Missionary God
Steve Fairbanks
11/19/20242 min read
Where are you?
As I shared with you on Sunday about God's missionary heart, I wanted to begin with a story that might have caught you off guard. When I described that missionary – the one who left his Father's home, learned a new culture, faced hardships – I saw some of you start to lean in, perhaps thinking of missionaries you've known or supported. And then that moment of recognition when you realized we were talking about Jesus... well, those are the kinds of moments that make preaching such a joy. I wanted us to see this familiar story with fresh eyes, to understand Jesus not just as our Savior, but as the greatest missionary who ever lived.
You know, as I was preparing this message and thinking about Advent approaching, I kept coming back to that scene in the Garden of Eden. That moment when God called out "Where are you?" to Adam and Eve – it wasn't just a question, was it? It was the beginning of something profound. The very first missionary journey. I can't help but think about all the times in my own life when God has called out to me, and I wonder if you've heard that call too. Sometimes it comes in quiet moments, sometimes in the midst of our busy lives, but always with that same heart of loving pursuit that we see throughout Scripture.
As we move toward Advent, I hope you'll carry this perspective with you. When we set up our nativity scenes and sing our familiar carols, I want us to remember what it meant for Jesus to make that missionary journey from heaven to earth. That baby in the manger represents the greatest cultural crossing in history – God becoming one of us. And that prayer we shared at the end? That wasn't just a way to close the service. It was an invitation to respond to God's ongoing mission of reaching out to each one of us. Whether you've been walking with Jesus for years or you're just beginning to explore what faith might mean in your life, remember that you're part of this continuing story of God's missionary heart. My prayer is that this week, as you go about your daily lives, you'll not only recognize God's pursuit of you but also find ways to reflect that same missionary heart to others around you.
View: The Missionary Heart (Pastor Steve)
(Message starts at 32:52)
Doing everything in love,
--Pastor Steve
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