Everyday Mission: Seeing and Serving Like Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: God Is Our Refuge and Strength

God, the Creator of all, is not distant or begrudging in His care for us; rather, He is our ever-present refuge and strength, offering a safe space in the midst of life's chaos and transitions. He desires for us to find peace and security in Him, inviting us to bring our troubles and anxieties into His presence, knowing that He is both able and willing to shelter us with His love. When we feel overwhelmed or uncertain, we can remember that the holy God who made everything is also the One who draws near to comfort and protect us. [28:43]

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to intentionally seek God as your refuge today, trusting Him to be your safe place instead of relying on your own strength or resources?

Day 2: The Mission of Jesus Is an Everyday Mission

The mission Jesus gives is not reserved for special occasions or a select few; it is woven into the fabric of our daily lives, calling us to make disciples, love others, and live out our faith in the ordinary moments as we go about our routines. Jesus’ command in the Great Commission is not just about going somewhere far away, but about living with purpose and openness to God’s work in every interaction, errand, and conversation. Our identity as followers of Christ means that every day is an opportunity to join God in His renewing work, wherever we are. [44:19]

Matthew 28:19-20
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: What is one ordinary place or routine in your life where you can intentionally look for opportunities to join Jesus in His mission today?

Day 3: The Mission of Jesus Begins with Seeing Like Jesus

Living out Jesus’ mission starts with truly seeing the people around us—not as obstacles or background noise, but as individuals made in the image of God, worthy of attention and compassion. In a world that encourages us to rush past others and focus on our own destinations, Jesus calls us to slow down, notice, and allow the Spirit to direct our gaze to those He wants to love through us. When we see with the eyes of Jesus, we open ourselves to divine interruptions and the possibility of God’s kingdom breaking through in unexpected ways. [49:30]

Acts 3:1-5
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

Reflection: Who is someone you tend to overlook in your daily life, and how can you pause to truly see and value them as Jesus does today?

Day 4: The Mission of Jesus Is Empowered by Jesus

We are not called to rely on our own resources, abilities, or confidence to fulfill Jesus’ mission; instead, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit—the very presence and power of the resurrected Christ living in us. Even when we feel inadequate or lacking, God provides what we need most: Himself. As we step out in faith, trusting in the Spirit’s power rather than our own, we can expect God to work in and through us in ways that go beyond what we could accomplish alone. [59:00]

Acts 1:8
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.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel most inadequate or under-resourced, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you to step out in faith today?

Day 5: The Mission of Jesus Is All About Jesus

Every act of love, every miracle, and every moment of mission ultimately points to Jesus—His name, His power, and His glory. The true miracle is not just physical healing or outward change, but hearts transformed into worshipers who are caught up in the story of Jesus and His kingdom. Our lives, like the healed man in Acts, are meant to overflow with praise and to draw others’ attention to the One who saves, heals, and restores. As we live for Jesus, we become part of His ongoing story, inviting others to wonder and worship alongside us. [01:07:46]

Acts 3:6-10
But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Reflection: How can you make much of Jesus in your words and actions today, so that others are drawn to worship Him because of what they see in your life?

Sermon Summary

God is our refuge and strength, always present and loving, inviting us to find safety and purpose in Him. The story from Acts 3, where Peter and John encounter a man lame from birth at the temple gate, reminds us that the mission of Jesus is not reserved for special occasions or extraordinary people, but is woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. As Peter and John were simply on their way to pray, they allowed themselves to be interrupted by the Spirit, seeing the man not as a fixture to be ignored, but as a person made in the image of God. Their willingness to see, to stop, and to offer what they had—faith in the name of Jesus—became the channel for God’s miraculous work.

This passage challenges us to reimagine our daily routines as opportunities for God’s kingdom to break in. The mission of Jesus is not a compartmentalized activity, but an identity we carry into every interaction, whether at work, at home, or in the most mundane moments. We are called to see people as Jesus sees them, to be open to the Spirit’s prompting, and to trust that what we have—however meager it may seem—is enough when empowered by the presence of Christ.

Peter and John did not rely on their own resources or abilities, but on the power of the resurrected Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Their confidence was not in what they lacked, but in who was with them. The miracle at the temple gate was not an end in itself, but a signpost pointing to the greater reality of God’s kingdom and the transformation of hearts. The man’s healing led him from the margins into the center of worship, and his joy became a testimony to all who witnessed it.

We are invited to live with this same sense of expectation and purpose. Our flourishing is not found in uninterrupted comfort or accumulating resources, but in joining God’s work in the world, empowered by His Spirit. Whether we feel like Peter, bold and full of faith, or more like the beggar, needy and broken, Jesus meets us, heals us, and sends us out to participate in His everyday mission. Our stories, like that of my friend Rosa, can become vessels of God’s overflowing love, touching lives in ways we could never predict.

Key Takeaways

1. The mission of Jesus is woven into the ordinary rhythms of life. God invites us to see every moment—whether routine or unexpected—as an opportunity to participate in His kingdom work. Our calling is not to wait for the extraordinary, but to be faithful and attentive in the everyday, trusting that God can use even the smallest interactions for His glory. [43:36]
2. Seeing like Jesus means allowing ourselves to be interrupted and truly noticing those around us. In a world that prizes efficiency and self-protection, the Spirit calls us to slow down, to look people in the eye, and to recognize their dignity and need. This posture of attentiveness is the starting point for God’s love to flow through us. [49:30]
3. We are not limited by what we lack, but empowered by who we have. Peter and John had no silver or gold, but they offered the power and presence of Jesus. Our effectiveness in God’s mission does not depend on our resources, intelligence, or influence, but on our willingness to trust and step out in faith, relying on the Spirit’s strength. [55:09]
4. The miracles and acts of service we participate in are never ends in themselves; they are signposts to Jesus. The true purpose of God’s work in and through us is to draw people into worship, transformation, and deeper relationship with Him. Our lives are meant to point beyond ourselves to the One who heals, restores, and redeems. [64:22]
5. Whether we feel strong or weak, bold or broken, Jesus meets us where we are and invites us into His mission. The gospel is not about having it all together, but about being seen, healed, and sent by the One who gave everything for us. Our stories, when surrendered to Him, become vessels of His overflowing love and grace to a world in need. [71:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:43] - Opening Worship: God Our Refuge
[34:40] - Scripture Reading: Acts 3:1-10
[36:46] - Series Introduction: Acts and Everyday Mission
[39:08] - Rosa’s Story: Ordinary Conversations, Extraordinary Impact
[41:40] - The Mission of Jesus: An Everyday Calling
[43:36] - Everyday Mission: Living with Purpose
[46:13] - Seeing Like Jesus: The Power of Attention
[49:30] - The First Step: Noticing Others
[52:41] - Offering What We Have: Faith Over Resources
[55:09] - Empowered by the Spirit, Not Our Strength
[59:00] - The True Source of Power: The Holy Spirit
[63:44] - The Purpose of Miracles: Pointing to Jesus
[67:46] - From Outsider to Worshiper: Transformation
[71:11] - The Gospel for the Broken and the Bold
[73:05] - Rosa’s Overflowing Love: Everyday Mission in Action
[76:09] - Responding: Believe, Feast, and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Everyday Mission in the Ordinary
(Based on Acts 3:1-10 and the sermon summary above)

Bible Reading

Acts 3:1-10 (ESV)
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Observation Questions

What were Peter and John doing when they encountered the man at the temple gate? What does this tell us about the setting of this story? ([34:40])
How did Peter and John respond to the man’s request for alms? What did they offer him instead? ([35:24])
What was the immediate reaction of the healed man, and how did the people around him respond? ([36:00])
According to the sermon, what is significant about Peter and John “seeing” the man, rather than just passing by? ([49:30])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says the mission of Jesus is “woven into the ordinary rhythms of life.” What does it mean that Peter and John were simply on their way to pray when God used them? How does this challenge the idea that God only works in “special” moments? ([43:36])
Why is it important that Peter and John did not rely on their own resources, but on the name and power of Jesus? What does this teach us about our own limitations and God’s sufficiency? ([55:09])
The man’s healing led him from the margins into the center of worship. What does this transformation represent, both for him and for the community? ([01:04:22])
The sermon mentions that miracles and acts of service are “signposts to Jesus.” How can we tell if our actions are pointing people to Jesus or just to ourselves? ([01:04:22])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to see our daily routines as opportunities for God’s kingdom to break in. Think about your typical week—where might God be inviting you to “see” someone you usually overlook? What would it look like to be open to a Spirit-led interruption? ([43:36])
Peter and John offered what they had, even though it wasn’t money or material resources. Is there something you feel you “lack” that keeps you from serving others? How might God use what you do have, however small it seems? ([55:09])
The story of Rosa in the sermon shows how ordinary conversations can lead to extraordinary impact. Can you recall a time when a simple act of kindness or a conversation made a bigger difference than you expected? How might you be more intentional in your everyday interactions? ([01:13:05])
The sermon says, “Seeing like Jesus means allowing ourselves to be interrupted and truly noticing those around us.” What are some practical ways you can slow down and pay attention to people this week, even if it’s inconvenient? ([49:30])
The healed man’s joy became a testimony to others. Is there an area of your life where God has brought healing or transformation? How can you share that story to encourage someone else? ([01:04:22])
Whether you feel more like Peter (bold and full of faith) or the beggar (needy and broken), the sermon says Jesus meets us where we are. Which do you relate to more right now, and how does that shape your sense of purpose or mission? ([01:11:11])
The sermon warns against compartmentalizing our faith. Are there areas of your life where you tend to separate “Jesus time” from “me time”? What is one step you can take to invite God into those ordinary spaces? ([51:25])

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to open your eyes to the people and opportunities around you this week, to give you courage to offer what you have, and to help you trust in His presence and power rather than your own resources.

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