The Unstoppable Mission: Gathering a People for God's Name

In the book of Acts, we see a pivotal moment in the early church when God's mission expands to include the Gentiles. This moment is significant because it reveals God's zeal for his name and his desire to gather a people for himself from every tribe and nation.

Peter, one of the apostles, plays a key role in this unfolding story. After receiving a vision from God in which he is told to eat unclean animals, Peter realizes that God is calling him to share the gospel with the Gentiles. When he returns to Jerusalem, he explains to the other apostles that God visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for his name (Acts 15:13-14).

But why is God so concerned with his name? Why does he desire to gather a people for himself? To understand this, we need to go back to an encounter between Jesus and Peter several years earlier.

At one point, a rich young man came to Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor, but the young man went away sorrowful because he had great wealth. Seeing this, Peter said to Jesus, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" (Matthew 19:27).

Jesus responded by saying that anyone who leaves everything for his name's sake will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:29). In other words, when we prioritize God's name and his kingdom above our own comfort and fame, we are storing up treasure in heaven.

This principle applies not only to individuals like Peter, but also to the church as a whole. God's mission is to gather a people for his name from every tribe and language and nation. He wants his fame to be known throughout the world.

When we align our affections with God's and join his global purpose, we become part of something much bigger than ourselves. We become part of God's unstoppable plan to make his name known among the nations.

But what does it mean to prioritize God's name? It means that we are willing to renounce our own quest for fame and comfort in order to advance his kingdom. It means that we are willing to endure tribulations and hardships for the sake of his name.

This is not an easy calling. It requires us to sacrifice our own desires and ambitions, and to trust that God's plan is better than our own. But the rewards are worth it. When we live for God's name, we experience the joy and satisfaction that can only come from knowing and serving him.

So how do we live for God's name? It starts with a change of heart. We must recognize that our ultimate purpose in life is to glorify God and make his name known. We must be willing to let go of our own plans and surrender to his will.

Once our hearts are aligned with God's, we can begin to actively participate in his mission. We can share the gospel with others, both near and far. We can support missionaries and organizations that are working to make God's name known. We can pray for the spread of the gospel and for the salvation of souls.

Living for God's name also means living a life of integrity and holiness. When we bear the name of Christ, we are ambassadors for him in this world. Our actions and words should reflect his character and bring glory to his name.

In conclusion, God's mission is to gather a people for his name from every tribe and nation. He desires for his fame to be known throughout the world. When we align our affections with his and live for his name, we become part of something greater than ourselves. We become part of God's unstoppable plan to make his name known and bring glory to his name. So let us renounce our own quest for fame and comfort, and join God in his mission to gather a people for his name.