Embracing Gospel Ambition: Living as Priests in Mission
Summary
Paul’s words in Romans 15:14-21 invite us to reimagine our lives through the lens of gospel ambition—a holy drive that is not about self-promotion, but about joining God’s mission to make Christ known where He is not yet named. This ambition is not fueled by our own strength or spiritual resume, but by the grace of God and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Paul affirms the Roman church for their maturity, goodness, and ability to instruct one another, reminding them—and us—that we are called and equipped by God’s grace to be more than spectators. We are priests, standing in the gap for our neighbors, coworkers, and communities, wherever God has planted us.
This priestly calling is not reserved for a select few or for those with a particular title or platform. It is the privilege and responsibility of every believer, regardless of age or background. Our qualification for mission is not our experience or expertise, but the grace we have received in Christ. We are invited to step into this calling today, not waiting for some future moment when we feel more prepared or worthy. The Spirit sanctifies and qualifies us, tearing down boundaries and building up the body for the sake of God’s mission.
Paul’s own ministry is a model of Spirit-empowered service that always points to Christ. He boasts only in what Christ has accomplished through him, recognizing that all fruit and transformation are the work of God. True humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but having sober judgment—knowing we are nothing without Christ, but in Him, we are sent and empowered. Our ministry is measured not by our effectiveness, but by Christ’s accomplishment in and through us.
Gospel ambition is a redeemed ambition. It is a holy drive to see Jesus’ name proclaimed among those who have never heard, to be pioneers in our own communities and beyond. This does not always mean crossing oceans; often, it means crossing the street, being faithful where we are planted, and loving our neighbors with the love of Christ. God does not waste any part of our story or our work. Every act of faithfulness, every step of obedience, is sacred and can have a ripple effect for the kingdom.
The invitation is to lay down personal ambition and pick up gospel ambition—to let God’s mission define our prayers, our risks, and our priorities. Whether in Issaquah or to the ends of the earth, we are called to live sent, trusting that God will use us to bring others to obedience by faith in Christ.
Key Takeaways
- Gospel ambition is not self-promotion, but a holy drive fueled by grace and the Spirit. It calls us to look outward, joining God’s mission to make Christ known where He is not yet named. This ambition redeems our natural desire for significance, channeling it into God’s redemptive plan for the nations. [05:22]
- Every believer is called to a priestly service, not as a spectator but as an active participant in God’s kingdom. Our identity as priests means we stand in the gap for others, connecting them to God through our presence, love, and witness—wherever we are planted, in whatever we do. [15:45]
- Our qualification for mission is not our spiritual resume, but the grace of God in Christ. The Spirit sanctifies and empowers us, making us ready today to serve and love others. We need not wait for more experience or knowledge; God’s grace is sufficient for our calling right now. [19:08]
- Spirit-empowered ministry always points to Christ, not to ourselves. True humility is not self-deprecation, but sober judgment—recognizing that all fruit is from God, and celebrating what Christ has accomplished through us. Our effectiveness is measured by obedience and transformation, not by numbers or recognition. [24:13]
- Faithfulness in the ordinary is the foundation for gospel ambition. God does not waste any part of our story or work; every act of obedience, no matter how small, can have a ripple effect for the kingdom. Being faithful where we are planted prepares us for whatever God may call us to next, whether across the street or across the world. [34:49]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Greetings and Connections
[03:00] - Introduction: Gospel Ambition
[05:22] - Examples of Ambition: From Jobs to Solomon
[08:53] - Paul’s Heart for the Church
[10:42] - Affirmation and Maturity in the Church
[13:55] - Grace as the Foundation for Calling
[15:45] - The Priesthood of All Believers
[17:57] - Living as Priests, Not Spectators
[19:08] - Don’t Wait: Start Serving Now
[20:17] - Loving Your Neighbor: Steve and Walter’s Story
[22:24] - Spirit-Empowered Ministry
[24:13] - Boasting Only in Christ
[28:25] - The Power of Love and Community
[30:23] - Gospel Ambition: Sent Outward
[33:19] - Where Is God Calling You?
[34:49] - Faithfulness Where You Are Planted
[36:27] - Laying Down Personal Ambition
[37:24] - Reflections and Affirmations
[46:50] - Equipping for Mission
[49:09] - God Doesn’t Waste Anything
[51:00] - Living Sent: Final Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Gospel Ambition and the Priestly Calling
*(Based on Romans 15:14-21 and the sermon at Issaquah Christian Church)*
---
### Bible Reading
Romans 15:14-21 (ESV)
14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.
15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God
16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.
18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed,
19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;
20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation,
21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to Paul in Romans 15:14, what qualities does he affirm in the Roman church?
2. What does Paul mean when he talks about his “priestly service of the gospel of God” in verse 16?
3. In verses 18-19, what does Paul say is the source of the fruit and transformation in his ministry?
4. The sermon described “gospel ambition” as different from self-promotion. What examples did the pastor give to illustrate the difference between worldly ambition and gospel ambition? [[05:22]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says every believer is called to a “priestly service,” not just pastors or missionaries. What does it mean for ordinary Christians to stand “in the gap” for their neighbors, coworkers, and community? [[15:45]]
2. Paul says he boasts only in what Christ has accomplished through him. How does this shape our understanding of humility and success in ministry? [[24:13]]
3. The pastor shared a story about Steve and Walter to illustrate faithfulness in ordinary life. What does this story teach about the impact of small, consistent acts of love? [[20:17]]
4. The sermon challenges us to “lay down personal ambition and pick up gospel ambition.” What are some signs that our ambition is more about ourselves than about God’s mission? [[36:27]]
---
### Application Questions
1. Paul affirms the Roman church for being “full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.” If Paul wrote a letter to our church or small group, what do you think he would affirm? What would he challenge us to grow in? [[10:42]]
2. The sermon says our qualification for mission is not our spiritual resume, but the grace of God in Christ. Is there something you feel unqualified to do for God? What would it look like to step out in faith anyway? [[19:08]]
3. The story of Steve and Walter showed how loving a neighbor can be hard, slow, and sometimes discouraging. Who is someone in your life that God might be calling you to love persistently, even if you don’t see immediate results? [[20:17]]
4. The pastor said, “You don’t have to cross an ocean; sometimes you just need to cross the street.” What is one practical step you can take this week to be a “priest” in your neighborhood, workplace, or school? [[21:02]]
5. Paul’s ambition was to make Christ known where he was not yet named. Where in your life—your family, workplace, or community—do you see a need for the gospel? How might God be inviting you to be a pioneer there? [[33:19]]
6. The sermon talked about “faithfulness where you are planted.” What is one ordinary, everyday responsibility or relationship where you sense God calling you to be more intentional for his kingdom? [[34:49]]
7. The pastor asked, “What personal ambition can you lay aside in order to pick up gospel ambition?” Is there a dream, goal, or comfort you need to surrender so you can say yes to God’s mission? [[36:27]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to give each person a holy ambition, fueled by his grace and Spirit, to be faithful and bold wherever he has planted them. Pray for courage to step into priestly service and to trust that God will use every act of obedience for his kingdom.
Devotional
Day 1: Called and Equipped by God's Grace
God’s grace is the foundation of our calling and equips us for every good work, regardless of our background or spiritual resume. Paul affirms the Roman church for their goodness, knowledge, and ability to instruct one another, reminding them that their maturity and capacity to serve come not from their own achievements but from the grace given by God. This grace is not just for a select few but is the birthright of every believer, empowering us to step into our priestly service right where we are. We are not spectators in the kingdom; we are called to be active participants, set apart by grace and empowered by the Spirit to serve others and build up the body of Christ. Let this truth encourage you to step forward in faith, knowing that God has already given you everything you need to begin. [13:55]
Romans 15:14-16 (ESV)
I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel unqualified to serve, and how might embracing God’s grace as your qualification change your willingness to step out in faith today?
Day 2: Spirit-Empowered Ministry Points to Christ
True ministry is not about our own accomplishments or platforms, but about what Christ accomplishes through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul models a humility that boasts only in Christ, recognizing that every act of obedience, every transformed life, and every sign of God’s power is the result of the Spirit at work. We are called to serve in both word and deed, allowing the Spirit to use us as instruments of God’s love and transformation in our communities. When we love one another well, our unity and care become a sign and wonder to the world, pointing people to Jesus and the reality of His kingdom. Let your life be a testimony that celebrates what Jesus has done, not what you have achieved. [24:13]
Romans 15:17-19 (ESV)
In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ.
Reflection: In what specific area of your life can you shift your focus from your own effectiveness to celebrating what Christ has accomplished through you?
Day 3: Gospel Ambition: Moving Outward for Christ
Paul’s holy ambition was to preach the gospel where Christ was not yet known, driven not by self-promotion but by a desire to see all nations come to know Jesus. This gospel ambition is a redeemed drive that compels us to look beyond our comfort zones and personal ambitions, seeking out those who have not yet heard the good news. God calls each of us to be pioneers in our own context—locally, cross-culturally, or globally—so that more people can be welcomed into His family. Ask God to give you a vision for where He might be sending you, and be willing to lay down personal ambitions to make room for His greater purpose. [31:37]
Romans 15:20-21 (ESV)
And thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”
Reflection: What personal ambition or comfort might you need to lay aside in order to pursue a gospel ambition that reaches those who have not yet heard about Jesus?
Day 4: Faithfulness Where You Are Planted
God’s call to mission begins right where you are, in your neighborhood, workplace, and daily relationships. Faithfulness in the ordinary moments—loving your neighbor, serving your community, and building relationships—prepares you for whatever God may call you to next. You don’t have to wait for a dramatic calling to a far-off place; your priestly service starts today, wherever God has planted you. Every act of love and service, no matter how small, is sacred when done in the name of Christ, and God can use your faithfulness to create a ripple effect that extends far beyond what you can see. [36:27]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Reflection: Who is one person in your immediate context you can intentionally serve or encourage this week as an act of faithfulness to God’s mission?
Day 5: Living Sent: Everyday Mission as Priestly Service
Living sent is not about having a special title, a passport, or a perfect spiritual record—it’s about embracing God’s grace, being empowered by His Spirit, and joining His mission wherever you go. Every believer is called to be a priest, standing in the gap for others and creating space for God’s presence in everyday life. Whether at work, at home, or in your community, your daily actions and words can be a witness to Christ’s love and power. God doesn’t waste any part of your story or experience; He weaves it all together for His kingdom purposes. Step into each day with the awareness that you are on mission, and trust that God will use your faithfulness to draw others to Himself. [49:09]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Reflection: How can you approach your daily routines and responsibilities with a renewed sense of being “sent” by God as a priest in His kingdom?
Quotes
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Aug 04, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?