What Are We Doing Here? Understanding Our Mission

Devotional

Day 1: The Continuing Story of Jesus Through His Church

The book of Acts is not just a record of the early church’s history, but the ongoing story of Jesus working through His people by the power of the Holy Spirit. Even after His ascension, Jesus continues His mission—spreading forgiveness, life, and salvation—through the church, making every believer part of His unfolding story. This means that the work of Jesus did not end with His earthly ministry; it continues today as He uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for His kingdom. [02:44]

Acts 1:1-3 (CSB)
I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Reflection: In what ways do you see Jesus continuing His work in and through your life and your church community today?

Day 2: The Promise and Power of the Holy Spirit

Jesus promised His followers that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them, enabling them to be His witnesses from their hometowns to the ends of the earth. This promise is not just a command but a guarantee that God Himself will equip and empower His people for the mission He gives them. The Holy Spirit is the source of strength, courage, and effectiveness in sharing the good news, and this promise remains true for every believer today. [09:47]

Acts 1:8 (CSB)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Reflection: Where do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit’s power rather than your own strength as you seek to live out your faith?

Day 3: The Spread of the Word and Growth of the Church

Throughout Acts, there is a clear pattern: as the word of God spreads, the number of disciples increases and the church grows. This connection between the proclamation of the gospel and the expansion of God’s kingdom is intentional and strategic, showing that God’s word is living and active, bringing transformation wherever it goes. The church is called to be faithful in sharing the message, trusting that God will bring the growth in His timing and way. [03:56]

Acts 6:7 (CSB)
So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can help spread the word of God in your community this week?

Day 4: Maximizing Kingdom Assets for Mission

Every resource and facility God provides is a kingdom asset meant to be maximized and optimized for the spread of the gospel. Buildings, finances, and opportunities are not ends in themselves but tools for mission, to be stewarded with intentionality and hospitality so that more people can encounter Jesus. This perspective challenges us to view everything we have—personally and as a church—not as possessions to be protected, but as gifts to be leveraged for God’s purposes. [16:35]

1 Peter 4:10 (CSB)
Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

Reflection: How can you use a resource or gift God has given you this week to serve others and further His mission?

Day 5: Joining Jesus in What He’s Already Doing

Rather than asking only what we should do, we are invited to discern what Jesus is already doing in our neighborhoods and cities and to join Him in that work. Jesus is constantly moving toward people, using His followers as instruments of grace, and He calls us to be attentive and responsive to His leading. This means being open to new opportunities, relationships, and acts of service, trusting that God is at work ahead of us and inviting us to participate in His mission. [14:00]

John 5:17 (CSB)
Jesus responded to them, “My Father is still working, and I am working also.”

Reflection: Where do you sense Jesus already at work around you, and how can you join Him in that work this week?

Sermon Summary

What are we doing here? This question echoes through our lives, whether we’re facing a new season, a move, or simply walking into a room of chaos. It’s also the question at the heart of the book of Acts. Acts, written by Dr. Luke, is not just a history of the early church, but the ongoing story of Jesus—his work continuing through the Holy Spirit and his people. Jesus promised that his followers would be his witnesses, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and that the good news would spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. This is not a one-time event, but a pattern: wherever the word of God increases, so do the number of disciples, and the kingdom expands.

This pattern is not random; it’s strategic. The early church, as seen in Acts, intentionally planted churches and multiplied disciples, using every resource and opportunity to further the mission. Jesus’ promise is not just a command to go, but a guarantee that he will use us as his witnesses. He doesn’t leave us to fend for ourselves; he continues his work of grace through us, equipping us with the Spirit and the word.

This story is our origin story. It’s the story of our congregation, our mission, and our purpose. When we ask, “What are we doing here?”—whether in a new building, a new town, or a new season—we are really asking, “What is Jesus already doing here, and how can we join him?” Our facilities, our gatherings, our resources are all kingdom assets, given to be maximized for the spread of the gospel. Every decision, every dollar, every moment is an opportunity to optimize the gospel for our community.

Mission begins with word and sacrament, but it doesn’t end at the church doors. The table—the place of grace, forgiveness, and life—has legs. It moves toward people, becoming a table for the community, six days a week, not just on Sundays. We are called to use every asset, every opportunity, to spread the name and fame of Jesus, trusting that he is already at work and inviting us to join him in his ongoing story.

Key Takeaways

1. The story of Acts is not just about the early church, but about Jesus continuing his work through the Holy Spirit and his people. The promise of Acts 1:8 is not merely a command, but a guarantee that Jesus will use us as his witnesses, equipping us with the Spirit to spread his grace and salvation. This ongoing story invites us to see ourselves as active participants in God’s mission, not passive observers. [02:44]
2. There is a clear pattern in Acts: wherever the word of God increases, so do the number of disciples and the reach of the kingdom. This is not a random occurrence, but a strategic movement of God, using intentional efforts and resources to expand his kingdom. We are called to recognize and participate in this pattern, expecting that as we prioritize the word, God will bring growth in ways we may not anticipate. [06:09]
3. Jesus’ promise to make us his witnesses is rooted in Old Testament promise language, emphasizing that he is the one who accomplishes the mission through us. Our role is not to manufacture results, but to trust in his faithfulness and respond to his leading. When Jesus promises, it happens—our confidence is in his ability, not our own. [10:05]
4. Our buildings, resources, and facilities are not ends in themselves, but tools for mission—kingdom assets to be maximized for the spread of the gospel. Every decision, from how we arrange our space to how we spend our money, should be guided by the question: How does this help optimize the gospel for our community? This mindset transforms ordinary resources into catalysts for kingdom expansion. [15:06]
5. The mission of Jesus does not end at the church gathering; it extends into every day and every place we go. The table—God’s place of grace—moves toward people, becoming a living presence in the community. We are called to carry the gospel beyond the walls, using every opportunity to embody and share the good news, trusting that Jesus is already at work and inviting us to join him. [18:45]
** [18:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Asking “What Are We Doing Here?”
[01:00] - Acts: The Story of Jesus Continues
[02:29] - The Pattern of Growth in Acts
[03:56] - The Spread of the Good News
[04:51] - Jesus’ Promise and the Kingdom’s Expansion
[06:09] - Strategy and Multiplication in the Early Church
[07:30] - Jesus’ Last Conversation with the Disciples
[08:22] - Redefining the Kingdom
[09:26] - The Two-Fold Promise of Acts 1:8
[11:32] - The Means: Word and Sacrament
[12:15] - Our Origin Story and Mission
[13:15] - Moving to San Benito: A New Chapter
[15:06] - Facilities as Kingdom Assets
[17:54] - The Table: Mission in Motion
[18:45] - Taking the Table to the Community
[19:23] - Joining Jesus in His Ongoing Story
[19:37] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 1:8 (CSB) — > But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 6:7 (CSB) — > So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.

Observation Questions

According to Acts 1:8, what does Jesus promise his followers will receive, and what will they become as a result?
In Acts 6:7, what two things are said to increase together, and what does this reveal about the early church?
The sermon mentions that the pattern of the word increasing and disciples multiplying is repeated many times in Acts. What does this pattern look like in the passages we read? [03:56]
The pastor described the church’s facilities as “kingdom assets.” What does he mean by that, and how does it connect to the mission described in Acts? [15:06]

Interpretation Questions

The promise in Acts 1:8 is described as “promise language” from the Old Testament. Why is it important that Jesus frames this as a promise rather than just a command? [10:05]
The sermon says that the story of Acts is not just about the early church, but about Jesus continuing his work through the Holy Spirit and his people. How does this change the way we read the book of Acts? [02:44]
The pastor says, “Mission begins with word and sacrament, but it doesn’t end at the church doors.” What does it mean for the “table” to have legs and move toward people? [18:45]
The sermon asks, “What is Jesus already doing here, and how can we join him?” How does this question shift our focus from our own plans to God’s ongoing work? [13:49]

Application Questions

The pastor shared that every decision, dollar, and moment should be used to “optimize the gospel for our community.” Think about a recent decision you made (at church or in your personal life). How could you have made that decision with the gospel in mind? [17:28]
The sermon challenges us to see our buildings, resources, and gatherings as tools for mission. What is one practical way you could use something you have (your home, your time, your skills) to help spread the good news of Jesus this month? [16:35]
The “table” is described as moving toward people, not just staying in the church. Who in your life or neighborhood could you invite to your table (literally or figuratively) this week? What would it look like to bring grace and welcome to them? [18:45]
The pastor said, “Our role is not to manufacture results, but to trust in his faithfulness and respond to his leading.” Is there an area where you feel pressure to “make things happen” for God? How can you shift from striving to trusting? [10:05]
The sermon asks, “What is Jesus already doing here, and how can we join him?” Take a moment to consider your workplace, school, or neighborhood. Where do you see signs that God is already at work? How might you join in? [13:49]
The early church was strategic and intentional in multiplying disciples and planting churches. What is one step you could take to be more intentional about sharing your faith or serving others this week? [06:59]
The pastor mentioned giving away pumpkins as a way to meet neighbors and serve the community. What is a simple, creative way you or your group could bless your community in the next month? [16:05]

Sermon Clips

And when Jesus promises, what happens? It happens. He always makes good on his promises. That's the story of Acts. You see, Jesus isn't going to leave his disciples and followers to fend for themselves. He's going to continue his work of grace only on a greater scale. Everything that he wants. Everything that he was doing while he was here, he's going to continue through them. The story of salvation, life, and forgiveness. [00:10:33] (33 seconds) #JesusMovesThroughUs

The promise of a baptism and power of the Spirit is a means to an end. You will be my witnesses. This is all promise. So you take this promise. You're going to be my witnesses. You're going to receive the Holy Spirit. You take this and you combine it with the purpose statements that you find in Acts. And here's what Jesus is getting at. The gospel is going to go from Jerusalem. To the ends of the earth. Through the increase of the word. There's the means. I'm going to make you my witnesses. [00:11:06] (32 seconds) #FacilitiesAsKingdomTools

We're going to begin in Jerusalem. We're going to go to Judea, Samaria. We're going to go to the ends of the earth. And it's all going to happen through the increase of the word. Through the proclamation of word and sacrament. I'm going to expand my kingdom from here, this point, right now. To the ends of the earth. [00:11:38] (18 seconds) #OptimizingGospelImpact

Acts is our origin story. It's the origin story for you. It's also the origin story for the table church. We're told how we came to be. We're told what our congregations will look like. We're told what our mission will be. It's all in the book of Acts. [00:12:11] (22 seconds) #MissionBeginsAtTable

And the corollary question then is. When we answer the question. What are we doing here? What's Jesus up to? What is Jesus already doing in San Benito? That he wants us to join? What is he doing here in Harlingen? What is he already doing in Harlingen? For St. Paul to join? What is Jesus up to? Now we're not promised specific answers to these questions. But we do have this mission that he's given us. In the book of Acts. [00:13:46] (32 seconds) #MissionBeyondTheBuilding

Our new building for the table is a kingdom asset to be maximized and optimized for the gospel. And that's not just true. For the table, that's true for St. Paul, including this new welcome area. The facilities that Jesus has given us, they're kingdom assets. And they are to be maximized to their fullest potential so that the gospel can be optimized. And that principle drives me as a pastor every day. Every day. [00:16:35] (42 seconds)

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