Going All In: Embracing Purpose Amidst the Noise

This is a pivotal moment for our church as we look to the future and discern how best to serve our rapidly growing community. With the explosive growth in Pittsboro, especially with the Chatham Park development, we are being called to position ourselves to meet the needs of thousands of new neighbors. The opportunity before us—a new, larger, and better-located temporary space on East Street—represents a strategic step, not just for comfort or convenience, but to be faithful to the mission God has given us. We are not simply seeking a building; we are seeking to be present where God is moving, to be ready for the harvest that Jesus himself told us to look for.

But as we consider this practical step, we are also reminded of a deeper spiritual reality: the call to go “all in” on Jesus. In a world full of noise—political, social, personal—there are endless demands for our attention and allegiance. Yet, history and our own lives show that going all in on anything other than Jesus leads to bad fruit: anger, anxiety, resentment, or disengagement. Jesus alone is worthy of our full devotion because he went all in for us, and when we surrender everything to him, we find peace, joy, and purpose, even in the hardest times.

Looking at Mark 1, we see Jesus himself navigating the noise. After a day of powerful ministry, he withdraws to pray, seeking clarity from his Father rather than being driven by the demands or applause of the crowd. He models for us the importance of pulling away from the noise to listen for God’s voice, to discern our true purpose. Jesus goes to the margins, touches the untouchable, and lifts up the broken—not just to heal, but to restore people to lives of service. Every healing is for the sake of serving others, and every act of redemption is an invitation to join God’s work in the world.

So, the invitation is twofold: to bring our brokenness to Jesus for healing, and then to step out in service, being his hands and feet to those around us. And as we do, we must continually make space to hear God’s voice above the noise, trusting that he has put us here, in this season, on purpose for a purpose. May we have the courage to follow Jesus, even when it means disappointing the crowd or stepping into the unknown, knowing that he leads us into life, service, and resurrection.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Noise Distracts from Purpose The world is full of voices demanding our allegiance—news, social media, even well-meaning friends. But the noise is not a reliable guide to your purpose or joy. Sometimes, even the voices you like can distract you from the unique calling God has for you. Make space to unhook from the noise and listen for God’s direction in your life. [11:33]
• 2. Jesus Moves Toward the Margins Jesus consistently goes to those whom society overlooks or avoids. He draws near, touches the untouchable, and lifts up the broken, not with condemnation or empty sympathy, but with restoring power. Ask where in your life—or in the lives of those around you—you need Jesus to draw near, touch, and raise up what is sick or broken. [14:32]
• 3. Healing Always Leads to Serving Every time Jesus brings healing or redemption, it is so that the healed can serve others. True restoration is not just for our own comfort, but to empower us to join God’s work in the world. Reflect on where Jesus has brought healing in your life, and ask how you might serve others out of that place of restoration. [20:12]
• 4. Pulling Away to Hear God’s Voice Even Jesus, after great success and acclaim, withdrew to pray and seek his Father’s voice. The applause of the crowd and the demands of others are not what define your calling. Regular rhythms of prayer and scripture are essential to discern God’s purpose for you, especially when life is noisy or demanding. [24:23]
• 5. Following God May Disappoint the Crowd Jesus was willing to disappoint the expectations of the crowd in order to obey his Father’s call. Sometimes, following God’s purpose means letting people down or stepping away from what is popular or comfortable. The courage to follow God’s voice, even when it costs you, is the path to true life and impact.
  
  ** [28:40]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Vision for Pittsboro and Chatham Park Growth
• [03:30] - Details of the East Street Property
• [06:25] - Choosing Where to Go All In
• [08:54] - The Dangers of Going All In on the Wrong Things
• [11:33] - The Noise That Distracts from Purpose
• [13:30] - Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law
• [14:32] - Jesus’ Approach to the Margins
• [17:00] - Healing for the Sake of Serving
• [20:12] - Testimony: Healing Leads to Service
• [21:30] - Jesus Brings the Temple to the Streets
• [24:23] - Jesus Withdraws to Pray
• [26:30] - The Crowd’s Expectations vs. God’s Purpose
• [28:40] - Disappointing the Crowd to Follow God
• [31:00] - Invitation to Bring Brokenness and Serve

Bible Reading

Mark 1:29-39 (ESV) —
> 29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
> 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.
> 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
> 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.
> 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door.
> 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
> 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
> 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him,
> 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”
> 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”
> 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Observation Questions

1. What three things does Jesus do for Simon’s mother-in-law when he hears she is sick? ([14:32])
2. After Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law, what is her immediate response? What does this show about the result of her healing? ([20:12])
3. When the crowds gather at the door after sunset, what does Jesus do, and how does this differ from the way people usually encountered God in that time? ([17:00])
4. What does Jesus do early the next morning, and why is this significant in the context of his busy ministry? ([24:23])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Jesus goes to people nobody else goes to, people in the margins, people overlooked, sick people, outcast people.” Why is this significant for understanding Jesus’ mission and character? ([14:32])
2. The pastor mentioned that “healing always leads to serving” in Jesus’ ministry. Why do you think Jesus connects healing and service? ([20:12])
3. Jesus withdraws to pray even after a night of great success and popularity. What does this reveal about how he determines his purpose and direction? ([24:23])
4. The crowd wants Jesus to stay and keep doing miracles, but he chooses to move on. What does this teach us about following God’s call versus meeting people’s expectations? ([28:40])

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about “the noise” of our world—news, social media, and even well-meaning friends—that can distract us from God’s purpose. What is one specific “noise” in your life that you sense is pulling you away from God’s direction? What would it look like to “unhook” from it this week? ([11:33])
2. Jesus moves toward the margins and touches the untouchable. Is there someone in your life right now who feels overlooked, isolated, or “untouchable”? What is one practical way you could move toward them this week? ([14:32])
3. The pastor said, “Every time Jesus brings healing or redemption, it is so that the healed can serve others.” Where has Jesus brought healing or restoration in your life? How might you serve others out of that place of healing? ([20:12])
4. Jesus made space to hear God’s voice by withdrawing to pray. What is one small, realistic step you could take this week to create space for prayer or listening to God, even if life is busy? ([24:23])
5. Sometimes following God means disappointing the crowd or stepping away from what is popular or comfortable. Is there a situation where you feel pressure to please others, but sense God calling you in a different direction? What would it look like to choose God’s purpose over people’s expectations? ([28:40])
6. The sermon invited us to bring our brokenness to Jesus for healing. Is there a specific area of your life—maybe a relationship, a habit, or a hurt—that you need to bring to Jesus for his touch? What would it look like to take that step this week? ([31:00])
7. As our church considers moving to a new space to serve a growing community, what is one way you personally can be “all in” for Jesus and his mission in this season? ([03:30])