Missions Sunday "The Fruit of Obedience: Expanding the Kingdom" 11.2.25

Title: Missions Sunday "The Fruit of Obedience: Expanding the Kingdom"
Main Scriptures: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28
Link to full Sermon: (click here)

The Fruit of Obedience: Expanding the Kingdom

God is alive. He’s moving in our lives personally, and He’s moving powerfully in our church. On our first-ever Missions Sunday, we took time to pause, look back, and celebrate all that God has done through Emmaus Church and to look forward to what He’s calling us to next. Because when we stop and celebrate, we remember: every story of impact, every open door, every changed life, is the fruit of obedience and the power of God at work through His people.

The Mission Begins with Obedience

When Jesus gave His final words in Matthew 28:18–20 and Acts 1:8, He gave both a command and a promise. He told us to go to make disciples, baptize, and teach and He promised to be with us always. Our role isn’t to change lives or find perfect opportunities. It’s simply to say “yes” to God’s call and go where He leads.

That’s exactly what Emmaus Church has done since day one. Before we ever launched, we were serving our city feeding teams, prayer walking neighborhoods, and loving schools in the name of Jesus. And because of that obedience, God opened doors no strategy could have planned. In 2024 alone, over 900 people were reached through community events, sports camps, and school partnerships. Teachers were fed, families were blessed, and students were prayed over all because people said “yes” to God.

The Power Comes from the Spirit

In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” Every step of kingdom expansion is powered by the Spirit of God not by human strength or clever planning. That truth has been evident again and again throughout 2025.

From our Valley View Sports Camp, where 75 kids heard the gospel, to our Englewood and Living Hope mission teams who prayer-walked our neighborhoods, God has shown His power through simple obedience. We’ve seen lives transformed families like the Bookers and the Carlsons who came to Emmaus because someone took the time to invite them. They met Jesus, were baptized, and are now introducing others to Him. That’s multiplication. That’s the Spirit of God at work.

This year we’ve also partnered with ministries that reach into places many of us can’t like The Lovewell Center, where we served over 150 meals, and our outreach to Brookdale Assisted Living, where residents heard the gospel from Pastor Mike. Each story is another glimpse of God’s power and compassion moving through His people.

The Goal Is Kingdom Expansion

Our mission isn’t to build a crowd it’s to build the Kingdom. Jesus didn’t just call His followers to gather; He called them to go. As believers, we must constantly fight the pull toward comfort and inward focus, and instead keep our eyes on the horizon where the harvest is waiting.

What started as a handful of families saying “yes” to God has now impacted over 5,000 lives in just two years. That’s incredible. But it’s only the beginning. Every Fall Fest guest, every teacher served, every kid at a camp they’re all part of a bigger story God is writing through Emmaus Church. He’s building His Kingdom, and we get to be a part of it.

The Work Isn’t Finished

As we look ahead to 2026, our mission remains the same but expands in scope. God is calling Emmaus to live on mission locally, nationally, and internationally partnering with ministries and missionaries who are already advancing the gospel in powerful ways. This year, that begins with our first-ever international mission trip to Peru. We’re joining Pastor Todd and his team as they bring the good news to a new part of the world, stepping into what many church plants never attempt in their first three years.

We’re also deepening local partnerships with The Hub, The Gideons, and other gospel-centered organizations to keep serving Henderson and beyond.

Just the Beginning

When we obey, God moves. When we celebrate, our faith grows. And when we go, the Kingdom expands.

So we celebrate not what we’ve accomplished, but what God has done through His people. Because every act of obedience plants a seed of eternal impact. The fruit of obedience is always Kingdom expansion.

Let’s keep saying “yes.”