Embracing Our Mission: The Call to Reach Out
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound question of "Why Reach?" and delved into the heart of our mission as followers of Christ. We began by acknowledging the journey of faith that each of us is on, whether we're seasoned believers or just beginning to explore who Jesus is. Our focus was on understanding the importance of having a "why" behind our actions, as it fuels our conviction and passion. We are not called to live out our faith mundanely; rather, our faith is alive and vibrant, and it calls us to reach out with expectation and purpose.
We reflected on Jesus' mission, as stated in Luke 19:10, where He came to seek and save the lost. This mission is not just a historical event but a living mandate for us today. Jesus' approach was simple yet profound—He invited ordinary people to follow Him, transforming them from spectators to participants in His mission. This transformation is not about perfection but about willingness and obedience. We are called to be disciples who make disciples, influencing others and reaching out with the love and message of Jesus.
We also discussed the importance of carrying an eternal perspective, recognizing that our actions have eternal implications. The reality of heaven and hell should stir us to share the hope we have in Christ with urgency and compassion. We are reminded that reaching others is not about immediate results but about planting seeds and trusting God for the growth. Our role is to be faithful in sowing, watering, and nurturing, knowing that God is the one who brings the harvest.
Furthermore, we emphasized the need to carry an expectation for salvation, being ready and willing to seize opportunities to share the gospel. We are called to be laborers in the harvest, stepping out of our comfort zones and allowing God to use us as vessels of His love and grace. Finally, we are reminded that reaching others is ultimately about revealing Jesus, not about our eloquence or abilities. It's about making His name known and glorifying Him through our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The Importance of "Why": Understanding the "why" behind our actions fuels our conviction and passion. Our faith is not meant to be mundane but alive and vibrant, calling us to reach out with purpose and expectation. [01:56]
- Jesus' Mission and Our Mandate: Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and this mission is our mandate today. We are called to be disciples who make disciples, influencing others with the love and message of Jesus. It's not about perfection but about willingness and obedience. [05:04]
- Eternal Perspective: Carrying an eternal perspective reminds us of the reality of heaven and hell. Our actions have eternal implications, and we are called to share the hope we have in Christ with urgency and compassion. [17:55]
- Commitment to the Long Game: Reaching others is not about immediate results but about planting seeds and trusting God for the growth. We are called to be faithful in sowing, watering, and nurturing, knowing that God is the one who brings the harvest. [21:04]
- Revealing Jesus: Reaching others is ultimately about revealing Jesus, not about our eloquence or abilities. It's about making His name known and glorifying Him through our lives. We are called to be vessels of His love and grace. [30:13]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:56] - The Importance of "Why"
[05:04] - Jesus' Mission and Our Mandate
[07:21] - Trusting God's Leading
[09:17] - Anointed to Proclaim
[10:52] - Passion for Jesus
[12:24] - Continuing the Mission
[13:46] - Authority and Presence
[16:27] - Eternal Perspective
[17:55] - Urgency for Eternity
[19:44] - Plundering Hell, Populating Heaven
[21:04] - Commitment to the Long Game
[24:04] - Expectation for Salvation
[26:36] - Readiness and Opportunity
[28:01] - Laboring in the Kingdom
[30:13] - Revealing Jesus
[31:40] - Anointing and Revival
[32:35] - Surrender and Passion
[34:57] - Invitation to Relationship
[38:03] - Celebration and New Beginnings
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Why Reach?"
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 19:10 - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
2. Matthew 28:18-20 - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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. Romans 10:14-15 - "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Luke 19:10, what was the primary mission of Jesus when He came to earth? How does this mission relate to our calling as His followers? [05:04]
2. In Matthew 28:18-20, what are the specific instructions Jesus gives to His disciples? How does this passage emphasize the importance of making disciples?
3. Romans 10:14-15 highlights a series of questions about belief and preaching. What is the sequence of events that leads to someone calling on the name of the Lord?
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of having a "why" behind our actions. How does understanding our "why" influence our approach to reaching others? [01:56]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' mission to "seek and save the lost" in Luke 19:10 serve as a model for our own mission as Christians? What does it mean to seek and save in today's context? [05:04]
2. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus promises His presence with His followers as they make disciples. How does this promise impact our confidence and approach in sharing the gospel?
3. Romans 10:14-15 discusses the necessity of preaching for belief. What role do individuals play in this process, and how does it reflect the responsibility of the church community?
4. The sermon emphasized carrying an eternal perspective. How does this perspective change the way we view our daily interactions and opportunities to share the gospel? [17:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal "why" for reaching others. How does this motivation align with Jesus' mission and the Great Commission? What steps can you take to ensure your actions are fueled by this purpose? [01:56]
2. Consider the people in your life who may not know Jesus. How can you intentionally create opportunities to share the gospel with them? What practical steps can you take this week to reach out? [05:04]
3. The sermon mentioned the importance of being ready and willing to seize opportunities to share the gospel. How can you prepare yourself to be more responsive to these opportunities in your daily life? [24:04]
4. How can you cultivate an eternal perspective in your life? What specific practices or habits can help you maintain this focus and urgency in sharing the hope of Christ? [17:55]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt hesitant to share your faith. What were the barriers, and how can you overcome them in the future? How can the promise of Jesus' presence in Matthew 28:18-20 encourage you? [13:46]
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of planting seeds and trusting God for growth. How can you be faithful in sowing, watering, and nurturing the seeds of faith in others? What does this look like in your current relationships? [21:04]
7. Identify one person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week? What specific approach will you take to share the love and message of Jesus with them? [28:01]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Purposeful Faith
Our faith is not meant to be mundane or routine; it is a vibrant and living force that calls us to act with purpose and expectation. Understanding the "why" behind our actions fuels our conviction and passion, enabling us to reach out to others with intention. This purposeful faith transforms our daily lives, encouraging us to step beyond our comfort zones and engage with the world around us in meaningful ways. By embracing this dynamic faith, we become active participants in God's mission, ready to make a difference in the lives of those we encounter. [01:56]
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you can act with more purpose and expectation today? How can you remind yourself of the "why" behind your actions in this area?
Day 2: Embracing Our Mandate to Disciple
Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost is not just a historical event but a living mandate for us today. We are called to be disciples who make disciples, influencing others with the love and message of Jesus. This calling is not about achieving perfection but about being willing and obedient to follow Christ's example. As we embrace this mandate, we transform from spectators to active participants in His mission, sharing the hope and love of Jesus with those around us. [05:04]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.'" (Mark 16:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can intentionally disciple or influence with the love of Jesus this week? What steps can you take to begin this journey with them?
Day 3: Living with an Eternal Perspective
Carrying an eternal perspective reminds us of the reality of heaven and hell and the eternal implications of our actions. This perspective stirs us to share the hope we have in Christ with urgency and compassion, recognizing that our time on earth is limited. By focusing on eternity, we are motivated to live lives that reflect the love and grace of Jesus, reaching out to others with the message of salvation. This eternal mindset encourages us to prioritize what truly matters and to invest in relationships that have lasting significance. [17:55]
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal priorities today? What is one practical step you can take to live with an eternal perspective?
Day 4: Faithful in the Long Game
Reaching others is not about immediate results but about planting seeds and trusting God for the growth. We are called to be faithful in sowing, watering, and nurturing, knowing that God is the one who brings the harvest. This commitment to the long game requires patience and perseverance, as we trust in God's timing and His ability to transform lives. By remaining faithful in our efforts, we become vessels through which God's love and grace can flow, impacting the world around us in profound ways. [21:04]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to practice patience and perseverance in reaching others? How can you remain faithful in your efforts, trusting God for the growth?
Day 5: Revealing Jesus Through Our Lives
Reaching others is ultimately about revealing Jesus, not about our eloquence or abilities. It's about making His name known and glorifying Him through our lives. We are called to be vessels of His love and grace, allowing His presence to shine through us in all that we do. By focusing on revealing Jesus, we shift the emphasis from our own strengths and weaknesses to His power and glory, trusting that He will work through us to touch the hearts of those we encounter. [30:13]
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally reveal Jesus to someone in your life today? What specific actions or attitudes can you adopt to make His presence known through your interactions?
Quotes
"Jesus says this, Luke 19, verse 10. He says, For the Son of Man came for this one reason, for this one purpose, with this one mandate. This is the reason Jesus himself became incarnate. This is the reason Jesus put skin and flesh on. This is the reason God stepped out of eternity into time, into space, into matter, to be with us. He came for this one reason, to seek and save those who are lost." [00:03:51] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"What if it actually wasn't about the result in that one moment, but it was about the moment that we planted a seed that God could take and do something with? That maybe 10, 15 years later, from that one seed, from that one moment, someone's eternity could be impacted?" [00:07:21] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Come on, this is his promise. That all authority, not partial authority, not if we get it all right, not if we have our ducks in order and we eloquently can say the gospel in 10 steps or 10 points or we're perfect with our testimony or we have the perfect moment. No, it's just the reality of Jesus saying, my authority is with you. My presence goes before you." [00:14:38] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The truth is that there will be a day when Jesus comes back. There will be a day where time here on earth ends. There will be a day where we all stand before him. And the truth is, is that there is a heaven and there is a hell." [00:17:20] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And the cross means that we can look to him and have life. And keeping an eternal perspective in our life will keep out complacency, and it will keep us with an urgency for people's eternal destination." [00:19:16] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Matthew 13, I love Jesus speaking around this parable, but he talks about a farmer. He says, the kingdom of God is like this farmer. And the farmer goes out and he sows seed. He sows seed into all different types of soil. Doesn't look at the soil and say, is it ready? Is it not ready? Is it not ready? Is it not ready? He doesn't judge the soil. He just does his job. He says, my job is just to plant seed." [00:20:41] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Come on, we've got to be ready. Be ready for the opportunity. Praying for the opportunity. Opportunity. Believing for moments. Reaching out. Come on, just that space. Come on, would you come to the Christmas Spectacular?" [00:26:34] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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