Throughout human history, God has been working toward bringing people from every nation, tribe, and language into His kingdom. This redemptive plan has moved through distinct phases - from the Patriarchs to Israel's captivity, through the periods of Judges and Kings, to Christ's coming and the early church, and finally to the ends of the earth where we are now. The spread of Christianity from a small movement in Jerusalem to a worldwide faith is truly remarkable. Three key figures represent the eras of modern missionary movements: William Carey (the father of Protestant missions who focused on coastlands), Hudson Taylor (who founded the China Inland Mission to reach interior regions), and William Cameron Townsend (who established Wycliffe Bible Translators after realizing the importance of reaching people in their native languages). Despite their efforts and those of countless others, billions of people in the '10/40 Window' still have little or no access to the Gospel. However, Revelation 7:9-12 assures us that eventually people from every nation, tribe, and language will stand before God's throne. Heaven will be a place of unspeakable joy and peace in Jesus' presence, where sin is completely removed. As C.S. Lewis beautifully expressed, all of our earthly existence will be just the cover and title page of the Great Story that continues forever in eternity.

Jesus challenged conventional wisdom when He taught that in God's kingdom, the path to greatness runs through service. Unlike worldly leadership that exercises control over others, kingdom leadership means becoming a servant to all. This radical concept is exemplified by Jesus Himself, who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. Serving others requires genuine humility—counting others as more significant than ourselves, just as Christ demonstrated by emptying Himself and taking the form of a servant. As believers, we've each received spiritual gifts that we're called to steward by using them to serve others for God's glory. There's a profound difference between serving out of obligation versus serving from joy; the latter flows from our identity in Christ and brings fulfillment even amid fatigue.

Our financial stewardship also reflects our understanding that everything we have belongs to God and that we're simply managing what He has entrusted us. When we serve through love, we experience true freedom. Ironically, those most focused on themselves tend to be most miserable, while those who consistently serve others often experience the most joy and contentment. By identifying opportunities to serve, assessing our spiritual gifts, examining our giving habits, and looking for ways to serve even in difficult seasons, we can live out the values of God's upside-down kingdom.

Jesus strategically spread His message by investing deeply in twelve ordinary individuals. Over three years, He taught them and modeled ministry before sending them out in pairs to practice what they had learned. This approach established a divine pattern for spreading the Gospel, emphasizing the importance of discipleship—learning, following, and teaching others.

The early church exemplified this as the twelve disciples grew into thousands of believers, each becoming a potential disciple-maker. Today, you are part of this lineage. Someone invested in you and helped you grow in faith, and now you have the privilege of continuing this divine pattern by investing in others—an essential commission Jesus gave to all His followers.

This week, we look into the biblical concept of 'koinonia'—the profound spiritual connection among believers fostered through the Holy Spirit, distinguishing it from mere social interactions. The early church's example in Acts 2 illustrates this fellowship, involving devotion to teaching, sharing meals, prayer, and meeting each other's needs as a spiritual family. Hebrews 10:24-25 underscores the necessity of gathering, particularly in our individualistic culture, as fellowship equips us to draw closer to God and strengthen our faith, especially highlighted during the isolation experienced during the COVID pandemic.

Furthermore, we examine the balance of comfort and challenge within Christian relationships, where sometimes fellowship calls for lovingly confronting one another, as noted in Galatians 6:1-2 about restoration and support. Like Aaron and Hur, who supported Moses in battle, we all require help in tough times and are encouraged to provide it for others. To foster meaningful fellowship, we can join growth groups, seek mentorship, invite others into our daily lives, and overcome the obstacles of busyness and vulnerability. Although it can be challenging, a deep Christian community nurtures the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work.

Jesus modeled God's heart for all nations throughout His ministry, fulfilling a plan that began with Abraham. He strategically based His ministry in Galilee of the Gentiles and regularly engaged with non-Jewish people, including the Roman centurion, the Samaritan woman, and Greeks seeking Him. The Great Commission wasn't an afterthought but the culmination of everything Jesus had been demonstrating. His pattern of ministry involved modeling, then multiplying through others, challenging us to examine our worldview, engage with different people, participate in global mission, and train others to join God's work.

In a world that celebrates busyness and consumption, Jesus teaches that fasting and rest are essential spiritual disciplines for deeper intimacy with God. True fasting isn't about public displays of piety but creating space for communion with God and developing compassion for others. Biblical rest goes beyond mere physical recuperation to spiritual renewal, with Jesus Himself being our ultimate Sabbath rest. Both disciplines require intentionality and counter-cultural choices in our achievement-driven society. By incorporating fasting (from food or other things that control us) and intentional rest into our lives, we create space for God to work in our hearts and find ourselves more aware of His presence.

Pastor Chad Mason discusses God's heart for the nations and how He has called His people to be a light to the Gentiles. The message centers on the book of Jonah, exploring how God's mission extends beyond Israel to all peoples of the earth. Pastor Chad highlights how Jonah's prejudice against the Ninevites caused him to resist God's call to preach to them, even though God's plan from Abraham onward was to bless all nations through His people. Despite Jonah's reluctance, the Ninevites repented completely, demonstrating God's compassion for all people, even those considered enemies.

This talk challenges believers to examine their own prejudices and idols that might prevent them from fulfilling God's calling. Pastor Chad points out how our personal desires, anger, hatred, or pride can become idols that take precedence over God's commands. The message concludes with the question of how we will respond to God's call on our lives - whether we will choose our way or God's way, and how we justify our choices. The ultimate goal is for God's people to represent Him well to all nations, reflecting His character and bringing healing to the world.

Worship extends far beyond singing in church—it's a comprehensive lifestyle of glorifying God with our entire being. As Romans 12:1-2 teaches, true worship involves presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, being changed by the renewal of our minds through God's Word. We are called to worship in spirit and truth, engaging both our hearts and minds fully in devotion to God. This means loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind as Jesus commanded, which isn't a burdensome demand but the path to our greatest fulfillment. Practically, worship manifests in how we spend our time, direct our resources, and what captures our affections.