From Doubt to Mission: Embracing Jesus' Call
Summary
In the days following Jesus’ resurrection, his followers struggled with doubt, fear, and self-focus. Despite witnessing miracles and even touching the resurrected Christ, they remained stuck in their own weaknesses and excuses. Yet, Jesus, after patiently empathizing with their struggles, eventually shifted the conversation: it was time to move from self-absorption to mission. He declared his authority and commissioned them to make disciples, emphasizing that the mission was no longer about their personal needs or insecurities, but about reaching others with the good news.
This call to mission is not about perfection or having all doubts resolved. The early disciples, even in their brokenness, were empowered by Jesus to change the world. Peter, who had denied Christ, became the bold preacher at Pentecost, leading thousands to faith. The difference was not in their circumstances, but in their willingness to move beyond excuses and embrace the mission Jesus gave them.
Over time, however, the church’s passion waned. What began as a movement marked by awe, urgency, and sacrificial love became, within a generation, distracted and apathetic. Jesus’ letters to the churches in Revelation reveal a pattern: losing first love, compromising with culture, spiritual deadness, and lukewarm self-sufficiency. The crisis wasn’t just external; it was a loss of awe and a drift from the mission.
Today, the same crisis persists. Many Christians are distracted, busy, and have lost the urgency of the mission. Statistics show a decline in evangelism, church commitment, and passion among believers, especially the younger generation. The problem isn’t just cultural; it’s spiritual—a loss of awe for Jesus and a failure to listen to his voice.
The answer is not more religious activity, but a return to listening. True mission flows from hearing Jesus’ heart, being in awe of who he is, and letting that awe move us to action. When we listen, he will challenge us, empower us, and send us to make disciples—right where we are. The mission has never changed: make disciples. The question is, are we listening, and are we still in awe?
Key Takeaways
- Mission Over Self: Jesus calls us to move beyond our personal doubts, weaknesses, and self-focus. While he empathizes with our struggles, he ultimately challenges us to embrace his mission, shifting our gaze from ourselves to the authority and purpose he gives. True spiritual maturity is marked by a willingness to be sent, not just comforted. [02:23]
- The Power of Brokenness: God does not wait for us to be perfect before using us. Peter’s transformation from denier to bold preacher shows that our scars and failures, when surrendered to Christ, become the very places where his power is displayed. The mission advances not through flawless people, but through those willing to move forward despite their past. [11:06]
- The Crisis of Lost Awe: The greatest threat to spiritual vitality is not external opposition, but the internal loss of awe for Jesus. When reverence and wonder fade, passion turns to apathy, and mission becomes routine. Recovering awe is essential for sustaining a life on mission and for keeping our love for Christ vibrant and contagious. [38:25]
- Listening Precedes Doing: The foundation of fruitful mission is not busyness or religious activity, but attentive listening to Jesus’ voice. He speaks to those who are willing to pause, be still, and ask, “What do you want me to do?” It is in the quiet place of listening that we receive both correction and direction for our unique part in his mission. [44:10]
- Everyday Mission, Everyday Places: The call to make disciples is not limited to church programs or special events. It happens in homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and daily routines. When ordinary believers own their “50 feet” and live on mission, entire communities can be transformed—not by expertise, but by simple obedience and willingness to be used by God. [35:10]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - The 40 Days After Resurrection
[01:33] - Jesus Shifts from Empathy to Mission
[03:20] - The Disciples’ Self-Focus
[04:29] - Whining vs. Mission
[06:31] - Jesus Declares His Authority
[09:01] - The Great Commission: Make Disciples
[10:35] - From Doubt to World-Changers
[12:14] - Peter’s Message and the Early Church
[16:30] - Radical Devotion and Community
[18:06] - Jesus’ Letters to the Churches
[23:30] - From Mission to Crisis
[28:41] - The Crisis of Apathy and Distraction
[32:48] - The Importance of Generational Mission
[35:10] - Everyday People on Mission
[38:25] - The Loss of Awe
[42:31] - Are You Still in Awe?
[44:10] - Listening: The Key to Mission
[49:22] - The Mission Has Never Changed
[50:24] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Mission Over Self
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### Bible Reading
- Matthew 28:16-20 (The Great Commission)
- Acts 2:36-47 (Peter’s sermon and the early church’s devotion)
- Revelation 2:1-7 (Letter to the church in Ephesus about losing first love)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Matthew 28:16-20, what does Jesus say about his authority, and what command does he give his disciples?
2. According to Acts 2:36-41, what was the response of the crowd to Peter’s message, and what did Peter tell them to do?
3. In Revelation 2:1-7, what does Jesus say the church in Ephesus has lost, and what does he urge them to do about it?
4. The sermon described a shift in Jesus’ approach with his disciples after the resurrection. What was this shift, and how did it affect the disciples’ focus? [[02:23]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus waited until after empathizing with the disciples’ doubts and fears before giving them the Great Commission? What does this say about how he deals with our weaknesses? [[02:23]]
2. The sermon highlighted Peter’s transformation from a denier to a bold preacher. What does this suggest about how God uses our failures and brokenness in his mission? [[11:06]]
3. According to Revelation 2, losing “first love” led to apathy and routine in the church. What are some signs that a church or a believer has lost their sense of awe for Jesus? [[38:25]]
4. The sermon said that “listening precedes doing.” Why is it important to listen to Jesus before acting, and how might this change the way we approach mission? [[44:10]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to move from self-focus to mission. What is one area of your life where you tend to focus on your own needs or excuses instead of the mission Jesus has given you? What would it look like to shift your focus this week? [[02:23]]
2. Peter’s story shows that God uses broken people. Is there a past failure or weakness that you’ve let hold you back from serving God? How could you surrender that to Jesus and let him use it for his mission? [[11:06]]
3. The early church was marked by awe, urgency, and sacrificial love. Have you ever experienced a season where you lost your sense of awe for Jesus? What contributed to that, and what helped you recover it? [[38:25]]
4. The sermon mentioned that many Christians today are distracted and busy, losing the urgency of the mission. What are the main distractions in your life right now? What is one practical step you can take to minimize them and refocus on Jesus’ mission? [[28:41]]
5. “Listening precedes doing.” When was the last time you paused to really listen for Jesus’ direction in your life? What could you do this week to create space for listening to him? [[44:10]]
6. The call to make disciples happens in everyday places—homes, workplaces, neighborhoods. Who is someone in your “50 feet” (your immediate circle) that you sense God might be calling you to reach out to? What is one simple step you could take toward that this week? [[35:10]]
7. The mission has never changed: make disciples. What is one specific way you can live out this mission in your daily routine, even if you don’t feel “qualified” or “ready”? [[49:22]]
---
Closing Thought:
The mission is not about perfection or having all the answers. It’s about being willing to listen, to be in awe of Jesus, and to let him use you—right where you are. Are you listening, and are you still in awe?
Devotional
Day 1: The Mission: Make Disciples, Not Excuses
Jesus calls His followers to move beyond self-focus, doubts, and excuses, commanding them to embrace His authority and actively make disciples of all nations. This mission is not about personal comfort or spiritual consumerism, but about stepping out in obedience, teaching others, and living out His commands with the assurance that He is always with us. The call is clear: Christianity is not a spa for our comfort, but an army on a mission, and the time for passivity is over. [09:01]
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: What is one excuse or distraction you’ve been using to avoid sharing your faith or making disciples, and how can you take a concrete step to move past it this week?
Day 2: Awe and Urgency: Rekindling Passion for Jesus
A deep sense of awe and reverence for Jesus is essential to staying on mission; when we lose our wonder and urgency, our faith becomes routine, our passion fades, and we risk turning vibrant Christianity into mere ritual or club membership. The early church was marked by a contagious devotion and awe that fueled miracles, generosity, and explosive growth, but over time, apathy and distraction crept in, leading to spiritual decline. To recover the mission, we must ask God to restore our sense of awe and urgency for His presence and purpose. [38:25]
Acts 2:42-43 (ESV)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
Reflection: Where in your life have you lost a sense of awe for Jesus, and what is one way you can intentionally rekindle that wonder in your relationship with Him today?
Day 3: Listening: The Key to Staying on Mission
True transformation and mission flow not from busyness or religious activity, but from listening to the voice of Jesus—hearing what the Spirit is saying and responding in obedience. It is easy to fill our lives with noise, opinions, and routines, but Jesus calls us to pause, listen, and let Him direct our steps, whether that means opening our home, sharing our faith at work, or simply being available for His purposes. Overcoming apathy and distraction begins with a posture of listening, for it is in hearing His voice that we find our true assignment and power to fulfill it. [44:10]
Revelation 2:7 (ESV)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Reflection: When was the last time you intentionally sat in silence to listen for God’s direction, and what is one practical way you can create space to hear His voice this week?
Day 4: Empowered, Not Enabled: Moving from Comfort to Calling
Jesus does not enable us to remain in our comfort zones or excuses; instead, He empowers us to rise above our weaknesses and step into the mission He has for us. Like a loving parent, He provides for us but also challenges us to grow, to get out of the “basement,” and to use our scars and stories for His glory. The difference between being enabled and being empowered is the difference between spiritual stagnation and world-changing impact—God wants to use you, right where you are, to change lives. [08:09]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Reflection: What is one area of weakness or comfort you need to surrender so that God can empower you for His mission, and what step of faith can you take today?
Day 5: Owning Your 50 Feet: Living the Mission Where You Are
The mission to make disciples is not confined to church buildings or special programs—it is lived out in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and everyday interactions. When ordinary people say yes to God’s prompting, open their homes, or simply live as light and salt in their daily environments, entire communities can be transformed. You don’t need a theology degree or perfect circumstances; you just need to own your “50 feet” and let God use you to reach those around you. [35:36]
Philippians 2:14-16 (ESV)
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Reflection: Who is one person or group in your immediate sphere—your “50 feet”—that you can intentionally reach out to or encourage in faith this week?
Quotes
How many of you know when Jesus says it's time to turn a corner, it's time to turn the corner? I'm not saying that Jesus is not empathetic. Jesus is empathetic toward us humans. The Bible says in the book of Hebrews, he feels what we feel. He knows our hurts. He knows our pains. He knows what we struggle with when we struggle. But if we're not careful, the empathetic Jesus will cause us to miss the Jesus that pushes a mission. [00:02:10]
Because it's a lot easier in at least American Christianity, it's a lot easier to just look at Jesus, Jesus, I need you to do this for me. And if you will, I'll serve you. If you'll bless my family, help me fix me, give me a job, help me get in school, get me that house I've always wanted, me and you'll be like this. [00:02:50]
Whining and emotionalism has to cease in Christianity. And we got to get busy with the job we've been called to do. I'm not saying we can't be empathetic toward each other's pains and hurts. I have them, too. I was just talking with Matt over there, and we were both laughing about how, you know, you're human and we all have our weaknesses. I have them, too. [00:04:37]
Christianity is not you come in and God just massages all your pains and hurts and allows you to deal with your brokenness and use them as your excuses and you just sit around and wait on him to come back and hope Elon's not the Antichrist because I bought his car. God help me please. [00:05:08]
It it tells me that you can be spiritual but still not on mission. There's a lot of spiritual people in Christianity, but they forgot the mission. They still use their excuses. They still they still kind of hold their doubts in their pocket to kind of let them off the hook a little bit. But this time it's different because you know last week Jesus reaches down and said, "Go ahead, Burl. Just grab on. I know you doubt. Just squeeze me. I'm real." [00:05:53]
But now we're done talking about you. We're going to talk about me a minute. I have all authority in heaven and earth. Jesus turns the tables. Get your eyes off yourself, Matt. I'm not picking on you. Get your eyes off yourself, Matt, and look at me. You got to get your eyes off yourself, Victoria cake. Look at me. [00:06:53]
There's a big difference between the Jesus that enables us and the Jesus that empowers us. Yes, he will let you live in the basement, but not to enable you to stay a loser. He will let you get in the basement until you're filled with his spirit so you can get out of the basement and get on mission. [00:08:13]
The mission is not about you. It's about other people. That's right. Stop being so introverted, fellas. Yeah. For three years, you've thought it's about yourselves. You've argued with each other. You you you you've tried to see who's the best. You want to know who's the greatest. I've given you 12 baskets of food to take with you. [00:09:10]
The broken fisherman who denied Jesus some 40 days prior. Could you look at your worst day of your life and then imagine in less than 40 days from your worst day, God is going to use you mightily. Most of us couldn't fathom that. No, no, not 40 days from my worst day. Give me 40 years and then I might be ready. [00:11:06]
And now, it's time to take my power and my grace and my glory and quit using that as an excuse. and take that scar that you have because of your stupidity and that scar and my power and go change the world. And they do. They don't give an excuse. Day of Pentecost, Acts chapter 1 and two, uh, this crazy thing happens. [00:11:44]
Something was so powerful happening that day. Something was so powerful that first few months. Something was so powerful those first few years that it was like, I I'm buying in. I don't care what it cost me. The story will go on that it was so powerful they would sell anything they had to help their brothers and sisters out. [00:17:02]
It took us about 60 years to go from message mission to crisis. To lose sight of what Jesus wanted us to do, to become selfish, to become distracted. I moved from then 60 years prior to Jesus to last week. And I asked the question, are we still in a crisis? Have we forgotten the mission today in 2025? [00:23:28]
And yet she said last night, "There's nothing to brag on me." She said, "I just decided to get out of the way and to die to myself and just say, God, you can use me. You want to use me?" A lady got on mission. Amen. What happens when a lady and a man get on mission? Their whole neighborhood changes. [00:35:24]
It's almost like we have to entertain people just to get them excited to come. So, we do smoke and lights and wow you and videos and and it's like we're so overstimulated that I'm really not even in love with Jesus. I'm just in love with my own emotional stimulations. And if you can't stimulate me, I will find someone else that can do that. [00:28:54]
What used to bless me, Kevin, doesn't really impress me anymore. The thing that used to get me out of bed doesn't get me out of bed anymore. The thing that used to make my hair stand up doesn't make my hair stand up. It it it's just a wife. It's just marriage. It's just kids. It's just church. It's just singing. It's just money in some basket. [00:39:50]
Listen and see if he says you're on mission or are you off mission? And what is the mission? Make disciples. It's never changed. It's never changed. If you don't make disciples, then the next generation never knows. And then therefore, the mission has never changed. It's to make disciples. [00:49:19]
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