God is Working Around the Globe

The call to “Go” is at the very heart of God’s character and the mission He has given to His people. From the very beginning, God has always been a God who goes—He sought out Adam and Eve in the garden, He approached Noah, Abraham, and ultimately, He came to us in the person of Jesus Christ. This divine initiative is the foundation for the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, where Jesus commands His followers to go and make disciples of all nations. The mandate is not just for a select few, but for all who belong to Christ. It is a call to action, to step beyond comfort and tradition, and to bring the hope of the gospel to those who have not yet heard or understood it.

Personal experience testifies to the power of this calling. My own family’s story is a testament to the ripple effect of obedience—missionaries came to Germany, shared the gospel, and as a result, generations of my family have come to faith and are now engaged in church planting. Yet, the work is not easy. In Germany, the soil is hard, the culture is steeped in tradition, and the prevailing worldview is often skeptical or dismissive of the gospel. Building a church can take decades, and the challenges are many: intellectual pride, religious tradition, fear of social exclusion, and a deep spiritual emptiness masked by affluence and education.

Despite these obstacles, the need for hope is universal. No amount of education, government provision, or tradition can fill the void that only Christ can satisfy. The gospel must be presented both to the mind and the heart—addressing intellectual objections with truth and apologetics, while also speaking to the deep longings and wounds of the soul. Real stories of transformation—of those who found hope in Christ after despair, depression, or social isolation—remind us that the gospel is still the power of God for salvation.

Ultimately, the mission is not about results or ease, but about faithfulness to the God who goes. Whether the journey is uphill and against the wind, or filled with moments of joy and breakthrough, the call remains: Go. Trust that God is with us, that He is still seeking the lost, and that the good news of Jesus is as relevant and powerful in Germany as it is anywhere in the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s nature is to pursue and initiate. From Genesis to the Gospels, God is always the one who goes after humanity, seeking relationship and restoration. This divine pursuit is the model for our own calling to go and make disciples, reminding us that mission is not our idea, but God’s heart in action. [12:13]
• 2. Heritage and tradition, no matter how noble, cannot substitute for personal faith in Christ. Even with a rich Christian background, each person must confront the reality of their own need for salvation. The gospel is not inherited; it must be received and believed individually, breaking through the assumptions of cultural Christianity. [14:49]
• 3. The mission field in Europe, especially in places like Germany, is marked by intellectual skepticism, religious tradition, and social barriers. Evangelism here requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to engage both the mind and the heart—using apologetics to address doubts, and genuine love to overcome fear and isolation. [19:26]
• 4. Every worldview must answer the fundamental questions: Where did everything come from? What went wrong? How can it be fixed? Only the gospel provides coherent, hope-filled answers—creation, the fall, and redemption through Christ. Engaging these questions thoughtfully can open doors for meaningful conversations about faith. [27:29]
• 5. The gospel must be presented clearly and courageously, addressing both intellectual objections and the deep needs of the heart. Real transformation happens when people encounter not just arguments, but the living Christ who brings hope, healing, and belonging. Faithfulness in sharing the good news, even in hard places, is never wasted. [32:49]
  ** [32:49]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [08:33] - The Importance of Clear Communication
• [09:43] - Gratitude for Ministry Partnerships
• [10:13] - Church Planting in Germany: A Unique Challenge
• [10:46] - The Great Commission: Our Mandate
• [12:13] - God as the God Who Goes
• [13:25] - A Family Transformed by Missions
• [16:03] - The Realities of Church Planting in Germany
• [17:51] - Ministry Compared to Uphill Cycling
• [19:26] - The Spiritual Climate in Germany
• [20:42] - Overcoming Fear and Social Barriers
• [23:23] - Engaging the Educated and Skeptical
• [24:20] - Countering Darwinism and Worldviews
• [27:29] - Life’s Big Questions and the Gospel
• [30:03] - Reaching Both Mind and Heart
• [32:04] - Heart for Europe: Counseling Ministry
• [32:49] - The Power of the Gospel and Final Challenge

1. According to Matthew 28:18-20, what specific instructions does Jesus give to His followers?
2. In the sermon, what examples were given of God taking the initiative to "go" toward people throughout the Bible? ([12:13])
3. What challenges did the speaker describe about sharing the gospel and planting churches in Germany? ([16:03])
4. How does Romans 1:16 describe the power and purpose of the gospel?

1. Why does the speaker emphasize that "Go" is not just for a select few, but for all who belong to Christ? How does this challenge common ideas about missions? ([10:46])
2. The speaker shared that heritage and tradition cannot substitute for personal faith. What does this mean for people who grow up in Christian families or cultures? ([14:49])
3. The sermon mentions that the gospel must address both the mind and the heart. Why is it important to engage both when sharing about Jesus, especially in skeptical or educated cultures? ([30:03])
4. The speaker says that the mission is about faithfulness, not results or ease. How does this perspective affect the way we approach sharing our faith? ([18:43])

1. The speaker shared how missionaries coming to Germany changed the course of his family for generations. Who in your life has "gone" to share the gospel with you, and how has that impacted you? ([13:25])
2. Are there traditions or assumptions in your own background that might make it easy to assume you have faith, rather than personally trusting in Christ? How can you make sure your faith is your own? ([14:49])
3. The sermon described the fear and social barriers people face when considering following Jesus in Germany. What fears or barriers might keep you or people you know from stepping out in faith or sharing the gospel? ([20:42])
4. The speaker talked about the need to address both intellectual objections and the deep needs of the heart. Think of someone you know who is skeptical or hurting—what is one way you could reach out to them this week, either with a thoughtful answer or a caring action? ([30:03])
5. The speaker said that building a church in Germany can take decades and is often an "uphill ride." Where in your life or ministry do you feel like you are going uphill? How can you stay faithful even when you don’t see quick results? ([18:43])
6. The sermon challenged us to "go" beyond our comfort and tradition. What is one specific step you could take this month to step out of your comfort zone for the sake of the gospel? ([10:46])
7. Romans 1:16 says the gospel is the power of God for salvation. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear this good news? What is one practical way you can share it with them this week? ([32:49])