Costly Surrender, Eternal Rewards: The Call to Mission

Today’s gathering centered on the profound truth that following Jesus is both costly and rewarding. We began by remembering Christ, the Lion of Judah who first came as a Lamb, willingly giving His life for us. His sacrifice, symbolized in the bread and cup, is not just a historical event but an ongoing invitation to participate in His life, death, and resurrection. Communion is a reminder that, through Jesus, we are linked to God now and forever, and that His love extends to all—even those who do not yet know Him.

The heart of the teaching focused on the call of God and the journey of surrender. The Christian life is not meant to be comfortable, but it is always purposeful and glorious. Every act of obedience, every sacrifice made for God, is met with His faithfulness. The story shared was deeply personal: a journey from rebellion and addiction, through the persistent prayers of a mother, to a life transformed and sent out for mission. This journey illustrates that no prayer is wasted, and no surrender goes unnoticed by God.

We explored how God often calls us to become the answer to our own prayers. Sometimes we pray for God to send others, but He may be asking us to go, to serve, to give, or to intercede. The call may lead us far from home or simply to our neighbor, but the mission field is wherever there are hearts without Jesus. The cost can be high—leaving behind comfort, facing loss, or enduring seasons of silence from God. Yet, the rewards are eternal: transformed lives, restored families, and the joy of seeing God’s promises fulfilled.

We were reminded that every believer is a missionary, whether in another nation, at work, in school, or at home. The important thing is to respond with faith, courage, and surrender, trusting that God’s purposes are always good. As we prayed together, we asked God to ignite a missionary flame in our hearts, to make souls and lives our priority, and to bring salvation and restoration to our families and communities.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Christ’s Sacrifice Transforms Suffering into Blessing Jesus, though innocent, was crucified and suffered greatly, yet He turned that evil into the greatest blessing for humanity. His broken body and shed blood are not just symbols, but realities that bring healing, reconciliation, and eternal hope. When we remember Him, we are reminded that God can redeem even the darkest moments of our lives for His glory and our good. [42:46]
• 2. Persistent Prayer Shapes Destiny The story of a mother’s relentless prayers for her wayward son demonstrates the power of intercession. Even when answers seem delayed or impossible, God is at work behind the scenes, shaping destinies and fulfilling promises. Our prayers for loved ones are never in vain; they are seeds that, in God’s timing, bear fruit beyond what we can imagine. [70:21]
• 3. Surrender Always Has a Purpose and a Reward Obedience to God’s call often requires letting go of comfort, dreams, or stability, but it is never without purpose. God sees every sacrifice and responds with His faithfulness—sometimes with strength to endure, sometimes with unexpected provision, and always with eternal rewards. The true value is not in what we leave behind, but in what we receive from God when we open our hands to Him. [77:54]
• 4. We Are Called to Be the Answer to Our Own Prayers It is easy to pray for God to send others, but sometimes He calls us to step out and become the answer. Whether that means going to another nation, serving in our community, or supporting others through prayer and resources, God desires our active participation. The mission field is wherever God places us, and our willingness to respond can change lives—including our own. [73:06]
• 5. The Mission Field Is Everywhere, and Every Believer Is Sent God’s call is not limited by geography; wherever there are people without Jesus, there is a mission field. Whether at work, school, or home, each believer is a full-time missionary, called to bring the love and message of Christ. The harvest is plentiful, and God invites us to join Him in His work, trusting that He will equip and reward those who answer His call. [86:35]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [42:09] - Remembering Christ: Lion and Lamb
• [43:20] - Invitation to Communion
• [43:46] - The Meaning of the Bread and Cup
• [44:18] - Thanksgiving and Prayer
• [44:57] - The Promise of Christ’s Return
• [58:49] - Greeting and Worship Reflections
• [59:33] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
• [59:50] - Budgeting Workshop Invitation
• [61:35] - Water Baptism Details
• [62:26] - Introducing Pastor Andre Vieira
• [66:15] - The Cost and Reward of Responding to God’s Call
• [68:24] - A Testimony of Transformation
• [73:25] - Missionary Journey and Surrender
• [77:54] - The Purpose and Reward of Surrender
• [79:21] - The Mission Field: Everywhere
• [81:09] - Prayer for Families and Intercessors
• [84:22] - Blessing for the Missionaries
• [86:35] - Every Believer is a Missionary
• [86:47] - Closing and Farewell

Bible Reading

Luke 10:2 (ESV) — > And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Observation Questions

1. In Luke 10:2, what does Jesus say about the harvest and the workers? What does He instruct His followers to do in response?
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the costs and rewards mentioned when someone responds to God’s call? [[01:06:15]]
3. What role did persistent prayer play in the story of the mother praying for her son? [[01:08:24]]
4. How does the sermon describe the mission field—where is it, and who is called to it? [[01:19:21]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus describes the harvest as “plentiful” but the workers as “few”? What does this say about the need for people to respond to God’s call? (Luke 10:2)
2. The sermon shares that “the calling of God will never be comfortable, but it will always be glorious.” What might this mean for someone considering stepping out in faith? [[01:07:07]]
3. In the testimony, the mother’s prayers were answered in a way she didn’t expect—her son not only returned to faith but became a missionary. What does this suggest about how God answers our prayers? [[01:08:56]]
4. The speaker says, “God showed me that I should become the answer to my prayer.” How might God be calling believers today to be the answer to their own prayers? [[01:13:06]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “There is no surrender without purpose. There is no obedience without reward.” Is there something God is asking you to surrender right now? What might be holding you back? [[01:07:07]]
2. Think about someone in your life who is far from God. How can you commit to praying persistently for them, like the mother in the story? What would it look like to not give up, even if you don’t see immediate results? [[01:08:24]]
3. Have you ever prayed for God to send someone else to meet a need or serve in a certain way? Is there a situation where God might be asking you to step in and be the answer to that prayer? [[01:13:06]]
4. The sermon reminds us that “the mission field is wherever there is a heart without Jesus.” Where is your current mission field—work, school, home, neighborhood? What is one practical step you can take this week to share Christ’s love there? [[01:19:21]]
5. The speaker shared about facing loss, silence from God, and discomfort in following God’s call. Have you experienced a season like this? How did you see God’s faithfulness, or how can you look for it now? [[01:15:06]]
6. Every believer is called a missionary in the sermon. What does being a “full-time missionary” look like in your daily life, even if you never leave your city or country? [[01:26:35]]
7. The group prayed for a “missionary flame” to be ignited in their hearts. What would it look like for you to make souls and lives a priority in your Christian walk this month? [[01:21:09]]