Message: "God With Us On Our Mission" by Pastor Cory Rosenke

Devotional

Day 1: God Moves Toward Us in Brokenness

You don’t have to pull yourself together for God to draw near. He steps into places of shame, regret, and failure, not to condemn you, but to redeem you. His mercy is relentless, and His nearness is tender toward the crushed and weary. Even now, He moves toward your pain with healing in His hands. Let His kindness meet you where you actually are, not where you wish you were. Receive His nearness as the truest reality of this moment [00:39].

Psalm 34:18
The Lord draws close to those whose hearts are broken and rescues those who feel crushed within.

Reflection: Where do you most feel crushed or ashamed right now, and how could you invite God’s nearness into that specific place this week?

Day 2: Forgiveness Is a Doorway, Not the Destination

God’s grace does more than erase guilt; it rebuilds what sin has damaged. He patiently restores the years that felt wasted, the trust that was fractured, and the hope that ran thin. Restoration is His long, faithful work of returning you to the design you were made for. Don’t stop at being forgiven; step with Him into being made whole. Ask Him to reclaim ground you thought was gone for good. Expect redemption to touch real places in your story [01:43].

Joel 2:25
I will give back what was devoured—seasons and opportunities that seemed lost—bringing renewal where destruction once stood.

Reflection: What is one “lost year” you want God to restore, and what surrendered step could you take toward that restoration this week?

Day 3: Abide in the Ordinary; Fruit Will Follow

Jesus meets you on ordinary Wednesdays—at the sink, in traffic, on lunch breaks—and teaches you His rhythm of life. Connection comes first, then change; remain in Him, and the fruit appears in time. Mission isn’t louder effort; it’s truer nearness to Emmanuel. As you stay close, love, joy, peace, and patience begin to grow where hurry and frustration once lived. Let your kitchen, commute, and calendar become places of with-God living. Abide first; trust Him for the fruit [15:14].

John 15:5
I am the source and you are the branches; stay joined to me and you will produce lasting fruit, because apart from me you won’t be able to accomplish what truly matters.

Reflection: Which ordinary moment tomorrow will you intentionally turn into an abiding moment with Jesus, and how will you do it?

Day 4: Sent as Ambassadors: Authority, Purpose, Presence

God not only lives in you; He intends to live through you. You are sent in His authority, for His purpose, with His ever-near presence—this is the backbone of mission. Your confidence isn’t your personality or eloquence; it’s His lordship and companionship. You carry heaven’s presence into classrooms, offices, job sites, and homes, often without changing your address. Going usually looks like stepping forward—toward the conversation, the reconciliation, the obedience you’ve delayed. Trust that He makes His appeal to people through people, including you [06:21].

Matthew 28:18–20
All authority has been given to me, so go and help others become my learners, baptizing them and guiding them to live out all I taught; and remember, I am with you every step, to the very end.

Reflection: If you believed Jesus’ authority and presence go with you, what specific conversation or act of service would you step into this week?

Day 5: Transformation That Shines: Confession to Action

Mission begins with a changed life, not a perfect record. Confession dismantles pretense, repentance makes room for grace, and action reveals what faith claims. As Christ forms His fruit in you, the people who know you best—family, friends, co-workers—see hope where cynicism used to be and gentleness where sharpness once ruled. This is how you “shine,” not by strategy but by authenticity in everyday relationships. Don’t hide the work God is doing; let others watch you grow, stumble, repent, and continue. Shine by staying near, telling the truth, and moving your inward faith outward [18:29].

Philippians 2:12–15
Take God’s work in you seriously, trusting that He is shaping your will and actions for His good purposes; do everything without grumbling or fighting so that your life becomes clean and bright, standing out like stars in a dark sky.

Reflection: What one honest confession or concrete act of repentance could open a window for Christ’s light to shine in a relationship that already knows your weaknesses?

Sermon Summary

From the opening pages of Scripture to the story of Jesus, God is the One who moves toward us. He draws near to the brokenhearted, not to shame but to redeem, and His work is bigger than forgiveness alone. Forgiveness is the doorway; restoration is the house. God patiently returns us to what was lost—healing what sin has damaged and restoring what we thought was gone for good. And He doesn’t merely come to us or dwell with us; He desires to live through us. Ordinary life becomes the canvas: the kitchen, the commute, the meeting, the conflict, the disappointment. Jesus apprentices us in His way—His rhythm of love, suffering, hope, and obedience—so that redemption can flow beyond us into the world.

This is why being sent is the natural result of being made new. We go in His authority, for His purpose, with His presence. Mission is not the weight of our personality or eloquence; it rests on the Lordship of Jesus and the testimony He speaks through ordinary people. “Go” rarely begins as relocation; it begins as redemptive movement—contrast in the dark—because we are light in Him. The most compelling question isn’t “Am I doing enough?” but “Is Christ actually changing me?” A transformed life gives words credibility. People ask about hope when they can see it.

That transformation—sanctification—is slow, honest work: dying to pride, surrendering bitterness, learning forgiveness, and letting hope grow where despair once lived. Abiding precedes fruit. Connection precedes change. Mission is not louder effort but deeper nearness to Jesus. Failure does not disqualify; unrepentance does. Much of our fruit grows from repentance, and confession dismantles hypocrisy so light can pass through our cracks. This is why disciple-making happens best in proximity—around tables, in shared life, by modeling obedience and inviting others to watch Christ change us.

Many leave churches not because we lack programs but because our actions have lagged behind our words. What the world needs is not polished Christians, but transformed ones. So we surrender—authority, purpose, presence—trusting that as we abide in the Vine, Jesus will shine through us, right here in our everyday places. God living through us: that is how the light spreads, how disciples are made, and why Emmanuel came.

Key Takeaways

1. Abide first; fruit follows naturally. Connection precedes transformation. We do not manufacture Christlikeness; we remain close enough to Jesus that His life flows through ours. Abiding forms authority, authenticity, and endurance that strategy cannot supply. Fruit lasts when it’s grown from union with Him. [15:03]
2. Mission flows from transformed lives. Light doesn’t strain to be seen; it simply contrasts the dark. The most credible witness is a life being remade—habits, reactions, hopes slowly reshaped. When hope, patience, and kindness become visible, our words land with weight. Mission begins where sanctification bears fruit. [09:25]
3. Go by stepping forward today. “Go” often means moving your inward faith outward: a hard conversation, an overdue apology, an act of generosity or courage. Action doesn’t replace faith; it reveals it. Obedience turns intention into testimony and opens doors that speeches alone cannot. [23:01]
4. Failure fertilizes Spirit-grown fruit. God doesn’t require spotless records; He honors sincere repentance. Some of the richest fruit grows from humbled soil—where we confessed, surrendered control, and let Jesus lead. What weakens witness isn’t falling; it’s refusing to be changed. [21:07]
5. Authority, purpose, presence send us. We go not because we are capable, but because Jesus reigns, commissions, and accompanies us. Mission rests on His Lordship, not our eloquence or charisma. That confidence frees us to live faithfully right where we are. [04:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:39] - God draws near to the broken
[01:15] - Forgiveness opens the door to restoration
[02:02] - God with us in ordinary life
[03:35] - Sent as the Father sent Jesus
[04:32] - Authority, Purpose, Presence (APP)
[07:30] - Rethinking “Go”: movement, not relocation
[08:15] - You are the light of the world
[11:20] - Sanctification forms credible witness
[14:41] - Abide in the Vine; bear fruit
[16:19] - Our hindrance: lack of transformation
[23:01] - Step forward in obedience today
[24:24] - Disciple by modeling obedience
[35:39] - Confession as missional power
[37:57] - Prayer of abiding and sending

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
- John 15:1-8
- Matthew 28:18-20
- 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Observation questions

In John 15:1-8, what words or phrases are repeated the most, and what sequence does Jesus give between “remain/abide” and “bear fruit”?
In Matthew 28:18-20, list the main verbs Jesus gives and the promise He attaches to them. How do “authority,” “purpose,” and “presence” show up in the passage?
In 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, what identity is given to those in Christ, and whose “appeal” is being made through them?
“Go” was described as redemptive movement more than relocation. What are two everyday examples mentioned for what “go” can look like when it becomes action? “Step forward…” [23:01]

Interpretation questions

If abiding precedes fruit in John 15, why might attempts at change feel exhausting when connection to Jesus is thin? What does this imply about how spiritual growth actually happens?
How does Jesus’ claim, “All authority… and I am with you always,” shape the tone and courage of disciple-making in Matthew 28? Which part—authority, purpose, or presence—most stabilizes a person when fear rises?
What does it practically mean to be “Christ’s ambassador” in 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 for someone who is a teacher, parent, student, or retiree? How does “new creation” identity give credibility to words?
“Go” was reframed as movement, not necessarily relocation. How might that correct common fears about mission, and how could it expose areas where transformation has been delayed? [07:30]

Application questions

The more searching question is not “Am I doing enough?” but “Is Christ actually changing me?” Where is one concrete area Jesus is changing you (or needs to)? What would your close friends say they can see? [09:04]
Identify one specific “step forward” you will take this week: a hard conversation, an overdue apology, a peacemaking act, or a generous gift. What exactly will you do, and when? “Go… means you step forward.” [23:01]
Abiding plan: What is one daily practice that will help you stay close to Jesus so fruit grows naturally—time in John 15, a midday prayer walk, Scripture before screens, or silence during your commute? “Connection comes first.” [15:03]
Failure does not disqualify, but unrepentance does. Where have you fallen recently, and what would sincere repentance look like this week (words, reparations, next right step)? Who might need to see your humility so light can pass through your cracks? [21:07]
Confession is missional because it dismantles hypocrisy. Who is a trusted person you can confess to and pray with this week? What one specific struggle will you bring into the light? [36:00]
Disciple-making in proximity: Who around your table, in your small group, or on your team could you invite to “watch Christ change you”? What simple shared rhythm could you start—weekly meal, Scripture + obedience check-in, or serving together? [25:26]
Of Authority, Purpose, and Presence, which do you most forget in daily mission? How would remembering that Jesus reigns, commissions, and accompanies you change the way you step into tomorrow at work or home? [04:52]

Sermon Clips

That is the posture of God. He does not wait at a distance waiting for us to pull ourselves together. Thank goodness. He draws near to us in our weakness. He enters into our places of shame, of fracture, of regret, and of failure. Not to condemn us, but to redeem us. And then we saw something else. We saw that God doesn't simply step into our brokenness, but God comes to us to heal us and restore us. God's work is not limited to forgiveness alone. Forgiveness is a doorway, not a destination. [00:00:45] (37 seconds) #GodDrawsNearToHeal

Authority, purpose, presence. We go in his authority, joining his mission, empowered and comforted with his presence. In other words, you do not go because you think you are capable. You go because he is king, because he is capable, and because he will never leave you or forsake you. And that matters because it means that mission does not rest on your personality. It doesn't rest on your eloquence or your education or your courage or your giftedness. Mission rests on the lordship of Jesus and his testimony speaking through you. [00:04:56] (45 seconds) #GoInHisAuthority

You do not go because you think you are capable. You go because he is king, because he is capable, and because he will never leave you or forsake you. And that matters because it means that mission does not rest on your personality. It doesn't rest on your eloquence or your education or your courage or your giftedness. Mission rests on the lordship of Jesus and his testimony speaking through you. [00:05:12] (30 seconds) #MissionOnHisLordship

God makes his appeal to people through people. Not through angels. Not through a thundering voice from heaven. Not from voices in the sky. Through redeemed, ordinary lives. Which is why mission is not a task added to your life. It is a foundational code in your Christian DNA. Mission, in fact, is why you are here right now. It's why God didn't beam you straight up into heaven the moment you submitted to his lordship and were made new. You are here because God intends to make his appeal through you. You are here because God intends to make his appeal through you. [00:05:55] (50 seconds) #GodSpeaksThroughYou

Mission is what becomes visible when Christ lives in you. Jesus kind of inadvertently defines what going is by defining what we are. He says to us in Matthew 5, You are the light of the world. He does not say you are tasked with carrying a light. He says your life in me is the light. That is an identity statement, not a job description. [00:08:15] (33 seconds) #YouAreTheLight

You are not disqualified from producing fruit by falling. We all fall. But what weakens our witness is when we refuse to repent, when we refuse to surrender, when we refuse to let Jesus be Lord in the places that we want to maintain control. And the truth of the matter is most of us probably have a lot of those places. And for me, that is why this message has been so freeing because mission is not built on your perfection. It's not built on your plan. It's not built on your pocketbook. It's built on His relentless, transforming presence. [00:21:29] (46 seconds) #PresenceNotPerfection

``And now I just want to repeat something just to make sure I'm not confusing you or misrepresenting something. We must preach the gospel. We must name Christ. We must tell the story about the cross and the resurrection. We must call people to repentance and faith. We must urgently share the reality of heaven and hell. Silence does not equate to faithfulness, but proclamation without transformation just becomes noise. [00:26:53] (35 seconds) #ProclaimAndTransform

Now notice the healing does not just come from the prayer. It comes from the confessing because confessing dismantles hypocrisy. Confession invites authenticity and it allows light to travel through our many cracks. And church, that is not weakness. That is power. Mission does not require flawlessness. It requires faithfulness. [00:36:07] (28 seconds) #ConfessionLeadsToPower

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