The Hub of Missions - Jake Giesbrecht

Devotional

Day 1: The Gospel is the Center of Missions

The heart of missions is not simply doing good works or building relationships, but proclaiming the essential message of the gospel—the good news that God, through the sacrifice of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit, meets us in our brokenness and offers us grace. Without the gospel at the center, our efforts are empty, and we risk coming in our own name rather than in God’s. The gospel is where God’s justice and mercy meet, where repentance and faith open the way for salvation, and where the power of God is revealed to all who believe. Let us not be distracted by secondary things, but keep the gospel as our central focus in all we do. [14:42]

John 3:16 (ESV):
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel message from you this week, and how can you intentionally share it with them rather than just building a relationship or doing good works alone?

Day 2: The Authority and Power to Witness

Jesus has given us the authority to go and make disciples of all nations, and He empowers us through the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses—not just in word, but in life, even to the point of sacrifice. Being a witness means more than telling a story; it means living for the cause of Christ, offering our lives as a testimony to what He has done. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to step out in faith, to go beyond our comfort zones, and to be bold in sharing the message of salvation, knowing that we are not alone but sent with divine authority. [23:49]

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 sense God calling you to step out as a witness, and what would it look like to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power rather than your own strength?

Day 3: The Necessity of Preaching the Gospel

Preaching is God’s chosen method to present His truth and power to the world, stirring hearts and calling people to respond. It is not just about sharing information or living a good example, but about boldly proclaiming the message of Christ so that faith can be awakened in those who hear. Without preaching, people cannot believe, and without being sent, preachers cannot go. The preaching of the gospel is essential for missions, and it is through this proclamation that lives are changed and hope is offered to the lost. [35:17]

Romans 10:14-17 (ESV):
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Reflection: Is there a setting—at work, in your family, or among friends—where you have hesitated to speak the gospel? What would it look like to courageously proclaim Christ there this week?

Day 4: The Importance of Teaching Sound Doctrine

Doctrine is the root system of our faith, anchoring us in the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done. Without sound teaching, we risk believing in a false Jesus or drifting away from the faith altogether. Teaching the doctrines of Christ ensures that we and those we reach through missions are grounded in the true gospel, not a watered-down or distorted version. It is essential to hold fast to biblical doctrine, for it is through this teaching that we know God rightly and are equipped to live and serve faithfully. [37:28]

2 John 1:9 (ESV):
“Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”

Reflection: Are there areas of your understanding of Jesus or the gospel that need to be rooted more deeply in Scripture? What step can you take this week to grow in sound doctrine?

Day 5: The Call to Go—Moving Beyond Comfort

Missions cannot be accomplished from the comfort of our homes alone; Jesus calls us to go, to step out of our familiar surroundings, and to bring the gospel to those who have not heard. Whether it means crossing the street or crossing the world, going requires sacrifice, courage, and a willingness to leave behind what is comfortable for the sake of Christ. If you cannot go, you can send others, but the call is to be personally involved in the mission of God, trusting that the Holy Spirit empowers us for the task. [42:11]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV):
“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: What is one practical way you can step out of your comfort zone for the sake of the gospel this month—whether by going, sending, or supporting missions in a new way?

Sermon Summary

This morning, the focus is on the heart of missions—what it truly means to participate in God’s work in the world. It’s a privilege that God invites imperfect people to be part of His perfect plan, not as spectators, but as active participants. Over the past five years, our journey in Mexico has involved evangelism, supporting churches, running a secondhand store to help the poor and fund ministry, and organizing conferences and mission trips. These activities are not just about doing good; they are about keeping the essentials of missions at the center.

At the core of all missions is the gospel—the essential message of God’s love and redemption through Jesus Christ. The gospel is not just a set of teachings or a lifestyle; it is the message that reconciles God and humanity. Without the gospel, all our efforts are empty, no matter how noble they seem. The gospel is where God’s justice and mercy meet, where the sacrifice of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit make salvation possible for those who repent and believe.

It’s easy to be distracted by good works, relationships, or even church programs, but if the gospel is not central, we are missing the point. Our authority to share this message comes from Jesus Himself, who commands us to go and make disciples. The work is not ours; it is God’s, and He promises that even the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.

Being witnesses is not just about telling a story; it’s about living a life surrendered to the cause of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. True witness may even mean giving our lives, not just our words, for the sake of the gospel. Preaching is God’s chosen method to present His case to the world—not as a debate, but as a proclamation that stirs the heart and calls for a response. Teaching, especially sound doctrine, is essential so that people believe in the true Christ and are not led astray by false ideas.

Finally, missions require action—going beyond our comfort zones. Whether we go ourselves or send others, we must not try to do missions from the safety of home alone. The power of God is in His people, out in the world, sharing the gospel, teaching truth, and living as witnesses. This is the most exciting and significant work we can be part of. The call is to respond now, not later, and to let God use us in His mission.

Key Takeaways

1. The Gospel is the Center of Missions The gospel is not just a message among many; it is the essential point where God and humanity meet. Without the gospel, all our efforts, no matter how compassionate, lack eternal significance. The gospel brings together God’s justice and mercy, offering salvation through Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. We must guard against letting good works or relationships distract us from proclaiming this central message. [09:01]
2. Witnesses Live and Die for the Cause Being a witness is more than sharing words; it is a call to live—and if necessary, die—for the sake of Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses “to” Jesus, not just “for” Him, reflecting His sacrifice in our own lives. This kind of witness is a testimony back to Christ, showing that His sacrifice was not in vain and that we are willing to give ourselves for the gospel. [26:09]
3. Preaching is God’s Method for Change Preaching is not a mere transfer of information; it is God’s way of presenting His truth with power and conviction. Unlike teaching, which educates the mind, preaching stirs the heart and demands a response. When we neglect preaching, we risk having people convinced but not converted, missing the transformative power that only God’s proclaimed word can bring. [30:13]
4. Sound Doctrine Guards the True Christ Doctrine is not a secondary issue; it is the root system that anchors our faith in the true Jesus. Without sound doctrine, we risk presenting a false Christ and leading people astray. Teaching and upholding biblical doctrine ensures that our missions point people to the real Savior, not a cultural or watered-down version. [38:01]
5. Missions Require Going Beyond Comfort True missions cannot be done from the comfort of home alone. Jesus’ command is to “go,” stepping out of our familiar surroundings to reach others. Whether we go ourselves or send others, personal involvement is necessary. The Holy Spirit empowers people, not programs, and the world is reached through the willingness to leave comfort for the sake of the gospel. [42:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:19] - Ministry Overview in Mexico
[03:12] - Conferences and Evangelism
[05:37] - Technology and Team Update
[09:01] - The Gospel: The Center of Missions
[12:32] - The Power and Necessity of the Gospel
[14:42] - Where God and Man Meet
[17:02] - Justice, Mercy, and Salvation
[18:57] - Grace, Faith, and the Gospel’s Offer
[20:13] - Relationships vs. The Gospel
[22:07] - Authority and Right to Preach
[23:21] - Witnesses: Living for the Cause
[27:38] - Preaching: God’s Method for Change
[30:13] - Preaching vs. Teaching
[36:16] - The Importance of Doctrine
[41:50] - The Call to Go
[44:32] - The Power of Personal Involvement
[45:40] - Responding to God’s Call

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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.”

2. Romans 1:16 (ESV)
> For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

3. 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.

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, what is the difference between “the gospels” and “the gospel”? [[09:01]]
In Matthew 28:18-20, what specific instructions does Jesus give to His followers?
What does Romans 1:16 say is the power of God for salvation?
In Acts 1:8, what does Jesus say will happen when the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “The gospel is where God and man meet to settle their differences.” What does this mean, and how does it relate to the idea of God’s justice and mercy? [[14:42]]
Why does the speaker emphasize that being a witness is not just about telling a story, but about living—and possibly dying—for the cause of Christ? [[26:09]]
The sermon draws a distinction between preaching and teaching. Why is preaching described as “God’s method to convince mankind with his power and his truth”? [[31:22]]
Why is sound doctrine described as the “root system” that anchors our faith in the true Jesus? What dangers are mentioned if doctrine is neglected? [[38:01]]

Application Questions

The sermon warns that it’s easy to be distracted by good works, relationships, or church programs. Are there any “good” things in your life that might be distracting you from keeping the gospel at the center? What would it look like to refocus? [[20:13]]
The speaker says, “Being a witness is more than sharing words; it is a call to live—and if necessary, die—for the sake of Christ.” What does living as a true witness look like in your daily life? Is there an area where you feel challenged to be more bold or sacrificial? [[26:09]]
Preaching is described as God’s way of presenting His truth with power and conviction, not just information. When was the last time you felt “stirred” by preaching? How did you respond? [[30:13]]
The sermon says, “Doctrine is not a secondary issue; it is the root system that anchors our faith in the true Jesus.” Are there any beliefs or teachings you’ve encountered that made you question what is true about Jesus? How do you guard yourself against false ideas? [[38:01]]
The call to missions is described as going beyond our comfort zones. What is one specific way you could step out of your comfort zone for the sake of the gospel—either by going, sending, or supporting someone else? [[42:11]]
The speaker says, “The power of God is in His people, out in the world, sharing the gospel, teaching truth, and living as witnesses.” Is there a place or group of people God might be calling you to reach out to? What is holding you back? [[44:32]]
The sermon ends with a challenge to “respond now, not later.” What is one step you feel God is asking you to take in response to this message? How can the group support you in taking that step? [[45:40]]

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