Embracing Our Mission: Following Jesus Together

Devotional

Day 1: Following Jesus Means Immediate and Total Commitment

When Jesus called his first disciples, they responded without hesitation, leaving behind their nets, their boats, and even their families to follow Him. This immediate response reveals the kind of wholehearted commitment Jesus desires from His followers—a willingness to let go of comfort, security, and even personal plans in order to pursue Him above all else. The call to follow Jesus is not just an invitation to observe from a distance, but to step out in faith, trusting that what He offers is worth more than anything we leave behind. [10:18]

Matthew 4:18-22 (ESV)
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Reflection: What is one thing you sense Jesus asking you to leave behind so you can follow Him more fully today?

Day 2: The Heart of Jesus Is to Seek and Save the Lost

Jesus made it clear that His mission was to seek and save those who are lost, and if we spend time with Him, we will come to value what He values—people. As followers of Christ, we are called to hold people in high regard, to see them through the eyes of Jesus, and to make His mission our own. When we align our hearts with His, we begin to care deeply about those who are far from God and are moved to reach out in love and compassion. [19:18]

Luke 19:10 (ESV)
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Reflection: Who is one person in your life who feels far from God? How can you intentionally show them the love of Jesus this week?

Day 3: True Greatness Is Found in Serving Others

Jesus redefined greatness by teaching that the greatest among us is the one who serves, not the one who is served. He modeled this by giving His life as a ransom for many and by performing humble acts of service, like washing His disciples’ feet. Following Jesus means embracing a life of service, putting others before ourselves, and being willing to do even the lowliest tasks for the sake of the gospel. [21:48]

Mark 10:45 (ESV)
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can serve someone in your church or community today, even if it feels uncomfortable or unnoticed?

Day 4: The Mission of Every Believer Is to Make Disciples

Jesus entrusted His mission to His followers, commanding them to go and make disciples of all nations. This is not just a task for a select few, but a calling for every believer—to share the good news, to teach others about Jesus, and to help them grow in their faith. The Great Commission is a reminder that we are all sent, empowered by Jesus’ authority and presence, to participate in God’s global mission. [25:39]

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: Who is someone you can intentionally invest in spiritually this month—either by sharing your faith or helping them grow as a disciple?

Day 5: You Are Empowered to Be a Witness Everywhere

Jesus promised that His followers would receive power from the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses—not just in their immediate surroundings, but to the ends of the earth. This means that every believer is called and equipped to share the story of Jesus wherever they are, whether at home, in their region, among those who are different, or across the world. Missions is not optional; it is the natural outflow of a life transformed by Christ and empowered by His Spirit. [28:36]

Acts 1:8 (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.

Reflection: Where is your “Jerusalem” (your immediate context), and how can you be a bold witness for Jesus there today?

Sermon Summary

Missions is at the very heart of what it means to follow Jesus. When Jesus called his first disciples, he didn’t give them a long list of requirements or a detailed plan—he simply said, “Follow me,” and they left everything immediately. This wasn’t just a random act; in the Jewish context, being chosen by a rabbi was a high honor, something every young boy aspired to. Yet, Jesus didn’t pick the best of the best; he chose ordinary fishermen, people who had already been passed over by other rabbis. This shows that Jesus values availability over ability, and he invites all of us—regardless of our background—to join him in his mission.

Spending time with Jesus transforms us. Just as we get to know those we spend time with, the more we walk with Christ, the more we understand what he values. Jesus holds people in the highest regard, and if we are to become like him, people must matter to us as well. Following Jesus isn’t about making him more like us, but about being conformed to his image. It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it. If we find ourselves too busy for the things of God, it’s a sign that our priorities need to shift.

Serving others is central to the life Jesus modeled. He didn’t come to be served, but to serve and to give his life for many. True greatness in the kingdom is found in humility and service, not in status or recognition. We are called to lay aside our own preferences, take up our cross daily, and follow him—even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient.

The mission Jesus gave is clear: go and make disciples of all nations. This isn’t just for a select few; it’s for every follower of Christ. Missions isn’t an optional add-on to the Christian life—it is the very purpose of the church. Whether we go across the street or across the world, we are all called to be witnesses, sharing the love and message of Jesus wherever we are.

Ultimately, missions matters because it matters to Jesus—and because at one time, each of us was the mission. Someone shared the good news with us, and now we have the privilege and responsibility to do the same for others. We are better together, and God has entrusted his mission to us. Let’s not settle for being spectators; let’s step into the calling to love, serve, and reach people for Christ.

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Key Takeaways

1. Jesus Calls the Ordinary, Not the Elite Jesus chose fishermen—those overlooked by society and religious leaders—to be his disciples. This demonstrates that God values willingness and availability over worldly qualifications. If you feel unqualified or ordinary, remember that Jesus delights in using those who simply say “yes” to his call. [13:57]
2. Transformation Comes from Proximity to Christ The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we become like him. This isn’t about making Jesus fit our preferences, but about allowing him to reshape our hearts and priorities. True discipleship means learning what Jesus values—especially his love for people—and letting that shape our actions. [17:24]
3. Serving Is the Path to Greatness Jesus redefined greatness as serving others, not seeking to be served. He modeled humility by washing feet and giving his life for others, challenging us to do the same. When we serve, especially in unseen ways, we participate in the very heart of Christ’s mission. [22:58]
4. Missions Is the Core Purpose of the Church The mission of the church is not just to gather, but to go—making disciples of all nations. This is not reserved for a select group; every believer is called to be a witness, both locally and globally. Missions is not an extracurricular activity; it is the main thing Jesus entrusted to us. [25:39]
5. We Are the Fruit of Someone’s Mission Each of us is here because someone took the mission of Jesus seriously and shared the gospel with us. Remembering this should fuel our passion to reach others, knowing that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. We are called to both give and go, participating in God’s redemptive work in the world. [31:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:48] - Introduction and Humor
[07:04] - Why Missions Matters
[09:09] - Two Questions for Christ Followers
[10:18] - The Call of the First Disciples
[13:12] - The Jewish Context of Discipleship
[15:09] - The Three Goals of a Disciple
[16:06] - You Can’t Outgive God
[17:24] - Spending Time with Jesus
[18:44] - What Jesus Values Most
[19:44] - Becoming Like Jesus
[21:15] - Prioritizing the Things of God
[22:11] - Serving Like Jesus
[24:23] - Taking Up Your Cross
[25:39] - The Great Commission
[26:42] - Why Missions Matters: Two Reasons
[28:36] - Missions Starts Where You Are
[30:04] - Crossing Boundaries for the Gospel
[31:10] - Missions Is Personal
[32:56] - Invitation and Response
[36:00] - Closing and Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 4:18-22 (ESV) — > While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Mark 10:45 (ESV) — > For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

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.”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 4:18-22, what did Jesus say to the fishermen, and how did they respond? What stands out about their reaction?
According to Mark 10:45, what did Jesus say about his own purpose in coming to earth?
In the sermon, what was the significance of Jesus choosing fishermen instead of the “best of the best” as his disciples? [[13:57]]
What is the main command Jesus gives in Matthew 28:18-20, and who is it directed to?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose ordinary people, like fishermen, to be his first disciples instead of religious experts or leaders? What does this say about who can be used by God? [[13:57]]
The sermon mentioned that spending time with Jesus changes what we value. How does being close to Jesus affect the way we see and treat other people? [[17:24]]
Jesus redefined greatness as serving others (Mark 10:45). How is this different from how the world usually defines greatness? [[22:11]]
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is given to all followers of Jesus. What might it look like for an “ordinary” Christian to live this out in their daily life? [[25:39]]

Application Questions

The disciples left their nets “immediately” to follow Jesus. Is there something in your life that you feel God might be asking you to leave behind or reprioritize so you can follow him more closely? What would it look like to respond “at once”? [[10:18]]
The sermon said Jesus values availability over ability. Do you ever feel unqualified to serve God or share your faith? What is one way you can say “yes” to God this week, even if you feel ordinary? [[13:57]]
The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we become like him. What is one practical way you can spend more intentional time with Jesus this week? How might this change your attitude toward others? [[17:24]]
Jesus modeled serving others, even in unseen or humble ways. Is there a specific act of service—big or small—that you can do for someone this week, especially if it’s not likely to be noticed or praised? [[22:58]]
The sermon challenged us to check our priorities: “If you’re too busy for the things of God, you’re too busy.” Is there something in your schedule that needs to shift so you can make space for God’s mission? What is one step you can take? [[21:15]]
Missions isn’t just about going overseas—it starts where you are. Who is one person in your life (neighbor, coworker, friend) who needs to experience the love of Jesus? What is one way you can reach out to them this week? [[28:36]]
The pastor reminded us that each of us is here because someone shared the gospel with us. Who shared Jesus with you, and how does remembering that motivate you to share with others? [[31:10]]

Sermon Clips

If you're a Christ follower, would you make some noise for me? Excellent. Excellent. All right, question two, ready? Are you actually following Christ? It's the same reaction. I've only done this survey four times. It's the same. Yeah. Following Jesus. Are you really like, you got the T shirt, but you don't really know what it says? [00:09:26] (32 seconds) #FollowingBeyondTheTShirt

These are not the cream of the crop, but if you were, you got to go to the next level. From years 13 to 17, you would go to the school of learned. It was known as the house of learning. And by the time you were 17 and graduated that you had memorized the entire Old Testament. How many of you know John? 3.16. Amen. And that's only because you watch football, right? [00:14:14] (27 seconds) #NextLevelFaithJourney

Far too often we try to make Jesus like us. And that just never works. Hey, this is a chance for an amen. A cheap amen at my cost. I have found over the years, Jesus is nothing like me. Are you psyched about that? Amen. And it's worked out for me, too. I've learned this over the years when me and Jesus disagree, He's usually right. Still learning that one. [00:19:37] (24 seconds) #JesusIsNotLikeMe

Many of us serving is beneath me. And then I read a passage where Jesus washed feet. And always my reaction is, ew, I love you, Granite. There's a good chance I'm not gonna wash your feet. You can quote that scripture all day to me. I think feet are the nastiest part of the human body. I'm sorry. If I could sleep with shoes on, I would. But she just washed feet. [00:22:46] (27 seconds) #ServeWithHumility

So I would ask you this morning, have you spent time with Jesus? Then you know that Jesus loves people. Do you? You want to become like Jesus. Then you know people are important to Jesus. Are they important to you? If you want to do what Jesus does. Jesus has entrusted his mission to you and I. It is overwhelming to think about. [00:27:13] (31 seconds) #BetterTogetherInMission

You can't do it by yourself. We are better together. And so why does it matter? Because it matters to Jesus when he's entrusted his mission to us. And I want to know, are you ready? [00:28:05] (16 seconds) #GiveAndGoBoth

He said it's going to start. Notice I skipped it. But it says you will be my witnesses. It doesn't say if you decide to be my. You are. If you know Christ as Lord and Savior, you know too much to keep your mouth shut. And the fact is, you will be a witness, whether you're good at it or bad at it. That's Totally up to you, but you will be a witness. [00:29:06] (25 seconds) #JudgeNotHeaven

Why does missions matter? Because it matters to Jesus. Secondly, is more personal to me. Why does missions matter? Because at one time, I was Jesus mission. Someone one time told me that Jesus loves me. I was so overwhelmed by that. [00:31:06] (23 seconds) #FoundByJesusMission

I am so glad. A long time ago, for Me, someone who had spent time with Jesus, someone who spent the time becoming like Jesus, and someone who took the mission of Jesus found me. Can we do any less as followers of Christ? That's why it matters, because it's about you and I. [00:32:13] (27 seconds) #DoNoLessThanJesus

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