Podcasts about missional

What are we here for? A meaningful life requires a satisfying answer to that question. In this sermon we explore the purposes for which God created the world and consider why “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”

We live in a world that envisions freedom as the absence of obligations. But it turns out that our deepest freedom comes from embracing duty and responsibility. In this sermon we explore Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 11), where Jesus shows us the human goodness of fulfilling our duties and obligations toward our neighbors.

What does it mean to be human? Psalm 8 answers this question by portraying human beings as both glorious and limited. God has “crowned us with glory and honor” as persons made in his image. He has also made us “a little lower than the angels,” reminding us that we are finite and limited. In this sermon we explore the wisdom of Psalm 8 to discover how embracing both our glory and our limits is key to human flourishing.

In This EpisodeWhy Christians need to be active participants, not spectators, in conversations about AI.How technology can either support or distract us from our God-given calling.Four essential questions every believer should ask about the tools they use.The relationship between wisdom, discernment, and technological innovation.Why individualism often hinders spiritual discernment.The unique gift the local church offers in an increasingly digital world.Seven practical questions for evaluating AI through a Christian lens.How healthy community helps leaders discern faithfully together.Barriers that keep churches from moving forward missionally.Why mission drift, not church size, is often the greatest obstacle to growth and impact.Show Notes and resources

In Luke 4:14-30, Jesus goes to his hometown and says the time of Isaiah's prophecy is now, it's being fulfilled. His hometown tried to kill him, and part of their anger is because his mission is much wider than they would have ever anticipated. The passage in Isaiah functions as a missional vision for Jesus' ministry. 

Seasons of spiritual dryness are a familiar experience for God's people. We often respond to these seasons by quietly going numb, settling for empty routines while hoping something changes. In this sermon, we explore Psalm 85 and discover how looking to the cross — where God's perfect righteousness and peace embrace — sets us free to actively seek renewal.

The Blessed Life According to the Son | Part 6Blessed are the MissionalMatthew 4:17, 23-25, 5:1-16 | King's Chapel Live StreamWhat does it mean to live as a citizen of God's Kingdom?Jesus doesn't simply tell His followers to try harder or do more. He tells them who they already are."You are the salt of the earth.""You are the light of the world."In this message from the Sermon on the Mount, we conclude our Beatitudes series by discovering that every follower of Christ has been called to live on mission. Because we belong to Jesus, we are sent into the world to preserve what is good, point people to the truth, and reflect the light of Christ wherever He has placed us.Our mission is not to draw attention to ourselves. Jesus tells us to let our light shine so that others may see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.At King's Chapel, we summarize this calling in two simple phrases:For the GLORY of our Great God.For the GOOD of our Neighbor.If you have ever wondered how to faithfully represent Christ in your home, workplace, neighborhood, or community, this message is an encouraging reminder that God has already made you salt and light through the Gospel. Now, go and live on mission for His glory.Connect with King's Chapel in Longwood, FL - ▶️ www.kingschapelfl.com▶️ https://www.facebook.com/KingsChapelfl▶️ https://www.instagram.com/kingschapelfl/For the GLORY of our Great GodFor the GOOD of our NeighborMatthew 5:13-16 sermon, salt and light sermon, Sermon on the Mount, Christian mission, live on mission, light of the world Bible, Gospel-centered living, Great Commission sermon, King's Chapel Longwood FL

Dr. Blake White preaches a sermon titled "The Missional Church."

Dr. Blake White preaches a sermon titled "The Missional Church."

God's story in me is the story I will unashamedly share.

Living as a disciple (true believer) of Jesus Christ means we must live on purpose and with intention to fulfill the mission He has given us. Share. Make it a great day in the Love & Lordship of Christ (Acts 1:8; Romans 12:20)!

08.02.2026 | John 13:34–35 | Rev. Mike Quillen

Picking back up our missional theme in Luke's writings, we meet Jesus in the wilderness in Luke 4:1-13. This sermon shares four main postures from Jesus that we should imitate; disciplined rhythms, spiritual awareness, scriptural discernment, and steadfast resistance. Jesus begins His ministry with a  big "no!" to Satan. How can we imitate Jesus in our own walk? What does this have to do with the mission of God?

Terry Jaurena | Combined Service | Acts 1:1-111 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

All of us long to BE someplace. Psalm 84 shows us the place we're meant to be is in the presence of God. So why don't we long for God's presence like we ought? And how can we awaken a deeper longing? In this sermon, we explore Psalm 84's invitation to long for God's dwelling place, and we discover how Jesus fulfills this Psalm and brings us near to God.        

To have Jesus is to have life's greatest good. That frees me to give generously.

With Christ at the center, you can face life's uncertainties. Pr. Darrell Daulton Philippians 1:18b-26

ACTS | Living With A Missional Edge | Greg Linz • 7.26.26

Everyone has enemies. Opposition is part of what it means to be human in a broken world. In this sermon, we look at Psalm 83 and its stark call for God to judge his enemies. We learn how God's justice frees us to radically forgive and love others—remembering that Christ died to save us while we were still His enemies.

It's easy to say we want to live on mission. To make disciples, baptize, and serve the people around us. But if we're honest, most of us are waiting for someone else to do it. In Philippians 2, we see that Jesus didn't hold onto His position — He emptied Himself, became a servant, and humbled Himself to the point of death. His entire life was an expression of humility. And that changes everything for us. In this message, we explore why trying harder isn't enough, how true transformation comes through humility, and why becoming a humble person naturally produces a missional life. When we stop striving and start surrendering, we become the kind of people who lay down their lives for others, just like Jesus did.

Every human being is entrusted with some level of authority, yet we frequently distort this gift by judging others based on our own feelings and preferences. Until God finally arises to "judge the earth," we are called to judge justly, and Psalm 82 shows us how. In this sermon, we explore what it means to do justice in the world.

Who is Jesus according to Jesus? We are answering that question by exploring seven scandalous claims he makes in the Gospel of John, known as the "I AM" statements.In John 14, Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Within each of these three words, we find something we desperately long for—something we were created for. Yet, we frequently replace these authentic longings with cheap, enticing counterfeits. These counterfeits promise fulfillment but ultimately leave us empty.In this message, we discover that while we tend to be preoccupied with our destination, what we truly need—and what Jesus offers—is a way of life that transforms both us and the world around us.

Our daily lives are full of habits and routines that shape who we are becoming. To say it another way: we are liturgical creatures. Some of our life patterns are good; others aren't. In this sermon, we explore Psalm 81's invitation to build a better life liturgy: one that sings to God, tells His story, and submits to His authority.

How do you read the Bible? Through what lens? This lesson explores a few of the incomplete habits we have when reading Scripture, a framework Jesus gave to his disciples to view Scripture (Luke 24:25-27, 44-47), and proposed missional hermeneutic. 

This special episode captures a conversation with global missionaries Whitney Bateman and Jerry Richardson. These inspiring disciple-makers share stories which build faith, fuel conviction, and clarify what it means to live out the calling of the gospel in everyday circumstances!

Every human being understands the longing to be seen. As Curt Thompson says, “We are all born into this world looking for someone looking for us.” In this sermon, we explore Psalm 80 and its plea to God: "let your face shine that we may be saved." We discover how longing for God's face to shine upon us finds its perfect, saving resolution in the ultimate Shepherd and True Vine, Jesus Christ.

As we allow the peace of Christ to rule our hearts and the word of Christ to dwell richly within us, our everyday lives become opportunities to reflect the reign of King Jesus. Whether in our relationships, conversations, work, or service, we are called to do everything in His name. Living on mission begins with a heart surrendered to Christ's rule, allowing His Kingdom values to shape how we think, act, and engage with the people around us each day.

One of the biggest problems in the world is the problem of "us" versus "them". Our human tendency is to respond to injustice by seeking retribution against our enemies. In this sermon, we explore Psalm 79, written after enemies had destroyed Jerusalem. The Psalm shows us how shifting our gaze from “them” to “us” to "you, O God" empowers us to seek justice while also loving our enemies.

The Lord's Prayer

It's easy to present a curated version of our lives. We often go through the motions, aiming our devotion at worldly idols and missing the profound grace given to those who stop pretending. In this sermon, we explore Psalm 78 and how being ruthlessly realistic about our hearts and lives is the only way to experience the relentless mercy and transforming grace of God.

(AUDIO ONLY, NO VIDEO) The Missional Church (Ephesians 3:8-11)

Every human being has troubles. And sometimes our troubles overwhelm us. We live in a culture that encourages us to turn inward and endlessly process our troubles, yet this self-focused rumination often distorts our theology and leaves us doubting God's goodness. In this sermon, we look at how Psalm 77 calls God's people to shift their gaze from their own internal pain to God's steady faithfulness.

MinistryWatch has long been a proponent of what some call the “New Paradigm” of missions. This New Paradigm has several components, but at its core is the notion that well-trained indigenous missionaries are better positioned to evangelize their neighbors than American missionaries who come from thousands of miles away with little knowledge of the language or culture of the people they hope to evangelize. The Institute for Great Commission Research (IGCR) at California Baptist University recently released “Missional Imagination: How the Next Generation Understands Missions.” Among the “top line” findings of this landmark study is this: “Supporting local Christians in their context is seen as the most trusted model of missions.” The study continued, “This preference reflects a strong concern for cultural legitimacy, partnership, and long-term witness, and signals a shift away from models centered on external control, short-term intervention, or visibility.” The man who led that study is my guest today. Dr. Matthew Niermann serves as Professor of Architecture and Associate Dean of the College of Architecture, Visual Arts & Design at California Baptist University.  Niermann serves as a director of the Lausanne Movement and editor of the State of the Great Commission Report prepared for the 4th Global Congress in Seoul, Korea in 2024. Niermann holds a Ph.D. in Architectural Design from the University of Michigan, M.A. Apologetics from BIOLA, M.A. Theology and Th.M. of Missiology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm your host Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.  

Who is Jesus, according to Jesus? We will answer that question by exploring seven scandalous claims he makes in the Gospel of John, known as the "I AM" statements.In John 15, Jesus declares, "I am the true vine." Often, we focus primarily on His command to "abide." We rightly understand that this passage holds a profound truth about our need to be rooted in Him as our ultimate source of rest and life. However, we sometimes overlook the fact that this text has just as much to say about what we produce. Because we are rooted in the vine, we inevitably "bear fruit" as we participate in the mission of God all around us.Ultimately, this is a message about rest and work—abiding and going. It challenges us to simultaneously dig deep into the source of life and reach out to offer that life to the world around us.

In this interview, we hear from Erin Popova who is the Dean of Students of EnterMission. EnterMission is a guided gap year program that seeks to help students navigate life, faith, service, and their future. They partner with domestic and international partners to help their student discover how to live missionally wherever God takes them.

Whether we admit it or not, every human being is prone to fear. We often let the fear of what others think or of what we might lose shape our decisions and responses. In this sermon, we explore Psalm 76 and how cultivating a right fear of God is the only way to stop fearing everything else.

Some parts of the mission just can't be sacrificed.

This week, Alex and Scott tackle a difficult question from a missionary wife who, after experiencing significant trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, family challenges, and cultural stress during overseas service, no longer feels able to return to the mission field while her husband remains convinced they should continue. They explore the realities of missionary hardship, the emotional and spiritual toll of cross-cultural ministry, and the tension that can arise when spouses find themselves at odds over what they believe God is calling them to do. The conversation examines biblical concepts of calling, marriage, submission, family priorities, and the role of the local church in affirming missionary service. Alex and Scott encourage listeners to distinguish between personal desires, genuine calling, and God's providential limitations, while emphasizing that husbands and wives must seek unity, wise counsel, and pastoral guidance when navigating major ministry decisions. Key Topics Covered The emotional, relational, and spiritual impact of missionary trauma and culture shock. How to distinguish between personal desires, ministry ambitions, and biblical calling. The local church's role in affirming, evaluating, and guiding missionary service. Biblical perspectives on marital leadership, submission, and decision-making during disagreement. Balancing ministry commitments with responsibilities to spouse, children, and family health. Practical counsel for couples seeking unity when one spouse wants to continue missions and the other does not. Here's the conversation from Scott Dunford and his wife about missions. Do you love The Missions Show? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Show and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionsshow.com/premium The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionsshow.com.

Whether it be graduation, tax day, or an important holiday, human beings intuitively understand what it means to live in light of a coming date on the calendar. In Psalm 75, God declares that he has appointed a day when he will judge with equity. In this sermon, we explore how living backward from the certainty of Judgment Day sets us free to walk in humility and hope.

Woman at the Well // 5-24-26John 4

Every human being wants a framework for a good life, often reducing faith to simply being a moral person, holding the right beliefs, or belonging to a community. But when our willpower fails or our doubts creep in, these superficial definitions leave us exhausted. The gospel subverts our striving by inviting us into a deeply personal union with Christ, where our old, corrupted self is crucified so that the living God can take up residence within us. In this sermon, we explore Galatians 2:20 and what it means for Christianity to be personal.

Living missionally as a family starts with recognizing where God has placed you and being intentional in those everyday spaces. Whether it is running errands, attending playdates, sitting at sports practices, or connecting with neighbors, each moment becomes an opportunity to reflect the love of Christ to others. What if we began each day asking God for divine appointments and open hearts to the people around us?How can we model integrating our values and faith by demonstrating practical ways to serve, give, and engage in the needs in our community? As we live this way, we're also modeling faith for our children. They're watching us learn what it truly means to follow Jesus—not just on Sundays, but in the everyday rhythms of life. Living missionally doesn't require grand gestures; it simply takes hearts that are willing to be intentional, obedient, and led by the Holy Spirit right where God has placed us.Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast-The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson-The Hidding Place by Corrie Ten Boom-God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew-Gifted Hands by Ben Carson-George Meuller the Guardian of Bristol's Orphans

Familiarity with Jesus is not the same thing as following Jesus. Human beings love what is familiar. But familiarity can lead to complacency and apathy. The people of Jesus' hometown missed the miraculous power of God because they couldn't see past the ordinary carpenter they grew up with. In this sermon, we examine three ways to reject Jesus and what it means to actually receive his gracious authority.

Every human being is a disciple or a learner, constantly shaped and trained by the culture around us — from the algorithms on our phones to the expectations of our family of origin or careers. True discipleship, however, requires actively submitting ourselves to the training of Jesus, allowing him to shape our understanding so we can bring out the treasure of his truth to a hungry world. In this sermon, we explore what it means to be a disciple who understands, trains, and shares the ancient and new promises of the gospel.

Most church leaders are leading inside a model they never chose and rarely understand. In this episode, Todd Wilson, founder of Exponential, walks through the true history of the modern church: Church Growth, Seeker Sensitive, Attractional, Missional—and what's coming next.  This is the seminary class no one got, but every church leader needs.

What happens when you visit 33 different churches in a year? Richard Riccardi, author of The Wandering Worshipper, shares his journey of exploring worship spaces, the surprising power of radical hospitality, and how authentic community can transform even the most unexpected visitor.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Richard Riccardi describes walking into 33 places of worship and discovering that churches are gardeners of fruitful communities.Churches serve as places where everyone can belong, and everyone needs a place to belong.Richard Riccardi intentionally attended a wide variety of worship services, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Baha'i gatherings.A welcoming environment across different places of worship made a strong positive impression, regardless of faith tradition.Richard Riccardi recounts a rare instance where a welcome felt too aggressive, serving as a caution about coming on too strong with visitors.Church members often believe their enthusiastic friendliness is always positive, but it can sometimes overwhelm newcomers.Experiences of deep hospitality and acceptance can transcend racial, cultural, and religious boundaries.Richard Riccardi explains that styles of worship that encourage relationship and participation engaged him more than rigid, predictable rituals.A diversity of approaches is needed in church messaging and environment to reach both newcomers and longtime members.Markus Watson and Richard Riccardi discuss the importance of “sacred listening” and tailoring responses to visitors' backgrounds and spiritual needs.Being sensitive about criticizing other faiths or denominations can foster genuine community and dialogue.Authentic community in churches is demonstrated when people support each other in times of need, as seen in the care Richard Riccardi's mother received near the end of her life.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINK:Richard RiccardiWebsite - https://thewanderingworshiper.com/Books mentioned:The Wandering Worshipper, by Richard RiccardiBeyond Thingification, by Markus WatsonRelated episodes:167. Called to Each Other218. Trust, Teams, and Transformational Leadership222. Building a Multi-Inclusive ChurchSend me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

In this episode, we break down a practical framework for moving from church activity to real mission through a balanced missional ecosystem. Instead of viewing church as a collection of programs, we explore four connected spaces that help people be encountered, discipled, and ultimately multiplied.We talk through how mission happens in everyday life, how relational environments help people explore faith, and how intentional discipling spaces lead to real transformation. We also highlight the role of gathered worship as a place of encounter and alignment.If you're looking to move beyond busyness and lead people into deeper discipleship and multiplication, this episode offers both clarity and practical direction.