Part 02: Know Who You Are
“I will make your name great”
Sermon Summary
Pastor Jimmy continued the series on the calling of Abraham and the life we were made for by focusing on God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, specifically examining what it means when God says "I will make you a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and so you shall be a blessing." This message built on last week's teaching about Abraham's call to leave his country, relatives, and father's house to enter God's promised land of fruitfulness.
The heart of this sermon centers on understanding biblical greatness versus worldly greatness. While the world defines greatness through self-made success, celebrity status, wealth, and external recognition, Jesus redefines greatness as serving others. Drawing from Mark 10:35-45, Pastor Jimmy emphasized that "whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant." This servant-hearted greatness flows from understanding our identity as God's children - we are blessed, chosen, redeemed, and part of God's eternal purpose.
The message also highlighted our collective identity as the church - we are not just individuals but living stones being built together as God's spiritual house. Unlike the Tower of Babel where people used man-made bricks to reach God, we are living stones shaped by God's hand and fitted together by His grace. This understanding transforms how we see ourselves and our purpose, moving us from self-focused living to blessing-focused living.
Pastor Jimmy concluded by reminding us that we have been given a new name as children of God, complete with all the benefits and promises that come with that identity. We are blessed to be a blessing, called to multiply life and invest in others, knowing that our security comes not from our own efforts but from God's faithfulness and covenant love.
Key Scriptures
Genesis 12:1-3 (NASB1995) "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go forth from your country and from your relatives and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.'"
Mark 10:43-45 (NASB1995) "But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
1 Peter 2:9-10 (NASB1995) "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Isaiah 54:2-3 (NASB1995) "Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left. And your descendants will possess nations and will resettle the desolate cities."
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NASB1995) "And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Discussion Questions
Instructions for groups: Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice.
Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding
Contrast and Context: Compare the Tower of Babel story (Genesis 11:1-9) with God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). How do these two passages show different approaches to greatness and significance? What does this reveal about God's heart for humanity?
Living Stones vs. Man-Made Bricks: In 1 Peter 2:4-5, we're called "living stones" being built into a spiritual house, contrasting with the man-made bricks of Babel. What are the key differences between how humans try to build their way to God versus how God builds us together? How does this change your understanding of the church?
Encouragement
Your New Name and Identity: Pastor Jimmy shared the list of who we are as children of God (God's child, chosen, redeemed, free from condemnation, etc.). Which of these identity truths from Scripture do you find most encouraging right now, and why? How does knowing this about yourself change your perspective on current challenges?
God's Desire to Bless: The message emphasized that "God only has one goal in mind - it's to bless you" and that "He's more hungry for you than you are for Him." How does this truth about God's heart toward you encourage you, especially if you've been struggling with doubt about His love or your salvation?
Challenge
Worldly vs. Biblical Greatness: Pastor Jimmy contrasted self-made greatness with servant-hearted greatness. In what areas of your life are you still pursuing worldly definitions of success or significance rather than biblical greatness? What would need to change for you to embrace the greatness of serving others?
The Blessing Challenge: Pastor Jimmy asked everyone to pause and think of one way they could serve someone today instead of expecting to be served. What came to mind for you during that moment? What makes it challenging to shift from a "serve me" mentality to a "let me serve" heart?
Personal Testimony
Leaving Father's House: The message talked about how everyone eventually needs to "own their own faith" and leave their father's house spiritually, regardless of their family background. Can you share about a time when you had to take ownership of your relationship with God rather than relying on family tradition or others' faith?
Experiencing God's Blessing: Pastor Jimmy described how his family would speak blessing over their children each morning. Can you share about a time when someone spoke life and blessing over you, or when you experienced God's affirmation in a tangible way? How did that impact you?
Putting it into Practice
Being Built Together: The message emphasized that we're living stones being fitted together, not meant to be independent. How is God calling you to better connect with and serve others in the body of Christ? What practical steps will you take to move from isolation to being "built together" with other believers?
Living as a Multiplier: Pastor Jimmy shared how God made his family fruitful and multiplying, and said "everybody is a multiplier by the grace of God." Who is God calling you to invest in or serve this week? How will you step into your identity as someone who multiplies life and blessing in others' lives?