Embracing Our Mission: Obedience and Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Great Commission: Our Mission to Make Disciples

Jesus’ final words to His disciples in Matthew 28 are not just a historical moment, but a living call for every believer today. We are not left to wander aimlessly or wonder about our purpose—Jesus has made it clear: we are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them to obey all He has commanded. This mission is not reserved for pastors or missionaries, but is the daily calling of every follower of Christ, wherever God has placed us. Living on mission means intentionally seeking opportunities to guide others closer to Jesus, whether at work, at home, or in our communities. The Great Commission is a lifelong journey of spiritual growth and multiplication, and it is the foundation of a life lived with purpose and meaning. [02:17]

Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 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 one person in your daily life that God may be calling you to intentionally pursue and guide closer to Christ this week?

Day 2: Created for Purpose: God’s Workmanship in Action

You are not an accident or a product of random chance—God has carefully crafted you as His workmanship, uniquely designed for good works that He prepared in advance for you to walk in. This truth from Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that our lives are meant to overflow with actions that bring glory to God and serve others. Each of us has been given gifts and placed in specific circumstances for a reason, and our calling is to discover and live out the mission God has for us right where we are. When we embrace this purpose, our routines are transformed from mundane repetition into meaningful opportunities to participate in God’s redemptive work in the world. [05:24]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflection: What is one way you can use your unique gifts or circumstances today to serve someone and reflect God’s purpose for your life?

Day 3: Obedience Through Doubt and Discomfort

Obedience to Christ is not always easy or comfortable, and it often requires us to step out in faith even when we have doubts or face challenges. The disciples obeyed Jesus’ command to meet Him on the mountain, even though some doubted and none fully understood what lay ahead. We, too, are called to follow Jesus’ direction, trusting His authority and goodness, even when we wrestle with uncertainty or discomfort. God can use us powerfully through our doubts and in our weakness, and He calls us to model a life of integrity and faithfulness that points others to Him. Obedience is not about perfection, but about a willing heart that says “yes” to God, even when it’s hard. [12:06]

2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV)
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

Reflection: What is one area where you feel doubt or discomfort about following Jesus’ call? How can you take a step of obedience in that area today, trusting Him with the outcome?

Day 4: Denying Ourselves: Aligning Our Desires with God’s Mission

Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him—a call that often means surrendering our own desires and comfort for the sake of a greater mission. When our personal ambitions or preferences clash with God’s heart, we are invited to pray for transformation, asking God to align our desires with His will. Living missionally means being willing to let go of what is comfortable or familiar in order to pursue what matters most to God: seeking and saving the lost, and making disciples. As we surrender our hearts, God gives us a deeper passion to reach those who do not yet know Him, and He reshapes our priorities to reflect His kingdom. [15:00]

Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Reflection: What is one personal desire or comfort you sense God asking you to surrender so you can better serve His mission? What would it look like to pray for your heart to be changed in this area?

Day 5: Comfort in His Presence: Never Alone on the Mission

As we step out to live on mission and make disciples, we are not left to do it in our own strength—Jesus promises to be with us always, to the very end of the age. This assurance of His presence is the ultimate comfort, especially when the task feels overwhelming or when we face resistance. God’s Spirit empowers us to do far more than we could ever do on our own, and His presence is constant, unchanging, and faithful. No matter where you go or what you face, you are never alone; God is with you, guiding, strengthening, and sustaining you as you walk in obedience to His call. [29:23]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Reflection: In what situation or relationship do you most need to remember that God is with you today? How can this truth give you courage to step out in faith?

Sermon Summary

In Matthew 28, Jesus gives a clear and compelling call to his followers: to go and make disciples of all nations. This is not a suggestion or a task reserved for a select few, but a commission for every believer. Each of us is uniquely crafted by God, placed in specific circumstances, and gifted for a purpose that extends beyond our own comfort or routine. Too often, life can feel like a monotonous cycle—waking, working, and waiting for the next big thing—yet God’s design for us is far richer. We are his workmanship, created for good works that he has prepared in advance, and our lives are meant to overflow with actions that glorify him and serve others.

Obedience is foundational to living out this mission. The disciples, even in their uncertainty and doubt, obeyed Jesus’ direction to meet him in Galilee. Their example reminds us that obedience is not about having all the answers or being free from doubt, but about trusting the authority of Christ and following where he leads. We are called to obey even when it is uncomfortable, even when it means denying our own desires, and even when we do not fully understand the outcome. Jesus reshapes our priorities, calling us to lay aside personal ambitions and embrace a greater mission: to seek and save the lost.

Making disciples is not a passive or optional endeavor. It is an active, intentional lifestyle that involves guiding others closer to Christ, one step at a time. This calling is not limited to pastors or missionaries; it is for every believer, wherever God has placed us—at work, at home, in our communities. The church is not meant to be a luxury liner for the comfortable, but a troop carrier for those on mission. We must resist the temptation to be passive, always asking whom God is calling us to pursue and how we can proclaim his truth in our current context.

Ultimately, we do not undertake this mission alone. Jesus promises his presence with us always, empowering us through the Holy Spirit to do far more than we could on our own. This assurance gives us courage to step out in faith, knowing that God is with us in every moment, equipping us to fulfill the purpose for which we were created.

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience to Christ’s authority is essential, even when we experience doubt or uncertainty. The disciples followed Jesus’ direction despite their questions, showing that faithfulness is not about having perfect confidence but about trusting the One who holds all authority in heaven and on earth. Our willingness to obey, even in the midst of doubt, opens the door for God to work through us in powerful ways. [12:06]
2. Living on mission requires stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing discomfort for the sake of the gospel. The apostles faced immense suffering, yet their afflictions prepared them for an eternal glory. Likewise, we are called to move beyond what is familiar or easy, trusting that God uses our discomfort to shape us and advance his kingdom. [13:49]
3. True discipleship involves denying ourselves and allowing God to reshape our desires. Jesus calls us to take up our cross, setting aside personal ambitions in favor of his greater mission. When our desires clash with God’s heart, we must pray for transformation, seeking a deeper longing to reach the lost and serve others as Christ did. [15:00]
4. Making disciples is an active, ongoing process that extends beyond conversion or baptism. It means intentionally guiding others to grow in their relationship with Christ, teaching them to obey all that he has commanded. This process of multiplication is for every believer, regardless of vocation or circumstance, and it often happens through simple, everyday interactions. [22:33]
5. God’s presence is the ultimate comfort and empowerment for our mission. Jesus’ promise to be with us always assures us that we are never alone in the work of making disciples. The Holy Spirit equips us to do what we cannot do on our own, giving us courage, wisdom, and strength to fulfill our calling in every season and setting. [29:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Introduction to the “Better” Series
[02:17] - Prayer and Setting the Foundation
[03:10] - The Rut of Routine and the Search for Purpose
[05:24] - God’s Purpose and Our Unique Calling
[07:43] - Embracing Our Gifts and Mission
[08:41] - The Resurrection and the Call to Obedience
[11:11] - The Challenge of Selective Obedience
[12:06] - Obedience Through Doubt
[13:49] - Obedience Through Discomfort
[15:00] - Obedience Through Denying Ourselves
[16:20] - The Church’s True Purpose
[18:51] - Mission Naperville and Active Discipleship
[22:33] - The Multiplication of Disciples
[25:07] - Avoiding Passivity and Living on Mission
[28:03] - Proclaiming Christ in Our Current Context
[29:23] - The Comfort of Christ’s Presence
[30:47] - Responding with Obedience and Courage

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV) — > Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 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

According to Matthew 28:16-20, what specific instructions does Jesus give to his disciples before he leaves them?
The sermon mentions that some of the disciples doubted even as they worshiped Jesus. What does the passage say about their response to Jesus’ presence? [12:06]
What does Jesus promise his followers at the end of the Great Commission? How does this promise relate to the mission he gives them? [29:23]
In the sermon, what examples are given of how people can get stuck in a “rut of routine” and miss out on God’s purpose? [03:10]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus gave the Great Commission to all his followers, not just to pastors or missionaries? What does this say about the role of every believer? [20:14]
The disciples obeyed Jesus’ direction to meet him in Galilee, even though some doubted. What does this teach about the relationship between faith, doubt, and obedience? [12:06]
The sermon compares the church to a “troop carrier” rather than a “luxury liner.” What does this analogy suggest about the church’s true purpose and how we should view our role in it? [17:36]
Jesus says, “I am with you always.” How might this assurance affect the way believers approach the mission of making disciples, especially when it feels difficult or intimidating? [29:23]

Application Questions

The sermon talks about life feeling like a monotonous cycle—waking, working, and waiting for the next big thing. In what ways have you experienced this “rut of routine”? How might living on mission break that cycle for you? [03:10]
Jesus calls us to obey even when we have doubts or don’t fully understand the outcome. Can you think of a time when you obeyed God despite uncertainty? What happened as a result? [12:06]
The apostles faced discomfort and suffering for the sake of the gospel. What is one area in your life where stepping out for Jesus might mean embracing discomfort or risk? How can you take a step of faith this week? [13:49]
The sermon says true discipleship involves denying ourselves and allowing God to reshape our desires. Is there a personal ambition or comfort you sense God asking you to lay down for his greater mission? What would it look like to surrender that? [15:00]
Making disciples is described as an active, ongoing process that happens in everyday life. Who is one person in your current context (work, home, community) you sense God calling you to intentionally guide closer to Christ? What is one practical step you can take this week? [25:07]
The pastor shared a story about missing opportunities to live on mission in high school. Looking back, is there a place or season in your life where you wish you had been more intentional about making disciples? How can you avoid passivity in your current season? [25:07]
Jesus promises his presence with us always. When you feel inadequate or afraid to share your faith, how can you remind yourself of this promise? Is there a specific prayer or action you can take to rely on the Holy Spirit’s help? [29:23]

Sermon Clips

Each and every one of us was made with a purpose, and we have been uniquely gifted by God to fulfill that purpose. Now we all have different gifts. We all are placed in different places, but God calls us to make disciples. That’s what we’re called to do. [00:07:56] (17 seconds) #UniquelyGiftedToServe

We like to pick and choose, but we’re called to be obedient. Obedient to what He tells us to do. And why do we do that? Why should we be obedient to what Jesus has said? Is verse 18. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Jesus’ words are not just a guy talking, but He is fully in control. [00:11:13] (25 seconds) #CalledToObedience

Even in the midst of worshiping Jesus, worshiping the resurrected King, there was doubts in their minds. They were still wrestling with doubts. And what that shows us is, this is the first sub-point I have, is even through our doubts, we are called to be obedient. Even through our doubts. [00:12:41] (18 seconds) #FaithThroughDoubt

When Jesus called His disciples, He reshaped their priorities. He told them that you have to change your heart. You have to bear your cross, bear your own sinful desires, and put them aside and pursue a greater mission. Pursue something that is beyond yourself. [00:15:30] (17 seconds) #CrossBearingMission

Our church’s purpose, and our purpose as Christians, is to draw people to Christ, to make disciples and to serve His kingdom. Our church motto here is discover, develop, and deploy disciples for Jesus. And we can sit down and we can debate on how well we as a church are doing that, but I can tell you one thing for sure, we can be better. [00:18:51] (24 seconds) #DiscoverDevelopDeploy

Disciple making is guiding someone to grow closer to Christ one step at a time. Guiding someone closer to Christ one step at a time. And yeah, there’s a range. There’s an intentionality behind that. But what does that look like for you to guide someone closer to Christ at work? What does it look like for you to guide someone closer to Christ at home? [00:23:48] (24 seconds) #GuidingCloserToChrist

And the next question is, how do I proclaim in my current position? How do you proclaim God’s truth with where He has put you? We are called to share the gospel with those who are lost. So we need to figure out what the best way to do that with the job we have, with the family we have. How do we do that? [00:28:15] (19 seconds) #ProclaimWhereYouAre

We see that at the end of our passage. He says, and behold, I am with you always till the end of the age. And what that tells us in the midst of embracing our mission is that we have a comfort in His presence. We have a comfort in knowing that God is with us. [00:28:55] (19 seconds) #NeverAloneInMission

There’s no day, no hour in which God is not present through the Holy Spirit. This promise is the ultimate comfort for a seemingly impossible mission. That means that we are never alone. [00:30:37] (15 seconds) #SpiritLedComfort

We are called to live on mission. We are called to be active participants in God’s divine plan. So let us respond with obedience. Let us courageously embrace our mission to make disciples. Let us rest in the comfort of His unfailing presence. [00:30:52] (19 seconds) #CourageousMissionEmbrace

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