Living the Great Commission: Mission, Love, and Action

Today, we explored the vital connection between prayer, mission, and the sustaining love of God. Just as a phone needs to be charged to function, our spiritual lives require regular “charging” through prayer. Daniel’s story reminds us that a life rooted in prayer not only sustains us through trials but also shapes our character and witness over a lifetime. Daniel’s faithfulness, from youth to old age, was not a one-time act but a daily discipline that prepared him for moments of great testing and for God’s surprising deliverance and provision.

We then turned our attention to the idea of harvest and mission. The harvest—whether literal or spiritual—does not happen by accident. It is the result of intentional preparation, faith, and daily effort, often long before any results are visible. In the same way, our participation in God’s mission is not a single event but a lifelong journey of learning, loving, and serving. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is not just a command to “go” but an invitation to join in the ongoing work of God’s love in the world. Jesus’ authority compels us to action, not passivity. The call is not to stand still, but to move, to teach, and to love.

Importantly, mission is not about us carrying something of our own to others, but about joining where God’s love is already at work. The lines between “us” and “them” blur as we recognize that God’s love is the energy connecting all people. Our task is to teach and embody the greatest commandment: to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. This is the heart of mission—expressed in kindness, solidarity, and practical service, whether in far-off places like Ghana and Ecuador or in our own communities.

Opportunities for mission are diverse: from international service, to local acts of kindness, to learning journeys that deepen our understanding of justice and solidarity. Each act, each prayer, each lesson is a part of the daily work that leads to a harvest of love and transformation. As we go, we are assured of Christ’s presence with us always, empowering us to grow in wisdom and courage.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Prayer is our spiritual lifeline Just as a phone needs regular charging, our souls require the daily discipline of prayer. Daniel’s unwavering commitment to prayer sustained him through exile, temptation, and danger. This daily connection with God is not just for crisis moments but forms the foundation for a resilient, faithful life. [22:23]
• 2. Mission is joining God’s ongoing work Mission is not about exporting our own ideas or achievements, but about recognizing and joining where God’s love is already active. The Great Commission is an invitation to participate in a web of divine love that connects all people, rather than drawing boundaries between “us” and “them.” [60:17]
• 3. Love is the heart of teaching and mission Jesus’ command to “go and teach” is rooted in the greatest commandment: to love God and love our neighbor. True teaching is not just about words, but about embodying love in action—kindness, justice, and solidarity. This is the essence of a missional life. [61:57]
• 4. Daily discipline leads to lasting harvest The fruits of mission and spiritual growth are not the result of sporadic effort, but of consistent, faithful practice over time. Like the harvest, the results may not be immediately visible, but God honors the daily work of preparation, prayer, and service. [49:19]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [22:23] - Prayer as Spiritual Charging
• [23:19] - Daniel’s Story: Faith in Exile
• [24:04] - Daniel’s Lifelong Discipline
• [25:52] - Daniel in the Lion’s Den
• [26:55] - God’s Provision and Restoration
• [27:42] - The Power of Starting Young
• [47:22] - Gratitude and the Harvest
• [47:53] - The Work Behind the Harvest
• [49:19] - Daily Discipline and Mission
• [49:54] - Stories of Global Mission
• [51:18] - The Great Commission Revisited
• [56:32] - Jesus’ Urgent Final Words
• [57:33] - The Call to Go and Act
• [60:17] - Rethinking Mission: God’s Love at the Center
• [61:57] - Teaching Love as Mission
• [63:52] - Opportunities for Service and Learning
• [66:57] - Mission in Every Place
• [68:25] - Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Daniel 6:10-23 (NIV) — 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.
12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”
The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”
13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.”
14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.
15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed.
18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den.
20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!
22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV) — 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV) — 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Daniel 6, what was Daniel’s daily habit that sustained him during times of crisis? ([25:02])
2. In Matthew 28, what does Jesus command his disciples to do after declaring his authority? ([57:16])
3. What is the greatest commandment that Jesus says should be at the heart of our teaching and mission? ([01:01:57])
4. The sermon compared prayer to charging a phone. What does this analogy suggest about the role of prayer in our spiritual lives? ([22:23])

Interpretation Questions

1. Daniel’s commitment to prayer was not just for emergencies but a daily discipline. Why might daily spiritual habits be more important than occasional acts of faith? ([25:02])
2. Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples” is described as an invitation, not just an order. How does seeing mission as joining God’s ongoing work change the way we think about sharing our faith? ([01:00:17])
3. The sermon says the lines between “us” and “them” blur in God’s mission. What does this mean for how we view people outside our church or faith community? ([01:00:17])
4. The harvest is described as the result of daily, unseen effort. How does this perspective affect our expectations for seeing results in our spiritual lives or in serving others? ([49:19])

Application Questions

1. Daniel prayed three times a day, even when it was risky. What would it look like for you to build a regular habit of prayer into your daily routine? What challenges might you face, and how could you overcome them? ([25:02])
2. The sermon says mission is not about bringing our own ideas, but joining where God’s love is already at work. Can you think of a place or relationship in your life where you sense God is already moving? How could you join in? ([01:00:17])
3. Jesus’ command to “go” is about action, not passivity. What is one practical step you could take this week to move from “standing still” to “going” in your faith—whether that’s serving, teaching, or loving someone in need? ([57:33])
4. The greatest commandment is to love God and love your neighbor. Who is a “neighbor” in your life right now that you find difficult to love? What is one act of kindness or solidarity you could show them this week? ([01:01:57])
5. The sermon mentioned that the results of mission and spiritual growth are often not immediately visible. How do you stay motivated to serve or pray when you don’t see quick results? ([49:19])
6. There are many ways to participate in God’s mission—international service, local acts of kindness, learning about justice, and more. Which of these opportunities excites you most, and what is one step you could take to explore it further? ([01:03:52])
7. Jesus promises to be with us always as we go. When have you experienced God’s presence in a new or challenging situation? How did that experience shape your faith or courage? ([01:08:25])