Living on Mission: Embracing God's Call for All
Summary
God has called each of us to live on mission, not just as spectators but as active participants in his redemptive work—locally and globally. The call is not for a select few, but for every believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring the gospel to every person, everywhere. Like the soccer player who must be in position, ready, and willing to finish the play, we are invited to say, “Here am I, send me,” just as Isaiah did when he encountered the holiness of God. This journey begins with a revelation of God’s greatness, which often comes in our moments of crisis or uncertainty, shifting our focus from earthly instability to the eternal King.
Encountering God’s holiness leads us to conviction and confession, not just about the world’s brokenness but our own. True revival starts with “woe is me,” a humble recognition of our need for cleansing. God does not leave us in our brokenness; he purifies and restores us, transforming our places of weakness into areas of purpose. Our past no longer defines us—grace does. When we grasp the depth of Christ’s sacrifice, our natural response is surrender, a willingness to go wherever he leads, regardless of comfort or convenience.
God’s call is not about our qualifications but our availability. He equips the willing, empowering ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. The Holy Spirit is our source of power, not just for personal transformation but for bold witness and effective ministry. The early church turned the world upside down not through resources or programs, but through Spirit-filled obedience and multiplication. Each of us has unique gifts—teaching, serving, giving, leading, encouraging, and more—that are essential for the growth and mission of the church.
The mission is both local and global. We are called to shine right where we are—at home, at work, in our neighborhoods—so that others may see Christ in us. But we are also called to the nations, to pray, give, and go, ensuring that the gospel reaches even the most unreached places, like those in the 10/40 window. The mission is not finished until all have heard. The invitation is clear: Will you say yes? Will you allow God to activate your gifts, cross lines of fear or comfort, and join in his mission—until every person, everywhere, has heard the good news?
Key Takeaways
- True calling begins with a fresh revelation of God’s holiness, often in times of crisis or loss. When the familiar is stripped away, we are invited to look up and encounter the eternal King, shifting our perspective from earthly instability to God’s unchanging glory. This upward gaze is the foundation for stepping into our purpose. [58:21]
- Conviction and confession are essential steps before being sent. Isaiah’s response—“woe is me”—models humility and personal responsibility, reminding us that revival starts within. God is not seeking to shame us but to cleanse and restore us, and repentance is the gateway to transformation and usefulness in his mission. [01:03:57]
- God’s grace not only forgives but also redeems our areas of weakness, turning them into places of purpose. The very places we feel most unqualified are often where God’s power is most evident. Our past is not our prison; in Christ, we are new creations, set free to serve. [01:08:29]
- The Holy Spirit is the source of our empowerment for mission. Like the unopened KitchenAid mixer, the Spirit’s power is available but must be engaged—he is not just for display but for action. When we are filled and activated by the Spirit, ordinary lives become channels for extraordinary impact, and the gospel multiplies through us. [01:17:54]
- Every believer is needed and uniquely gifted for the mission. There are no benchwarmers in God’s kingdom; each part of the body is essential for growth and outreach. Whether your calling is local or global, your obedience—no matter how small—can spark revival and bring light to those who have never heard. [01:31:16]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Living on Mission: The Call for All
[03:10] - Soccer Illustration: Being Ready and Willing
[06:20] - God’s Search for Willing Hearts
[09:05] - Isaiah’s Encounter: Revelation and Calling
[13:30] - Barriers to Stepping Out: Fear, Shame, and Inconvenience
[16:40] - Preparation for Purpose: Revelation and Conviction
[21:00] - Confession, Cleansing, and Transformation
[25:10] - Surrender and Saying Yes: Personal Stories
[31:00] - The Power of the Holy Spirit for Mission
[36:00] - Multiplication: From Ephesus to the World
[41:00] - Activating Your Gifts: Everyone is Needed
[46:00] - Shining Locally: Everyday Evangelism
[50:00] - The Global Mission: The 10/40 Window
[54:00] - Responding to the Call: Here Am I, Send Me
[57:00] - Prayer and Invitation to Salvation
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living on Mission – Until All Have Heard
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### Bible Reading
Isaiah 6:1-8 (ESV)
> In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
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.
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
> “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Isaiah 6:1-8, what was Isaiah’s response when he encountered the holiness of God? What steps did he go through before he was ready to say, “Here am I, send me”?
2. According to Acts 1:8, what is the source of power for believers to be witnesses, and where are they called to go?
3. In Matthew 5:14-16, what does Jesus say about the role of his followers in the world? What are they compared to?
4. The sermon described how Isaiah’s encounter with God happened during a time of national crisis and uncertainty. How did this crisis set the stage for Isaiah’s vision? [[58:21]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Isaiah’s first reaction to seeing God’s holiness was to confess his own sin and brokenness, rather than celebrate or feel proud? What does this teach us about true revival? [[01:03:57]]
2. The sermon said, “God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called.” How does this challenge the way we think about our own qualifications or readiness to serve? [[01:14:34]]
3. The Holy Spirit was compared to a powerful KitchenAid mixer that sometimes sits unused on the counter. What does this illustration say about the way we sometimes treat the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives? [[01:17:54]]
4. The sermon emphasized that every believer is needed and uniquely gifted for the mission. What are some reasons people might feel like “benchwarmers” in God’s kingdom, and how does the sermon address those feelings? [[01:31:16]]
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### Application Questions
1. The journey of living on mission often begins in times of crisis or loss, just like Isaiah’s vision came after King Uzziah died. Is there a difficult or uncertain situation in your life right now that could be an invitation to encounter God in a new way? How can you shift your focus from earthly instability to God’s unchanging glory this week? [[58:21]]
2. Isaiah’s response to God’s holiness was, “Woe is me.” Is there an area in your life where you need to confess or seek God’s cleansing before you can step into your calling? What would it look like to bring that area into the light this week? [[01:03:57]]
3. The sermon said, “Our past is not our prison; in Christ, we are new creations, set free to serve.” Is there a part of your past or a weakness that you feel disqualifies you from serving? How might God want to use that very area for his purpose? [[01:08:29]]
4. The Holy Spirit’s power is available, but it must be engaged. What is one practical way you can “plug in” to the Holy Spirit this week—whether through prayer, worship, or stepping out in faith? [[01:17:54]]
5. The mission is both local and global. Who is one person in your everyday life (at home, work, or in your neighborhood) who needs to see the light of Christ in you? What is one specific thing you can do to shine this week? [[01:34:46]]
6. The sermon challenged us to cross lines of fear or comfort. What is one “line” you sense God is asking you to cross—maybe sharing your faith, serving in a new way, or giving sacrificially? What’s holding you back, and how can the group pray for you? [[01:40:07]]
7. The invitation is clear: “Will you say yes?” What does saying “yes” to God’s mission look like for you right now? Is there a next step you feel prompted to take—big or small? [[01:45:02]]
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Close in prayer, asking God to reveal his holiness, cleanse and empower each person, and activate every gift for his mission—locally and globally.
Devotional
Day 1: Responding to God’s Call: “Here am I, Send Me”
God is always seeking those who are willing to step out of their comfort zones and say yes to His call, just as Isaiah did when he encountered the holiness of God. Isaiah’s response was not based on his qualifications or perfection, but on his availability and surrender. When we encounter God’s presence, He invites us to participate in His purpose, not because we have it all together, but because He equips those He calls. The journey begins with a simple, heartfelt willingness to say, “Lord, here am I, send me,” trusting that He will guide, empower, and use us for His glory. [01:11:42]
Isaiah 6:1-8 (ESV)
In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
Reflection: Where is God inviting you to step out in faith and say, “Here am I, send me”—even if you feel unqualified or uncertain?
Day 2: Cleansing and Transformation Precede Commission
Before we can be sent, God desires to cleanse and transform us, just as He did for Isaiah. True revival and usefulness begin with honest confession and repentance, not just pointing out the faults of others but humbly acknowledging our own need for God’s grace. When we allow God to search the hidden places of our hearts, He brings healing and restoration, freeing us from shame and equipping us for His mission. God is not after perfection, but a surrendered, contrite heart that is willing to be made new and set apart for His purposes. [01:06:27]
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Reflection: What is one area of your life you’ve been hiding or ignoring that needs to be brought into God’s light for cleansing and transformation today?
Day 3: Empowered by the Holy Spirit for Mission
God never calls us to fulfill His mission in our own strength; He empowers us through the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who filled the early church with boldness and power is available to every believer, enabling us to overcome fear, live transformed lives, and be effective witnesses for Jesus. When we “plug in” to the Holy Spirit, we receive supernatural ability—dunamis power—to do what we could never do on our own. The Holy Spirit is not meant to remain dormant in our lives; He is the source of our courage, effectiveness, and fruitfulness in God’s mission. [01:17:54]
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 specific way can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you today—whether in sharing your faith, serving, or overcoming a personal challenge?
Day 4: Every Gift and Person is Needed in God’s Mission
God has uniquely gifted every believer, and the mission of the church is accomplished when each person is activated and serving in their God-given role. There are no spectators or benchwarmers in the kingdom; every gift—whether teaching, serving, encouraging, giving, leading, or showing mercy—is vital for building up the body and reaching the world. When we stir up and use our gifts, we shine the light of Jesus in practical ways, impacting lives both inside and outside the church. No one is insignificant, and together, as a multi-generational, united body, we can accomplish miracles for God’s glory. [01:31:16]
Ephesians 4:16 (ESV)
From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Reflection: What is one gift or talent God has given you that you can intentionally use this week to serve others and build up the church?
Day 5: Living on Mission—Locally and Globally
The call to live on mission is not just for a select few, but for every follower of Jesus. God’s heart beats for every nation, tribe, and tongue, and He invites us to participate in His redemptive plan—whether by going, sending, giving, or praying. The mission starts right where we are, in our neighborhoods and workplaces, and extends to the ends of the earth. Our obedience, prayers, and generosity can open doors for the gospel in places we may never go ourselves. The mission is not finished until all have heard, and each of us has a vital part to play in God’s global story. [01:40:07]
Matthew 24:14 (ESV)
And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Reflection: How can you take one concrete step this week to participate in God’s mission—whether by praying for the unreached, supporting a missionary, sharing your faith, or serving in your community?
Quotes
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