As You GO: The Mission

The Mission Journey: Living Out Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18-20

Have you ever wondered about your true purpose in this world? Deep down, we all long to be part of something bigger than ourselves. The beautiful truth is that if you're a follower of Jesus, you've been invited into the greatest mission ever given.

In the final moments before Jesus ascended to heaven, He entrusted us with a sacred calling that gives profound meaning to our everyday lives. The words He spoke in Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18-20 were spoken for you and me, right where we are today. As we explore what it means to live out these passages, I invite you to rediscover the adventure that begins not somewhere across the ocean, but right where you are, "as you go."

The Power Within

Equipped for the Journey

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you..." These words from Acts 1:8 remind us that we're never sent empty-handed into the mission field. Before Jesus commissioned His followers, He promised them supernatural empowerment.

Think about that for a moment – the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you! So often we feel inadequate for the task, don't we? We look at our limitations, our fears, our past failures, and wonder how God could possibly use us. But the beautiful truth is that God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called.

From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Remember Peter? Before Pentecost, he was hiding in fear after denying Jesus. After receiving the Spirit's power, he stood boldly before thousands. The difference wasn't education, talent, or personal charisma – it was the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Your story might look different from Peter's, but the same transformation is available to you. Perhaps you're thinking, "But I'm just an ordinary person." That's exactly the kind of person God loves to use! When we acknowledge our weakness, we create space for His strength to shine through.

The Places of Purpose

Starting Where You Are

"...and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Notice the pattern Jesus establishes – the mission begins close to home before expanding outward.

Your "Jerusalem" might be your neighborhood, workplace, school, or family dinner table. These familiar places are divinely appointed mission fields. The people you interact with daily aren't random encounters but divine appointments.

Crossing Boundaries

Moving from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria required the early disciples to cross significant cultural, social, and racial boundaries. Your "Samaria" might be the neighborhood across town that you typically avoid, or people whose background and beliefs differ from yours.

When was the last time you intentionally built a relationship with someone different from you? The gospel message is most powerful when it bridges divides that nothing else can span.

Global Vision, Local Action

While "the ends of the earth" certainly includes international missions, it also represents anywhere the gospel hasn't yet taken root. This might mean supporting missionaries financially, praying specifically for unreached people groups, or perhaps sensing God's call to go yourself.

But remember – global impact always begins with local faithfulness. The way you live your everyday life creates ripples that can reach shores you may never see in this lifetime.

The Process of Discipleship

More Than Converts

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus doesn't just call us to make converts but to "make disciples." The difference is significant. Conversion can happen in a moment; discipleship unfolds over a lifetime.  It's not just about leading someone to an initial decision but walking alongside them in their journey of becoming more like Jesus.

Think about who has discipled you. What made their investment meaningful? Now consider: who might be calling you to invest in?

Teaching Through Living

Jesus specifically mentions "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Notice, He doesn't say "teaching them everything I commanded," but teaching them to obey. Knowledge without application misses the heart of discipleship.

The most effective teaching happens through authentic lives. Your struggles, victories, questions, and growth are all part of the discipleship process – both for you and those watching your life.

The Promise of Presence

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." What a profound comfort!

The mission may seem overwhelming at times, but we're never left to accomplish it alone. Jesus doesn't send us out and then watch from a distance to see how we'll manage. He walks with us every step of the way.

On the days when you feel inadequate or wonder if you're making any difference at all, pause and remember – you carry not just the message of Jesus but His very presence within you.

Conclusion

The mission Jesus gave us in Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18-20 is an incredible privilege. It's not confined to church buildings or special events but woven into the fabric of our everyday lives.

"As you go" – these simple words remind us that the mission isn't something we add to our schedules but something we live out in each moment. Whether you're chatting with a neighbor, serving a customer, raising your children, or traveling abroad, you're on a mission. And this mission isn't just about what we do for God, but about participating in what God is already doing in the world around us.

Your Next Step: A Call to Action

Today, I invite you to take one intentional step toward living out this mission more fully.

Perhaps it's praying for the courage to share your faith story with a specific person.

Maybe it's crossing a boundary to build a relationship with someone different from you.

It could be committing to mentor someone younger in faith, or increasing your involvement in global missions through prayer or giving.

Whatever that next step is for you, remember – you don't take it alone. The same Jesus who gave the mission walks with you, and the same Spirit who empowered the first disciples empowers you today.

What will your "as you go" story be?

The adventure awaits, not somewhere in the future, but right where you are today. The world is waiting for the unique way that only you can reflect Jesus.

Will you say yes to the journey?

Blessings,

Donna