Called to Share: The Urgency of Our Testimony

Sep 07, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Calls Us to Be Fishers of Men

Jesus calls ordinary people to leave their comfort zones and follow Him, transforming their lives from self-focused pursuits to a mission of reaching others with the good news. The call to be “fishers of men” is not reserved for a select few, but is the invitation and expectation for every disciple, regardless of background or occupation. This means stepping out in faith, sometimes at great personal cost, to share the story of Jesus with those who have not heard or understood it. The willingness to follow Jesus immediately, as the first disciples did, challenges us to examine what we might need to leave behind in order to fully embrace His mission. [48:48]

Mark 1:16-20 (ESV)
Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Reflection: What is one comfort, habit, or routine you sense Jesus asking you to leave behind so you can be more available to share His story with someone this week?

Day 2: The Power of Personal Testimony

Every believer has a story of what Jesus has done in their life, and God uses these testimonies—no matter how ordinary or dramatic—to draw others to Himself. The woman at the well, despite her messy past, became a powerful witness simply by sharing her encounter with Jesus, leading many in her town to believe. Your testimony is not about having a dramatic conversion, but about honestly sharing how Jesus has changed your heart, given you hope, or met you in your need. God can use your story to reach people who may never listen to a sermon but will listen to you. [54:33]

John 4:39 (ESV)
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”

Reflection: Who is one person you can share a specific story with this week about how Jesus has made a difference in your life?

Day 3: The Mission: Seeking and Saving the Lost

Jesus’ mission was clear: to seek and to save the lost, and He calls His followers to join Him in this purpose. Zacchaeus’ story reminds us that there are people all around us who are searching for hope and meaning, even if they don’t know how to find Jesus. Sometimes all it takes is a simple act of kindness, a conversation, or an invitation to help someone see Jesus for the first time. Our focus as disciples must remain on reaching those who are far from God, not just maintaining our own comfort or routines. [01:07:29]

Luke 19:9-10 (ESV)
And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Reflection: Who in your daily life might be “up in a tree,” looking for hope or connection, and how can you intentionally reach out to them this week?

Day 4: The Heart of the Gospel: Jesus Took Our Place

The heart of the gospel is that Jesus took the punishment for our sins so that we could have life, demonstrating both God’s justice and His incredible love. Like the king who took the lashes meant for his daughter, Jesus bore the penalty we deserved, offering us forgiveness and a new identity as children of God. This is the story we are called to share—a story not of condemnation, but of rescue, grace, and transformation. When we truly grasp this, it compels us to tell others about the King who died so we could live. [01:15:46]

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV)
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

Reflection: How does remembering that Jesus took your place on the cross change the way you see people who don’t yet know Him?

Day 5: Evangelism Is Our Everyday Mission

Evangelism is not an occasional program but the daily calling of every disciple, as we go into the world to share the good news of Jesus in word and deed. Meeting physical needs is important, but our ultimate purpose is to point people to the only solution for separation from God: the saving work of Jesus. The challenge is to be intentional, courageous, and persistent in telling others about Jesus, trusting that God will use our efforts to transform lives. If we focus on making disciples, all the other blessings—justice, mercy, compassion—will follow as the fruit of lives changed by Christ. [01:11:01]

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to intentionally share Jesus with someone who may not know Him—whether through a conversation, an act of service, or an invitation?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering was a celebration of God’s faithfulness, the legacy of grandparents, and the power of community prayer. We paused to lift up those in our family who are facing health challenges, remembering that our prayers are heard and that God’s Spirit is present with us in every circumstance. As we worshiped, we were reminded of the centrality of Jesus’ sacrifice—the blood that was shed for our sins and the resurrection that gives us life. This is the foundation of our hope and the story we are called to share.

The heart of our time together focused on the mission Jesus has given to every disciple: to be fishers of men and women, to share the good news, and to make disciples. We reflected on the example of Jesus, who did not come to change political systems or merely address social issues, but to call people to repentance and new life in the kingdom of God. Meeting physical needs is important, but it is not the end goal; the ultimate need of every person is reconciliation with God through Christ. When we make Jesus the center, justice, mercy, and compassion naturally flow from transformed lives.

We explored stories from Scripture—Zacchaeus, the fishermen, Matthew the tax collector, and the woman at the well—each a testimony of how Jesus calls unlikely people, meets them where they are, and transforms them. These stories challenge us to consider our own testimony: not just the dramatic stories, but the quiet faithfulness of those who have always known Jesus, and the reality that all of us are equally in need of grace. Our calling is to share what Jesus has done in our lives, trusting that God uses our stories to draw others to Himself.

The challenge was clear: evangelism is not an optional program, but the core of our identity as followers of Jesus. We are sent into the world, not just to do good works, but to proclaim the story of the King who took our punishment so we could have life. The invitation is to take this mission seriously, to tell at least one person each day about Jesus, and to remember that the greatest act of love and justice was accomplished at the cross. As we give, serve, and live, may our lives point to the One who seeks and saves the lost.

---

Key Takeaways

1. The Mission Is Personal and Urgent Every follower of Jesus is called to be a fisher of men and women, not as a program but as a way of life. Evangelism is not reserved for a select few; it is the natural outflow of a heart transformed by Christ. The urgency is not in numbers, but in faithfulness—each day presents opportunities to share the hope we have. If we neglect this mission, we risk losing sight of our true purpose as disciples. [42:17]
2. Testimony Is Powerful, No Matter Your Story Whether your journey with Jesus began in dramatic rescue or quiet faithfulness, your testimony matters. The woman at the well and Zacchaeus both encountered Jesus and could not help but share what He had done for them. Even those who feel their story is “ordinary” have a vital witness, for all have sinned and all are in need of grace. God uses every story to draw others to Himself—what matters is our willingness to tell it. [54:33]
3. Meeting Physical Needs Is Good, But Spiritual Needs Are Primary Acts of compassion and justice are important, but they are the fruit, not the root, of our calling. If we focus only on social change or meeting needs without bringing Jesus, we miss the heart of the gospel. True transformation—justice, mercy, love—flows from lives changed by Christ. Our greatest gift to the world is not just service, but the message of reconciliation with God. [61:20]
4. Evangelism Requires Boldness and Perseverance The call to share Jesus is not always easy; it may involve rejection, discomfort, or even sacrifice. The story of the African warrior who returned again and again to his village, despite suffering, challenges us to persevere. Most of us will not face such extremes, but we are called to step out of comfort, engage those who are overlooked, and persist in sharing the good news, trusting God with the results. [48:48]
5. The Cross Is the Center of Our Story and Our Message The story of the king who took his daughter’s punishment is a vivid picture of what God has done for us in Christ. Justice and love meet at the cross, where Jesus bore our penalty so we could have life. This is the message we carry: not just moral improvement or religious activity, but the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus as the hope for all. Our testimony is simply to point to Him, again and again. [75:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:10] - Grandparents’ Day and Community Announcements
[07:45] - Prayer for Those in Need
[16:26] - Special Prayer for Katie Sweet
[18:00] - Opening Worship and Gratitude
[21:30] - Introduction to Mission Commitment
[28:00] - The Call to Be Fishers of Men
[37:51] - Zacchaeus: Encountering Jesus
[42:17] - The Heart of Evangelism: More Than Social Change
[48:48] - Stories of Bold Evangelism
[51:41] - Jesus Calls the Unlikely
[52:57] - The Woman at the Well: Power of Testimony
[54:33] - What Is Your Testimony?
[61:20] - The Real Problem: Separation from God
[64:15] - Zacchaeus and the Mission of Jesus
[67:29] - Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost
[69:50] - A Challenge: Tell Seven People About Jesus
[72:53] - The King Who Took Our Punishment
[75:46] - The Cross: Our Story and Our Testimony
[77:28] - Ministry Offering and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Mission of Every Disciple

Bible Reading

Luke 19:1-10 (ESV)
> He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Mark 1:16-20 (ESV)
> Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

John 4:28-30, 39 (ESV)
> So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him... Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”

Observation Questions

What actions did Zacchaeus take to see Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to him? (Luke 19:1-10)
When Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John, what did they do, and how quickly did they respond? (Mark 1:16-20)
What was the woman at the well’s immediate reaction after her encounter with Jesus, and what effect did her testimony have on her community? (John 4:28-30, 39)
According to the sermon, what is the main mission Jesus gives to every disciple? [42:17]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to spend time with people like Zacchaeus and the woman at the well, who were considered “unlikely” or even outcasts? What does this say about the kind of people Jesus calls? (Luke 19:1-10; John 4:28-30) [51:41]
The sermon emphasized that meeting physical needs is good, but spiritual needs are primary. Why is it important not to stop at just helping people physically? What happens if we do? [01:01:20]
The disciples left their work and families immediately to follow Jesus. What does this say about the urgency and priority of Jesus’ call? (Mark 1:16-20) [48:48]
The sermon said that evangelism is not an optional program but the core of our identity as followers of Jesus. Why do you think this is so central to being a disciple? [42:17]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged everyone to tell at least one person about Jesus each day this week. Who is one person in your life you could share your story or Jesus’ story with this week? What might hold you back, and how can you overcome that? [01:09:50]
Think about your own testimony. Do you feel like your story is “ordinary” or “dramatic”? How can you share your story in a way that points to Jesus, no matter what your background is? [54:33]
The sermon described how Jesus met people where they were and called them to new life. Is there someone in your life who seems “unlikely” to be interested in Jesus? How could you reach out to them this week? [51:41]
When you serve or help others, do you also look for ways to share about Jesus, or do you tend to focus only on meeting physical needs? What is one way you can make Jesus the center of your service this month? [01:01:20]
The story of the African warrior who kept returning to his village despite rejection is a picture of boldness and perseverance. Have you ever felt discouraged or rejected when sharing your faith? What helped you keep going, or what could help you try again? [48:48]
The sermon said that justice, mercy, and compassion flow from lives changed by Christ. Is there an area in your life where you need to let Jesus transform you so that these qualities can grow? What step can you take this week? [42:17]
The story of the king who took his daughter’s punishment is a picture of the cross. How does remembering what Jesus did for you at the cross motivate you to share your faith with others? [01:15:46]

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God for boldness, compassion, and opportunities to share the story of Jesus this week. Pray for specific people in your lives who need to hear the good news.

Sermon Clips

47s

#ShareTheGoodNews

“As we think about our mission and what we're doing here, you know, I think that mission is the same everywhere. It doesn't matter where you are. We're all really challenged and we're all called to be those who share the good news. So, that good news of Jesus can change and transform people's lives. And while we've taken it and put it into these words, it's really every single person who claims to know Christ, this is our mission. This is what we're supposed to be doing. And I pray that this becomes the main thing that you focus on in your life as a follower of Jesus. As a disciple of Jesus, this is the thing that matters, that we are those who are sharing the good news everywhere we go so that there's an opportunity for lives to be transformed.”

47s

#RadicalFollowing

“For me to immediately just get up and leave everything that I know and follow Jesus. That's a tall task. Don't you think? So it's a little bit of, of, of, of more than maybe I want to give, or maybe the more than you want to give. But even that, if I go tell him once and I'm, you know, somebody wants to beat me up and take me outside the village, I don't think I'm going back in the village. Are you? I mean, really, most of us are probably saying, no, I'm not doing that. I'm not going there. But these guys who were in the middle of their work, in the middle of what they do, Jesus comes and says, follow me. They immediately leave and they follow Jesus.”

46s

#EveryoneHasASinfulStory

“But as I've gotten older, I realize I've got just as much of a story. Because in my own way, I am just as lost, if not more lost, in my own sins, as they are in the ones that are very public and very viewable and very out, and so everyone can talk about them. Maybe my sins aren't that way, but my sins are just as sinful. My lifestyle is just as bad, because anything that doesn't meet what God wants us to do is sin. The wages of sin is death. But the gift of God's eternal life, for the wages, we've got to understand that, and for everybody has sinned, regardless of where we are. And so we all have this testimony we can tell about what Jesus has done in our lives.”

35s

#CompellingTestimony

“Aren't you thankful that you're caught? I mean if Jesus sent people his disciples and he's sending us he sent somebody to be a fisher of men and women if you're caught then somebody caught you because they told you about Jesus and so where are we in this are we those who are giving a testimony that is so compelling and so powerful that people come to know Jesus and believe in him because of our testimony that's the beauty of what we have and what we see in this idea of who Jesus is.”

58s

#JesusFirstAlways

“How often have we set up our churches to where we are we're seeking other things rather than allowing those things to be the consequence of us telling the world about Jesus our whole goal here is to tell the world about Jesus end of story bottom line nothing else if that's what we do then we'll get all the other things that go with it and I'm I think we've missed that a little bit because and again I don't yeah I know I've said this a lot and um this is probably on a bingo sheet somewhere but the programs are great I love them I really do but the goal is Jesus the programs are the consequence of us telling people about Jesus telling people of how good he is and how loving he is and how kind he is and how he is the one that really matters.”

15s

#GuidingToJesus

“I am convinced there are people in this world who want to see Jesus who just don't know how to find him. And that's where we come in. We've got to be people who are willing to show them and direct them and take them to Jesus. Whatever that means.”

34s

#SeekAndSaveTheLost

“You want a mission statement? I mean, we really don't need, we didn't need to create, share the good news and transform lives. We could have used Luke 19 .10. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. And that's what we're here to do. Have we lost our focus to the lost of the world? Have we paid so much attention to trying to be good Christians that we've forgotten that first and foremost, disciples making disciples, that is the bottom line of who we are and what we're supposed to be doing.”

28s

#StoryOfTheKing

“That's what God did in Jesus for us and for the world. And we need to be telling the story of the king who died for his children so that they wouldn't have to, so that they could have life, so that there's love and mercy and compassion, but there's also justice because the penalty was paid for sin. That's our story.”

44s

#LiveTheStory

“When we tell the world what Jesus did for us, he died so that we could live. That is our story. And then when we live and we step into and we become his children because we believe in that story and we repent of our sins and we confess that Jesus is Lord and we're baptized for the remission of those sins and we celebrate in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus in our own baptism, then we become new people just like the fishermen became fishers of men, the tax collector became a fisher of men. When we step out of the waters of baptism, we are not fishers of men. That's who we are.”

25s

#EmbraceOurTestimony

“So today I invite you. Oh, I invite you to embrace that story and know that God in heaven, through his son Jesus, took the punishment for our sins so that we could live and that is our testimony to the world.”

Ask a question about this sermon

Madison Church of Christ This sermon · AI assistant

What is the primary purpose of evangelism?

How does personal testimony influence others' faith?

What is the true focus of discipleship efforts?