Living a Life on Mission: Faith and Action

Devotional

Day 1: The Cost of Faith

The story of the Egyptian man and his girlfriend highlights the severe risks and sacrifices some people face for their faith. It serves as a powerful reminder of the privileges we often take for granted and the urgency to spread the gospel with compassion and courage. In many parts of the world, converting to Christianity can lead to persecution, violence, and even death. This stark reality contrasts sharply with the relative ease of practicing Christianity in countries like Canada, where religious freedom is protected.

Understanding the cost of faith can deepen our appreciation for the sacrifices made by believers in hostile environments. It also challenges us to consider how we can support and pray for those who face such dangers. The urgency to spread the gospel becomes more apparent when we recognize the life-and-death stakes involved for many around the world. [01:12]

Hebrews 13:3 (ESV): "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body."

Reflection: Think of a specific way you can support persecuted Christians today, whether through prayer, financial support, or raising awareness. How can you make this a regular part of your spiritual practice?

Day 2: Global Perspective

Traveling on the Logos Hope ship provided a broader understanding of the world and the diverse challenges people face. This experience has deepened faith and commitment to missions, emphasizing the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones to serve others. When we engage with different cultures and communities, we gain a more comprehensive view of God's work in the world and the unique ways He is moving in various contexts.

A global perspective helps us to see beyond our immediate surroundings and recognize the vastness of God's kingdom. It encourages us to be more empathetic and compassionate towards those who live in different circumstances. By stepping out of our comfort zones, we can grow spiritually and become more effective in our mission to serve others. [02:29]

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: Reflect on a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone to serve others. How did this experience broaden your understanding of God's work in the world? What steps can you take to continue expanding your global perspective?

Day 3: Strategic Evangelism

Reaching Muslims on vacation in Europe is a strategic and effective way to share the gospel. This approach allows for more meaningful ministry opportunities in open countries, demonstrating the importance of creativity and adaptability in missions work. By meeting people where they are, especially in more relaxed and open environments, missionaries can engage in deeper and more impactful conversations about faith.

Strategic evangelism requires us to think outside the box and find innovative ways to connect with people. It involves understanding cultural contexts and being sensitive to the unique challenges and opportunities they present. This approach not only makes the gospel more accessible but also shows respect and love for those we are trying to reach. [02:29]

1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (ESV): "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."

Reflection: Consider a group of people in your community who might be more open to hearing the gospel in a specific context. How can you creatively and respectfully engage with them in a way that meets them where they are?

Day 4: Biblical Foundation

Preparing for missions involves grounding conversations in the Holy Scriptures rather than relying on "Christianese" language. This requires a deep and ready knowledge of the Bible, emphasizing the importance of continuous study and spiritual preparedness. By focusing on the Word of God, we ensure that our message is clear, authentic, and rooted in truth.

A strong biblical foundation equips us to share the gospel more effectively and respond to questions or challenges with confidence. It also helps us to avoid misunderstandings and communicate the core message of Christianity in a way that is accessible to everyone. Continuous study and spiritual growth are essential for anyone involved in missions or ministry. [02:29]

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV): "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

Reflection: Identify a specific area of the Bible that you feel less confident in. Commit to studying this area more deeply over the next week. How can you incorporate what you learn into your conversations about faith?

Day 5: Living on Mission

The motto "never ready, but always willing" encapsulates the spirit of living a life on mission. It encourages us to step out in faith, even when we feel unprepared, trusting that God will equip us for the work He has called us to do. Living on mission means being open to God's leading and willing to take risks for the sake of the gospel.

This mindset challenges us to rely on God's strength rather than our own abilities. It reminds us that we don't have to have everything figured out before we can be used by God. By being willing to step out in faith, we open ourselves up to incredible opportunities for growth and impact. [02:29]

Isaiah 6:8 (ESV): "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'"

Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel unprepared but sense God calling you to act. What steps can you take today to respond with a willing heart, trusting that God will equip you for the task?

Sermon Summary

In the fall of 2022, I had the incredible opportunity to join Operation Mobilization (OM) on their Logos Hope ship, a missions vessel that travels globally, spreading the gospel from port to port. This experience was both daunting and transformative, as I only knew one person on board and was stepping into an entirely new world. This journey has significantly shaped this new season of my life, broadening my understanding of the world and deepening my faith.

One of the most impactful encounters I had was with a man from Egypt. He shared a harrowing story about his girlfriend, who converted from Islam to Christianity, causing severe tension with her family. The situation escalated to the point where her brother shot her when they attempted to escape Egypt. This experience was a stark reminder of the severe consequences some people face for their faith, contrasting sharply with the relative ease of practicing Christianity in Canada. It underscored the urgency and importance of spreading the gospel.

I am now preparing for a new mission in Europe, where I will join Arab missionaries to reach Muslims on vacation. This strategy is effective because it allows for more ministry opportunities in open countries than would be possible in closed ones. Following this, I will travel to a Middle Eastern country to join other missionaries in planting seeds and doing ministry on the ground.

Part of my preparation involves shedding the "Christianese" language that we often use and instead grounding my conversations in the Holy Scriptures. This requires a deep and ready knowledge of the Bible, which has been both inspiring and challenging. My motto for this journey is "never ready, but always willing," encapsulating the spirit of living a life on mission.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Cost of Faith: The story of the Egyptian man and his girlfriend highlights the severe risks and sacrifices some people face for their faith. It serves as a powerful reminder of the privileges we often take for granted and the urgency to spread the gospel with compassion and courage. [01:12]
2. Global Perspective: Traveling on the Logos Hope ship provided a broader understanding of the world and the diverse challenges people face. This experience has deepened my faith and commitment to missions, emphasizing the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones to serve others. [02:29]
3. Strategic Evangelism: Reaching Muslims on vacation in Europe is a strategic and effective way to share the gospel. This approach allows for more meaningful ministry opportunities in open countries, demonstrating the importance of creativity and adaptability in missions work. [02:29]
4. Biblical Foundation: Preparing for missions involves grounding conversations in the Holy Scriptures rather than relying on "Christianese" language. This requires a deep and ready knowledge of the Bible, emphasizing the importance of continuous study and spiritual preparedness. [02:29]
5. Living on Mission: The motto "never ready, but always willing" encapsulates the spirit of living a life on mission. It encourages us to step out in faith, even when we feel unprepared, trusting that God will equip us for the work He has called us to do. [02:29]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Joining Operation Mobilization
[00:45] - The Logos Hope Ship Experience
[01:12] - Encounter with Egyptian Man
[01:45] - The Cost of Conversion
[02:00] - Urgency of Spreading the Gospel
[02:29] - Mission in Europe
[02:45] - Reaching Muslims on Vacation
[03:00] - Ministry in the Middle East
[03:15] - Preparing for Missions
[03:30] - Shedding Christianese Language
[03:45] - Importance of Biblical Knowledge
[04:00] - Never Ready, Always Willing
[04:15] - Life on Mission Slogan

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the main purpose of the Logos Hope ship as described in the sermon? [00:15]
How did the story of the Egyptian man and his girlfriend impact the speaker's perspective on faith? [01:12]
What strategy is being used to reach Muslims on vacation in Europe, and why is it considered effective? [02:29]
What does the speaker mean by "shedding the 'Christianese' language"? [03:30]

Interpretation Questions

How does the story of the Egyptian man and his girlfriend illustrate the cost of faith? What does this tell us about the different challenges Christians face globally? [01:12]
In what ways did the experience on the Logos Hope ship broaden the speaker's understanding of the world and deepen his faith? [00:45]
Why is it important to ground conversations in the Holy Scriptures rather than using "Christianese" language? How does this approach affect evangelism? [03:30]
What does the motto "never ready, but always willing" suggest about the attitude one should have towards missions and evangelism? [04:00]

Application Questions

Reflecting on the story of the Egyptian man and his girlfriend, what are some privileges of practicing Christianity in your country that you might take for granted? How can you use these privileges to further the gospel? [01:12]
The speaker mentioned that his experience on the Logos Hope ship changed his perspective on faith. Have you ever had an experience that significantly impacted your faith? How did it change you? [00:45]
The strategy of reaching Muslims on vacation in Europe is described as "sneaky but effective." Are there creative ways you can think of to share the gospel in your own community? [02:29]
The speaker emphasized the importance of knowing the Bible well to avoid "Christianese" language. What steps can you take to deepen your knowledge of the Bible? [03:30]
The motto "never ready, but always willing" encourages stepping out in faith even when feeling unprepared. Can you recall a time when you felt unprepared but stepped out in faith anyway? What was the outcome? [04:00]
How can you prepare yourself spiritually and practically for opportunities to share the gospel, even if you feel "never ready"? [04:00]
Identify one person in your life who might be open to hearing about your faith. What specific action can you take this week to engage them in a spiritual conversation? [03:30]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I only knew one person on board, and I was just stepping into this whole new world that has really defined this next season of my life. I got to learn a lot about the world and a lot about people worldwide. And it really kind of changed my perspective on my faith." [00:30] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "It really kind of gave me a wake-up call for the urgency and the importance to go out and spread the gospel. I'm very excited to have the opportunity to go overseas, both starting in Europe, where I'll be joined with a bunch of other people, Arab missionaries, where we'll be reaching Muslims while they're on vacation." [01:52] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So part of getting ready is changing this Christianese language that we have just created, that Christians understand that what Muslims or a different religion might not understand. You're changing your language to the Holy Scriptures say this and using that as your firm foundation." [02:47] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I'm very excited. Scared. Never ready, but always willing. So that's my slogan for this trip, never ready, but always willing. That's thecía. It's a life on mission slogan." [03:12] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Because in Islam, it's very serious to convert. And this guy's sleeping beside me every night. We're bunkmates. And there is a lot of tension. And it really kind of transformed, like, okay, these people have some serious skin in the game. And I just have it easy here in Canada." [01:33] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So it's very hard to get into these Arab countries to do missions work. And so instead, we reach them when they're on vacation, which is kind of sneaky, but very effective, actually, because you can do a lot more ministry in two weeks in an open country than you can years in a closed country." [02:10] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And that's been really changing for me and challenging, because now I have to know the Bible well, and I have to study it, and I have to have verses on there ready to go. Be like John. It says this. And so that's been really inspiring, but also hard." [03:00] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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