Pastor Kevin reminded us that missions begins with who God is. Before we go, we need the right perspective of the Lord who sends us. Isaiah 25:1 shows God’s holy name and faithful character. He is Yahweh, the I AM, the just and loving God whose commands protect His people. From that foundation, Genesis 12 tells the first mission story as God called Abram to go, to be a blessing, and to obey. The same God still sends His church today. Our mission is to worship, grow, and go, sharing the good news of Jesus who saves all who believe.
1. Start with the right view of God (Isaiah 25:1)
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God’s covenant name is Yahweh, the I AM. He is holy, just, loving, sovereign, and trustworthy. His commands are not meant to crush joy, they guard and protect like a fence around a playground.
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2. Hold the whole picture of God
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You cannot split the God of judgment in the Old Testament from the God of love in the New Testament. To do so creates an idol of our own making. God is perfectly just and perfectly loving at the same time.
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3. Make it personal
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“You are my God.” We choose whom we worship. Many chase the gods of pride, self, success, or education. True mission begins with surrender to the one true God who says, I am who I am.
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4. See His plans and praise His faithfulness (Isaiah 25:1)
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“Plans formed of old, faithful and sure.” God is not reacting. He has wise purposes for where you live, whom you marry, where you work, and the skills you carry. There are no coincidences in the hands of a sovereign God.
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5. Learn from the first mission trip (Genesis 12:1-9)
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Go: “Go from your country.” Abram left what was familiar because God said go. Mission requires trusting obedience.
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Be a blessing: “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” The deepest blessing is not money, it is the knowledge of the living God and the way to eternal life.
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Obey: “So Abram went as the Lord had told him.” No bargaining, simple obedience. Abram was seventy five years old, which means no one is too old to be sent. Along the way he built altars and publicly worshiped. Mission overflows from worship.
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6. Why God’s rules matter for mission
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Loving parents set wise boundaries because they care. God’s commands work the same way. Boundaries keep us safe and useful. Holy living gives credibility to our witness.
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