Rivers in the Desert: What only Jesus Can Do

Oct 26, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Has All Authority in Heaven and on Earth

Jesus’ claim to possess all authority in heaven and on earth is not just a bold statement, but the foundation for the church’s mission and the believer’s confidence. This authority is unique to Christ, who is not merely a wise teacher or prophet, but the very Son of God, the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature. Because Jesus upholds the universe by the word of His power, His commands are not suggestions but divine mandates, and His promises are utterly trustworthy. When we recognize His authority, we are freed from fear and empowered to live boldly for Him, knowing that the One who sends us is sovereign over all things. [42:28]

Matthew 28:18 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust Jesus’ authority, and how might surrendering that area to Him change your perspective or actions this week?

Day 2: The Great Commission—Go and Make Disciples

Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations” is not reserved for a select few, but is the calling of every believer. This commission is rooted in Christ’s authority and is the means by which God’s love and salvation are made known to the world. Making disciples involves more than just sharing information; it is about inviting others into a life-changing relationship with Jesus, baptizing them into the family of faith, and teaching them to obey all that He has commanded. The mission begins right where we are—our neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities—and extends to the ends of the earth, fueled by the promise that Jesus is with us always. [36:16]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reflection: Who is one person in your daily life you can intentionally reach out to this week to begin a deeper, gospel-centered relationship?

Day 3: God Loves to Save and Transform People

Despite humanity’s brokenness, rebellion, and messiness, God’s heart is to save and transform lives through Jesus Christ. The good news is that God pursues us with relentless love, offering forgiveness and new life to all who repent and believe. Our role is not to fix people or judge them, but to get out of God’s way—surrendering our own plans and preferences—so that His Spirit can work through us. Even those who seem farthest from God are not beyond His reach, and our willingness to engage, love, and share the gospel can be the very means by which God brings someone from death to life. [46:26]

Luke 19:10 (ESV)
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Reflection: Is there someone in your life you’ve written off as “too far gone”? How can you pray for and reach out to them with Christ’s love this week?

Day 4: The Power of Personal Testimony

Every believer has a story of what Christ has done in their life, and sharing that story is a powerful way to proclaim the gospel. Our testimony is not just an opinion, but a declaration of the truth of a saving King who forgives, transforms, and gives hope. When we share authentically about how Jesus has changed us, we invite others to encounter Him for themselves. The church is made up of ordinary people with extraordinary stories of grace, and God uses these stories to draw others to Himself. [55:12]

Revelation 12:11 (ESV)
“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

Reflection: What is one specific way Jesus has changed your life? Who can you share that story with this week, trusting God to use it?

Day 5: Loving and Engaging Our Neighbors Intentionally

Loving God and loving people is at the heart of the Great Commission, and it requires intentional engagement with those around us. It is easy to become comfortable or settle for surface-level relationships, but Christ calls us to sacrificially love, serve, and build genuine connections with our neighbors, coworkers, and classmates. This means praying for opportunities, listening well, and being willing to step out of our comfort zones to meet real needs and share the hope of Christ. As we abide in Jesus and keep our focus on Him, He gives us wisdom and courage to love others in ways that advance His kingdom. [57:58]

Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV)
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to move beyond casual conversation and intentionally love or serve a neighbor, coworker, or classmate?

Sermon Summary

Today we celebrated the baptism of Leila Grace, a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and the beauty of being welcomed into Christ’s family. Baptism is not just a ritual, but a visible sign of the invisible work of the Holy Spirit, drawing us into God’s story and the life of the church. As a congregation, we reaffirmed our commitment to surround Leila with steadfast love, to teach her the faith, and to model Christ’s way in our own lives.

We also concluded our “Rivers in the Desert” series by returning to the heart of our mission: to know Christ and to make Christ known. In a world full of distractions and competing priorities, it is vital to keep the main thing the main thing. Jesus’ words in Matthew 28—the Great Commission—are not just familiar verses, but the marching orders for every believer. Jesus claims all authority in heaven and on earth, a claim only he can make, and on that basis, he commands us to go and make disciples of all nations.

This authority is not about ego, but about divinity. Jesus, the radiance of God’s glory, upholds the universe by his word. Because of who he is, we are sent out—not in our own strength or opinion, but in his power and with his message. The good news is that God loves to save people, even those who seem farthest from him. Our role is to get out of God’s way, to set our sails to the wind of the Spirit, and to be faithful in sharing the gospel wherever we are—our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and beyond.

Being a disciple means being a learner, a follower who is changed by Jesus and joins in his mission. Our story is not just about what we believe, but about what Christ has done in us. Everyone has a story, but the question is: is Jesus the hero of yours? We are challenged to move beyond comfort, to intentionally engage those around us, to pray for opportunities, and to love our neighbors in sacrificial, practical ways. The world doesn’t need our opinions; it needs Jesus. May we be vessels of his hope, advancing his kingdom in real and tangible ways.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus’ Authority Is Absolute and Foundational Jesus’ claim to all authority in heaven and on earth is not a boast, but a declaration of his divinity and the foundation for our mission. This authority means that when we go out to share the gospel, we do so not in our own name, but in the name of the one who upholds the universe. Our confidence and courage come from knowing that we serve the King who has already conquered sin and death. [42:28]
2. The Great Commission Is a Command, Not a Suggestion The call to make disciples is not optional for followers of Jesus. It is a direct command rooted in his authority, and it extends to every believer, not just a select few. We are sent to our neighborhoods, our cities, and the nations, carrying the message of forgiveness and new life in Christ. Our obedience is not based on our feelings or opinions, but on the clear commission of our risen Lord. [44:26]
3. Get Out of God’s Way and Set Your Sails to the Spirit Often, our own plans, comfort, or distractions keep us from fully participating in God’s mission. Like a skilled sailor, we must learn to set our sails to the wind of the Spirit, adjusting as God leads, rather than insisting on our own direction. True fruitfulness comes when we surrender our will, trust God’s timing, and allow his power to work through us, even in messy or unexpected situations. [47:08]
4. Our Testimony Is Rooted in Christ’s Work, Not Our Opinion When we share our faith, we are not offering personal opinions or advice, but bearing witness to what Christ has done in us and for us. The authority to declare forgiveness and new life comes from Jesus himself, not from our own merit. Our story is powerful because it points to the saving work of Christ, and every believer is called to share that story with humility and boldness. [51:49]
5. Intentional Love and Engagement Transforms Lives Loving our neighbors means more than casual kindness; it requires intentional engagement, sacrificial love, and a willingness to enter into the messiness of people’s lives. True discipleship happens when we move beyond comfort, pray for opportunities, and build relationships that open doors for the gospel. Even those who seem farthest from God are within reach of his grace, and our faithfulness can be the bridge to their transformation. [61:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:25] - The Meaning of Baptism
[29:43] - Baptism of Leila Grace
[31:13] - Celebrating God’s Faithfulness
[32:44] - Rivers in the Desert: Series Recap
[34:09] - Our Mission: To Know Christ and Make Him Known
[36:00] - The Great Commission: Matthew 28
[37:52] - The Significance of “All Authority”
[39:09] - Jesus’ Authority in Scripture
[41:48] - Why Jesus’ Authority Matters
[44:26] - The Command to Go and Make Disciples
[47:08] - Setting Our Sails: Following the Spirit
[51:49] - The Authority to Declare Forgiveness
[55:12] - Our Story: Christ’s Work in Us
[57:58] - Loving Our Neighbors Intentionally
[61:50] - Testimony: The Power of Persistent Love
[63:49] - Praying for Spiritual Opportunities
[65:16] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
[67:28] - Closing Hymn and Farewell

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Rivers in the Desert: The Great Commission and Our Mission”

Bible Reading

Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)
> Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 28:18, what does Jesus claim about his authority, and how does this set the stage for what he commands next?
According to the sermon, what is the significance of baptism in the life of a believer and the church? ([29:43])
What are the specific actions Jesus commands his followers to do in the Great Commission?
The sermon mentioned that Jesus’ authority is not about ego but about divinity. What examples from the sermon or the passage show this? ([41:48])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important that Jesus claims “all authority in heaven and on earth” before giving the command to make disciples? How does this affect the way believers approach the mission? ([42:28])
The sermon says, “The Great Commission is a command, not a suggestion.” What are the implications of this for every believer, not just pastors or missionaries? ([44:26])
The pastor shared that our testimony is rooted in what Christ has done, not just our opinions. Why does this distinction matter when sharing faith with others? ([51:49])
The story of the neighbors who kept reaching out to someone others avoided was shared as an example. What does this teach about intentional love and engagement, even when it’s uncomfortable or messy? ([01:01:50])

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to “get out of God’s way and set our sails to the Spirit.” What is one area of your life where you tend to rely on your own plans instead of seeking God’s direction? What would it look like to surrender that area this week? ([47:08])
Jesus commands us to “go and make disciples.” Who in your neighborhood, workplace, or school might God be prompting you to intentionally engage with? What is one step you can take to build a relationship or start a spiritual conversation? ([44:26])
The pastor admitted to knowing his neighbors casually but not intentionally engaging them about faith. Is there someone in your life you’ve only connected with on a surface level? What could you do to move that relationship toward deeper, spiritual conversations? ([59:21])
When you think about sharing your faith, do you feel more like you’re offering your opinion or bearing witness to what Christ has done in you? How can you make your story more about Jesus and less about yourself? ([51:49])
The world doesn’t need our opinions; it needs Jesus. Are there situations where you’ve been tempted to argue or share your own views instead of pointing people to Christ? How can you shift your focus in those moments? ([01:05:53])
The sermon encouraged praying for spiritual opportunities, not just physical needs. Will you commit to praying this week for God to open a door for you to share the gospel? What might that prayer look like for you? ([01:03:49])
Loving our neighbors means sacrificial, practical engagement. What is one practical act of love you can do for someone who seems far from God or is difficult to love? ([01:01:50])

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to give your group courage, wisdom, and opportunities to live out the Great Commission in real and tangible ways this week. Pray for Leila Grace and all those being welcomed into God’s family, that they would be surrounded by steadfast love and faithful examples of Christ.

Sermon Clips

“What does it look like for us in our lives in very real and very practical ways to grow in Christ's likeness in the workplace, in our families, in our marriages, in our ch in our child rearing, in our workplace? What does it look like if somebody if I were to go ask somebody that knows you and I were to ask them what is the most important thing to fill in the blank? What would they say to me? Because there's a whole lot of things that can be said that are good, but there's only one thing that can be said that is the best.”

“As a church, whatever else we might be engaged in, whatever else we might be doing when people would come into this church and when people would go out from this church into the community that it would be that we have a shared understanding that our desire is to fulfill God's purpose in this way.”

“I want you to stop for just a second and I want you to think about this statement. Let that settle into your mind that somebody would stand on the stage of human history and make such a claim that the entire cosmos in the entire cosmos he says I am the authority.”

“When Jesus says, "Hey, the Old Testament, the whole point of all of it is to point to me." Do you realize when he enters into history and he makes these statements and he makes these claims, it's not ego. This is divinity.”

“And he comes with the great at the great commission to calm their doubts and their troubles and their fears and to commission them and to remind them that he is the way, the truth, and the life, the light, and the shepherd and the bread and the gate. the king. He is the king.”

“It's really important that we understand that this claim that Jesus makes in the great commission is a claim that only Jesus can make.”

“Do you believe this? That Jesus is the heir of all things, that he is the creator of the universe, and that he upholds everything by the word of his power. So when he steps forward and says to his disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me," he's not kidding. He's simply saying what is true.”

“Therefore, go remember these 12 disciples are very very ordinary people, very much like you and like me. And he with that authority commissions them to launch the church. And there's no way the church gets launched without his power and without his authority. That's why this is so important.”

“I don't want us to miss that. It is the authority of Jesus that gives us the responsibility to evangelize. It's the reason that therefore all authority in heaven on and on earth has been given to me. Now you go, you go tell the world. Tell the world. And he commands them in Acts, right? Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to all the earth.”

“Although we are bent and crooked and messy and unfixed, the good news is that despite of our rejection of God and our rebellion against his commands and our disinterest in his authority, that he still loves us and still pursues us with passion. And he comes to us and he speaks to us. Why? Because God loves to save people.”

“How easy is it for us to forget the main thing, even if it's a good thing? Now, there's logic in this and it helps us to answer the kind of questions that as believers we're inevitably going to get. This is what people will say. What right do you have? Who do you think you are to interfere with my personal religious affairs or the culture of our day or the classroom in a public school in the realm of education?”

“The answer is the right that I have is because I am in the service of the one who resides with all the authority on in heaven and on earth. So the answer church hear me is because we're commanded. It's not because I feel like it. It's not because I have some great opinion to give you. It's not because I might I I because I feel guilty. It's because there's an inevitable consequence that faces each human being and the whole world needs to know who Jesus is.”

“A disciple by definition is a learner. It's a follower who is committed to learning from, being changed by, and sharing in the mission of Jesus. That's a disciple. A follower who is committed to learn from, to be changed by, and sharing in the mission of Jesus.”

“If you've been tuned out, tune back in because this is what I want you to get. Our story to proclaim to the world is a story about something that has happened in us because of what Christ has done for us.”

“And so I ask you today, church, we are a church that is so fortunate to be on mission together. I as a pastor have been so blessed by you and your support over the missions over the years, not just for HCM, but you just heard this summer when Erica had went and we're going to hear in February from some missionaries um from Launch Uganda and the list goes on and on and on and on about taking this gospel to the whole world.”

“But here's what I don't want you to miss. that each and every one of us are called and commanded and commissioned if you if you're a Christian to take this good news beyond the walls of this church at Aldersgate into your neighborhoods into your schools into your workplace into your social settings. That's what we are called to do.”

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