An Open House: Living on Mission with Jesus

Erin Long
9 hours ago
3 min read

This blog post is inspired by Adam Breckenridge's Sermon on 11/2/2025

Luke 14:21–23 (ESV) “Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”

If you’ve ever hosted a gathering, you know the excitement of preparing your home: making sure there’s room for everyone, setting the table, and hoping the seats will be filled. In Luke 14, Jesus paints a similar picture of His Kingdom: a full house, open to all.

The master in Jesus’ parable gives an urgent command to “Go out quickly!” The invitation is clear and compelling: God’s household is not a private, members-only club. It’s an open house where everyone is welcome. And He’s calling His people (us!) to help fill it.

1. The Call to Live on Mission

“Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly... and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame... and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.’” — Luke 14:21–23

If you are a disciple of Jesus, you are a missionary.

As Charles Spurgeon once said, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.”

You were created with eternal purpose and equipped with the Holy Spirit to fulfill it.

Jesus said in John 20:21–22, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” Then He breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

The same Spirit that empowered Jesus empowers us today. We are not sent in our own strength, we are sent in His.

2. Where God Has Called Us to Live on Mission

Jesus didn’t tell His followers to go far away; He said to go “to the streets and lanes of the city” and “to the highways and hedges.”

In other words, the mission field isn’t “over there,” it’s right under your feet.

Every street we drive down, every workplace, every classroom, every coffee shop, these are our mission fields.

Jesus said, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) And now, He sends us to do the same right where we are.

3. How God Has Called Us to Live on Mission

Jesus gives two simple commands:

“Bring them in.”

“Compel them to come.”

“Bring them in” means sharing life- inviting others into friendship, community, and conversation.

“Compel them” means sharing Jesus- telling the story of His grace and the difference He’s made in your life.

It’s not about pressure or persuasion; it’s about passion and love. We invite because we’ve been invited.

A Call to Action

Yesterday, Pastor Adam had us look around the room and notice all of the empty seats. He challenged us to identify who that empty seat represents in our lives?

Ask Jesus: “Lord, who are You sending me to and calling me to invite into the household of God?”

Write down their name. Pray for them. Reach out to them this week.

Personal Reflection Questions

What fears or excuses sometimes keep you from sharing your faith or inviting others in?
Where has God placed you right now (your home, work, or community) that could be your mission field?
Who is one person God may be prompting you to “bring in” or “compel to come” this week?
How can you make space in your daily life to live more intentionally on mission?