Living Missionally: Everyday Discipleship and Love
Summary
### Summary
Over the past 30 years of ministry, I've had the privilege of traveling to various parts of the world, including Poland, where we engaged in mission work by teaching English and sharing our faith. These short-term mission trips, often criticized for their limited impact, actually provide a significant boost to long-term missionaries and help participants grow in their faith. One powerful story from these trips involves Jerry, who was moved to raise funds for a young girl named Eugenia in a dilapidated Moscow hospital, ultimately transforming the hospital and saving many lives.
However, the essence of mission work isn't confined to overseas trips. Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 calls us to make disciples as we go about our daily lives. This means living missionally in our own communities—whether in Georgetown, Texas, or anywhere else. We are called to be intentional in our everyday rhythms, engaging in spiritual disciplines, church involvement, and missional living.
The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 illustrates how we can be led by the Spirit to join God where He is already at work. Philip's encounter was not a result of his own planning but of his obedience to the Spirit's leading. Similarly, our mission should be motivated by love, not just a desire to evangelize. We must genuinely care for the people around us, whether they are neighbors, coworkers, or anyone we regularly encounter.
To live missionally, start by identifying one person in your life whom God has placed on your heart. Be intentional in your interactions, pray for them, and look for opportunities to share God's love. This approach transforms everyday moments into mission trips, fulfilling Jesus' command to make disciples as we go.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Short-Term Missions: Short-term mission trips, though often criticized, provide a significant boost to long-term missionaries and help participants grow in their faith. These trips offer a "steroid burst" of energy and resources, enabling missionaries to accomplish more than they could alone. They also teach participants how to share their testimonies and engage in spiritual conversations, enriching their own spiritual lives. [29:27]
2. Living Missionally in Everyday Life: The Great Commission calls us to make disciples as we go about our daily lives. This means being intentional in our interactions at work, school, and in our neighborhoods. We are on a mission trip every day, and our goal is to disciple those around us by living out our faith authentically and intentionally. [41:04]
3. Being Led by the Spirit: Like Philip in Acts 8, we must be open to the Spirit's leading in our daily lives. This involves regular spiritual disciplines like Bible reading and prayer, which help us recognize God's voice. As we go about our day, we should ask, "Lord, what is my assignment today?" and be attentive to the Spirit's nudges. [47:18]
4. Joining God Where He is Already at Work: God is already at work in the lives of those around us. Our role is to join Him in what He is doing. This means being observant and responsive to opportunities where God is moving, rather than trying to create ministry moments on our own. [52:33]
5. Motivated by Love, Not Evangelism: Our mission should be driven by genuine love for people, not just a desire to evangelize. When we love people authentically, our actions and words will naturally point them to Jesus. This love should persist even if they reject our message, demonstrating that our care for them is unconditional. [55:04]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[27:16] - Mission Trips and Cultural Exchange
[28:10] - Texas Night in Poland
[29:03] - The Value of Short-Term Missions
[31:13] - Transformative Power of Mission Trips
[32:08] - Jerry's Story: From Moscow to Millions
[35:09] - The Disconnect in Our Mission Mindset
[36:07] - Imagining Local Mission Trips
[37:09] - Understanding the Great Commission
[39:40] - The Greek Meaning of "Go"
[41:04] - Living Missionally in Everyday Life
[44:50] - Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
[47:18] - Being Led by the Spirit
[52:33] - Joining God Where He is Already at Work
[55:04] - Motivated by Love, Not Evangelism
[57:26] - Practical Steps for Missional Living
[01:01:07] - Next Steps and Conclusion
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:19-20: "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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
2. Acts 8:26-39: The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.
### Observation Questions
1. What are the key components of the Great Commission as described in Matthew 28:19-20?
2. How did Philip respond to the Spirit's leading in Acts 8:26-29?
3. What was the Ethiopian eunuch reading when Philip approached him, and how did Philip use that to share the gospel? [45:57]
4. According to the sermon, what are some benefits of short-term mission trips for both the missionaries and the participants? [29:27]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "make disciples" in the context of your daily life, as described in Matthew 28:19-20? How can this be applied practically? [41:04]
2. How can we discern the Spirit's leading in our daily interactions, similar to how Philip did in Acts 8? [47:18]
3. The sermon emphasized being motivated by love rather than just a desire to evangelize. How does this change the way we approach our mission? [55:04]
4. How can we join God where He is already at work, as illustrated by Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch? [52:33]
### Application Questions
1. Identify one person in your life whom God has placed on your heart. How can you be intentional in your interactions with them this week? [01:01:07]
2. What are some practical ways you can incorporate spiritual disciplines like Bible reading and prayer into your daily routine to better hear the Spirit's leading? [47:18]
3. Think about your workplace, school, or neighborhood. What are some specific actions you can take to live missionally in these environments? [41:04]
4. Reflect on a time when you felt a nudge from the Spirit to act. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you be more attentive to these nudges in the future? [49:56]
5. How can you show genuine love to someone who has rejected your message about Jesus? What are some ways to demonstrate unconditional care for them? [55:04]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of being on a mission trip every day. What are some daily activities you can transform into mission opportunities? [36:36]
7. How can you support long-term missionaries or mission projects, even if you are not able to go on a mission trip yourself? [29:27]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Short-Term Missions
Short-term mission trips, though often criticized for their limited impact, provide a significant boost to long-term missionaries and help participants grow in their faith. These trips offer a "steroid burst" of energy and resources, enabling missionaries to accomplish more than they could alone. They also teach participants how to share their testimonies and engage in spiritual conversations, enriching their own spiritual lives. One powerful story from these trips involves Jerry, who was moved to raise funds for a young girl named Eugenia in a dilapidated Moscow hospital, ultimately transforming the hospital and saving many lives. [29:27]
Acts 13:2-3 (ESV): "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off."
Reflection: Think of a time when you participated in a short-term mission or service project. How did it impact your faith and the faith of those you served? How can you bring that same energy and intentionality to your daily life?
Day 2: Living Missionally in Everyday Life
The Great Commission calls us to make disciples as we go about our daily lives. This means being intentional in our interactions at work, school, and in our neighborhoods. We are on a mission trip every day, and our goal is to disciple those around us by living out our faith authentically and intentionally. This approach transforms everyday moments into mission trips, fulfilling Jesus' command to make disciples as we go. [41:04]
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: Identify one person in your daily life whom you can be more intentional with in sharing your faith. What specific steps can you take this week to engage with them more deeply and authentically?
Day 3: Being Led by the Spirit
Like Philip in Acts 8, we must be open to the Spirit's leading in our daily lives. This involves regular spiritual disciplines like Bible reading and prayer, which help us recognize God's voice. As we go about our day, we should ask, "Lord, what is my assignment today?" and be attentive to the Spirit's nudges. This openness allows us to join God where He is already at work, rather than trying to create ministry moments on our own. [47:18]
Galatians 5:25 (ESV): "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
Reflection: Begin each day this week by asking God, "What is my assignment today?" and be attentive to the Spirit's leading. Reflect on how this changes your interactions and decisions throughout the day.
Day 4: Joining God Where He is Already at Work
God is already at work in the lives of those around us. Our role is to join Him in what He is doing. This means being observant and responsive to opportunities where God is moving, rather than trying to create ministry moments on our own. By being sensitive to the Spirit's guidance, we can effectively participate in God's mission and witness the transformation He brings. [52:33]
John 5:17 (ESV): "But Jesus answered them, 'My Father is working until now, and I am working.'"
Reflection: Take a moment to observe where God might already be at work in the lives of those around you. How can you join Him in these areas? What practical steps can you take to be more observant and responsive to His movements?
Day 5: Motivated by Love, Not Evangelism
Our mission should be driven by genuine love for people, not just a desire to evangelize. When we love people authentically, our actions and words will naturally point them to Jesus. This love should persist even if they reject our message, demonstrating that our care for them is unconditional. This approach ensures that our mission is rooted in the love of Christ, making our witness more powerful and genuine. [55:04]
1 John 4:19-21 (ESV): "We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may have rejected your attempts to share your faith. How can you show them unconditional love this week, regardless of their response to your message? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate Christ's love to them?
Quotes
1. "When you go to share love, the love of God with people, when you go to meet people's needs, when you go to let people know who Jesus is and what he's done in your life, it's like the Spirit of God does something in you that changes you. And almost every person I've ever met that's gone on a mission trip somewhere has come back different." [31:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "But what if, just imagine with me if you will, what if we had a mission trip this week to Georgetown, Texas? What if we had one to Salado and Gerald and Huddo and Round Rock where people who come to City Church live? Like we're online right now. There's people I know tonight, this morning, that are watching from Leander. I know there's people who watch from Killeen. I know there's people who watch weekly from Manchester, England." [36:07] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "As you go, make disciples, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teaching them everything I've commanded. It's exactly what Philip did. Now here's some things I want you to see, because that can be scary, right? Like, like I'm not going to do this. Like if I said to you, hey, your, your job today is at lunch. Would you go someplace at lunch? And when the waiter or waitress comes to you or the host, I want you to sit them down and I want you to share the gospel with them." [45:57] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Philip was simply being led by the Spirit of God, right? Philip, it says in the very first verse, an angel showed up. That's, that's pretty cool. That's, that's the Spirit of God showing up in a cool way, sending an angel. I haven't had that experience. But the angel says, hey, today, Philip, you're headed down this road. I need you to go that direction. Go south towards God. Philip starts walking that direction. And as Philip is walking that direction, he knows God is up to something." [47:18] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Missional living has to be motivated by love and not evangelism. Listen, if you grew up in the church, if you were a church person in the 80s or 90s or 2000s, man, you got some work to do. We broke it for you. Because we turned evangelism in the church into ministries. We turned them into programs. And we said, hey, come and memorize this and then go knock on doors and regurgitate. This memory thing you've memorized and people are going to pray and accept Jesus and then you're going to fill out a card and then fantastic." [53:47] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You're going on a mission trip tomorrow. Actually, that's not true. You're going on a mission trip in about 30 minutes when you walk out this door. Tomorrow as well. But where you go, God has placed you around people that he loves. And so we've got to start thinking missionally." [41:04] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "If you only open your Bible with me on a Sunday morning for 30, 35 minutes on a Sunday, you're not going to grow into spiritual maturity like God has for you. There's some things that have to happen at home. So we're trying to create a rhythm, everyday rhythms for you, for your family that are unique for you." [42:17] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When you head out to lunch today, when you're at work tomorrow, when you're going on your mission trip to Hutto, when you're going on your mission trip to the west side of Georgetown, when you're going on your mission trip to Georgetown High School or Eastview High School or Benold Middle School, wherever you're going, you walk in going, Lord, what's my assignment today?" [48:40] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "God is at work in people around you. And he's just going to move you over into that circle in order to be used by him to do incredible things. So it's not like, hey, live on mission. Here's what you're going to do. You're going to go start a Bible study in your neighborhood. I mean, the Spirit calls you to do that. Do it. But no pressure if he doesn't. God, what is my assignment today?" [52:33] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If you haven't caught on yet, they're basically the same next steps we've said the last two weeks. Pick one. Don't overwhelm yourself. Just pick one. Doesn't have to be one name. One neighbor and one coworker, one classmate, just, just one, one person. Lord, who is the one person? And then write it down on the plan. Who's the one, one thing, write it down. And then here's your third next step. Just in that point, just be intentional." [01:01:07] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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