Embracing Our Mission: A Call to Collective Engagement
Summary
Over the past few years, I’ve become much more aware of what goes into the things I consume—especially food. That curiosity about ingredients led me to a shocking discovery about Uncrustables, but it also made me think: what are the “ingredients” that make up our church? What are the essential marks of a disciple at Phoenix Bible Church? Today, we focused on one of those key ingredients: missional engagement. This is not just about what we do individually, but what we do together as a community, locking arms as the people of God, united in the Son, shaped by the Word, and empowered by the Spirit, all on mission for the glory of God.
Looking at Acts 1:6-11, we see the disciples asking Jesus if now is the time He will restore the kingdom to Israel. Their question was rooted in Old Testament promises, but Jesus redirects them to a much bigger vision. The mission isn’t just about Israel or a political kingdom; it’s about taking the good news to the ends of the earth, starting with transformed hearts. God’s mission is always bigger than we imagine. Too often, we shrink it down to an hour on Sunday or a narrow view of evangelism, but the entire story of Scripture is about God’s relentless mission to redeem and renew all things.
This mission, however, is beyond our natural ability. The disciples were ordinary, uneducated people—fishermen, tax collectors, even former enemies. Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit, they became witnesses, simply sharing what they had seen and heard. The same is true for us. We are not called to do this alone or in our own strength. The requirement is not expertise, but having received the gospel ourselves and being willing to testify to its reality in our lives, together with the people of God.
Missional engagement is not just a command; it’s a statement of who we are. If Jesus is precious to us, we cannot help but share Him—with our families, our neighbors, and to the ends of the earth. This is what we were created for: to be part of a community and a cause bigger than ourselves. Whether it’s through VBS, baptisms, or simply loving those around us, we find purpose, joy, and meaning as we walk in this mission together, empowered by the Spirit.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Mission Is Always Bigger Than Our Imagination
We often limit God’s mission to our own comfort zones or cultural expectations, just as the disciples did when they asked about restoring Israel’s kingdom. But God’s vision is global and cosmic, reaching far beyond our personal or national boundaries. We are invited to expand our prayers, our dreams, and our participation in His redemptive work, seeing ourselves as part of a story that stretches from Genesis to Revelation. [09:49]
- The Mission Is Beyond Our Ability—And That’s the Point
The early church was made up of ordinary, even unlikely people, who were tasked with an impossible mission. Their success was not due to their skills or strategies, but to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. We are meant to feel our inadequacy, so that we might depend fully on God’s power and the support of His people, rather than our own resources. [20:34]
- Witnessing Flows from What We’ve Received
Being a witness is not about having all the answers or being eloquent; it’s about sharing what Jesus has done in our lives. The only requirement to participate in God’s mission is to have first received the gospel ourselves. As we experience reconciliation with God, we naturally become agents of reconciliation to others, letting the overflow of God’s grace spill into every relationship and context. [25:10]
- Missional Living Is a Collective Calling
We are not called to live on mission in isolation. The church is a “they and a Jesus”—a community empowered by the Spirit, walking together in faith and obedience. Whether it’s encouraging a new believer, serving at VBS, or supporting one another in prayer, we fulfill our calling best when we lock arms and pursue God’s mission as a family. [27:53]
- Purpose and Joy Are Found in God’s Mission
Every human heart longs for a cause and a community bigger than itself. While the world offers substitutes—clubs, teams, concerts—nothing compares to the significance of joining God’s mission. As we step into this calling, we discover the deep joy, meaning, and purpose for which we were created, and we become part of God’s story of redemption in our city and beyond. [33:34]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:56] - The Ingredients Analogy: What Are We Made Of?
[03:04] - The Seven Marks of a Disciple at PBC
[05:03] - Rethinking Church: Beyond the Building
[07:11] - God’s Mission: Bigger Than You Think
[08:57] - The Disciples’ Question and Jesus’ Response
[12:37] - How We Shrink God’s Mission
[15:21] - The Bible as the Story of God’s Mission
[17:24] - The Mission Is Beyond Our Ability
[19:27] - No Strategy, Just the Spirit
[21:20] - Witnesses Empowered by the Holy Spirit
[24:06] - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Mission
[26:25] - Baptisms: A Vision of Our Mission
[27:53] - We Do This Together: Community and Mission
[29:42] - You Were Created for This
[33:34] - Real-Life Stories of Missional Living
[37:38] - Prayer and Closing
Study Guide
Phoenix Bible Church Small Group Discussion Guide
*Missional Engagement: The Ingredients of a Disciple*
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### Bible Reading
Acts 1:6-11 (ESV)
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
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### Observation Questions
1. What question did the disciples ask Jesus before He ascended, and what does it reveal about their expectations? ([08:57])
2. According to Jesus, what would the disciples receive, and what would they become as a result? ([21:20])
3. In the sermon, what analogy did the pastor use to help us think about the “ingredients” of our church and our lives? ([01:56])
4. What was the reaction of the people when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and what did they recognize about them? (Acts 4:13 referenced at [22:27])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus redirected the disciples’ question about restoring Israel’s kingdom instead of answering it directly? What does this say about God’s mission compared to our expectations? ([09:49])
2. The disciples were described as ordinary, uneducated people. Why do you think God chose to use people like this for such a big mission? ([20:34])
3. The sermon said, “Missional engagement is not just a command; it’s a statement of who we are.” What does it mean for witnessing to be both a command and a natural result of knowing Jesus? ([28:33])
4. The pastor mentioned that we often shrink God’s mission to something small, like an hour on Sunday or a narrow view of evangelism. Why do you think we do this, and what are the dangers of thinking this way? ([12:37])
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### Application Questions
1. The disciples’ question was rooted in their own hopes and cultural expectations. Are there ways you have limited God’s mission in your own life to your comfort zone or personal preferences? What would it look like to pray for a bigger vision? ([09:49])
2. The sermon challenged us to consider our prayer lives: “If God answered all your prayers from the last week, would it benefit anyone else but you?” How would you answer that honestly? What is one way you could expand your prayers this week to include God’s mission and others? ([16:11])
3. The early church was made up of ordinary people who depended on the Holy Spirit. Do you ever feel inadequate or unqualified to be part of God’s mission? How can you lean into the Spirit’s power and the support of the church community instead of your own abilities? ([20:34])
4. The only requirement to be a witness is to have received the gospel yourself. How has Jesus changed your life? What is one story or example you could share with someone this week about what you have “seen and heard”? ([21:20])
5. The pastor shared about baptisms and VBS as examples of missional living together. What are some practical ways you can “lock arms” with others in our church to live on mission—whether through serving, encouraging, or inviting? ([27:53])
6. The sermon said, “If Jesus is precious to you, you will not be able to keep your good news to yourself.” Is there someone in your family, neighborhood, or workplace who needs to hear about Jesus? What is one step you can take to share or show Christ’s love to them this week? ([29:42])
7. The world offers many substitutes for purpose and community—clubs, teams, concerts. Have you ever chased after these things for meaning? How does being part of God’s mission and church offer something deeper? ([32:32])
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Close in prayer:
Ask God to enlarge your vision for His mission, to empower you by His Spirit, and to help you lock arms with others as you live out your calling together.
Devotional
Day 1: God's Mission Is Bigger Than You Think
God’s mission is not limited to our personal expectations or comfort zones; it is a grand, global purpose that encompasses every nation, every people, and every corner of the earth. The disciples, like many of us, initially thought too small—focusing on their own nation, their own restoration, and their own understanding of God’s promises. Yet Jesus gently expanded their vision, showing them that His kingdom was not just about Israel or a political reign, but about the transformation of hearts and the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth. We are invited to lift our eyes beyond our routines and see that God’s mission is far greater than we often imagine, calling us to participate in something that stretches across time and space, impacting lives in ways we may never fully see. [09:49]
Acts 1:6-8 (ESV)
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Reflection: In what ways have you limited God’s mission to your own comfort or expectations, and how might God be inviting you to see His purpose as bigger than you’ve imagined today?
Day 2: God’s Mission Is Beyond Our Ability
The call to be witnesses to the ends of the earth is not something we can accomplish in our own strength, wisdom, or resources. The early disciples were ordinary people—fishermen, tax collectors, and everyday men and women—who were given an extraordinary mission. Jesus did not leave them with a detailed strategy or a step-by-step plan; instead, He promised the power of the Holy Spirit. It is only through the Spirit’s presence and power, and by locking arms with the people of God, that we can step into the mission Jesus has given us. When we feel inadequate or overwhelmed, that is exactly where God wants us—dependent on Him and on one another, so that His power, not ours, is what moves the mission forward. [21:20]
Acts 1:8-11 (ESV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Reflection: Where do you feel most inadequate or unqualified to join God’s mission, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit and the support of others into that space today?
Day 3: The Power of Witnessing Flows from Being with Jesus
The effectiveness of our witness does not come from eloquence, education, or expertise, but from having been with Jesus and being filled with His Spirit. The early church astonished the world not because they were impressive by worldly standards, but because people could tell they had been with Jesus. Their boldness, love, and unity were evidence of the Spirit’s work in their lives. Today, the same is true for us: our greatest qualification for God’s mission is a real, ongoing relationship with Jesus, cultivated through time in His presence and in community with His people. [23:10]
Acts 4:13 (ESV)
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally spend time with Jesus this week so that your life naturally reflects His presence to those around you?
Day 4: You Were Created for This Mission
Being a witness for Jesus is not just a command; it is a statement of who you are and what you were made for. When you have truly experienced the love and grace of Christ, it overflows into every area of your life—your family, your work, your neighborhood, and beyond. This is not about adding another task to your to-do list, but about living out your true identity as an agent of reconciliation, letting the good news of Jesus spill over into your relationships and daily routines. There is deep purpose, joy, and meaning in embracing the mission you were created for, and it is meant to be lived out together with others who are on the same journey. [29:42]
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Reflection: Who in your immediate circle—family, friends, coworkers—needs to experience the overflow of Christ’s love through you today, and what is one intentional step you can take to share or show that love?
Day 5: The Mission Is Meant to Be Lived Together
God’s mission is not a solo endeavor; it is designed to be lived out in community, with the people of God locking arms and supporting one another. Just as the early church was a “they” empowered by Jesus, we are called to journey together, encouraging, equipping, and carrying one another as we pursue God’s purpose. Whether it’s through serving, sharing, or simply being present, every act done in unity for the sake of the gospel has ripple effects far beyond what we can see. When we step into God’s mission together, we find the community and cause our hearts were made for, and we become part of something that truly changes lives. [27:53]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Reflection: Who is one person in your church or faith community you can encourage or partner with this week to pursue God’s mission together in a tangible way?
Quotes
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