The Only Way
Sermon Notes
Jesus didn’t ask us to make up the mission—He gave it to us clearly. In Matthew 28:16–20, He commands His followers to go, make disciples, and teach obedience. But before He gives that charge, He reminds them of two things: all authority belongs to Him, and He’ll never leave them.
As we kick off our new series, The Jesus Way, Brad Kirby reminds us this week that we’re not called to burn out for God, but to overflow from a relationship with Him. The Jesus Way isn’t about flashy programs or empty hustle. It’s about intimacy, obedience, and trust in the One who goes with us.
Key Points
The Jesus Way Mission
The Jesus Way Relationship
The Jesus Way Benefits
Discussion Questions
If Jesus showed up to “secret shop” our church, what would He see?
Are you doing ministry for Jesus or with Jesus?
How does your relationship with Jesus fuel your mission for Him?
What would it look like to really believe He is “with you always”?
What distractions might be keeping you from gospel overflow?
Transcript
What If Jesus Secret Shopped Our Church?
If Jesus walked into your church this Sunday, what would He see? Would He be impressed by the music, the message, the size of the crowd? Or would He be looking for something deeper?
Brad Kirby opens with a simple but convicting question: If Jesus were “secret shopping” CityBridge, what would He notice? Would He be pleased with what we’re doing—or why we’re doing it?
That question leads to a bigger one: Are we living the way Jesus intended? Are we following the Jesus Way?
The Jesus Way Mission
In Matthew 28:16–20, Jesus lays out a crystal-clear mission: Go. Make disciples. Baptize. Teach. This isn’t a vague vision—it’s a job description for every follower of Jesus and every church that bears His name.
But here’s the tension: it’s easy to understand and hard to live out. The disciples had no tech, no platforms, and serious doubts. And yet, Jesus entrusted them with the global spread of the gospel.
The mission wasn’t dependent on their strength—it was fueled by His presence.
When the Mission Feels Impossible
Jesus didn’t respond to their doubt with a pep talk. He gave them something far more powerful: His authority and His presence.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me... And behold, I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:18, 20)
Brad reminds us: the mission of the church is humanly impossible. But with Jesus, it becomes unstoppable.
The Engine of Relationship
Too often we think of the Great Commission as a checklist: do more, serve more, reach more. But Jesus didn’t start with action—He started with relationship.
Psalm 40 describes a God who rescues us, sets our feet on solid ground, and puts a new song in our mouths. That song is meant to be heard. The Great Commission is the overflow of a life that’s been changed by Jesus.
You don’t need more strategy. You need more time with your Savior.
A Warning Against Empty Activity
Imagine receiving your dream car—perfect in every detail—but it has no engine. It looks good, but it won’t move.
That’s how many churches approach the mission of God. Programs without power. Activity without intimacy. As Brad says, “Doing the work of God without a relationship with God is like driving without an engine.”
The engine of disciple-making is not effort—it’s intimacy.
The Power and Authority of Jesus
Jesus doesn’t just give us a task—He gives us His authority. Over evil. Over fear. Over all people. Over every heart that needs to hear the gospel.
You’re not on your own. You’ve been sent by the King with the full weight of heaven behind you.
The Jesus Way is fueled by confidence—not in ourselves, but in the One who goes with us and sends us out.
So, What Are We Waiting For?
Jesus has given us everything we need: the mission, the authority, the power, and His very presence.
We don’t lack resources, we lack urgency. The fields are white for harvest, but we hesitate because it feels hard, or inconvenient, or too big.
Brad’s challenge is clear: what are you waiting for? Jesus is with us. The gospel is good. And the time is now.