Going Farther: A Call to Discipleship and Mission
Summary
As we begin a new church year, the call is clear: go farther to further the gospel. This is not just a slogan, but a challenge to each of us to examine how far we are personally willing to go for the sake of Christ’s mission. Our journey as a church has been marked by intentional steps—shining brighter at home, thinking smaller to build relationships, living bolder on mission, and building stronger partnerships. Now, we are called to take the next step, both individually and collectively, to extend the reach of the gospel in our homes, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and to the ends of the earth.
The heart of this calling is rooted in the Great Commission: to be witnesses who make disciples. This is not a passive identity, but an active, daily pursuit. Being a witness means more than speaking about Jesus; it means embodying His love, truth, and character in every interaction. The early church understood that to identify with Christ was to risk everything, and yet they went, worshiped, and obeyed because they were utterly convinced of who Jesus is and what He had done for them.
Discipleship is not a casual commitment. It is a whole-life apprenticeship to Jesus—being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing as He did. This requires availability, deep affection for Christ, submission to His authority, living for His agenda, and resting in His assurance. It is a journey of transformation, where we are called to resist the pull of the world and instead be shaped by the Word and the Spirit. True discipleship is marked by intentionality: living on mission wherever we are, sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, and ready to carry others to Jesus through relationship and service.
To go farther, we must also address the altar within our hearts. Too often, there is a wall—of fear, pride, or complacency—between us and God’s call. We are invited to tear down these walls, to come to the altar in surrender, and to offer ourselves fully to God’s purposes. Only then can we truly live as salt and light, compelling others to see and experience Jesus through us. The mission is not just for a select few, but for every follower of Christ. Let us respond with commitment, courage, and a willingness to go wherever He leads, for the sake of His glory and the salvation of the world.
Key Takeaways
- The Mission Is Personal and Collective
Each believer is called to examine not just how far the church will go, but how far they themselves are willing to go for the gospel. The Great Commission is not fulfilled by programs or leaders alone, but by the daily, intentional witness of every follower of Jesus. This personal ownership of the mission transforms ordinary moments into opportunities for eternal impact. [37:53]
- Discipleship Demands Whole-Life Apprenticeship
Being a disciple is not about casual church attendance or mere belief; it is about apprenticing under Jesus—being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing as He did. This requires a deep pursuit of intimacy, a willingness to be transformed, and a commitment to live out His mission in every sphere of life. Anything less is settling for less than God’s best. [53:34]
- The Power to Go Farther Comes from Surrender
The ability to fulfill the Great Commission does not come from our own strength, but from making ourselves available to God, worshiping Him wholeheartedly, and living in the power of the Holy Spirit. When we surrender our agendas and plug into Christ’s authority, we are empowered to live for His purposes and to make disciples as we go. [47:03]
- Disciple-Making Is Relational and Costly
Making disciples is not a transactional process of “winning and then teaching,” but a relational journey of walking with others, carrying them to Jesus, and helping them grow in obedience. In the early church, identifying with Christ was a costly, public act—reminding us that true discipleship may require sacrifice, but it is always worth it for the sake of the gospel. [01:01:06]
- The Altar Must Be Reclaimed in Our Hearts
There can be invisible walls—between the pew and the altar, between our hearts and God’s heart—that keep us from full surrender. We are called to tear down these walls, to fight for the altar in our lives and in our church, and to offer ourselves without reservation. Only then can we go farther to further the gospel, living as salt and light in a world desperate for hope. [01:05:26]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Missions Offering and Engaged Missions Focus
[02:30] - Praying for Students, Teachers, and School Staff
[05:00] - Launching the “Go Farther to Further the Gospel” Vision
[08:10] - Recap of the Six-Year Missional Plan
[13:00] - The Mission of the Great Commission
[15:30] - What It Means to Be a Witness
[18:00] - The Call to Make Disciples
[20:00] - The Five Marks of a Disciple
[23:00] - Apprenticeship: Being With, Becoming Like, and Doing as Jesus
[27:00] - The Cost and Commitment of Discipleship
[31:00] - Living on Mission in Everyday Life
[34:00] - The Relational Nature of Disciple-Making
[37:00] - The Significance of the Altar and Surrender
[41:00] - Invitation to Respond and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Go Farther to Further the Gospel
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### Bible Reading
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.”
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
> But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Luke 9:23-25 (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. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Matthew 28:16-20, what are the specific actions Jesus commands his disciples to take?
2. According to Acts 1:8, what is the source of power for being a witness, and where are believers called to go?
3. In the sermon, what are the five marks of a disciple that the pastor highlights? ([47:03])
4. What does the pastor say about the meaning of being a “witness” for Christ, and how did the early church understand this word? ([39:45])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus connect his authority (“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”) with the command to go and make disciples? How does this affect the way believers approach the Great Commission? ([47:03])
2. The pastor describes discipleship as a “whole-life apprenticeship” to Jesus. What does it mean to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do as Jesus did? How is this different from just attending church or believing certain things? ([48:25])
3. The sermon mentions that identifying with Christ in the early church was a costly, public act. What might it look like today for someone to “count the cost” of following Jesus? ([01:01:06])
4. The pastor talks about “walls” between our hearts and God’s heart. What are some examples of these walls, and why do they keep us from fully surrendering to God’s call? ([01:05:26])
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor asks, “How far are you willing to go for the sake of the gospel?” What is one area of your life (home, work, school, neighborhood) where you sense God might be calling you to go farther? What would a next step look like for you? ([37:53])
2. The sermon says that being a disciple is not a casual commitment. Is there a part of your life where you have been “casual” in your faith? What would it look like to move toward a whole-life apprenticeship to Jesus in that area? ([53:34])
3. The pastor describes the power to go farther as coming from surrender, not from our own strength. Is there something you need to surrender—like fear, pride, or comfort—that is holding you back from living on mission? ([47:03])
4. Making disciples is described as a relational and sometimes costly journey. Who is someone in your life that you could intentionally invest in, walk with, or “carry to Jesus” this month? What might that look like? ([01:00:23])
5. The sermon challenges us to “tear down the walls” between us and God’s call. What is one practical way you can reclaim the “altar” in your heart this week—through prayer, worship, confession, or another step of surrender? ([01:05:26])
6. The pastor says, “The mission is not just for a select few, but for every follower of Christ.” Do you see yourself as personally responsible for the Great Commission? Why or why not? What would change if you did? ([37:53])
7. The sermon talks about living as “salt and light” in a world desperate for hope. What is one way you can intentionally be salt and light in your daily routine this week? ([01:03:05])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage, surrender, and clarity about their next step in going farther to further the gospel—both individually and as a group.
Devotional
Day 1: Living the Great Commission: Called to Be a Witness Who Makes Disciples
Every follower of Jesus is called to be a witness, not just in words but in the way they live, so that the presence and love of Christ are evident to everyone they encounter. This calling is not reserved for pastors or church leaders but is the mission of every believer—to let the light of Jesus shine so brightly through their lives that even a simple conversation leaves others sensing something different. Being a witness means embodying the message of the gospel, even in the face of opposition, and living intentionally so that others may come to know Christ through your example. [39:45]
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 will intentionally seek to reflect Jesus to this week, and how can you make your interactions with them more Christlike in both word and action?
Day 2: The Power and Purpose of the Holy Spirit in Mission
The mission to make disciples is not accomplished in our own strength but through the power of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to live out God’s calling with courage and effectiveness. The first steps are to make yourself available to God, worship Him with all your heart, and submit to His authority, allowing His Spirit to guide your actions and words. When you live in the abiding life, surrendered to God’s will, you are empowered to go into the world and make disciples, trusting that God will lead and equip you for every opportunity He provides. [47:03]
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to surrender control and invite the Holy Spirit to empower you for God’s mission today?
Day 3: Becoming Like Jesus: The Call to Imitate Christ
A disciple is not just someone who learns about Jesus but someone who seeks to be with Him, become like Him, and do as He did—reflecting His character, values, and mission in everyday life. This transformation requires a daily choice to pursue Christ over the world, allowing God to renew your mind and shape your heart so that you can love, serve, and live as Jesus did. As you grow in intimacy with Christ, you will find yourself increasingly able to resist the pull of the world and live out your true purpose as an imitator of God. [51:03]
Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Reflection: What is one specific way you can intentionally imitate Jesus’ love or character in your relationships or decisions today?
Day 4: Commitment Over Casual Faith: The Cost of Following Jesus
Following Jesus is not a casual commitment but a wholehearted, daily surrender that requires denying yourself, taking up your cross, and living for Christ above all else. True discipleship means that Christ is not just your Savior but your Lord, and that your faith is marked by visible commitment and willingness to go wherever He leads, even when it is difficult or costly. God calls you to move beyond comfortable Christianity and embrace a life of total devotion, trusting that He is worthy of your all. [54:39]
Luke 9:23-25 (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. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
Reflection: What comfort, habit, or fear is holding you back from fully committing to Jesus, and what step can you take today to surrender it to Him?
Day 5: Tearing Down Walls: The Altar of Surrender and Mission
To go farther in furthering the gospel, you must address any barriers between your heart and God, coming to a place of surrender where you offer your life for His purposes. The altar—whether physical or spiritual—is a place of encounter, worship, and transformation, where you lay down your fears, frustrations, and faithlessness, and open yourself to God’s leading. As you fight for the altar in your heart and in your church, you create space for God to move powerfully, equipping you to live on mission and be His hands, feet, and voice in the world. [01:07:14]
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Reflection: What “wall” exists between you and God today, and how can you intentionally come before Him in prayer or worship to surrender it and seek His direction for your life?
Quotes
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