Embracing God's Mission: Trusting Through Trials
Summary
Being on mission for God is a calling that transcends our personal desires and comfort zones. It is a divine assignment that demands our willingness to embrace the unexpected and to trust in God's sovereign direction. As I shared with the congregation, the life of the Apostle Paul exemplifies what it means to be truly committed to God's mission, even when it leads us through storms, shipwrecks, and snakebites.
Paul's journey to Rome, as detailed in the final chapters of Acts, was not a comfortable one. He was a prisoner, bound in chains, and yet he was on a mission. His trip was fraught with danger, including a perilous storm that led to a shipwreck on the island of Malta. But even in these dire circumstances, Paul remained steadfast. He healed the sick on Malta, showing the power of God at work through him. His unwavering faith and flexibility in the face of adversity are a testament to his commitment to God's mission.
The story of Paul's journey to Rome teaches us that being on mission for God is not about our comfort or convenience. It is about being willing to go wherever God calls us, even if it means taking an unrealistic route. It is about trusting that God has a plan and that He will use even the most challenging situations for His glory. It is about being bold and unhindered in proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.
As we navigate our own lives on mission, we must be prepared to face storms and to make sacrifices. We must be willing to let go of our preconceived notions of how our mission should unfold and instead, embrace the journey that God has laid out for us. We must be flexible, or even fluid, as we adapt to the circumstances God allows in our lives, always keeping our eyes fixed on the ultimate goal of advancing the gospel.
In conclusion, our mission is to love God, love people, and serve the world so that those who are far from God can come to know Him. We are called to live a life of abundance on mission, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world. And as we do so, we must remember that our story is not over yet. God is still writing it, and He has a plan for each of us to be a man or woman on mission for Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Being on mission for God means embracing the unexpected and trusting in His sovereign plan. Like Paul, we must be willing to face storms and shipwrecks, knowing that God can use even the most challenging circumstances for His glory. Our flexibility in mission is a testament to our faith in God's providence. [49:33]
- The mission God has for us is not always one of comfort or convenience. It requires a boldness to proclaim the kingdom of God and to teach about Jesus Christ without hindrance. Our commitment to the mission should be unwavering, regardless of the obstacles we face. [01:03:09]
- Our life's journey may take us through trials that seem to threaten our very existence, but these are often strategic plans of God to move us from where we are to where He wants us to be. The chains we find ourselves in today may be the means through which God fulfills His mission in and through us. [57:48]
- The mission we are called to is not about achieving personal success or living a high life; it is about surrendering to God's will and being willing to let go of our control. When we surrender, we align ourselves with God's purpose and allow Him to use us as vessels for His work. [01:20:19]
- God's mission for us is specific and personal. It is not a one-size-fits-all calling. Each of us has a unique role to play in the body of Christ, and it is our responsibility to seek God's direction and to fulfill the mission He has entrusted to us. [01:15:32]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 28:30-31: "For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance."
2. Matthew 28:19-20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
3. Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the circumstances of Paul's journey to Rome as described in Acts 28:30-31? How did he continue his mission despite these circumstances? [41:15]
2. According to Matthew 28:19-20, what are the key components of the Great Commission that Jesus gave to His disciples?
3. In Acts 1:8, what promise does Jesus give to His disciples about the Holy Spirit and their mission?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Paul's unwavering commitment to his mission, even while under house arrest, reflect the broader theme of being on mission for God? [41:48]
2. What does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 imply about the nature of our mission as Christians? How does this align with the sermon’s message about embracing the unexpected and trusting in God's plan?
3. Acts 1:8 speaks about receiving power from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses. How does this empower us to face challenges and obstacles in our mission, similar to Paul's experiences?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge or "storm" in your life. How did you respond, and what did you learn about trusting God's plan through that experience? [49:33]
2. The sermon emphasized the need for flexibility in our mission. Are there areas in your life where you have been rigid or resistant to change? How can you become more flexible and open to God's direction? [47:52]
3. Paul’s journey included many hardships, yet he remained focused on his mission. What are some practical steps you can take to stay committed to your mission, even when facing difficulties? [57:48]
4. The sermon mentioned that our mission is not about personal success but about surrendering to God's will. What are some areas in your life where you need to let go of control and trust God more fully? [01:20:19]
5. How can you actively seek God's direction for your unique role in His mission? What steps can you take this week to better align yourself with His purpose for your life? [01:15:32]
6. Think of someone in your life who is far from God. What specific actions can you take to share the love of Jesus with them this week? How can you be bold and unhindered in proclaiming the kingdom of God? [01:03:09]
7. The sermon concluded with a call to love God, love people, and serve the world. Identify one specific way you can serve your community this week to advance the gospel. [01:12:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Unexpected Path
When one is called to be on mission for God, it involves a readiness to encounter the unforeseen and to place unwavering trust in His overarching plan. This path is rarely one of ease or predictability; instead, it mirrors the Apostle Paul's experiences of storms and shipwrecks, which serve as powerful metaphors for the trials one may face while fulfilling God's purpose. These challenges are not mere obstacles but opportunities for God to manifest His glory through an individual's life. Flexibility and faith in God's providence are essential, as they demonstrate a commitment to the mission that transcends personal comfort and certainty. [49:33]
Acts 27:24-25 - "And he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where your plans were disrupted. How can you see God's hand at work in that disruption, and what might He be teaching you through it?
Day 2: Boldness in Proclaiming the Kingdom
The mission God entrusts to His followers is not one that promises comfort or convenience. It is a calling that requires courage to speak of the kingdom of God and to teach about Jesus Christ without reservation. This boldness is not dependent on the absence of adversity; rather, it is a steadfast commitment that persists in the face of trials. The mission is to be carried out with an unwavering spirit, regardless of the challenges that may arise, as exemplified by Paul's unimpeded proclamation of the gospel. [01:03:09]
2 Timothy 4:17 - "But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth."
Reflection: What fears or hesitations do you have about sharing your faith? How can you ask God to help you overcome these fears to boldly proclaim His truth?
Day 3: Strategic Plans Through Trials
The trials and tribulations encountered in life are not merely random misfortunes; they are often part of God's strategic design to move individuals from their current state to the place He desires them to be. The chains of hardship one might find themselves in today could very well be the instruments through which God accomplishes His mission. It is through these experiences that God's power and purpose can be most profoundly displayed, transforming apparent setbacks into setups for His glory. [57:48]
1 Peter 1:6-7 - "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Can you identify a trial in your life that might be God's strategic plan for growth? How can you embrace this trial as an opportunity to deepen your faith?
Day 4: Surrendering to God's Will
The true essence of God's mission is not found in the pursuit of personal achievements or a comfortable lifestyle; it is discovered in the surrender to His will. Letting go of the need to control and aligning oneself with God's purpose allows Him to work through individuals as vessels for His divine work. This surrender is a conscious choice to trust in God's plan over one's own, and it is in this act of relinquishment that one finds true alignment with the mission God has set forth. [01:20:19]
James 4:7-8a - "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: A Personal and Specific Calling
God's mission for each person is unique and tailored to the individual. It is not a generic or universal calling but one that is intimately connected to the specific gifts, circumstances, and opportunities of each believer. As members of the body of Christ, it is the responsibility of each person to seek God's direction and to fulfill the mission entrusted to them. This personal mission is a journey of discovery, where one's unique role in God's plan is revealed and embraced. [01:15:32]
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 - "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."
Reflection: What unique gifts has God given you, and how can you use them to serve His mission in your community today?
Quotes
- "God may change the means of the mission, but the message and the mission will always remain the same: we love God, love people, and serve the world." [01:12:31](Download | )
- "For some of you right now, you know that God has called you to a specific mission... He has called every one of you to be a part of a specific mission." [01:14:00](Download | )
- "God has given you a mission to get plugged into this church, to be a part of the big mission that this church has going on together in a cooperative method." [01:14:56](Download | )
- "For many of you, in fact, for all of you right now, you are God's mission... you are as a person that he loves so much that he sent his son to die on calvary's Cross for you." [01:15:32](Download | )
- "Sometimes God's going to throw you into a pit with lions that are hungry... so he can close their mouths so he can get the praise and the honor and Glory." [57:15](Download | )
- "Many times the chains that we find ourselves in today are a strategic plan of God getting you from where you are at to the place that he wants you to be." [57:48](Download | )
- "When God calls you to a specific mission, he expects you to complete that mission... he expects us to stay intentional with a boldness to see the mission through." [01:09:44](Download | )
- "God's speaking to every one of us and he's telling us that we have got to fix our eyes on the prize of the mission that he has before you as an individual." [01:11:25](Download | )
- "Being on mission for God requires us to be flexible, trusting God's direction even when it may not align with our expectations." [47:52](Download | )
- "A man on mission for God is willing to go where God says even when it requires an unrealistic route." [53:01](Download | )
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