Sent to Serve: Living Out the Real Church Mission

Devotional

Day 1: Sent to Share the Good News

God calls every believer to step out of their comfort zone and share the message of Jesus with others, both near and far. The mission is not just about supporting distant causes or dropping off donations, but about being present, building relationships, and humbly bringing the name of Jesus to those who need to hear it. Whether your mission field is across the world or right in your own neighborhood, you are sent with purpose. The real church is not a building, but a people who are willing to go, to love, and to make a difference—even when it means stepping into uncomfortable places. [04:23]

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
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.”

Reflection: Where is God calling you to step out of your comfort zone this week to share His love with someone who needs it?

Day 2: The Message of Salvation for All

Salvation is not earned by our own efforts or by keeping the law, but is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. This message is for everyone—Jew and Gentile, near and far. The real church carries this message, understanding that people cannot call on Jesus unless they have heard about Him, and they cannot hear unless someone tells them. Our responsibility is to openly declare who Jesus is, trusting that God will use our words and actions to draw others to Himself. [07:22]

Romans 10:9-15 (ESV)
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of Jesus, and how can you share it with them in a personal way?

Day 3: Empowered by the Holy Spirit

We are not sent out in our own strength, but are empowered by the Holy Spirit who lives within us. The Spirit gives us courage, compassion, and the words to speak, enabling us to be witnesses for Jesus everywhere we go. Just as a power tool is useless without its battery, we cannot accomplish God’s mission on our own. Rely on the Spirit’s power, knowing that He equips you for every opportunity to show others who Jesus is. [30:14]

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 ways do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit’s power rather than your own abilities as you serve others?

Day 4: Humbly Bringing Jesus to Others

Jesus was sent with compassion, sacrifice, and humility, and He calls us to go in the same way. Our mission is not to be better or stronger than others, but to simply and humbly bring the name of Jesus to those who need Him. Whether it’s in a far-off country or right in your daily routines, look for ways to be a difference maker, especially when it means stepping into places that are uncomfortable or unfamiliar. Trust that Jesus is with you, empowering you to love and serve. [28:21]

John 20:21 (ESV)
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can humbly serve someone in your community this week, following the example of Jesus?

Day 5: People Over Things—An Eternal Perspective

The things we accumulate in this life—our possessions, achievements, and comforts—will not last, but the people we impact for Jesus have eternal significance. The real church values people over things, recognizing that our true legacy is found in those we help lead to Christ. Focus on relationships, invest in others, and remember that every act of love and every word about Jesus can have an eternal impact. [13:33]

2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Reflection: What is one way you can shift your focus from things to people today, investing in someone’s life for eternity?

Sermon Summary

This week, the focus is on what it means to be sent as the real church. The call to “go and make disciples of all nations” is not just a command for a select few, but for every follower of Jesus. The early disciples themselves struggled to step outside their comfort zones, and we often do the same. Yet, God’s mission is not about dropping in to fix things or simply giving resources from a distance. True mission is about settling in, empowering others, and building relationships that point people to Jesus. The story of the school in Honduras, now run by Hondurans, is a testament to the power of equipping others rather than doing everything ourselves.

Romans 10 reminds us that salvation is not about perfectly keeping the law, but about believing in Jesus and declaring Him as Lord. This message is for everyone—Jew and Gentile, near and far. But how can people believe if they have never heard? And how can they hear unless someone tells them? Each of us is sent to carry this message, not just through words, but through our lives and actions. Our mission field may be across the world or right in our own neighborhoods. The things we accumulate—houses, possessions, even our achievements—will not last. But the people we impact for Christ are eternal.

It is easy to stay comfortable, to do what is familiar, but Jesus calls us to step out, to love those who are overlooked, and to be present where there is need. We are not called to do everything, but we are each called to do something. God sends us, empowers us by His Spirit, and gives us opportunities unique to our lives. Like Tim Tebow’s story illustrates, it is possible to run hard after personal goals and miss the greater purpose. The real race is to give everything we have to make Jesus known, trusting that even when not everyone responds, God is at work through every seed planted.

Jesus was sent with compassion, sacrifice, and urgency, and He sends us in the same way. Our power does not come from ourselves, but from the Holy Spirit living within us. The real church knows the mission, carries the message, and steps out in faith, trusting God to use us wherever we are sent.

Key Takeaways

1. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone God’s call is rarely to what is easy or familiar. True mission often requires us to leave behind comfort and security, stepping into places or situations that stretch us. It is in these moments of discomfort that we most clearly depend on God’s strength and see His power at work. The willingness to go where we are sent, even when it feels risky, is a mark of authentic faith. [14:04]
2. Empower Others, Don’t Just Do for Them Mission is not about swooping in to fix problems, but about equipping and empowering others to flourish. When we invest in people, teach, and train, we create lasting impact that outlives our own involvement. This approach reflects the heart of Jesus, who came not to dominate but to serve and raise others up. [02:25]
3. The Message Is for Everyone, Everywhere The gospel is not limited by background, culture, or geography. Salvation is available to all who believe and confess Jesus as Lord. Our responsibility is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to hear and respond, whether across the world or across the street. [08:24]
4. The Holy Spirit Empowers Our Mission We are not sent in our own strength, but with the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as a tool is useless without power, our efforts are fruitless without God’s Spirit working through us. The Spirit gives us courage, compassion, and the words to speak, enabling us to fulfill the mission Jesus has given us. [32:01]
5. Focus on People, Not Possessions What lasts into eternity are not our achievements or possessions, but the lives we touch for Christ. Investing in people, loving them, and pointing them to Jesus is the true legacy of a follower of Christ. Our priorities must shift from accumulating things to making an eternal difference in the lives of others. [12:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - The Great Commission: Sent to Go
[01:10] - Stories from Missions: Honduras and Africa
[02:25] - Empowering Local Leaders
[03:46] - Rethinking Missions: Beyond Donations
[05:15] - Why Does God Involve Us?
[05:48] - Romans 10: Salvation by Faith
[08:24] - The Chain of Belief: Sent, Go, Tell
[10:06] - The Real Church’s Message
[12:00] - Focusing on People Over Things
[14:04] - Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
[15:54] - Local Needs: Fatherlessness and Mentorship
[17:35] - Everyone Can Do Something
[19:32] - Tim Tebow: Platform and Purpose
[22:55] - Running the Race for Jesus
[25:01] - Not Everyone Will Respond
[26:55] - Jesus Sends Us as the Father Sent Him
[30:14] - Empowered by the Holy Spirit
[32:38] - The Real Church: Sent and Empowered
[33:36] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 10:9-15 (ESV) — 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Observation Questions

According to Romans 10, what is required for someone to be saved? ([07:22])
In the sermon, what examples were given of stepping out of comfort zones to serve others, both locally and globally? ([01:10])
What does the sermon say is the difference between “doing for” others and “empowering” them? ([02:25])
What chain of events does Paul describe in Romans 10:14-15 about how people come to faith? ([08:24])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize that salvation is available to both Jews and Gentiles, and how does this shape the church’s mission today? ([09:33])
The sermon mentions that the early disciples struggled to leave their comfort zones. Why do you think it’s so hard for believers to step out of what is familiar? ([14:04])
What does it mean that “the real church has a message to carry,” and how is this different from just doing good deeds? ([10:06])
The sermon says we are not sent in our own strength, but with the power of the Holy Spirit. How does this change the way we approach mission and service? ([32:01])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to step out of our comfort zones. What is one area of your life where you feel God might be asking you to take a risk or do something uncomfortable for the sake of others? ([14:04])
Think about the story of the school in Honduras now run by Hondurans. Are there people in your life you could empower or encourage, rather than just helping them for a moment? What would that look like? ([02:25])
The message of Jesus is for everyone, everywhere. Who in your daily life (work, neighborhood, family) might need to hear or see the love of Jesus through you? ([08:24])
The sermon talks about focusing on people, not possessions. Is there something you are holding onto (a possession, achievement, or comfort) that might be keeping you from investing in people? ([12:59])
The story of Tim Tebow was used to show how easy it is to chase personal goals and miss God’s bigger purpose. Is there a goal or ambition in your life that might be distracting you from God’s mission? How could you realign your focus? ([22:55])
The Holy Spirit empowers us for mission. Have you ever experienced a time when you felt God gave you courage, compassion, or words to say that you didn’t have on your own? What happened? ([32:01])
The sermon says we are not called to do everything, but we are each called to do something. What is one “something” you can do this week to make Jesus known, even if it feels small? ([17:35])

Sermon Clips

Our gift to the world is not our own strengths and our own purposes, our own knowledge. Our gift to the world is not everything that we can do to build Jesus up. Our gift to the world is Jesus. When he lives inside your heart, it is my responsibility as a follower of Christ, as a member of the real church, show others who he is. [00:10:45] (26 seconds) #JesusIsTheGift

The real church has a message and we have to be willing to go. It's really, really comfortable to find that comfy chair in your living room and sit there and just do the things that we're normally used to doing. Uncomfortable to walk out on the streets on Thanksgiving morning when it's cold and have something that means so much to another person that we take for granted all too often. You have to be willing to go. [00:13:54] (41 seconds) #WillingToGo

First, we are sent. You can't go unless you're sent. God sends us into the world. Go and make disciples. Then we must go. You must choose a step up and step out of your comfort zone. And not every single person here needs to go do the link thing. Not every single person here needs to go feed the homeless on Thanksgiving morning. Sometimes it's an opportunity at your work. Sometimes it's an opportunity. There's so many different opportunities. We can all choose our own things that are within our own wheelhouses. We have to go. [00:17:30] (42 seconds) #SentToServe

No matter how hard we run, is every single person going to respond to your call? No. But God also doesn't call each and every one of us to be the everything in the world. Sometimes you're going to plant a seed and that seed is 20 years before that person even realizes what it is, but that seed sticks with them and over time slowly, slowly grows. One person plants, another person waters, another person reaps the harvest. But it's all in the name of Jesus. [00:25:59] (36 seconds) #PlantWaterReap

Jesus came and was sent with compassion and sacrifice. He lived a life of love and truth. And he had an urgency to him. This is what he calls of us to be. To send us in the same way. Not to be better than others. Not to be stronger than others. but to simply humbly bring the name of Jesus to those who need to hear it. [00:28:08] (31 seconds) #SentWithCompassion

Your mission field can be in Honduras. Your mission field can be in Africa. Your mission field can be right here in Hilton or right here in Rochester. There are people all over the world who need to know who Jesus is. And God has empowered and called and sent each and every one of us in this room. Humbly bring the name of Jesus to them. [00:28:39] (31 seconds) #MissionFieldEverywhere

``We don't go by our own power. We go and we are sent with the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. The Spirit gives us courage that we wouldn't have. The Spirit gives us compassion on others that sometimes is hard to have. The Spirit gives us the words to speak. The Spirit gives us eyes to see the opportunities to show other people. [00:30:40] (36 seconds) #PoweredByTheSpirit

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