We are living in a time when comfort has become king. We love to settle down, get comfortable, and create spaces that are predictable and safe. We build churches with padded pews and air-conditioned sanctuaries, and we attend services that are carefully planned and well-executed. And yet, if we’re honest, many of us sense that something is missing—that there is more to this life of faith than simply showing up, sitting down, and singing along.
The early church, described in the book of Acts, was anything but comfortable. It was a church that was sent, not settled—a church that moved beyond the familiar to reach a world in desperate need of hope. The question for us today is this: Are we willing to embrace that same apostolic call? Are we ready to go beyond our comfort zones to reach the people God is calling us to?
I. The Apostolic Mandate: Go, Don’t Stay
In Acts 1:8, Jesus gives His followers a clear directive: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This is a mandate, a command, not a suggestion. Jesus doesn't say, “Stay in Jerusalem and make it the most comfortable place you can.” No, He says, “Go.” From the very beginning, the church was a going community, not a gathering club.
Key Insight: The word "apostolic" means "sent." To be apostolic is to be a sent people, a people who are always moving outward, never just inward. It’s easy to settle where we are, but God’s call is to go, to extend His Kingdom beyond the walls of our churches and the boundaries of our comfort zones.
Application: Ask yourself—where have I settled spiritually? Are there areas of my faith where I’ve chosen comfort over calling? Have I become too comfortable in my spiritual life, content to stay where I am rather than stepping into new places of ministry?
II. A Church on the Move: The Early Apostles’ Example
The book of Acts is full of stories of believers who embraced this call to go beyond what was comfortable. In Acts 8, we read about Philip, who left the revival in Samaria—a place of great success and comfort—and was led by the Spirit into the desert to witness to an Ethiopian official. It didn’t make sense. It wasn’t comfortable. But it was God’s call, and Philip went.
Paul, perhaps the greatest example of an apostolic leader, traveled tirelessly, planting churches and raising up leaders across the Roman world. He was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and persecuted, but he never stopped moving, never settled, because he was compelled by a greater mission. His passion was to see the Gospel reach places it had never been.
Key Insight: The early church’s success didn’t come from settling in one place and creating the perfect church environment. It came from an unwavering commitment to go—to be obedient to the Spirit, even when it led to difficult, uncomfortable, and unfamiliar places.
Application: Is there something God is calling you to do that feels uncomfortable or inconvenient? Is there a place, a person, or a mission that seems out of reach or beyond your capacity? Remember, the early church moved forward not in their own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit.
III. Going Beyond Comfort Requires Holy Spirit Power
Jesus didn’t expect His followers to go out and accomplish the mission in their own strength. He promised them power—the power of the Holy Spirit. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you,” He said in Acts 1:8. This power wasn’t just for their comfort or personal growth; it was for a purpose—to be witnesses.
When the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost, everything changed. Ordinary fishermen, tax collectors, and unlikely disciples became bold, fearless witnesses for Christ. Peter, who had denied Jesus three times, stood up and preached a sermon that brought 3,000 souls into the Kingdom. The church was born in power, not comfort.
Key Insight: God’s call to go beyond comfort is always accompanied by His empowering presence. The Holy Spirit is the fuel for the mission. He gives us the boldness to speak, the courage to step out, and the power to see lives transformed.
Application: Are you relying on the Holy Spirit’s power in your life? Have you asked God to fill you afresh, to give you boldness and courage to step into the unknown? Remember, you are not sent alone—you are sent with the power of God’s Spirit.
IV. The Temptation to Settle: Resisting the Pull of Comfort
Even the early church faced the temptation to settle. In Acts 2, after the powerful move of God at Pentecost, it would have been easy to stay in Jerusalem and build a “perfect” church there. But persecution came, and what looked like a setback was actually God’s way of scattering the church so that the Gospel would spread.
Sometimes, God allows discomfort, challenges, and even persecution to move us out of our settled places. The Gospel spreads not through a church that’s settled, but through a church that’s scattered—a church that’s always on the move, always willing to go where God is leading.
Key Insight: Settling is a natural tendency. We seek safety, predictability, and stability. But God often calls us to give up safety for significance, predictability for purpose, and stability for Spirit-led adventures.
Application: Are you willing to let God disrupt your plans? Are you willing to embrace discomfort for the sake of the Gospel? Ask God to show you the areas where you might be settling and to give you the courage to move forward in faith.
V. Sent to the Ends of the Earth: The Great Commission Today
The Great Commission is not just about crossing geographical borders—it’s about crossing the borders of our comfort zones. It’s about stepping into new territories, whether that’s a new country, a new ministry, or simply a new conversation with a neighbor who needs Jesus. The call to be “sent” is still alive today.
This call is not just for missionaries or pastors; it’s for every believer. We are all sent people, called to live out the apostolic mandate wherever God has placed us. The mission field is all around us—our homes, our workplaces, our communities, our cities. We are sent to be the light of the world, to bring hope to the hopeless, and to declare the goodness of God to those who have yet to hear it.
Key Insight: The call to “go” is not a suggestion; it is a command. We cannot ignore it or delegate it to someone else. We are all part of God’s apostolic mission to reach the world, one person at a time, one conversation at a time, one act of love at a time.
Application: Where is God sending you? It may not be to another country or continent, but He is sending you somewhere. Will you say “yes” to His call, even if it means leaving your comfort behind?
Conclusion
The call to be “sent, not settled” is not an easy one. It requires sacrifice, courage, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. But it’s the call that Jesus has given to His church—a call to move beyond comfort, beyond what we know, and to step into the mission that He has laid before us.
Let’s not be a church that is content to settle. Let’s not be a people who choose safety over significance. Instead, let’s be a church that’s willing to go wherever God calls us, to do whatever He asks, and to trust that He will provide the power we need to accomplish His mission.
Let’s be a church that’s sent, not settled. Amen.
Call to Action: This week, take time to pray and ask God to show you where He is sending you. What is one step you can take to go beyond your comfort zone? Maybe it’s reaching out to a neighbor, volunteering in a new ministry, or even exploring a missions opportunity. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you as you step out in faith!
