Living a Life on Mission Through Love

Devotional

Day 1: Love as the Heartbeat of Mission

Our love for God and others is the core of our mission. This love should be evident in our actions and relationships, reflecting the teachings of Jesus in John 13:35 and Romans 12:18-21. Imagine the impact if our communities were known for this kind of love. [01:58]

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a specific way you can show love to someone in your community today. How can you make this act of love a regular part of your life?

Day 2: Extraordinary Love in Action

The story of Dirk Willems exemplifies the extraordinary love that should characterize our lives. Despite the cost, he turned back to save his pursuer. This kind of sacrificial love is what we are called to demonstrate, even in less dramatic circumstances. [03:38]

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you had the opportunity to show sacrificial love. How can you prepare your heart to act selflessly in future situations?

Day 3: The Good Samaritan's Challenge

The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to love beyond our comfort zones. Our neighbor is anyone in need, and we are called to show compassion and mercy, breaking through our fears and excuses. [09:30]

"But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion." (Luke 10:33, ESV)

Reflection: Identify someone in your life who is different from you or whom you find difficult to love. What steps can you take to show them compassion and mercy this week?

Day 4: Mission Fields Everywhere

Our mission fields are not just overseas but right where we are—our homes, workplaces, and communities. We are called to be intentional and available, looking for opportunities to serve and share the love of Christ in our daily lives. [37:01]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your daily environment. What is one specific way you can be more intentional about sharing Christ's love in your home, workplace, or community?

Day 5: Prayer as the Foundation

Prayer is the foundation of our mission. Just as Father Nash's prayers undergirded Charles Finney's revivals, our efforts must be rooted in prayer. We are called to pray for laborers and then be willing to go ourselves, trusting in God's provision and guidance. [50:03]

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2, ESV)

Reflection: Set aside a specific time today to pray for laborers in the mission field. Ask God to show you how you can be part of the answer to this prayer.

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the concept of living a life on mission, focusing on the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. We began by reflecting on what others would say about us if they were asked to describe our lives. Jesus said in John 13:35 that people will know we are His disciples by our love for one another. Romans 12:18-21 further emphasizes living at peace with everyone and overcoming evil with good. This love is the heartbeat of our mission, both locally and globally.

We explored the story of Dirk Willems, a Dutch Anabaptist who, despite escaping from prison, turned back to save his pursuer who had fallen through the ice. This act of extraordinary love cost him his life but left a lasting legacy. This kind of love should define us as Christians. Our mission statement—love God, love people, be discipled, and make disciples—stems from the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Living a life on mission means prioritizing these commands in our daily lives.

We also examined the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, which challenges us to love our neighbors, even those who are different from us or whom we might consider enemies. Jesus calls us to a higher standard of love that goes beyond our natural inclinations and tribal tendencies. This love should extend to everyone, including those who are marginalized or different from us.

We discussed the importance of seeing our everyday environments—our homes, workplaces, and communities—as mission fields. God has placed us where we are for a purpose, and we are called to be His hands and feet, showing His love to those around us. This mission requires us to be intentional and available, looking for opportunities to serve and share the love of Christ.

Finally, we emphasized the foundational role of prayer in our mission. Just as Charles Finney's revivals were undergirded by the prayers of Father Nash, our efforts must be rooted in prayer. We are called to pray for laborers to be sent into the harvest and then to be willing to go ourselves.

###

Key Takeaways

1. 21. Imagine the impact if our communities were known for this kind of love. [01:58]
2. Extraordinary Love in Action: The story of Dirk Willems exemplifies the extraordinary love that should characterize our lives. Despite the cost, he turned back to save his pursuer. This kind of sacrificial love is what we are called to demonstrate, even in less dramatic circumstances.

3. The Good Samaritan's Challenge: The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to love beyond our comfort zones. Our neighbor is anyone in need, and we are called to show compassion and mercy, breaking through our fears and excuses.

4. Mission Fields Everywhere: Our mission fields are not just overseas but right where we are—our homes, workplaces, and communities. We are called to be intentional and available, looking for opportunities to serve and share the love of Christ in our daily lives.

5. Prayer as the Foundation: Prayer is the foundation of our mission. Just as Father Nash's prayers undergirded Charles Finney's revivals, our efforts must be rooted in prayer. We are called to pray for laborers and then be willing to go ourselves, trusting in God's provision and guidance.

### [01:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:46] - Reflecting on Our Lives
[01:58] - Love as the Heartbeat of Mission
[02:46] - The Impact of Love
[03:38] - Story of Dirk Willems
[04:46] - Defining Our Mission
[05:47] - Purpose and Calling
[06:37] - Knowledge vs. Obedience
[07:19] - Loving God and Neighbor
[07:55] - Who is My Neighbor?
[08:29] - Jesus' Answer
[09:02] - Simplicity and Difficulty of Faith
[09:30] - The Good Samaritan
[10:38] - Examining Our Hearts
[11:14] - Religious Leaders' Response
[11:44] - Reasons for Inaction
[12:22] - Compassion and Action
[13:10] - The Samaritan's Compassion
[13:43] - Practical Help
[14:21] - Overcoming Fear
[15:11] - Loving Enemies
[15:44] - Radical Love
[16:26] - Sons of the Father
[17:15] - Tribalism and Love
[18:08] - Natural Tribes
[18:54] - Strong Communities
[19:31] - Opening Our Lives
[20:04] - Personal Testimony
[20:43] - Wrestling with Cost
[21:19] - God's Sacrifice
[21:53] - Responsibility to Love
[22:26] - Balancing Family and Mission
[23:01] - Denying Self
[23:38] - Family and Ministry
[24:05] - Normal Life of Ministry
[24:34] - Mennonite Community
[25:20] - Sacrificing for Mission
[26:01] - Sending Out Youth
[26:32] - Faith Over Fear
[27:01] - Effects of Loneliness
[27:44] - Social Isolation Risks
[28:36] - Responsibility for Others
[29:35] - Church's Responsibility
[30:26] - Each One Reach One
[31:51] - Personal Story
[32:28] - Being Available
[33:06] - Intentional Living
[33:50] - Praying for Others
[34:23] - God Revealing Issues
[35:03] - Inner Healing
[35:30] - Being the Difference
[36:10] - Mission Fields Around Us
[37:01] - Everyday Mission Fields
[37:41] - Practical Examples
[38:38] - Intentional Living
[39:26] - Upholding Jesus' Testimony
[40:06] - Mission Fields in Africa
[40:46] - Community Responsibility
[41:17] - Church as Community Center
[42:15] - Expanding Mission Circles
[42:46] - Local Mission Fields
[43:27] - Collective Responsibility
[44:20] - Practical Steps
[44:53] - Intentional Living
[45:35] - Mission Circle
[46:07] - Being Discipled
[46:38] - Mission Fields Defined
[47:12] - Eternal Family
[47:53] - Dreaming Big
[48:25] - Compassion of Jesus
[49:17] - Praying for Laborers
[50:03] - Story of Father Nash
[50:53] - Power of Prayer
[51:59] - Prayer and Obedience
[52:44] - Reflection and Commitment
[53:44] - Closing Prayer
[59:26] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to John 13:35, how will people recognize that we are disciples of Jesus?
In Romans 12:18-21, what are the specific actions Paul instructs us to take towards our enemies?
What actions did the Good Samaritan take to help the man who was beaten and left on the side of the road? ([13:10])
How did Dirk Willems demonstrate extraordinary love, and what was the outcome of his actions? ([03:38])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus emphasize love as the defining characteristic of His disciples in John 13:35? How does this align with the Great Commandment and the Great Commission?
How does the instruction in Romans 12:18-21 to "overcome evil with good" challenge our natural inclinations towards those who wrong us? ([01:58])
In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, why do you think Jesus chose a Samaritan as the hero of the story? What message was He conveying about who our neighbor is? ([09:30])
Reflecting on Dirk Willems' story, what does it mean to show sacrificial love in our daily lives? How can we apply this principle in less dramatic circumstances? ([03:38])

Application Questions

Think about your daily interactions. How can you make love the heartbeat of your mission in your home, workplace, and community? ([37:01])
Identify a person in your life who might be considered an "enemy" or someone difficult to love. What practical steps can you take to show them kindness and overcome evil with good? ([01:58])
The Good Samaritan went out of his way to help a stranger in need. Is there someone in your community who needs help that you have been overlooking? How can you be more intentional in showing compassion? ([13:10])
Prayer is foundational to our mission. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to support your mission efforts? ([50:03])
Reflect on the idea of seeing your everyday environments as mission fields. What specific actions can you take this week to be more available and intentional in serving those around you? ([37:01])
How can you balance the responsibilities of family and mission without neglecting either? Share practical ways you can involve your family in your mission efforts. ([22:26])
Consider the story of Dirk Willems. What is one area of your life where you can demonstrate extraordinary love, even if it comes at a personal cost? ([03:38])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Can you imagine if everyone in here, today, that's sitting here today, was known for just these two things up here on the screen? What could God do in our little region if just the amount of people in here would say, this is what I'm going to be known for?" [02:46] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You are here. I said last week, and we've talked about this before, if you have breath in your lungs, your heart is still beating, you are here on purpose. God is sustaining you on purpose because he has a purpose for you. You are here for a purpose." [05:47] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? I love that line. What more are you doing than others?" [16:26] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Don't let fear drive your life. I think fear is probably the biggest wall we have to break through. Whether it's fear of rejection or our own insecurities. Whatever it is, fear of not knowing what to say, of looking dumb, or whatever. Step out in faith and be the difference in someone's eternity." [14:21] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God calls every believer to take responsibility for the mission fields they're already in. If you're a parent, your home is a mission field. What do we do with the soil there? If you're growing a garden, do you care what's on the soil? Do you care if there's weeds in your soil? Do you care if it's hard packed?" [40:06] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Our mission statement here is love God, love people, be discipled, and make disciples. It comes from the great command, Matthew 22, and the great commission, Matthew 28. Right? So, it's just a combination of those two together. And life on mission is a life. So, when we're talking about life on mission, what do we mean? A life committed to loving and obeying Jesus through prioritizing the great command and great commission to love God, love people, be disciples, and make disciples." [05:47] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "But yet, the type of extraordinary love that compels someone, that has every reason to leave someone to their own, you know, consequences of their actions, to compel them to turn around and to help them because of the love that he has for Jesus. That's incredible. That's what we're to be known for." [04:46] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So, what are our natural tribes? Family, friends, church, right? Those that think like us, act like us, believe like us on small and big issues, right? We're naturally, we feel connected to each other, and that's not a bad thing, by the way. Tribes, like a family tribe, is the foundation of any strong society. We need to have strong tribes and family. We need to have strong communities. We need to have strong friendships. We need to have strong churches. What I'm getting at is, and what Jesus is getting at, is they're not supposed to be closed." [18:54] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So who's someone in your life that's lying on the road and needs help? It's a figurative road, unless they are literally lying on the road. How can you show them Jesus' love? And is your tribe, family, friendship group, small group, are you over it? Are you open to others?" [30:26] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So my question is, who is responsible? Who is responsible for those people? Because what, you know, sometimes what I've, it's easy to say. Well, to a point, they're responsible for themselves. If you want to get connected, you should go and get connected. But I would argue that scripture teaches us that we, the church, that we are responsible for them. I think that's exactly Jesus' point in Luke 10 with the Good Samaritan story. Who's responsible for the man on the side of the road? I've commanded all of you, love God, love your neighbor as yourself. Who's my neighbor? The person that you see that needs help." [29:35] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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