Kingdom Encounter: Sent
Pastor Zoe Hatcher recently shared a powerful sermon at Open Arms Community Church, launching a series titled “Kingdom Encounter.” The series delves into what it means to see, experience, and engage in the Kingdom of God. Pastor Zoe challenged the congregation to adopt a Kingdom mindset, emphasizing that God’s Kingdom operates in ways opposite to the world’s systems.
Understanding the Kingdom of God
To lay the foundation, Pastor Zoe referenced Luke 17:20-21:
Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Through this passage, she explained that the Kingdom of God is not a visible realm but a spiritual reality actively present and working in our lives. It’s a calling to live with a heavenly perspective, aligning our lives with God’s purposes rather than the temporary systems of this world.
Living as a Missional Church
Pastor Zoe shared how Open Arms Community Church has always embraced a missional identity—being “sent” to reach others for Christ. She announced that the church is preparing for a significant step in this mission: moving downtown to reach a broader community. This relocation is more than a physical move; it’s a response to God’s call to step into the unknown for His glory.
She highlighted that being missional means adopting a “sent life.” However, she acknowledged that life’s challenges—financial struggles, broken relationships, health issues—can make it difficult to hear God’s voice. Yet, it’s often in these moments of vulnerability that God’s call becomes clearest.
A Call to Leave Our Comfort Zones
Using her own story, Pastor Zoe illustrated how God’s call often disrupts comfort. As a homeschooling mother and children’s ministry leader, she was content in her role until God called her to pastoral ministry. Following this call required stepping away from the familiar and trusting God to lead the way.
Pastor Zoe also pointed to examples from Scripture, such as Abram in Genesis 12:1-5:
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Abram’s willingness to leave behind his homeland, family, and comforts to follow God’s promise is a profound example of obedience. Similarly, God calls His people to let go of their own “kingdoms” and step into His mission, even without clarity about the outcome.
Sojourners and Ambassadors for Christ
Pastor Zoe explained that throughout Scripture, God’s people are described as sojourners, wanderers, and ambassadors—individuals with a sense of divine purpose. She referenced Hebrews 11:13, which reflects on the faith of heroes like Abraham and Moses:
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.”
These figures lived as strangers in this world, driven by faith in God’s promises, even when those promises were not fully realized during their lifetimes.
Following Jesus’ Call
Pastor Zoe turned to the New Testament, sharing how Jesus Himself called His disciples to leave their livelihoods and follow Him in Mark 1:16-20:
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
The disciples didn’t ask for details or guarantees—they simply obeyed. Pastor Zoe pointed out that Jesus’ call often challenges comfort and invites trust. She contrasted the disciples’ obedience with those who walked away, like the Rich Young Ruler, who couldn’t let go of his wealth, or the Pharisees, who rejected Jesus’ Kingdom perspective.
Sent by God
Concluding the first half of her sermon, Pastor Zoe reminded the congregation that Christians are a people on the move, constantly sent by God into the world to live out His mission. She cited John 20:21:
“Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’”
Just as Jesus was sent, we are sent into a world that may not always welcome us or our message. The call is clear: to leave behind our personal “nets” and follow wherever He leads.
This Kingdom mindset challenges believers to trade their plans for God’s, embracing a life of obedience, trust, and mission. What does it mean to let go and follow?
Pastor Zoe Hatcher focused on the transformative journey of being sent by God. She emphasized that living as a sent people requires immersion—in God’s presence, in faith, and often in tension. With this immersion comes the power to testify to God’s transformative work, even in the face of great challenges.
Immersion in God’s Presence
Pastor Zoe reminded the congregation that to share the blessing of God with others, we must first be immersed in Him. She cited Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, where he rejected eloquence and human wisdom, choosing instead to rely on the Spirit’s power.
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on God’s power.”
Paul’s reliance on God, rather than himself, serves as a model for all believers. Pastor Zoe urged everyone to ask themselves: Are we seeking human praise, or are we pointing people to God’s miracles and transformation?
Immersion in Tension
Being sent by God is rarely comfortable. Pastor Zoe explained that sent people must embrace the tension between faith and reality. Drawing from Matthew 10:16-22, she highlighted Jesus’ stark warning to His disciples about the challenges they would face:
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves… You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
This life of faith isn’t easy. It comes with opposition, hardship, and rejection—both from those outside the faith and, at times, even from within the church. Pastor Zoe vulnerably shared her own experiences of being misunderstood, hated, and opposed. Yet, she encouraged the congregation to press on, knowing that God’s mission always involves sacrifice.
Obedience and Sacrifice
Jesus’ call to “come, follow me” (Mark 1:17) demands a response. Pastor Zoe asked: If Jesus walked into the room and called you by name, would you go? Would you drop your plans, your comforts, and your excuses to follow Him?
Living as a sent person means offering God our time, resources, and lives. Pastor Zoe challenged the church to consider tithing their time, noting that just as we honor God with 10% of our income, we can also honor Him with 10% of our week—roughly 17 hours. Whether through acts of service, sharing the Gospel, or simply reaching out to someone in need, obedience to God’s call will always cost us something.
Practical Steps to Go
Going doesn’t always mean traveling to a far-off mission field; it can be as simple as crossing the street, inviting someone to your table, or reaching out to a neighbor. Pastor Zoe referenced Luke 14:12-14, where Jesus instructed His followers to invite the poor, crippled, and outcast to their meals:
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
She urged everyone to practice generosity this week by blessing someone who cannot repay them—whether through sharing a meal, offering encouragement, or simply being present.
Closing Prayer
As the worship team prepared to lead the congregation in response, Pastor Zoe closed with a heartfelt prayer:
Father, thank You for being a God who was sent to us, stepping into our broken world to bring hope and salvation. Lord, You crossed every barrier to reach us, and we ask for Your courage and guidance as we follow Your example.
Show us who You are calling us to this week. Bring to mind the names and faces of those You want us to love, serve, and share the Gospel with. Give us the boldness to cross the barriers of fear, rejection, and discomfort. Empower us through Your Spirit to bring Your light into dark places, even when it costs us something.
Lord, we long to hear Your voice and to obey. Use us as Your sent people to bring Your Kingdom here on earth, one act of obedience at a time. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Living as sent people isn’t easy, but it is the calling of every believer. As Pastor Zoe reminded us, God has already sent us—we’re not waiting for the call. This week, let’s embrace the cost, trust Him in the tension, and take the small, faithful steps that bring His Kingdom closer to the world around us.
