Living on Mission

God’s purpose for our lives is to glorify Him, love others, and make disciples in all the places He has planted us.

Today’s Main Bible Passages

Matthew 5:14-16; Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Leviticus 19:13-18; Deuteronomy 10:18-19; 6:3-12.

Desert Trek: The Next Generation

Canaan: The Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the people of Israel. Their continuing mission: To explore strange new lands, to seek out a new life by conquering civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before (except Joshua and Caleb)

To explore a strange new land,

1. Glorify God (Deuteronomy 6)...
2. Love Others (Deuteronomy 10) ...
3. Be the Light (Deuteronomy 4)

• The Book of Deuteronomy: After forty years, Moses goes before the next generation and commands them to obey God pursue his mission with all their hearts.
• God wanted them to be the Reveal Answer of the world and a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14-16).

• This is how they will begin to bless all the nations of the world (see Genesis 12:2-3).

Israel: The Sacred Bridge

The land of Canaan was the perfect location for God to plant the people of Israel.

• Historians call this area “The Sacred Bridge” because it connected continents and civilizations.
• Israel would have ample opportunities to be a light to other nations through their obedience to God and love for others because of their strategic location.

1. Be The Light

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:5-8

• Isaiah 42:6 and 49:6 refer to Israel as a “light to the Gentiles.”
• Israel’s Reveal Answer will demonstrate their wisdom, the righteousness of God’s word, and the reality of God’s presence.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:9-10

• Israel’s obedience will prove they are called by God and cause other nations to fear or respect them.

Key Point: Your faithfulness, obedience, and consistency in following Jesus will have a lasting spiritual impact on the people God has placed in your life. (See 1 Peter 2:12).

2. Love Your Neighbors

Scriptures: Leviticus 19:13-18; Deut. 10:18-19

“Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” (19:18b). What does this mean?

• Don’t defraud them or rob them (19:13)
• Be fair. Don’t play favorites (19:15)
• Don’t endanger their lives (19:16)
• Don’t hate them (19:17a)
• Don’t turn a blind eye to their sin (19:17b)
• Don’t seek revenge or hold a grudge (19:18a)

Love Reveal Answer Of Your Neighbors.

• Deuteronomy 10:18-19; 15:11 (fatherless, widows, foreigners, the poor).
• Leviticus 19:33-34 love them (foreigners) as you love yourself.

Why? Because the Israelites were foreigners in Egypt, they know what it’s like to be oppressed, and they know God punishes nations who mistreat the vulnerable members of their society.

Creating a Safe Haven

Israel was called to be a light and love their neighbors by creating a safe haven.

• Financial Support (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 15:1-10; 24:19-21; 26:12)
• Physical Safety for Refugees and Others in Distress (Deuteronomy 23:15-16; Numbers 35:6-15)
• Radical Inclusion (Numbers 9:14; Deuteronomy 5:14; 16:10-11, 13-14; Leviticus 16:29-30) and Equality under the Law (Leviticus 24:22; Numbers 15:15-16; Deuteronomy 24:17; 27:19.)

Key Point: We can love and serve all our neighbors by joyfully sharing with them the blessings we ourselves have received in Christ. See Galatians 5:13-14.

3. Glorify God

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:3-12

• Love God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
• Obey the Law.
• Immerse yourself in his Word.
• Give God all the glory (i.e. don’t forget Him).

Key Point: Israel began to fulfill God’s promise to bless the whole world, but this promise was ultimately fulfilled through Jesus (see Galatians 3:8, 14).

The Urgent Need for a Missional, Disciple-Making Church

• God has planted us in Omaha for a reason.
• 500,000+ unchurched people in our area.
• God wants us to be the light!

The Call to Action

1. Glorify God by Growing with God: Commit to a consistent and intentional time of study, prayer, or worship.
2. Love Your Neighbors by Connecting in Community: Invest in time with a mentor, support system, or small group.
3. Be the Light by Living Like Jesus: Identify a specific way you can serve someone or share your faith this week.

Further Reflection and Study:

Prompt: Read Matthew 25:31-46. This comes immediately after parables that emphasize our need to be ready to serve God (v. 1-13) by making wise use of our resources (v. 14-30).

1. What are a few things we learn about God from this passage? What do we learn about human beings?
2. One common assumption in Jesus’ time is that people who were poor or sick were being punished by God for their sins. How does this passage confront that assumption?
3. What are the common traits or characteristics among the groups of people Jesus highlights in this passage? Why do you think Jesus emphasizes these groups in his teaching?
4. What modern-day groups or populations could we add to Jesus’ list? Who tends to be overlooked, ignored, or treated with contempt in our society?
5. Jesus says that when we do loving acts of service for the “least of these,” we do it for him. If that’s true, is it fair to say that one way we can serve God is by blessing his people? Why or why not?
6. Read Proverbs 14:31. How does that passage connect with the people who neglected the poor in Matthew 25?
7. Bryan mentioned that part of God’s vision for Israel was to create a safe haven that would be a light to the surrounding nations. What are some ways we can help our homes, our small groups, and our church as a whole become a safe haven for people seeking God?
8. What do you hear God calling you to do next in your walk of faith?