to welcome people from every background. The beauty of the gospel is seen when people who would never otherwise gather are united in Christ, praising Him together as one family. [76:44]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [28:22] - Opening Prayer: Trusting God with Our Fears
• [35:04] - God’s Faithfulness in Uncertainty
• [44:00] - The Blessing of Gathering Anywhere
• [49:00] - Bold Prayers in a Chaotic World
• [57:07] - Psalm 67: Blessed to Be a Blessing
• [63:00] - God’s Global Purpose for His People
• [68:00] - The Call to Make Disciples of All Nations
• [72:00] - God Guides the Nations
• [75:51] - Praying Bold Prayers for the World
• [76:44] - Becoming a Multi-Ethnic Church
• [77:51] - The Power of Faithfulness: Adoniram Judson’s Story
• [79:30] - Guided Prayer: Lord, Bless Us
• [80:47] - Guided Prayer: Use My Life to Impact the World
• [81:42] - Guided Prayer: Reaching the Nations Among Us
• [82:59] - Final Prayer: Building God’s Kingdom
• [85:54] - Response: Worship, Communion, and Giving

Bible Reading

Psalm 67 (ESV) — 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 67, what is the purpose of God blessing His people? (see verses 1-2)
2. In the sermon, what does the phrase “blessed to be a blessing” mean for us as a church? [57:07]
3. What does the psalmist say about who should praise God? Is it limited to a certain group? (see verses 3, 5)
4. The sermon mentioned that God’s heart is for the nations. What evidence do you see for this in Psalm 67? [57:07]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon said, “God’s blessings are never meant to terminate on us.” What does it look like when someone keeps God’s blessings to themselves instead of letting them overflow to others? [57:07]
2. The pastor shared that “Jesus Christ is the only hope for this world.” Why do you think the psalmist connects God’s blessing with His “saving power among all nations”? [49:00]
3. The story of Adoniram Judson was shared as an example of faithfulness over fame. What does his story teach us about the impact of ordinary obedience, even when results are slow or unseen? [01:17:51]
4. The sermon talked about being a multi-ethnic, multi-generational church. Why is it important for the church to reflect the diversity of God’s kingdom? [01:16:44]

Application Questions

1. The world is full of fear and anxiety, but the sermon called us to “lay down our burdens and trust in God’s higher ways.” What is one specific fear or anxiety you need to surrender to God this week? How can your small group pray for you in this? [28:22]
2. The pastor challenged us to pray bold prayers—prayers that only God can answer. What is one bold prayer you feel led to pray for your life, your family, or our church? Are you willing to share it with the group? [49:00]
3. “Blessed to be a blessing” means using what God has given us for others. Think of a recent way God has blessed you (time, resources, relationships, answered prayer). How could you use that blessing to point someone to Jesus this week? [57:07]
4. The sermon said, “Our true identity is as followers of Jesus, given a kingdom purpose to make disciples of all nations.” What is one step you can take to live out this purpose—either by reaching out to someone from a different background, or by supporting global missions? [57:07]
5. The story of Adoniram Judson showed faithfulness even when he didn’t see quick results. Is there an area in your life where you’re tempted to give up because you don’t see fruit? How can you stay faithful and trust God with the results? [01:17:51]
6. The pastor said, “God has brought the nations to our doorstep.” Who is someone in your neighborhood, workplace, or school from a different culture or background? What is one practical way you can show hospitality or welcome them this month? [01:16:44]
7. The sermon ended with a call to pray for God’s provision for His mission. What is one need—personal or church-wide—you want to ask God to provide for, so that His ways may be known among all nations? [01:22:59]