Living Out the Mission

You’ve come through the Journey. You’ve been shaped, stretched, broken, and rebuilt. You’ve discovered who you are in Christ. You are a different person--a new creation. So now what? What do you do next?

In the final message of The Journey series, we explored The Return—the calling to take our new identity and our story of reconciliation and bring them to the places and people we love. We looked at Acts 2:1-37, where Peter, once just a fisherman, stands boldly to preach at Pentecost.

Your Place

The first step in fulfilling your calling is to be in the right place. For Peter, that meant showing up in Jerusalem, just as Jesus told him. He could have gone back to fishing. He could have stayed in the comfort of his old life. But instead, he committed to the place God had called him.

Are you where you’re supposed to be?

Sometimes we’re called to stay. Sometimes we’re called to go. The important thing is this: wherever God places you, go all in. Plant roots. Make connections. Commit to the people around you. Because until you fully commit to the place of your calling, you won’t see the full impact of your calling.

Don’t just bloom where you’re planted—commit where you’ve been called.

Your Voice

Peter didn’t preach at Pentecost because he suddenly became a great speaker. He preached because the Holy Spirit gave him a voice.

God doesn’t expect you to do this alone.

When God calls you, He equips you. Whether you need boldness, clarity, or wisdom—He provides it. He strengthens you for the task. He gives you what you need to say, when you need to say it. It’s not about your skill or confidence—it’s about your surrender. God will always provide you the resources to accomplish the goal he’s assigned to you.

Maybe you feel unqualified. Maybe you’ve been silent because of fear. But if God has called you, He will empower you. Just like He did with Peter.

“He who calls you is faithful; He will do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Your Story

Peter didn’t give a polished presentation—he told his story. He told the crowd about Jesus, what He had done, and how it had changed him. And that’s what the people needed to hear. That's what the people need to hear from you, too.

Your story matters.

You don’t need to be a theologian or a public speaker. You just need to be honest. Tell people about your journey. What it was like before you met Jesus. What changed. The trials you’ve faced. The breakthrough you’ve experienced. And what it looks like to return as someone transformed. How do you do this? We've been going through the steps since the beginning of this series. Your story IS your journey.

• Your Calling – Tell them how life was before you found Jesus and what Jesus did to get your attention.

• Your Threshold – Tell them about the biggest things that were holding you back and how you overcame them.

• Your Trials – Tell them about the bumps in the road and how you didn’t always have it all together.

• Your Breakthrough – Tell them about the moment you became a new creation, and what it took for you to reconcile to God.

• Your Return – Tell them how Jesus has changed you and how Jesus can change them too.

Your story is powerful—not because it’s perfect, but because it’s real.

Your Invitation

How is God calling you to make an impact today?

Maybe you’re still figuring out your place. Maybe you’ve been hesitant to speak. Maybe you’ve been keeping your story to yourself. But now it’s time to return. To bring your journey back to the people who need it. To step into the place, the voice, and the story God has given you—and to use them for His glory.

Take a moment to reflect:

• Are you where God wants you to be?

• Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through you?

• Are you sharing your story with someone who needs to hear it?

You weren’t meant to keep your Journey to yourself. You weren’t meant to abandon those you left behind. You were meant to return and share the good news you’ve found. Don’t keep it to yourself. Your story was meant to help someone…someone just like you walking the same roads you once walked.

Go help them.

Want to go deeper? Watch the full sermon here: The Return | Mt. Olive Church

You’ve come this far—now it's time to share what you've discovered.