Fully Committed: Embracing God’s Mission Like Paul

Devotional

Day 1: Full Commitment to God’s Mission

Paul’s journey in Acts 21 shows what it means to be fully committed to God’s mission, even when facing suffering and opposition. He knew the risks of returning to Jerusalem, yet he pressed on, undeterred by the warnings and pleas of those around him. Paul’s example challenges us to examine our own level of commitment—are we willing to “send it,” to go all in for God’s purposes, regardless of the cost? True commitment to God’s mission means not holding back, but trusting Him with every step, knowing that our lives are safest and most meaningful when surrendered to His call. [41:09]

Acts 21:10-14 (ESV)
While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you’ve been hesitant to fully commit to God’s mission? What would it look like to “go all in” today?

Day 2: Running the Race with Purpose

Living for God’s mission requires discipline, intentionality, and a willingness to pursue an eternal prize. Just as athletes train with focus and self-control to win a temporary reward, followers of Jesus are called to run their race with purpose, not aimlessly or half-heartedly. Every step, every choice, and every sacrifice is made in light of the greater goal—knowing Christ and making Him known. This kind of commitment shapes our daily habits, our relationships, and our priorities, reminding us that nothing compares to the joy and fulfillment of living for God’s eternal purposes. [45:18]

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV)
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can “run with purpose” in your faith this week, making a specific change to your routine or habits?

Day 3: Counting the Cost of Following Jesus

Following Jesus and committing to His mission comes with real challenges and costs. Jesus Himself warned that His followers would face trouble in this world, and He called them to take up their cross daily, surrendering their own way for His. This means letting go of comfort, preferences, and even parts of our identity that don’t align with God’s purposes. The journey may require us to give up good things for the sake of the best thing—God’s mission. But in counting the cost, we discover a deeper joy and freedom that comes from living fully surrendered to Christ. [57:14]

Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

Reflection: What is one thing—big or small—that God may be asking you to let go of or change in order to follow Him more fully?

Day 4: Seeking God for Your Unique Role

God’s mission is not one-size-fits-all; each person has a unique role to play, shaped by their gifts, circumstances, and relationships. Discovering your part in God’s mission begins with seeking Him—asking where He has placed you, who He has put around you, and how your strengths can be used for His purposes. God speaks to us through His Word, through community, and through the quiet nudges of His Spirit. When you seek Him, He will show you how your everyday life can be a platform for His kingdom, and how your story can be used to impact others for Christ. [47:37]

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Reflection: Take time today to ask God, “What is my role in Your mission right now?” Who around you might He be calling you to impact?

Day 5: Making Disciples and Sharing the Gospel

The heart of God’s mission is making disciples—helping others know, follow, and grow in Jesus. This involves living in a way that reflects Christ, being able to clearly share the good news of the gospel, and telling your own story of how Jesus has changed your life. Making disciples is not just for a select few; it’s a calling for every believer, regardless of your background or personality. As you step out in faith, God will use your words, your actions, and your story to draw others to Himself, bringing joy and transformation that ripples far beyond your own life. [58:43]

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 one person you can intentionally encourage or share your faith story with this week? How can you take a step toward making disciples today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on what it means to be fully committed to God’s mission, drawing inspiration from Paul’s unwavering dedication in the book of Acts. Paul’s life after his conversion was marked by a “full send” approach—he didn’t hold back, even when he knew suffering and hardship awaited him. He was willing to face imprisonment and even death for the sake of Jesus, demonstrating that every great mission requires total commitment. This kind of commitment isn’t just for biblical heroes; it’s a call for each of us to examine our own lives and ask what it looks like to go “all in” for God’s purposes.

We all have missions in life—getting the kids out the door, paying bills, keeping a business afloat—but only God’s mission truly satisfies the soul. To fully commit, we must first seek God to understand our unique role in His mission. Not everyone’s calling will look the same; God uses our gifts, our placement, and our stories in different ways. It’s essential to ask God how He wants to use us, recognizing that He can speak to us right where we are, often through the community of believers and His Word.

Full commitment also means counting the cost. Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee an easy life; in fact, Jesus promised we would face trouble. There will be obstacles, and sometimes we’ll need to let go of things—even good things—that aren’t part of God’s mission for us. Commitment may require changes in our routines, priorities, or even our identities, but the reward is a life of purpose and peace that transcends circumstances.

Finally, the heart of God’s mission is making disciples. This involves living in a way that reflects Jesus, being able to articulate the gospel, and sharing how God has transformed our own lives. Our stories are powerful tools God uses to reach others. When we see lives changed—when someone we’ve invested in begins to follow Jesus and then helps others do the same—there is no greater joy. The challenge is whether the gospel will stop with us or spread through us as we join God in His mission.

Key Takeaways

1. Full commitment to God’s mission means embracing a “no turning back” attitude, much like Paul’s willingness to face suffering for the sake of Christ. This level of commitment is not about perfection but about a heart that is all-in, regardless of the cost or the obstacles ahead. It’s a call to live with the throttle wide open for God’s purposes. [39:48]
2. God’s mission is uniquely tailored for each person. Seeking God’s direction is essential to discover how He wants to use our gifts, relationships, and circumstances. Our role may not look like Paul’s or anyone else’s, but God has placed us where we are for a reason, and He invites us to participate in His redemptive work right where we are. [47:00]
3. Counting the cost is a necessary part of following Jesus. Commitment to God’s mission will require letting go of comfort, preferences, and sometimes even parts of our identity. True discipleship means daily surrender—giving up our own way so that we can fully embrace the life Jesus offers, even when it leads through difficulty or sacrifice. [57:14]
4. Making disciples is the non-negotiable core of God’s mission. This involves both living a life that points to Jesus and being able to clearly communicate the gospel and its impact on our own story. Our testimony, combined with gospel truth, is a powerful means by which God draws others to Himself, even when it creates friction or challenges. [59:20]
5. There is deep, soul-level joy in seeing others come to faith and join in God’s mission. When we invest in others and witness their transformation, it not only affirms our own faith but also multiplies the impact of the gospel. The greatest legacy we can leave is a life that doesn’t let the gospel stop with us, but spreads through us to others. [65:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:26] - Introduction and Microchurch Movement
[37:36] - Equipping Everyday Missionaries
[38:36] - Journey Through Acts
[39:00] - The “Full Send” Commitment
[40:05] - Paul’s Mission and Opposition
[41:09] - Paul’s Resolve in Acts 21
[42:19] - Paul’s Life: Throttle Wide Open
[43:18] - The Soul-Satisfying Nature of God’s Mission
[44:21] - Every Great Mission Requires Full Commitment
[45:18] - Running to Win: 1 Corinthians 9
[46:29] - What Full Commitment Looks Like
[47:00] - Seeking God for Your Role
[49:00] - Personal Story: From Religion to Relationship
[53:25] - God’s Unique Journey for Each of Us
[53:40] - Counting the Cost of Commitment
[57:14] - The Challenge of Surrender
[58:20] - Making Disciples: The Core Command
[59:20] - Living and Sharing the Gospel
[61:14] - The Power of Your Story
[62:16] - Gospel Friction and Transformation
[63:11] - The Confidence and Peace of Commitment
[64:06] - Joy in Seeing Others Transformed
[66:17] - Will the Gospel End With You?
[66:45] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 21:10-14 (ESV) — > While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Luke 9:23-24 (ESV) — > And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

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 Acts 21:10-14, what was the warning given to Paul, and how did he respond to it? What does this show about his attitude toward God’s mission? ([41:09])
According to Luke 9:23-24, what does Jesus say is required of anyone who wants to follow Him?
In the sermon, what are some examples of “missions” people pursue in everyday life, and how are they different from God’s mission? ([43:32])
What is the main command Jesus gives in Matthew 28:18-20, and how does the sermon describe this as the “core” of God’s mission? ([58:20])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul was willing to face suffering and even death for the sake of Jesus? What does this reveal about his understanding of God’s mission? ([41:44])
The sermon says that “God’s mission is uniquely tailored for each person.” What might this mean for how we discover our own role in God’s mission? ([47:00])
Jesus says to “take up your cross daily.” What are some things in our lives that might be part of “counting the cost” to follow Jesus? ([57:14])
The sermon talks about making disciples as the “non-negotiable core” of God’s mission. Why is sharing both the gospel and your personal story important in this process? ([59:20])

Application Questions

Paul had a “no turning back” attitude, even when he knew hardship was coming. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is asking you to go “all in” but you’re holding back? What’s stopping you? ([39:48])
The sermon encourages us to seek God for our unique role in His mission. Have you ever asked God how He wants to use your gifts, relationships, or story? What might be a first step in doing this? ([47:00])
Jesus said following Him would involve trouble and sacrifice. Is there something in your routine, priorities, or identity that you sense God might be asking you to let go of for His mission? How could you take a step toward surrender this week? ([57:14])
Think about the people God has placed around you—family, friends, coworkers. Who is one person you could intentionally invest in or share your faith story with this month? ([47:37])
The sermon says that making disciples means both living like Jesus and being able to explain the gospel. How comfortable do you feel sharing the gospel in your own words? What’s one way you could grow in this area? ([59:20])
The pastor shared the joy of seeing someone he invested in come to faith and then help others. Have you ever experienced this kind of joy? If not, what might it look like to take a step toward investing in someone’s spiritual journey? ([01:05:51])
The sermon ends with the challenge: “Will the gospel end with you, or spread through you?” What’s one practical thing you can do this week to help the gospel spread through your life? ([01:06:17])

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