Living on mission for Jesus is not reserved for a select few, but is the natural overflow of a heart transformed by Christ. Just as we instinctively share the things we love—our favorite restaurants, music, or family photos—so too should the love and freedom we’ve found in Jesus move us to share Him with others. Yet, it’s easy to lose our missional edge, becoming comfortable and distracted by the routines and responsibilities of life. The call is to ask God to break our hearts for those around us who do not know Him, to see our neighborhoods, workplaces, and social spaces as fields ready for harvest.
Jesus’ instructions in Luke 10 remind us that we are His ambassadors, sent intentionally into the places we already live, work, and play. We are not where we are by accident; God has sovereignly placed us to represent Him and to appeal to others to be reconciled to God. The spiritual need around us is great, but the workers are few. Jesus calls us to pray for more laborers, but not as spectators—He invites us to be part of the answer to that prayer.
Living on mission will bring opposition, but comfort and distraction are often greater threats to our faithfulness than outright resistance. Jesus urges us to fight for dependence on Him and to resist the pull of comfort and distraction that dulls our spiritual sensitivity. Rather than seeking to disrupt or force our way into people’s lives, we are to look for “people of peace”—those whom God is already drawing and who are open to spiritual conversations. Our role is not to initiate God’s work, but to discern and partner with what He is already doing.
Contentment and presence are also essential. Instead of constantly seeking the next upgrade or opportunity, we are called to be planted and present where God has us, trusting Him to provide and to use us right where we are. Ultimately, our identity is not found in our activity or perceived success, but in the unshakable truth that our names are written in heaven. This secure identity fuels our mission, freeing us from the need for results and anchoring us in God’s love.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Ambassadors with Purpose: Every follower of Jesus is an ambassador, intentionally sent by God into their unique spheres of influence. Our lives are meant to represent Christ, not a political or cultural agenda, and we are called to appeal to others to be reconciled to God. Recognizing this purpose transforms ordinary routines into opportunities for eternal impact. [40:41]
- 2. Pray as Laborers, Not Spectators: The spiritual need around us is immense, but Jesus insists that the solution is not more spectators, but more laborers. When we pray for God to send workers, we must be willing to be part of the answer, stepping off the sidelines and into the mission field ourselves. Christianity is not a spectator sport; it is a call to active participation in God’s redemptive work. [46:47]
- 3. Dependence Over Comfort: Comfort and distraction are subtle enemies of mission, lulling us into spiritual apathy. Jesus calls us to fight for dependence on Him, stripping away self-reliance and the distractions that keep us from seeing and engaging with those around us. True spiritual awareness and missional living are born out of a posture of dependence and a willingness to be uncomfortable for the sake of the gospel. [50:44]
- 4. Discernment, Not Disruption: Effective mission is less about forceful disruption and more about discerning where God is already at work. We are called to look for “people of peace”—those open to spiritual conversations—and to partner with God’s activity rather than trying to manufacture results. This approach requires sensitivity, patience, and a willingness to move on when doors are closed, trusting that God is orchestrating the harvest. [59:12]
- 5. Rooted in Identity, Not Activity: Our worth and motivation do not come from our missional achievements, but from our secure identity in Christ. Whether we experience visible success or apparent failure, our names are written in heaven, and that is our source of joy and confidence. This frees us to serve faithfully, knowing that God’s love and acceptance are not contingent on our performance. [69:10]
Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Gratitude for Partnership and Church Plant Update
- [03:10] - The Natural Overflow of Sharing What We Love
- [07:00] - Honest Confession: Losing Missional Edge
- [10:30] - The Challenge: Living on Mission in Everyday Life
- [13:30] - Luke 10: The First Mission Trip
- [16:00] - Point 1: Ambassadors for Christ
- [20:00] - Point 2: The Plentiful Harvest and Few Laborers
- [24:00] - Point 3: Expecting Opposition
- [28:00] - Point 4: Fighting for Dependence, Resisting Distraction
- [32:00] - Point 5: Pursuing People of Peace
- [38:00] - Point 6: Be Planted, Be Present, Trust God’s Provision
- [43:00] - Point 7: Resting in Identity, Not Activity
- [48:00] - Real-Life Stories and Application
- [54:00] - Prayer for Laborers and Closing Blessing