Mission Possible: The Assignment Is Clear.

Mission Possible: Will You Accept It?

The tomb is empty and that means the mission has begun.

In this episode of On the Road with Pastor Anthony, we dive into what Jesus made unmistakably clear: every believer has already been given a mission. This isn’t a secret assignment for a select few — it’s a public calling for all who follow Christ.

Rooted in Matthew 28:16–20 and Acts 1:6–8, this message explores:

• Why the mission of the Church is clear, not confusing
• How we’ve been sent with authority, presence, and power
• What it really means to “go” as a lifestyle, not just a destination
• The reality, cost, and reward of living on mission every day

You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to feel ready.
 You just have to be available.

This mission isn’t impossible — because you’re not sent alone.
 The only question left is… will you accept it?

 Mission Possible isn’t about your ability — it’s about your availability.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:13

Hey, welcome back to On the Road with Pastor Anthony. And well, I am Pastor Anthony, your your host. And I'm super glad that you are here. Hey, before we get started, uh please consider subscribing to the podcast on your favorite platform so that you never miss uh you know an episode. And if you enjoy what you hear, give us a thumbs up and share the podcast with your friends. And by joining us each week, you will discover practical ways to live out your faith and connect others as we share Jesus in life one mile at a time. Over the past couple weeks, uh we've been walking through this truth. The tomb is empty and the mission has begun. We are in week three of this series, and and we look back at week one, we looked at the evidence as the over evidence is overwhelming, and we saw that the resurrection of Jesus isn't just a story, it is overwhelming evidence that everything that he said is true. And then last week we talked or we discussed the question: are you living like you're alive or are you still among the dead? Because the resurrection isn't just something that we believe, it is something that should change how you live. And then that brings us to today, you know, as we look at this series, because if the tomb is empty and if we're truly alive in Christ, then there's something that we have been called to do. Your mission, if you should choose to accept it, has already been given. This isn't a secret operation, it's a public calling. The assignment is clear. The commander has spoken. The only question is will you go? The mission of the church isn't impossible because we're not sent alone. The title to this episode is Mission Possible. The the concept that I was thinking about was that you know, the movie whatever Mission Impossible, you know, how you given the assignment, and if you so choose to do this, this is the this is the rest, this is the this is what you expect, this, you know, all that. Here's your instructions. That's kind of where we're going today. And the assignment is pretty clear. And so we're gonna dive into uh some scripture and look at what Jesus has given us, what the mission is. He's handed us that little pocket, and then we have to open it up and look at it and go, and then if we and look at the mission, and if we so choose to accept it, then we got to give it our all. Failure is not an option. So that's what we're gonna look at today. But the mission is possible, is the title to this one. Let's go ahead and open in uh prayer, and then we'll dive right on in to um our scripture this morning. Father God, Lord, uh, we just thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity to um just open your word and look at it, Lord. And as we've been going through this series, uh the tomb is empty and the mission has begun. Today we get to what that mission is and what that looks like. And so, Father, help us uh just to open our hearts and our minds and teach us this morning and challenge us, and Lord, and just help us um just grow closer closer to you. Wrap your arms around us, move us forward, and Lord, and just keep you know, keep challenging us, uh Father, and keep teaching us and keep loving us. Lord, we love you in Jesus' name, amen. All right, so we're gonna look at the first um scripture we want to look at is Matthew 28, 16 through 20. And then we'll also be looking at Acts chapter 1 verses 6 through 8. But this one's Matthew 28, 16 through 20. It says now the eleven went to Galilee to the mountain which Jesus had directed them, and when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them all, or 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. So these the eleven dis the eleven of disciples as we know has now went up to this mountain. We know that there's no longer twelve, because Judas, you know, committed suicide after he did, you know, after he uh betrayed Jesus and then realized that what he did was really stupid. And uh but he never repented, which was always just crazy. Um, but anyway, Judas is out of the picture, he's gone. And so now we have the 11, and you know, so now they're following Jesus' instruction, they're going up to this mountain. Um, and when they saw him, they worshiped him, and it says some doubted, and honestly, that detail right there you know is uh you know, you it could be encouraging because Jesus is about to give the clearest mission in history, and he's speaking to people who are still you know trying to process this, still growing, going still trying to figure things out, and you know, it says some doubt it, and so we don't really know is it like doubting Thomas is like, well, we just want to see before we you know before we fully truly accept that, you know. I don't know what it means or how it's addressing it here, but it must have it's clearly I don't think it's anything that it's like this is AI generated or something. I mean, I don't really think that they're like, I don't really believe this. It's y'all, y'all just staged this whole thing. I don't I don't think it's that because if it was, I think it would have been addressed here in scripture, but it's so we don't know the level of what it means that says they some doubted, but because Jesus, I mean, he just shows up here, you know, and he's going to spend some time with them, he's gonna be teaching them and working with them, and then we see that there's some who are just flat out just worshiping, and you know, they're they're just at his feet, thank, I mean, thank God he's still alive. I mean, there that's what we're seeing, and but these ones that are wrestling, you know, I don't think I think it's a lot of that'll be taken care of during this time, but I think it tells us something important. We don't have to have everything perfectly in place for God to use us, you don't have to have all the answers, you just have to show up, and then Jesus steps in and he clears up any confusion, as he always does, and we have his word. I mean, we have his Bible, you know. We have the Bible that gives us all this stuff. All these people here during this time are well, they're trying to figure it out as they go, you know. They're they're like living the Bible folding as it as it writes itself, and we already have it, so we're like miles ahead of where they are, but yet we seem to struggle the most. You know, I don't get it, but we do. And so Jesus, as he clears up the confusion, he said, you know, that first part, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples. The word go isn't a destination, it's a lifestyle. It's like, hey, this is what you're going to be doing. It's more like as you're going or as you live your life, as you go to work, as you drive down the road, as you are interacting with people, this is the mission. And he doesn't say go build a platform, go collect followers, go win arguments. He says, Go make disciples, and this means helping people know Jesus, follow him yourself, and live like Jesus. You know, in simple terms, we can we are called to uh build. This is an acronym I come up with during back my youth days. But the the the uh the word build B-U-I-L-D, it's an acronym, meaning believe building unbelievers into loving disciples. I mean, this is the heartbeat of the mission. It's not just about information, it's about transformation. It's about you know, it's walking with people from where they are to who God is calling them to be. And then he gives the process, go baptize and teach. And it's you know, it's simple, but it's not always easy. Also, if we're honest, sometimes I think we overcomplicate uh what Jesus has already made clear. We say things like, you know, I just don't know what God wants me to do. Or, well, you know, I'm still waiting on my call and I'm praying every day for it. And meanwhile, Jesus is essentially saying, I already told you what to do. Now go do it. The mission isn't hidden, it's very clear. I mean, it's as clear as water, and it makes it even more powerful, or what makes it you know, even more powerful that it comes with his authority. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. That means when we go, we're not going on our own, we're not going in our own name, our own strength, but we're going under the authority of Jesus Himself. I mean, it's like walking into life already authorized and sent. Imagine, I mean, if we really grasp grasp this concept, because I don't really think that we we do sometimes to understand what Jesus is saying. That all the authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, and now I'm giving it to you and sending you. Because you got work to do. I mean, if we really grasp this concept, imagine the confidence we can have walking in our calling, whatever that may be. But wait, there is more. Jesus adds one more promise that changes all of it. Something that really truly should, you know, lift us up and just I mean, just give us that I mean, you know. I think about uh this example just pops in my head. It may not even really fit, but it just it's it's like the the old cartoon when you got the big bulldog walking down the street and you got the little dog walking with him, and he's kind of like bouncing back and forth and talking and stuff. He's not scared of anything because he's got this big honked and you know, monster dog that's gonna take care of whatever. That's us. That's Jesus. He goes with us, so what do we have to fear? Nothing. I mean, we can stand in confidence and boldness and note, hey, look, Jesus has got my back, you mess with me, you mess with him, and then it's not gonna go well. So, I mean, but we have that promise right here. It says, and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Right there, black and white. So we've got a clear assignment, full authority, and his constant presence. I mean, I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like a losing mission. That sounds like a mission possible. Because before Jesus ever went to the cross, he was already preparing his disciples for how the mission would actually be carried out. In John 14, 12, it's truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father. In coming the Holy Spirit, and then we you know we look and continue on in different places like John 14, 5, John 15, and John 16. Jesus promises the helper, the Holy Spirit, who would come and be with you know the disciples, the apostles, and now us. In other words, Jesus is wasn't leaving them powerless. Matter of fact, he was going to be giving them more power because he was sending them with the Holy Spirit, and that's something you know a lot of people don't grasp that concept. You have God the you know, the Father that who is in heaven, you know, and then you have God the Son, which is you know, God in human form, flesh, a person walking around. He's only one guy, you know, and then you have the Holy Spirit, which when we're saved, seals us with the Holy Spirit. We are now you know co-heirs with Christ and you know for with the kingdom of uh for the kingdom of heaven. But we but this is what Jesus is talking about, that greater things we will do because of the counselor, the Holy Spirit coming, because now God's everywhere. You know, wherever a believer is, you know, God is you know that that spirit and that power of God is there in that moment. And so the gospel can spread a lot faster that way. You know, God can do whatever he wants, you know. And do we understand completely the you know, everything about that? No, you know, because he's God, he could have just snapped his fingers and you know, and could he just had the squirrels tell us the story, yeah. But he chose it this way for a specific reason, and we should feel deeply honored. I know I do, and you know, evangelism is one of my strongest suits. So this mission, I'm like, I'm all about it. Let's go. So when we think about it, the assignment is very clear, and authority is given, and yes, his presence is promised, and the power is supplied through the Holy Spirit. So we can kind of talk a little bit more about that, you know. You know, that power that is supplied, and that's when we want to kind of move, you know, we want to move over into Acts chapter 1, verses 6 through 8, because this is just about the time that Jesus is being ascended back to heaven. It says, So when they had come together, they asked him, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of Israel? And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the very ends of the earth. So when they had uh come together, they're asking him, Hey, okay, Lord, you know, is it this time you're gonna restore the kingdom of Israel? Which is and this is what a lot of the Jewish people in Israel are still looking for, a Messiah who's gonna come in there and is not you know the this oh uh you know authoritarian, you know, fream and going to take out the you know the here and this time they were thinking about the Romans, but they're still looking, waiting for a Messiah to roll in on a white horse that's gonna set up his kingdom and you know and just eliminate any enemies. That I mean, they have missed so much opportunity and so many blessings. You know, there's a lot of them who's converted, and you know, that we can get into that whole thing, but but that's why Jesus is like, look, don't worry about that. You're getting you're jumping ahead of the mission here. We got we got work to do. Just because I'm out of here doesn't mean that the work is done. You know, now we're getting ready to do some greater stuff. We're getting ready to really, I mean, the church age has begun, and you know, you got stuff to do. And that's why I love this moment. You know, because Jesus has just given them the mission, and they're already trying to change the subject. I think you know, the ADD uh attention deficit, I I think it goes way back even farther than now, you know, where it's worse. But I mean, but they're already thinking timelines. And I I mean, I know we're guilty of this. You know, we already think, okay, well, we're here doing this, but what if, and we've already got everything planned out. But they're thinking outline, you know, the the timelines, the outcomes, and how everything is going to play out. They're trying to already figure it out, which you know, that's what you know our minds do. We try to figure things out and try to work it out. And but Jesus, I mean, just like brings them right back to what matters, you know, because he's telling them, he's saying, Look, it's it's not for you to worry about. I got this. You you just do the mission and take it day by day. And so again, I think if we're honest, we're all guilty of this. We ask God, what's the plan? You know, tell me everything right now. You know, I want to know when is this gonna happen? How is it all gonna work out? And God is saying, Don't get distracted by what you don't know, but be faithful in what you already have been told to do. And then Jesus tells them, He says, Look, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You know, this is right after giving the assignment, he makes it clear that we will not complete it in our own strength. God has never set us up to fail, he has never set us up to go at a project or whatever it is he's called us to do to fail and to do it on our own. We can't, if we try to do it on our own, we're gonna fail, we're gonna fall on our face. That's why he tells us right here. He's like, Look, this Holy Spirit's gonna come on you and you're gonna have power. You're gonna have me living inside of you to help direct your paths. The mission of the church doesn't depend on talent, personality, or knowledge, it depends on the Spirit of God working through us, and that's to take the pressure off. I mean, we're just doing what he said, you know. But I think a lot of people they hesitate. They think, I'm not ready. I you know, I really I don't know enough. I'm not the right person. But the truth is God doesn't, you know, he doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called. Yeah, Billy Graham uh once said, God has given us two hands, one to receive with, and one and the other to give. What God pours into our life isn't meant to stop just with you, it's meant to flow through you. And the Holy Spirit is the one who makes that possible. Jesus goes on to to say, you will be my witnesses, not just in what you say, but in how you live your life. Your life becomes the evidence. Your attitude, your Actions, your conversations, they all point back to Jesus. And then he lays out the pattern. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. And so it starts right where you are. Your Jerusalem might be your home, your workplace, your daily routine, the people you see every day of the week. And you don't have to get on a plane and start living. Some people are called to do that. And if you are, thumbs up. If that's where God has called you, get on a plane and go. Show. We don't know where God has planted you. But sometimes you just need to look across the room or across the street and be faithful where your feet are. No. That's not going to change you. You need to be, you know, on mission wherever you are right now. You know, that's one of the reasons why you've heard me say this a few times. I don't like those self-checkouts. I want to talk to somebody because you never know where the conversation might lead. And I, you know, I always look for those opportunities to talk about Jesus. And so uh that's living out the mission. And I'm not perfect at it. I miss opportunities. You know, and then there's been times I'm like, I should have done this or this, or you know, but but just live out the mission where you are, where God has planted you. You think about those who say, uh, Lord, wherever you need me to go, no problem. Then God sends them to a jungle or a place that'll take them out of their comfort zones, and they're like, Lord, I can I can't go there. There ain't no air conditioning. What? I gotta sleep on a dirt floor. What about? I mean, don't they have a hotel or something? You know, it's like sometimes that happens. You know, God will send you somewhere to do something that's really difficult or get you know, it can be even as simple as hey, go share the gospel with your boss uh at your job. And you're like, wait, what? Uh it's like, can't do that, and you know, don't know what'll happen. I might get fired for sharing my faith. So what you know, too many times we make excuses like I just don't have time, or you know, or that you realize what sleeping on the dirt floor is going to do to my bike. I mean, we we find reasons, you know, we tell God we want to go and we tell God we want to do, but then when he says, okay, um, then we decide, no, that's really too difficult. Can't do it, or I don't know enough. You know, and one of the things, you know, as it was being in a ministry, and uh, you know, people, hey, would you uh go talk to such and such and have prayer with them? They're having a rough time right now. Like, well, why don't you do that? You know, just because I'm a pastor doesn't mean that I'm the only one that can do that. You can do that. You can hold their hand and pray with them. And so when we think about that, you know, the truth is that God isn't asking you to figure, you know, out the whole map. He's just asking you to take the next step. To be willing. You know, that same p spirit that empowered the disciples in the same spirit that empowers you. So this mission isn't riding on your ability. It's resting on his power. You know, the reality you'll face. The reality you'll face, you know, knowing. I mean, we have to know what we're signing up for when we say yes to Jesus. Yeah, the assignment is clear, but we also need to understand what we're signing up for. Following Jesus into the his mission will come with challenges. I mean, the book of James is clear on it. I mean, it says, whenever you know, consider pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds. So, yeah, the hard times they're coming. There will be hard times, guarantee it. There may be loss. You know, some people won't understand the changes that's happening in your life, and some relationships may not survive it. Yeah, I can tell you, whenever I first uh fully surrendered my life to Christ, and and uh the change started happening, you know, I lost some friends over it. And when you start, you know, when you start living differently, it becomes visible, and not everyone will respond well to that. You know, I can I can remember back uh you know, because I was still driving trucks at FedEx Freight, and I'd be talking about uh what we did at church or you know, what you know, I was still a young Christian. I you know, it was one of those I didn't really know what to talk about, I was just gonna talk about what I did know. And uh, and that's that's the key. You know, we don't have to be a theologian, we just gotta talk about what we do know. Uh talking about what you went through, you know, the the what the message was on on you know last previous Sunday, you know, they're gonna see changes because that's one of the things whenever I was uh starting to really grow as a Christian. I had people at uh at my work go, why did you become so or how did you become so religious all of a sudden? Somewhere on you know that question was asked, and uh yeah, and I don't even remember what the answer was, but if I had to answer that again, it wouldn't be I'm not religious at all. I have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and you should have one too. Let me tell you about my Jesus, you know. But uh I did there were some people that you know didn't you know call and hang out and do stuff like they used to with me, and uh, but I can tell you that God replaced those people with even more friends, people that you can call up in the middle of the night if you have to, and they're gonna be glad you called if there's something going on in your life, and so there's a give and take there. And so, you know, choosing I think about this this way, you know, when when you follow when you follow Jesus, there is going to be some cost, there is gonna be some changes, but the opposite is also true, choosing not to follow Jesus doesn't come without a cost either. I mean, it affects your direction, your purpose, and ultimately the people watching your your life, your family, your friends, the next generation, both decisions carry weight. They both leave a mark. And that's why this isn't just about excitement, it's about commitment. You're not just saying yes to a mission, you're saying yes to a lifestyle, you're saying yes to obedience when it feels uncomfortable. You're saying yes to stand firm when it would be easier just to blend in. Yeah, I remember um I went to Promise Keepers, which is like a huge men's conference. It was here in Charleston, West Virginia, back in 2008. One of the first ones I'd ever went to. And man, are you talking about a mountaintop experience? I can't tell you any anything. I could tell you a couple of speakers, but I really can't tell you much of what they talked about then. I do remember the experience, but there's one thing that stuck out with me from a speaker, Dan Seaborn, and this is back in 2008, mind you, and it stuck with me. And he told the people there, the men there, he's like, Listen, Jesus is with you, but Satan is waiting for you. I mean, that's real. I mean, think about it. We know that the power is with us. Jesus, I mean, we just read it. But we need to understand that Satan does not want you to progress and build the kingdom of God. He wants to keep you down, he wants to put you under your thumb and he wants to eat your face off. Jesus is with you, but Satan is waiting for you. Because the moment you step into your calling, that mission, you know, think about it. You know, that mission possible, you know, or the movie Mission Impossible, whatever. There's always a bad guy, and he's trying to take out the good guy. And you got to overcome those challenges and those fights and those and and all that. And that's what this is. The same thing. But our mission is definitely possible because of who is with us. You know, this is like the best of the best, you know, top dog, nobody any better. We got, I mean, we got Christ, we got the holy power of the Holy Spirit in us. That's something we need to understand that the moment you step into the calling, resistance, yeah, it's going to show up. The enemy doesn't, and something this you know, we need to think about too is the enemy doesn't waste time on people who are standing still. You know, yeah, because when you start moving for God, that's when the pushback comes. And I'm gonna tell you, uh, if Satan's not bothering you, then you got something to be concerned about. But our goal in the mornings, you know, it is for me. You know, sometimes I even say it when I, you know, think about it. But my goal is is I I want whenever I wake up, yeah, I want the demons to go, oh, he's awake again. You know, that's I want them, I want them to just irritate it. I mean, because you know, I'm doing the stuff for God. But I'm telling you, when you when you start doing, you start moving towards what God has called you to do, there's going to be distractions. You know, if devil can't, if Satan can't try to stop you, he'll make you busy. You know, he'll put that doubt, the discouragement. They're all part of the battle, they're all part of the mission that we're trying to, you know, the succeed. You know, you think about Paul, I'm pressing forward towards the goal, you know, which God has called me, you know, that's where we're going. That wasn't a direct quote, that was just me paraphrasing parts out of Philippians uh three. But anyhow. So the assignment, yep, it's clear. But know what you're signing up for. Because following Jesus will cost you something, but not following him will cost you everything. Think about that. Yeah, we could do a whole matter of fact, we might do that pretty soon. Uh, a um an episode on the cost of following Jesus and the cost of not following Jesus. Because I don't want because if I start there right now, we're going down a rabbit trail and we'll be in the you know, this, you know, we're at 35 minutes right now, we will definitely be off you know another hour. And so we don't want to so we'll we'll put the pause button on that, but that's something for y'all to think about. Jesus, you know, following Jesus will cost you something, but following him will cost you everything. Something to dwell on a little bit. But the reward of the mission is, I mean, wow, you know, the mission doesn't just take, it gives. And yes, there's going to be some loss along the way, and some relationships may change, but some people may not understand your walk with Christ, but God doesn't leave you empty. He brings new people into your life, uh, people who are going, uh, who are growing, people who are walking in the truth, people who are chasing after the same purpose. We are we are following Christ and we're, you know, we're serving, we're doing the stuff, we're you know, we're just we're walking in this together. And scripture reminds us in Hebrews 10, chapter 20, or chapter 10, verse 24 and 25, it says, and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as in the habit of some, but encouraged encouraging one another all the more as you see the day drawing near. So, one big takeaway from this to understand that this is telling us how important going to church is, and that we are called to encourage one another, build each other up, and that's exactly what happens when you step into the mission. God begins to surround you with the right people at the right time, and not only do you gain uh new relationships, but you begin to see lives changed, include you know, including your own. There is nothing like watching someone come to Christ and watching them take their first steps of faith, knowing that God used your obedience to make an internal impact. I love baptisms. When I remember there was a guy that got baptized at GF one time, a Genesis Fellowship, where I was a youth pastor, in case it's your first time you're listening. But anyway, he was getting baptized, and afterwards, and you know, they asked him if he had anything to say, and he's like, Come on in, the water's fine. I was like, I love that, you know, because the water is fine. When Jesus is stirring it, hey, you know, the waters of baptism is uh just fantastic, you know, and that's there's two things that truly just I mean, just fires me up, and that's first watching someone give their life to Christ. You know, I'd do a cartwheel if I could, and then watching a baptism, you know, and I've as uh when I was doing youth ministry, I was the one who did the students, and so you know that what an honor for God to have called me and then given me that opportunity because I'm gonna tell you that just I mean, you know, it's a whole other level, you know, just watching lives change. You know, just I love I love serving my Lord. You know, just the stuff that life ain't always been easy, but that's okay. It's been far better than the than the alternative. Luke 15, 10. Just so I tell you, there is joy before the angels over of God over one sinner who repents. Repents. So think about that. I mean, the angels are up there going, yeah, yeah, in your face, devil, you lost another one. I mean, they are excited, they are pumped over just one sinner who repents, and that's the way I feel. I don't know about you all, but that I mean, I absolutely love it. I mean, you know, think about that. When you share, when you live it out, when you step into the mission, heaven celebrates. They are pumped, they're excited. I mean, they're and they're rooting for you. You get to be a part of something way bigger than yourself. But beyond all that, the greatest reward isn't something waiting for you at the end. It's who you walk with along the way. Jesus said, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. His presence is a reward. I mean, because we're saved. We're going to be spending eternity with him. But I get so blessed that at the things that uh I see him do and and how he works here, and just walking with him is just you know, for him for somebody like Jesus to look at little old me, you know, little hillbilly preacher from West Virginia and the things that he's done through me is just wow. Every step that you take, every conversation that you have, every act of obedience, you're not doing it alone. Philippians 3 8 says, indeed, I count everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, Jesus, my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. We can learn so much from Paul, the Apostle Paul. You know, this reminds us that nothing compares to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. That's the reward. We are heirs, I mean we are co-heirs with Christ. We, I mean, we're family, we're locked in, arm in arm. You know, we're you know, we should be best buds. You know, he's walking with us. Being a disciple and walking daily with him and being a part of something in internal or eternal, that makes the mission worth it. And one day there will be an eternal reward. Matthew 25, 21, it says, His master said to him, Well done, thy good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over little, and I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. We see the words every believer longs to hear. Not because we were perfect, but because we were faithful, faithful to the assignment, faithful to the calling, faithful to the mission. So when you put it all together, the assignment is clear, the power is available. The reality is it won't be easy, but the war the reward makes it worth it. So there isn't there isn't a question of whether the mission can be done. Because it can. It's mission possible because of Christ. The question is, will you accept it? You know, mission possible isn't about your ability, it's about your availability. So the question remains, will you go? Let's pray together. Father God, Lord, we again we just thank you so much for all that you do in our lives and and this this message, Lord, is you know, re-encourages me and knowing that you know, uh, it kind of re reminds me of the mission. You know, sometimes we can kind of lose sight and get a little uh sideways and discouraged. And but Father, then you come along and you just like listen, here here's the mission, here's what we're doing. You know, I got you. Let's go. And then we're, you know, we can fire us back up. But Lord, you know, there might be Some people on here that's never really joined into the mission. They haven't tr chose to open that packet and accept that mission yet. And maybe today will be that day. Then there may be some that's also listening that's they've never chose to become your disciple. And maybe today will be that day that they repent and surrender to life and allow you to come into their to their life and just you know bring them in on the mission and become yours. And Father, and that's pretty cool. And so Lord, we just again we just thank you and ask you to continue to teach us, continue to help keep us focused on the mission at hand. And Lord, as we go through these trying times in the world in which we live, we have so much opportunity, Father, to share you. So Lord, just give us that boldness and strength and let us understand that you go before us and prepare the way. So you know, it's never a lose-lose situation, it's always a win-win, you know, one way or the other. Whether they, you know, the people we talk to about you, you know, the decision is on them. But we've been obedient and we have followed your instructions and we've done what you have asked, and the rest is left up to you, too, and them. So, Father, again, we love you and we thank you for all that you do in Jesus' name and amen. So, if this message has encouraged you, don't forget to like it, share it with a friend, and subscribe so you don't miss what's next. And if you want to help others find this message, uh leave leaving a five-star review on your podcast platform really helps the algorithms do the stuff, and so we can reach more people with the gospel, which is why we're here. We're all part of this mission on this journey together. And if you'd like to stay connected and be a part of what God's doing through this ministry, all the links are below. And if you feel led to support the ministry, whether through prayer or sharing an episode, or you know, there's links in um on bus route and a little app called Buy Me a Coffee if you want to, you know, if you feel led to help support there, it'd just be amazing, you know. And I thank you so much. But your prayers, you know, they mean more than you know, and your generosity helps us stay on the road, sharing the gospel and reaching more lives with hope. You know, again, all the links are in the description below. Thanks for being a part of this journey, and as always, continue to share Jesus and life one mile at a time, and we will see you on the next one. Oh, real quick, before I jump out of here, we'll be looking for the episode next week of uh myself and James Johnson doing a uh video together. Like I said, and we just did a straight-up conversation, went through some scripture, and it kind of ties into what we're talking about today. Um, it's the title of that one, I think, is uh I really haven't come up, locked it down, but we're gonna be talking about becoming fishers of men. And and you know, now we've accepted the mission. Now we need to look at the the actual mission itself and what we are to do. So we're gonna discuss that a little bit and kind of talk about some stuff. So be looking for that again. And so really looking forward to getting that uploaded, and I'm really looking forward to your feedback on you know, do you like that style of uh podcast, or would you like uh me to continue to doing these, or do you want to do just mixing both, you know, because I don't know how well or how I can get people over time. Uh, and so that does take a little bit of planning. I'm pumped, excited to see where we're going. So, anyway, we will see you soon. Have a blessed one.