A Global Gospel Mission

A Global Gospel Mission

13 July, 2025

Thesis: From the very beginning, God's purpose was to make his name known among the nations by filling the earth with image bearers.

Summary: The sermon, titled "A Global Gospel Mission" from Genesis chapter 10, asserts that God's ultimate purpose is His own glory, seeking to fill the earth with image-bearers and make His name known among all nations. Genesis 10 is presented not merely as a genealogy, but as a foundational text revealing humanity's origins and God's global plan for redemption, which began with Adam and continued through Noah and Abraham, ultimately finding its fulfillment in Christ and the Church. The preacher highlights figures like Nimrod, representing rebellion against God; Eber, signifying a spiritual "crossing over" to God; and Peleg, who lived during societal division but maintained faithfulness, as vital links in this redemptive narrative. Scientific concepts like mitochondrial DNA are referenced to underscore the unity of mankind and the universal need for the gospel. The message posits that the "Great Commission" is not a new command but a recommissioning of God's original mandate to spread His image and gospel to all seventy nations enumerated in Genesis 10, a mission further echoed by Jesus sending out seventy disciples in Luke's Gospel. This unified plan of redemption, visible throughout scripture and exemplified in the Book of Acts, culminates in the vision of all nations represented before God's throne in Revelation.

Sermon

I will now begin the final integrity and polish pass on the sermon manuscript, focusing on the guidelines provided. This will involve careful reading and editing to refine the text for publication while preserving the preacher's unique voice and the sermon's theological integrity.

All right, I have completed the final integrity and polish pass on the sermon manuscript. Below is the full revised sermon, adhering to all specified guidelines.

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Thanks for letting me join in this morning. I'm always thankful that we have a church that uses our talents for the glory of God. I praise God for each member here, because each member plays a vital role in our church. This morning, we are in Genesis chapter 10, and the title of my sermon is 'A Global Gospel Mission.'

I want to lay out the main point now, which we will build upon throughout the sermon: God does all things for His own glory, and He works all things toward that end.

You and I are created for God—not only by God, but for His glory. All nations and peoples on the earth exist to make His name known. From the very beginning, God's purpose was to make His name known among the nations by filling the earth with image bearers.

This mission was originally given to Adam in the Garden. It was renewed through Noah, continued through Abraham and the nation of Israel, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ through His church and the global spread of the gospel.

Do you like to know where you come from? Has anyone ever done the 23andMe DNA test, which shows your background and ancestry—perhaps you're a percentage English, Irish, Spanish, Indian, or some other ethnic background. Or perhaps you're related to a celebrity, a famous historical figure, or a musician? Maybe your family tree includes an outlaw or a famous criminal. We may not be celebrities, but we've got some in-laws and some outlaws.

Regardless, people care deeply about their origins. That's why we have historians and family trees. In Genesis 10, God gives us His version of the family tree. While many people—and you'll see why in a moment—skip this chapter in their daily reading plan, thinking it's just a boring list of names, it is actually one of the most important chapters for understanding our shared humanity, our mission, and God's global plan.

### II. Where We Came From: The Table of Nations (Genesis 10)

Let's first talk about where we came from. As I mentioned, Genesis 10 may seem like a mere list of names, but it holds profound significance for us. Verse one states: 'This is the genealogy of the sons of Noah—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and their sons were born to them after the flood.' This record of the generations of Noah's sons is a 'toledot,' a genealogy, serving as a structured division in the book of Genesis. Whenever we read 'the generations of...'—for example, 'the generations of Moses'—it's a clue. This provides a natural division of the book, breaking Genesis down into manageable sections. This division, chapter 10, is known as the Table of Nations.

It shows us where humanity goes after exiting the ark and being dispersed later in chapter 11 at the Tower of Babel. This advances the narrative of human history. It also demonstrates that Noah and his sons obeyed God's command: 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.' Furthermore, it shows that God kept His promise to make them fruitful and gave them a fresh start.

Why is this chapter significant? Firstly, it shows us where we come from; we can all trace our ethnic origins from the Bible. Secondly, the chapter reminds us that we are all made in the image of God and therefore have inherent worth and dignity. Thirdly, it shows us that we are all descended from Adam and Noah, inheriting a sin nature. Therefore, we need to be made aware of that.

It shows that we are all descended from Adam and Noah, and we need a Redeemer. We have been born in the likeness of our earthly fathers, and therefore we need to be born again in the likeness of our Heavenly Father.

To give you a division of the chapter: The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Mediah, Javantubal, Meshach, and Churus. (I'm not going to read the entire chapter). And the sons of Gomer were Ashkenazer.

What I will tell you is that the chapter divides the sons of Japheth, then the sons of Ham (starting in verse 6), and then the sons of Shem (in verse 21). Through this long list of names, three individuals stand out.

These individuals are easily overlooked, but they are vital links in God's unfolding plan of redemption. First, there is Nimrod. Let's look at verse 8: 'He began to be a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord. And therefore, it is said, "Like Nimrod, the mighty hunter before the Lord." The beginning of his kingdom was Babel (remember chapter 11?), Erech, Akkad, and Calne in the land of Shinar. From that land, he went to Assyria and built another familiar city throughout biblical history: Nineveh.'

Who is Nimrod? His name literally means 'the rebel.' He is the first, what we might call, 'bad guy' in Scripture—perhaps after Cain. Although described as a 'mighty hunter before the Lord,' the context reveals him as a tyrannical leader. He is the first empire builder after the flood and is likely connected to the Tower of Babel, according to the Scriptures. Thus, he represents humanity's first attempt to unify and exalt themselves apart from God. He also serves as a type of the Antichrist: a man who gathers nations under him in strength and in defiance of divine authority.

Next, we find a man named Eber, mentioned in verse 21: 'The children born to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth.' Verse 22 then gives the names of his sons. What is so important about Eber? He is the great-grandfather of Abraham. Therefore, he is a key figure in the genealogy of Shem.

His name comes from the Hebrew root meaning 'to cross over' or 'to pass through.' There may be some symbolism here, perhaps he literally crossed a geographic boundary, such as the Euphrates River. More importantly, it signifies a spiritual crossing from idolatry to the living God. The term 'Hebrew' is first applied to Abraham in Genesis 14:13, but it likely comes from Eber's name.

To be a Hebrew meant one who had 'crossed over.' Crossed over from Mesopotamia to Canaan, the promised land; from paganism to the covenant; from Babel's confusion to God's calling. Eber's legacy is prophetic because Abraham, his descendant, will likewise cross over. He will leave Ur of the Chaldees and enter into the land of promise. His journey pictures repentance and faith, turning from Babel's pride to God's promise. It is through Abraham that God begins forming a people for Himself—the Israelites. And it is through the Israelites, these descendants of Abraham, Eber, and Shem, that the Messiah will come.

Let's look at verse 25, which introduces another important figure. Following Arphaxad and Salah, 'Salah begat Eber, and to Eber were born two sons. The name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided.' Peleg's name, simple enough, means 'division.' Verse 25 reiterates that 'in his days, the earth was divided.'

This likely refers to the judgment at the Tower of Babel. When languages were confused, the nations were divided; they scattered, leaving each other. Peleg lived in a time of spiritual chaos and confusion, yet he and his lineage remained faithful to God, just like the line of Seth before them.

These men were not known for their earthly accomplishments, but for their spiritual faithfulness. They are living links in the covenantal chain, pointing to and preserving the promise of a Messiah.

So, what is the application of these men's lives? We believe that every word of God is inspired. Genesis 10, with its long list of names, is there for a reason, directing our eyes to God's unfolding plan of redemption. Nimrod, for instance, shows us where man's rebellion leads: to human pride, and ultimately, to destruction and confusion.

What can we learn from Eber? God calls people to cross over, to be set apart for Himself, and to follow Him in faith. He calls us out of darkness into light.

What do we learn from Peleg? Even in a divided society, God preserves a remnant for Himself. When you turn on the news and it seems like all is chaos and wickedness, you might ask, 'Where are the godly people?' God preserves a remnant for Himself, having divided and separated us for Himself.

When we read these names, we are called to look forward, not just historically, but theologically. These descendants of Noah's son Shem are living links in God's redemptive chain. It is through their lives that God is unfolding His plan of redemption, and it is through them that God will ultimately bring the Messiah.

The same God who chose the descendants of Shem, who called Eber to cross over from darkness, who separated Peleg from the pagans, and who would eventually call Abraham to follow Him in chapter 12, is still calling people today out of darkness, out of paganism, out of sin. This morning, you hear the voice of God calling you: 'Separate yourself. Come and follow Me.' That's where we come from.

### III. Where We're Going: God's Mission for Humanity

Now, where we are going. The table of nations does three things: it divides, it drives the narrative of Genesis, and it calls us to discover God's mission for humanity and His heart for the nations.

This morning, the premise of my sermon is to look at God's commission from the very beginning—to make His name great among the nations. Beginning with this global family tree, where we all came from, we will see how it plays into the larger narrative of the Bible. That is where we are going: to see how Christ, through His church, accomplishes the purpose of the creation mandate and reaches the nations with the Gospel.

One thing I want to point out: science and Scripture always agree. True science and Scripture are never at odds. As Coley read in Acts 17:26, Paul says, 'God made from one blood, that is one man, one family, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth.'

Verse 32 of Genesis 10 states: 'These were the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations, in their nations. And from these nations, the earth was divided after the flood.' So we have sons of Noah, generations, and nations spreading out throughout the earth. Paul then states that God 'made from one blood every nation of mankind.'

Here's where it gets more fascinating. I was having lunch with a physician friend of mine—super smart, and a Christian—and we were discussing this text. He reminded me of a scientific fact I had long ago forgotten from biology class. Everybody knows what the mitochondrion is, right? The powerhouse of the cell? Did you know it has its own DNA, with its own genetic code?

In the field of mitochondrial genetics, science has discovered that all humans descend from a small group of women. Why is this unique or interesting? Because mitochondria do not come from sperm, but from eggs. This means that we receive all of our mitochondrial DNA from our mothers. Every one of us can trace our mitochondrial DNA back to a small group of women. Who were those women? Probably the ones on the ark—the wives of Noah's sons. It's one blood.

This shows us God's global plan. We're not just talking about DNA and biology; we're talking about theology. What does this show us? It shows the unity of mankind—we all descend from Adam and Noah. It also reveals the universal nature of sin. Everywhere I've gone, I find sinners, lost people, and brokenness. There is the same universal need. It reveals the universal need for the Gospel. Everywhere we go, people from every tribe, nation, and tongue need the Gospel. We all have the same problem—the problem of sin—and God gives us the same solution: the Gospel. This chapter shows us God's redemptive purpose for all the nations.

Let's talk about this global family tree in greater detail. It divides the sons of Japheth, Ham, and Shem. Genesis 10 traces the origin of 70 different nations. (Remember that number, 70 nations; it will come in handy). First, we find nations that come from Japheth. There are 14 in all. Remember, the name Japheth means 'he shall enlarge.' Then there are 30 nations from Ham; his name means 'hot' or 'black.' And from Shem—whose name means 'name'—there are 26 nations.

Instead of reading through the text, I'm going to give you the names of these sons and then their modern-day equivalent. I've sent some photos; if you'd like to pull them up, they'll give you a visual of where these people spread out and settled. Let's talk about the descendants of Japheth. They settled in Europe, northern Asia, and parts of Central Asia. These are large, wealthy, and powerful nations, just as God promised. There's the nation of Gomer—not Pile, but Gomer. This is where Eastern Europeans come from. There's Magog—that's Russia. There's Medea—that's Iran. There's Javan—that's Greece and the Aegean Islands. Tubal, from which the people of Turkey and parts of Russia descend.

Then there are the descendants of Ham. They settled in Africa and parts of the Middle East. He had a son named Cush—that's where the Ethiopians and the Sudanese come from. He had a son named Mizraim—that is where the Egyptians come from. He had a son named Put (P-U-T)—that's where the Libyans come from. And, of course, Canaan, whose sons are the Canaanites: the Jebusites, the Sidonites, the Hittites, and all the other 'ites' that Joshua drove from the land of promise.

But then we come to the descendants of Shem. They settle in the Middle East and parts of Asia. There's Elam, who settles in southwest Iran. There's Ashur—they become the Assyrians. There's Aram—they become the Syrians. A man named Arphaxad, and he has a son named Eber, and eventually, Eber's descendants include Abraham, who is the father of the Hebrews. Thus, descendants of Japheth go to Europe, descendants of Ham go to Africa, descendants of Shem settle in the Middle East and parts of Asia.

Why is this important to know? Firstly, it shows the spread of humanity and how God's mission from the very beginning was global. God had a global mission from the very beginning to make His name great and to fill the earth with image bearers, and God is going to accomplish this through His son Shem.

God begins His story of redemption with Adam, the first man. Though Adam fell, God promises to send a Redeemer. The line continues through Seth, who was given to replace Abel, and then from Seth comes Noah, and from Noah comes Shem, and from Shem comes Abraham, and from Abraham comes Israel, and from Israel comes Judah, and from Judah comes David, and from David's line comes Mary, and who comes from Mary? The Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all the nations on the earth will be blessed. We see how God keeps His promises throughout the Scriptures.

### IV. The Great Commission: A Recommissioning

Now, I'm going to say something very shocking to us. Are you ready for this? The Great Commission is not new. And by the way, the Great Commission didn't start in Matthew 28, even though it's called the Great Commission. Where does the Great Commission begin? It starts all the way back in Genesis chapter 1, in the Garden, the original first Great Commission. Genesis 1:28. God says to Adam, 'Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, subdue it, and have dominion.'

So the Creator, who has all authority and power, has blessed humanity, made them in His image, and said, 'Go and rule over the earth. Expand the family. Fill the earth. Edenize the earth.' They were to push the borders of Eden throughout the globe. But it wasn't just about having children. It was a divine calling to spread God's image throughout the earth. They were to cultivate and govern His creation as His representatives. So God's desire from the very beginning—and still is—is to fill the earth with His image bearers, who reflect His character, His truth, and His glory. It is a call to subdue the earth under God's rule.

But we know how the story went. They sinned. Eden was lost. Instead of God's image being spread, sin spreads through sinners. Humanity fell. But the good news is, God did not abandon His creation.

Fast forward, we come to Abraham, who's a descendant of Shem, who's a descendant of Noah. And God's mission narrows through Shem's line to Abraham. God gives Abraham a specific promise: 'In you, all the families on the earth will be blessed.' Genesis 12:3. So the Abrahamic covenant was that God would bless the nations through one man's seed. Now we know from the book of Galatians that the Seed is the Lord Jesus Christ.

After four hundred years of slavery in Egypt, the descendants of Abraham, the Israelites, are set free. And God makes a covenant with the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. They are now God's chosen people. They are now under covenant with Him. And God chooses Israel to be a light for whom? All the nations on the earth. They're to tell others about the one true God. The Israelites were never called to keep the light to themselves. Israel was called to display God's glory to the Gentiles.

Well, what happened? They fell into sin again and again and again. Eventually, they went into captivity. But God's mission never changed. Well, fast forward several hundred more years. And now comes Jesus. And Jesus fulfills God's plan for the nations. Because Jesus is God's plan for the nations. Jesus is God's plan for the nations. So He's going to pick the ball up where everyone else dropped it. He's going to succeed where all predecessors failed. He's the new Adam. Remember, God promised that He's going to send the seed of the woman who would crush the serpent's head. A new Adam's going to come who would reverse the curse of the Fall. And this new Adam is the last Adam: the Lord Jesus Christ. And by His crucifixion, Jesus crushed the head of the serpent. He rose from the dead. And He stands alive in Galilee. And He creates in Himself one new family called the church. And to this church He issues, once again, the creation mandate—the Great Commission.

Jesus also fulfills the Abrahamic covenant. How does He do that? Remember, God promised Abraham, 'In you, all nations on the earth will be blessed.' Well, Matthew opens his Gospel with Jesus, who is the son of Abraham. And then Paul says, in Galatians 3:16, 'The promises were made to Abraham and his offspring, and to your Seed who is Christ.' Christ is the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. And Luke, he's writing to a broader audience. He traces Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam. And he's saying, this man is the Savior of all humanity. He was born to save people from all nations.

And Jesus fulfills God's purpose for Israel to carry forward that Great Commission. Because He comes as the true and greater Israel. The true faithful Son who fulfilled all that Israel failed to do. Jesus perfectly obeyed His Father. Jesus carried out the redemptive purpose of God. He came as a light to the Gentiles. A light for those in the shadow of death. And it's in Him that God's promise to bring salvation to the ends of the earth is fulfilled. And so the Great Commission is really a recommissioning by Christ.

Now remember, I said something shocking. The Great Commission is not new. And why is it that the end of Matthew’s Gospel, 28:19–20, why is it that that passage of Scripture is known as the Great Commission? It’s because Jesus is recommissioning, reiterating God’s command to be fruitful and to fill the earth. Here is the Great Commission that Jesus gives to His disciples after His resurrection. He says, 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you even to the end of the age.' So this is a global mission. And it comes with the authority of the resurrected King.

So this commission isn't new. It's a reiteration of the first Great Commission that God gave to Adam, then to Noah, then to his sons, then to Abraham, and later to Israel. And now it's fulfilled by Christ and the church. So we can say that the Great Commission is God's original mission, redeemed, recommissioned, and spiritually fulfilled. How so? 1 Peter 2:9—Peter's writing to the church. He says, 'You are a chosen race, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.' You see the similarities of the verbiage that God uses with Israel. Israel was a chosen nation, a holy people, God's own peculiar possession. They were to proclaim the excellencies of him who called them out of darkness. Well, guess what—they failed at that. But Christ succeeded. And now, guess what He does? He gives that mission to us. He gives that mission to His church, and He empowers us by the Holy Spirit to reach people from every tribe, language, and nation.

How do we do that? Just as Adam and Eve were commissioned to Edenize the earth, and Abraham was promised that through him all nations on the earth would be blessed, and Israel was commissioned to be a light to the Gentiles, Christ commissions us to go. Where do we go? Anywhere you go—and all you're going—you are to preach the Gospel. So that means, as you go to work, if you spend time with your family, as you go to school in your neighborhood—in all you're going—you are going with the Gospel.

We fulfill the creation mandate in this Great Commission by going. Secondly, we fulfill it by baptizing—now through baptism, people are converted. They undergo the ordinance of baptism, which symbolizes their union with the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a public declaration of their allegiance to Him and their new life in Him. Then, they are sent out as image-bearers to spread God’s image and expand His kingdom. Thirdly, we fulfill this mandate by teaching—that is, discipleship, which is training and equipping disciples for ministry, so that they, in turn, might go to the nations and make more disciples. So we see how this church becomes the new humanity, the new creation, the true Israel that takes the light of the Gospel to the nations. We are to multiply not just biologically but evangelistically.

Now remember, I told you to write down the number 70. There's an interesting comparison between the table of nations in Genesis 10 and Jesus's commissioning of a group of disciples in Luke chapter 10. Genesis 10 lists how many nations? 70. These descendants of Noah's sons represent the fullness of post-flood humanity. Well, fast forward to the New Testament in Luke 10, verse 1. Jesus sends—guess how many disciples ahead of Him? 70—to preach the Gospel in every town and village where He will go. Is this coincidence? I don't think so. Just as Noah's descendants spread and filled the earth in Genesis 10, Christ's disciples are commissioned to fill the earth and propagate the Gospel in Luke 10. So God's plan has always been to reach the nations. It's never just about one people group. It was never just about one tribe or one tongue. God's heart beats for all people.

Friends, Jesus Christ is the Savior of all nations. Jesus Christ is the Savior of all nations—of all humanity, regardless of race or background or creed. Jesus Christ is God's Savior sent to mankind. There is one global mission, and that mission is fulfilled in the church.

### V. The Mission Unfolds and Succeeds

Before Jesus ascended back to the Father, He and His disciples were on a mountain in Acts chapter 1. The disciples have a question for Jesus. They said, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' The disciples were still thinking in terms of an earthly kingdom instead of a spiritual kingdom. They were thinking of a physical, political reign centered in Jerusalem. They envisioned a Jewish kingdom, a golden age like David and Solomon. They expected Jesus to establish a kingdom here on the earth right now. Little did they know that it was a spiritual kingdom, and that Christ would reign in the hearts of men. And furthermore, His kingdom would not be limited to Israel alone, but would extend to all nations.

Here's what Jesus answers them. He said, 'It is not for you to know the times and seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.' Here's what you are to do. 'You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses where? In Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and where? To the uttermost parts of the earth.' In other words, they are to go to all nations. So Christ comes not to conquer kingdoms, but to conquer hearts. He's here to expand the borders of Eden, expand the borders of His divine kingdom. And one day He will return visibly and physically set up His kingdom upon the earth and rule as its rightful King.

Now, what do the disciples do? Do they eventually go to all nations? The church does. And we see this universal plan of redemption unfold throughout the book of Acts. Did you know that all three of Noah’s sons are represented in the book of Acts? Where does the church begin? It begins in Jerusalem, Acts chapter 2. The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost. Jewish believers are filled with the Holy Spirit. They begin to preach the Gospel. And then something happens. They congregate in Jerusalem, but they don’t spread out. God raises up a man named Saul who begins persecuting the church. Guess what happens? They hit the road. And when they hit the road, they go to all nations. And what do they carry with them? The Gospel.

Philip takes the Gospel to the Samaritans who are half Jew, half Gentile. Peter and Paul, descendants of Shem, continue to preach the Gospel to European people, such as the Philippian jailer, such as Lydia of Philippi, and Cornelius the Italian, the Roman centurion, all descendants of Japheth. Well, the Gospel is also preached to the descendants of Ham, to the Africans. In Acts chapter 8, Philip preaches the Gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch. Guess what? He gets saved, is baptized, and takes the Gospel back to Africa. And guess what? The church is still there today. It's pretty cool. So we see through the book of Acts, the unfolding of God's redemptive plan to make His name known to all generations, to all nations, all the way back in the book of Genesis chapter 1.

### VI. Conclusion and Application

So what's the application? As we land the plane. What does this mean for us? It means that the Gospel goes to every nation, every home, every person. So what is our role in this global plan? Firstly, the mission starts at home. It begins in our marriages as husbands and wives reflect the Gospel through their covenant love. It's expressed in parenting as we, as parents, raise our children in the nurture and instruction of the Lord. Then it spreads out to our work and our school and our neighborhoods as we live and share the Gospel.

The mission extends to our community. Sometimes God calls people to cross oceans as missionaries, to reach an unreached people group. Other times, God will call you to simply cross a street and talk to your neighbor, invite them to church, and fix them a casserole. Pay them a visit and tell them about Jesus. It's God's plan to bless the nations. He uses us to do it.

Then the mission extends to the nations. We share in God's global plan to reach the nations—how? By giving to the Lottie Moon Offering, by supporting missionaries, by praying for believers in other countries, by joining in the work of God, such as partnering with Jonathan Mosley at Kings Hill in Boston or with Johan at Boland Baptist in South Africa or with our new church, Brother Luciano and Grace Baptist in the Philippines. Did you know we now have an international ministry? I'm just going to throw that out there. I ain't bragging on the Lord, but I'm bragging on the Lord. God has allowed us to reach the nations with the Gospel. Praise God for that. So it is a Gospel conquest. Just as Adam and Eve were called to Edenize the earth, we are called to spread out, to fill the earth with image bearers. We are called to conquer and subdue hearts through the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So here's the final vision. It ends where it begins. Does God succeed in this global mission to reach all nations? Let's see what John says in the very last book of the Bible, in the book of Revelation, chapter 5, verse 9. Here's the song of the redeemed. 'With your blood you ransom people for God from every tribe and every language and people and nations.' Did the plan of God succeed? Absolutely. Because in heaven, all these nations are going to be represented. John sees in Revelation 7:9, 'After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.' And guess what? They are made up of all people groups. The Gospel is for all people. It's a global plan. There is one blood. There is one humanity. There is one Savior. There is one Gospel. And there is one mission: to make His name known.

So, our conclusion is: Go and make disciples. Genesis 10 is not just a genealogy—it's a global mission map. The table of nations is not just ancient tribes; they are targets for redemption. God created from one blood all nations, and it's through the blood of one man that He redeems all nations.

So I'm going to read the Great Commission and then Jesus' promise. One last time. 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.' But you are not just the disciples in that day. You and I will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. Believers, do you have the Holy Spirit in you? And guess what? You are a witness. You are a witness to Christ's suffering and His resurrection and the Gospel. You'll be witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Guess what, America is? That's the ends of the earth through the disciples. Aren't you glad that the Gospel went through the ends of the earth? So who are we to keep it to ourselves? Who are we to keep it to ourselves? God's intention is to make His name known.

So as they come and give us a hymn of invitation, I want to give you some application questions. More important than your family history is the family you are in now. Are you a member of God's family? Have you been born again? More important than your physical heritage is your spiritual heritage. Are you an heir of the kingdom of God by faith in Christ? And more important than where you are from is where you are going. Is heaven your eternal home? And if you're lost this morning, the answer to all those questions is no. Friends, you can be saved. Thankfully, God the Father adopts children from every nation. Jesus loves you. He died for you. He rose for you. And He will hear your cry for mercy if you will call out to Him.

And maybe you're a believer. And here's a prayer I wrote down. 'God, give us a passion to spread the good news to every tribe and people. And may we be zealous for your glory to be made known among the nations.' That is my prayer. God, let your great name be known among the nations. And use me to do it. Use Jessup Grove to do it. Whether it's preaching the Gospel across the ocean—which we're doing—or reaching someone down the street, we are God's plan for the nations. Go and make disciples.