The Bible is filled with passages related to the movement of peoples. Even before the Fall, God commanded Adam and Eve to multiply and “fill the earth.” Migration is not a post-Fall matter that started with the exodus from the Garden. Both Testaments contain many excellent texts on this topic.
When I speak on the migration of unreached peoples, I often preach from Acts 17:26-27. In this passage, we find significant truths about God’s sovereignty, His mission, and the movement of the peoples.
As you preach this passage, please make certain to teach your people the main point of Paul’s sermon and why Luke recorded it. While there is much rich theology in these two verses, the purpose of the larger pericope (i.e., sermon at Mars Hill) is not to teach about migration but to call the Athenians to repentance and faith in Jesus.
So, if you want a simple outline for this Sunday’s sermon, here you go:
God is the Divine Maestro orchestrating the movement of the nations:
I. God is Sovereign Over People’s Lives (v. 26)
II. God is Sovereign Over People’s Histories (v. 26, “allotted periods”)
III. God is Sovereign Over People’s Habitations (v. 26, “boundaries” of dwelling)
His orchestration of the movements of the peoples is so “they should seek God” and “find Him” (v. 27).
Application question for your context: If such is true about God and the movement of the nations, then how should we live when He moves the world’s unreached (and sometimes unengaged-unreached) peoples into our community?
Now, go and equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Eph 4:11-12).
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