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Welcome to Life Series, a podcast from King Love and Baby Baptist Church, where we gather together to experience God's love, grow in God's love, and give that love back to each other.

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I greet you on behalf of senior pastor Dr. Michael A. Turnbull and his wife, Minister Chandria Turnbull. Tonight we continue a deeper theme. We pause to look back on what God has been shaping us throughout the month of April. Our sermon series for the month was mission, centered around Matthew 28, 18 to 20. Jesus' great commission. Some of the core truths of this passage is that mission begins with Jesus' authority, because everything we do flows from who Jesus is. Mission calls us to make disciples, which means when we invest in people, we walk with them and help them to grow in Christ. Mission involves teaching the way of Christ because Jesus commanded us to do so, not just by sharing information, but doing so in love, humility, and obedience. Mission is anchored in presence because when we step into mission, we are not alone. Christ is with us. As we sit with these truths, we are reminded that living them out is not always easy. At times, this great commission can feel like mission impossible. Yet we are reminded that God makes the impossible possible, and that He chose, equipped, and empowered us for such a task. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection showed us that the courage and surrender required for us to accept this mission, calling us to live with purpose, to support one another, to rely on God for perseverance and divine intervention, even when the journey feels overwhelming. We reflect on what it means to be witness. Peter's encounter with Cornelius showed that mission doesn't begin with expertise, but with testimony. We learned that he wasn't trying to impress anyone. He testified what he had experienced. That simple, honest sharing of what Jesus did become the heart of mission. Each of us carry a story that may become a gateway to someone else's hope. Mission begins in the quiet place where God's voice meets a willing heart. His confirmations are not coincidences but invitations. When God calls, he is not testing us, he is trusting us. Every assignment is a sign of his approval, even though mission arrives when we really feel ready. Or it arrives in moments when obedience feels costly and uncomfortable. Still, God asks for our faithfulness, not perfection. He strengthens trembling hands and honors small steps taken in trust. Walking in mission means growing in discernment, learning to recognize when God speaks through scripture, conviction and through others, and choosing his direction over the noise around us. We know that when the Father calls, we must move with authority, not arrogance, but the quiet boldness of one who has been sent. Isaiah 54 reminded us that God restores, protects, and surrounds those who obey his voice. No weapon formed against his mission will prosper. We do not walk alone in our mission, but with people who praise, encourage, equip, and stand with us. We must, however, be mindful and confront those forces that derail our purpose. External mission killers like sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed dim our witness, while internal mission killers like anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language poisons our heart. We must be wary also that even when the outward appears acceptable, internal bitterness and deception undermines unity. Staying on mission requires us to remove both internal and external mission killers. So we must avoid tempting situations, set boundaries, seek accountability, repent quickly, and use our gifts intentionally. Our mission is not a solo assignment, but a collective, communal call rooted in the Spirit of Christ. Staying on mission means choosing disciples that preserve, witness, and advance the gospel even when life feels chaotic. As we move toward completing, come concluding our mission series, I invite you to share in the commitment to refuse the distractions that shout and the inward poisons that whisper, to remember our stories, to witness boldly, to support one another, and to let God open doors we've never imagined. Together, as we step forward as God's impossible mission force, let us stay on mission by loving people above all else, remain vigilant by guarding our hearts against internal and external threats that can hinder our mission. Remember that Jesus paid the price. As we go deeper, deeper in faith, deeper in purpose, deeper in love, let us journey together as we continue God's great mission. Thank you for joining us tonight. God bless you as you go your way.

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Thank you for worshiping with us today. If you'd like to go deeper in your work with Christ, we invite you to contact us at 284-442-4222. Or email us and cdbbc.org. Visit our website at CBBBC.com.