Sent to Serve - Oct. 26th, 2025

Text: Luke 9:1-6 (KJV)

Theme/Big Idea: Jesus Christ sends out His followers to extend His kingdom; He empowers us with His authority, calls us to go by faith depending on God’s provision, and confronts the world with the urgent choice to receive or reject the gospel.

Purpose: To challenge and encourage us, at the close of Missions Emphasis, to embrace Christ’s mission with full confidence in His power and promises, committing ourselves to go, to give, and to trust God to supply every need as we carry the good news to others.

Introduction: A Call to Radical Faith

[Hook]

Jim Elliot, a young missionary who ultimately gave his life for the gospel, famously wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” That striking quote came from a man convinced that no sacrifice is too great for Christ and His mission. It captures the heart of someone sold out to reaching the lost.

[Burden]

We need that radical faith and urgent focus today. As we conclude our Faith Promise Missions month, our hearts are stirred for the billions who have yet to hear of Jesus. The harvest is still plentiful and the laborers few. The greatest obstacles to the gospel’s spread are often not a lack of money or open doors, but our own fears, comforts, and hesitations. We worry, “Will God really come through if I step out? Will He provide if I commit more to missions? Can I risk my comfort or my budget for the sake of the gospel?” These questions press on us, especially as we consider making Faith Promise commitments. This final Missions Sunday, God is urging us to trust Him more deeply. The burden of this message is that we not hold back through unbelief or attachment to earthly security, when souls are perishing and Christ’s command to “go into all the world” still stands.

[Purpose]

My purpose this morning is to encourage each of us to embrace Christ’s mission and step out by faith, both in our personal witness and in our giving and sending. Jesus is calling our church to a fresh season of obedience in missions, where we rely on His power and promises like never before (1 Thes. 5:24).

[Text Connection]

Before we dive into the main points, let’s read the passage to hear Jesus’ instructions firsthand. (Read Luke 9:1-6.)

Luke 9:1–6 KJV

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

May God bless the reading of His Word. From this text, let’s draw three vital lessons about our mission.

I. Commissioned with Christ’s Authority and Compassion (Luke 9:1-2)

Luke 9:1–2 KJV

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Jesus begins by calling and commissioning the Twelve. Notice, He doesn’t send them in their own strength; He empowers them. “He gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.” The Lord imparted to these men both the right to minister and the might to do it. The Greek words indicate this was a comprehensive enablement: dýnamis (power, the ability to act) and exousía (authority, the right to act)[1][2]. In other words, Jesus qualified and authorized them to represent Him. As the old Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary puts it, Christ “both qualified and authorized them” for the task (JFB, Commentary). This is crucial: the mission begins with Jesus’ authority. The disciples did not volunteer themselves; the call came from the Lord. They go as His ambassadors.

[Exegesis]

A. Christ’s Authority:

When verse 1 says Jesus “called the twelve together,” picture a formal commissioning service. He gathers the apostles, whom He had chosen earlier (Luke 6:13), and now He delegates His own authority to them. Only God’s chosen Messiah could do this. By enabling them to cast out all demons and heal diseases, Jesus shows that “the Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and authority” (Henry, Commentary). Indeed, no one can give what they do not possess. Jesus can grant authority over demons because He has absolute authority over the spiritual realm. He can confer power to heal because in Him dwells the fullness of God’s power. In this we see a glimpse of Christ’s divine identity: He is Lord over every sickness and every evil spirit. When He sends a servant, that servant goes in His Name, and even the demons must obey. Later in Luke, the returning disciples would exult, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name!” (Luke 10:17). It was all in Jesus’ name, not their own ability.

[Exegesis]

B. The Mission of Compassion:

Verse 2 then states the twin purpose of the mission: “He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” The Twelve were to do exactly what they had seen Jesus doing. Back in Luke 8:1, Jesus Himself went “throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.” Now He extends that ministry through them. They are to proclaim the message of the Kingdom, that is, to announce that God’s King has come, the reign of God is at hand, and people should repent and believe the good news. Mark’s parallel says “they went out, and preached that men should repent” (Mark 6:12). Along with preaching, they are to heal the sick. Why healing? Because the Kingdom of God isn’t just talk; it comes with power and compassion. Jesus cares about the whole person. The miracles would authenticate their message and demonstrate God’s mercy. Every healing and exorcism was like a preview of the Kingdom, showing that under Christ’s reign, the curse is being rolled back. The blind see, the oppressed are freed, the broken are made whole. This is Christ’s compassion on display. He “gave them power… and sent them to preach…and to heal.” What a gracious Lord, He not only meets spiritual needs but physical needs, drawing people to Himself with cords of love. We should note: these specific miraculous powers were special apostolic sign-gifts for that time; not every Christian today is given the ability to heal or cast out demons on command. But the principle of word and deed remains. The gospel we preach is to be adorned with acts of love. Jesus wants His servants to declare truth and demonstrate love.

[Canonical Connection]

This scene in Luke 9 is a foreshadow of the Great Commission and the spread of the gospel after Christ’s resurrection. Think ahead in the biblical story: after the cross and resurrection, Jesus would tell these same men, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” (Matt. 28:18-19). Do you hear the echo? In Luke 9, Jesus gave them “power and authority” to go to the towns of Israel. In Matthew 28, He proclaims His universal authority and sends them to all nations. What we see in our text is basically a dress rehearsal for the church’s mission. Luke, who also wrote Acts, surely saw the connection. In Acts 1:8 Jesus promises, “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me… unto the uttermost part of the earth.” The apostles’ mission in Galilee with Jesus’ power anticipates the wider mission empowered by the Spirit. In fact, in Acts 5:12 we read that “by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people… and multitudes were… healed.”[3][4], a direct continuation of what began in Luke 9. What Jesus started with the Twelve, He continued through the early church. And beloved, it continues still. We do not carry apostolic authority in the sense of working sign-miracles at will, but we carry the apostolic gospel and the authority of God’s Word. Ephesians 6:17 calls it “the sword of the Spirit.” Titus 2:15 says, “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.” When you share the gospel of Christ, you speak with the King’s authority, as though God Himself were making His appeal through you (2 Cor. 5:20). That gives us boldness. We go in His name.

[Doctrinal Insight]

Christology & Missiology: Doctrinally, these opening verses teach us about Christ’s Person and Christ’s Program. Preaching is central, because people must hear the gospel of the kingdom, and compassionate ministry accompanies it. To this day, biblical missions keeps these together: evangelism and care, proclamation and demonstration. Also, note that Jesus sent out all Twelve. Not one or two while others stayed comfortable; everyone had a role. There’s a doctrine of every-member ministry here. In the church, some might formally “go” as missionaries or pastors, but all of us are called to be witnesses. We each carry the commission in some way.

[Application]

What does this mean for us? First, we can go forward confidently in ministry, knowing Christ authorizes and enables it. It is His work. Jesus said, “He that heareth you heareth Me” (Luke 10:16). So, speak up with loving boldness, God’s authority is vested in His gospel message, not in our personality. Secondly, let’s mirror Jesus’ compassion in our mission. Preaching the kingdom must always be done in love. Christ’s ambassadors represent His heart as well as His truth. When truth and love go together, the impact is powerful. Matthew Henry noted that when Christ empowered the apostles, He ensured “truth and love” traveled together, a ministry both verbal and visible (Henry, Commentary).

So, point one establishes that we are Sent under Christ’s authority with His message of life. This gives us our confidence and our model. Now, the second lesson is crucial because it deals with how we are to go about the mission, especially regarding our dependence and priorities.

II. Charged to Live by Faith: Relying on God’s Provision (Luke 9:3-4)

Luke 9:3–4 KJV

3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

After empowering the Twelve, Jesus gives them very specific instructions on how to travel. Frankly, these instructions sound extreme! “Take nothing for your journey,” He says, no staff (or extra staff), no bag, no bread, no money, not even a second tunic. In modern terms, “Don’t pack a suitcase or bring your debit card. Just go as you are.” And when you arrive in a town, don’t hop around looking for better accommodations; stay in one house and be content. What is the Lord doing? He is teaching His servants to trust God absolutely. This is about faith and simplicity in ministry.

[Exegesis]

A. Radical Dependence:

Let’s unpack verse 3. Jesus essentially strips the disciples of all the usual means of support. In that culture, a traveler would normally carry a staff for walking, a scrip (a leather bag) for supplies or alms, some bread for the road, money for expenses, and a spare coat to sleep in at night. But Jesus says, “Take none of those extras.” Why? Because God will provide for them through the journey. This short-term mission was to be an exercise in radical faith. They had to learn that when the Lord sends you, the Lord sustains you. He did not want them weighed down with gear or with a false sense of security in material things. By going out with virtually nothing, the disciples would be visibly depending on God and on the kindness God would move others to show. It’s significant that hospitality was a strong cultural value in Israel, and Jesus expects that “the labourer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7). God would open homes to receive His messengers. Also, urgency is implied: the mission is so urgent that they must not delay to gather supplies. It’s like Jesus saying, “The time is short; move now and trust Me for the rest.” One commentator notes that Christ’s command here “precluded detailed plans” because the need was immediate (Larson, TPC). They weren’t to spend weeks fundraising or packing; they were to head out in obedience. In verse 4, Jesus adds that when they enter a house that welcomes them, they should stay there until leaving town. In other words, don’t keep searching for a more comfortable bed or a wealthier host. Be grateful and content with whatever provision God gives. Avoid any appearance of seeking personal gain. This would both test their contentment and also prevent offense; it would be insulting to ditch one host for another offering better food! So, the principle was: trust God to provide, and when He does, receive it with thankfulness and stay focused on the mission, not on creature comforts.

[Canonical Connection]

Now, we should note that these particular instructions were context-specific. Later in Luke 22:35-36, on the eve of His arrest, Jesus actually revisits this moment. He asks the disciples, “When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing?” They answer, “Nothing.” Then He says, “But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it… and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.” In other words, the next phase of ministry (after His departure) would be different, they would need to prepare and expect opposition[5][6]. This shows that Luke 9’s command was for that moment. Jesus wanted to instill a lesson. It’s not a permanent mandate that missionaries can never carry money or extra clothes. The timeless principle, however, remains: live by faith and avoid materialism. Many servants of God have followed this faith principle. Think of Elijah being fed by ravens, or the widow’s cruse of oil not failing, God can miraculously provide.

[Doctrinal Insight]

B. Providence & Sanctification:

Doctrinally, this command highlights God’s providence and the life of faith. It teaches that God truly can supply all our need (Phil. 4:19) when we are in His will. Jesus was training the disciples in the school of faith, a sanctifying process. They had to let go of self-reliance and lean on God daily. That’s part of their sanctification, learning contentment and trust. First Timothy 6:8 says, “Having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Ministry is not for profit, but for God’s glory. The servant of God must avoid covetousness (a qualification in 1 Tim. 3:3 and Titus 1:7) and live in a way that exemplifies trust in God, not love of money. There’s also an eschatological undertone: travel light because time is short. It reminds us of the pilgrim principle, we are sojourners, not settlers, in this world. Hebrews 11 speaks of those who lived in tents looking for a heavenly city. Jesus imprints that mindset on His men here.

[Illustration]

We have a wonderful historical illustration in the life of Hudson Taylor, the pioneering missionary to China. Early in his ministry, Taylor was convicted that he should rely on God alone to provide, so he determined to never ask people for funds, only God. He famously said, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” (Hudson Taylor). Time and again, he proved it true. There were moments when his mission account was down to a few cents, and then, just in time, the Lord moved someone to give exactly what was needed. Similarly, George Müller in England, caring for thousands of orphans, prayed resources in without making appeals. These stories echo the principle of Luke 9: if the Lord sends you, He will sustain you. Now, not everyone is called to live with no salary or support organization, but all of us are called to the same faith. Taylor’s quote is a good one to remember when fear whispers, “If I give generously or if I go where God calls, what about my needs?” Jesus answers, “Take nothing extra… trust Me. Have I ever failed you?” The disciples later testified, “Lord, we lacked nothing” (Luke 22:35). And we can add our Amen, He has been faithful!

[Application]

How do we apply this today? While planning and prudence have their place, we must guard against letting material concerns hinder our obedience. If God is prompting you to serve in a new way or to increase your giving to missions, don’t say, “I can’t, I might run out.” Say instead, “If God is in it, He will provide.” Perhaps He’s leading someone here to go on a mission trip or even into full-time missionary service, and your mind immediately lists what you’d have to give up or how impossible it looks on paper. Remember Jesus’ command and promise. Our Lord is still calling His people to live with open hands. For most, that doesn’t mean literally owning nothing; but it does mean being willing to part with anything for His sake, trusting that He will supply what’s needed. Faith Promise giving, which we emphasize this month, is a practical way we live out Luke 9:3. We prayerfully promise a certain amount to missions beyond what seems “safe” in our budget, believing God will provide it through us. It’s like saying, “Lord, I’ll ‘take no bread or money’ of my own, I’m trusting You to put bread in my bag as I go.” And God does! Many of you can testify how He provided unexpected income or enabled you to give more than you thought possible when you made a faith commitment. This glorifies God. It declares, “The God who sends the gospel forth will also send the resources forth.” We become channels of His provision.

Jesus charged His disciples (and us by extension) to live by faith as we carry out His mission. We are to rely on God’s provision, not our own reserves, and maintain a testimony of contentment and integrity. This is a challenge to our comfort, but also a sweet promise of God’s faithfulness. The same God who fed Israel manna in the wilderness sent His apostles out with empty sacks and filled them. And friend, He will not fail you when you step out in faith. “Trust in the LORD, and do good… verily thou shalt be fed” (Psalm 37:3).

So far, we’ve seen the Commission, Christ gives us His authority and message, and the Charge, Christ calls us to trust Him for provision and go forth by faith. Finally, Jesus addresses how to handle the results, because not everyone will embrace the message. Our third point deals with how we respond to peoples’ responses.

III. Confronted with Urgency and the Reality of Mixed Responses (Luke 9:5-6)

Luke 9:5–6 KJV

5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

Here Jesus prepares the disciples for rejection. Up to now, we’ve heard the exciting part, empowered preaching, miraculous healings, God’s provision. But the Lord soberly adds, “By the way, not everyone will welcome you. Some will reject you and the message. When that happens, here’s what you do: shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” This sounds strange to us, but it was a symbolic act in Judaism. When Jews traveled through Gentile areas, at the border they’d shake off dust from their sandals, a gesture of disassociating from the uncleanness of the Gentiles. For the apostles to do this to a Jewish town that rejected the gospel was a dramatic warning: “By rejecting Jesus, you put yourselves outside God’s people, as unbelievers.” Jesus says this would be a testimony against them, essentially, it leaves them with a witness that they had the chance for salvation and said no[5][7]. It’s important to note, this wasn’t about personal spite or retaliation; it was a symbolic declaration of accountability. In Matthew’s account, Jesus adds, “Verily, I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matt. 10:15). In other words, to reject the gospel is a most serious sin, bringing heavy judgment.

[Exegesis]

A. Mixed Reception:

In verse 5, the phrase “whosoever will not receive you” indicates some people will refuse to welcome the messengers or their message. Jesus doesn’t gloss over that. He prepares His servants emotionally and spiritually: Expect rejection from some quarters. It’s not failure on your part; it’s the choice of their unbelieving heart. And when that happens, here’s the protocol: publicly shake the dust off your feet as you leave. This wasn’t to curse them (the disciples weren’t to call fire from heaven or anything, though James and John once wanted to!). It was to signify, “We’re not responsible for what happens now; we offered you the grace of God, and you refused it. Your blood is on your own heads.” In Acts 13:51, Paul and Barnabas did exactly this in Antioch of Pisidia, when the Jews expelled them, “they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.” Paul also told the Jews in Corinth, after much opposition, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean” (Acts 18:6). These acts echo Jesus’ instruction here[5][8]. They underline an important principle: The responsibility of the witness is to present the message faithfully; the responsibility of the hearer is to respond. If the hearer rejects it, the witness is not guilty of their blood, but the hearer stands guilty before God for spurning the gospel. That’s a heavy truth. The dust on the feet was a witness that God’s offer had come to that doorstep and been rejected.

Verse 6 then balances the picture by showing the disciples pressing on: “they departed… and went everywhere preaching and healing.” This demonstrates their faithfulness. They didn’t quit because some towns threw them out. They kept obeying, and God gave fruit. The rejection did not stop the mission; it simply became part of the story. In fact, often one town’s rejection meant the disciples spent more time in another town that was open. The word “everywhere” implies the gospel light was shining in many dark places because they persevered.

[Canonical Connection]

This instruction ties into a broader biblical theme of human accountability and God’s judgment. Jesus essentially teaches the disciples to warn the rejecters and move on. It reminds us of Ezekiel’s watchman imagery (Ezekiel 33:1-6): the watchman blows the trumpet of warning; if people ignore it, the watchman is innocent of their blood. But if he fails to warn, then he bears responsibility. By shaking the dust off, the apostles were saying, “We have blown the trumpet; you ignored it. Our hands are clean.” To whom more light is given, of them more will be required. Hebrews 2:3 warns, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” That principle is here: those who willfully reject Christ’s gracious message are left under a more severe judgment. On the flip side, those who receive the messengers receive Christ’s blessing, Jesus said the peace of God would rest on that house (Matt. 10:13). Later in the Bible, we see this pattern repeated: some believe (think of in Acts, cities like Berea eagerly received Paul’s word), and some scoff (Athens had those who mocked Paul). The gospel has always been a “fragrance of life to some, and of death to others” (cf. 2 Cor. 2:15-16).

[Doctrinal Insight]

B. Missiology & Judgment:

Doctrinally, these verses remind us of the reality of human free response and divine judgment. God’s desire is for all to be saved; He sent the apostles to give every town a chance. But if people “will not receive,” God will not force them, though it grieves Him. Yet their refusal doesn’t stop God’s mission from advancing elsewhere. There’s also a doctrine of stewardship of the message: we must not indefinitely waste time where the gospel is vehemently rejected when there are others ready to hear. Jesus was teaching the disciples a kind of discernment, invest where there is openness. This is not to say we abandon people at the first no, but there comes a point to step back and say, “I leave you to God; I must reach someone else now.” God is patient, but ultimately those who persistently reject Christ will face a terrible judgment. It’s loving of Jesus to warn rejecters even as He sends His disciples to the next village.

[Application]

Don’t be discouraged or surprised if some reject the message or even oppose you. Jesus prepared us: “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (1 John 3:13). When you invite a friend to church or talk about Jesus at work, and you’re met with indifference or hostility, remember they are ultimately rejecting Christ, not you. Your calling is to be faithful, not necessarily “successful” by human standards. Keep sharing with those who will listen. Do not let rejection make you quit. If one outreach method isn’t bearing fruit, try another; if one person hardens, pray for them but move to the next lost soul. There is always someone else who needs to hear. We are responsible for sowing the seed, not for the soil’s response, that’s between that soul and God. So this is freeing: we shake off undue guilt or failure when someone doesn’t believe. We have lovingly warned them; now we pray and leave it to God. On the flip side, we must also carry a sense of urgency. Jesus essentially said, “Don’t linger indefinitely where truth is trampled; there are other towns waiting.” Time is short. Let’s redeem the time by focusing on open doors.

Now, for the hearers of the message, perhaps someone here today has not yet received Christ. You’ve heard the gospel invitation before. Maybe a spouse or friend has urged you to respond, but you’ve been putting it off or resisting. Take Jesus’ warning to heart: “Whosoever will not receive you…”, those who won’t receive Christ’s messengers are effectively not receiving Christ, and it leads to judgment. Do not be like those towns that missed their moment of visitation. The Bible says, “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb. 3:15). There is a seriousness to this decision. If you ignore Jesus, you risk eternal loss. I speak plainly because I care: Do not send the Savior away. To receive Christ today means to welcome Him into your life as Lord and Savior, trusting that He died for your sins and rose again. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” Will you be one who receives, or one who rejects? My plea is that you receive Him, even this morning, and do not delay.

Jesus sends ordinary disciples, like us, to carry His extraordinary gospel. He supplies the power and provision we need, and He calls us to obediently go, to speak, to love, and to trust Him with the outcome. This is as relevant in our church today as it was on the hills of Galilee.

Conclusion: Fulfilling Our Mission Today

Now it’s our turn. We stand at the end of this Missions Emphasis month much like the disciples on the edge of their mission trip. Jesus is saying to First Baptist Church of Westminster: “I am sending you, into your community, to the nations through your missionaries, with My authority and My presence. Don’t hold back. Trust Me to provide. Lift your eyes from your own needs and look at the fields that are white unto harvest. Some will receive your witness; some won’t, but you must go and tell them. And I will be with you.” The question for us is: How will we respond? For all of us, it means making a commitment: “Lord, I will be a part of Your mission. I won’t sit on the sidelines.”

Maybe God is specifically stirring someone’s heart to surrender to missionary service or some form of ministry. You’ve seen how Jesus can use and provide for those who answer His call. Don’t let fear or material worries hold you back. Jesus deserves your yes. He gave us everything, He left heaven, took nothing for His journey except a cross, and laid down His life to save us. He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Surrendering to God’s call is never a waste; it’s gain for eternity. If God is calling you, say like Isaiah, “Here am I, send me.”

For most here, the action point will be in your faith promise and personal evangelism. In a few moments, we’ll dedicate our Faith Promise commitments. I urge you: if you haven’t yet made a commitment, pray even now, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” And then trust Him and do it. Perhaps you made a pledge but you’re anxious about fulfilling it, remember Hudson Taylor’s words and Jesus’ command: God’s work done in God’s way will not lack God’s supply. Step out and watch God work.

Also, think of someone in your life who needs the gospel. Will you commit to go to them “with nothing but Jesus”? By that I mean, you might feel you have no clever speech or no guarantee of their response, but you have Jesus’ love and the gospel message. Go in His authority and share it. It could be as simple as inviting them to the Missions Banquet or to church next week, or as direct as sharing your testimony over coffee. Don’t let the fear of rejection stop you. Some will not receive, but some will! And one sinner coming to Christ is worth every door slammed in our face before.

[Stirring Charge]

If God be for us, who can be against us? So let’s rise to the challenge. Church, let’s be “sent to serve” in our generation, trusting God’s power and provision every step of the way. I believe we will see Him do amazing things as we obey. And one day in heaven, we’ll rejoice with those from every tribe and tongue who welcomed the message, in part because we were faithful to carry it and support it. What a day that will be.

[Gospel Appeal]

Finally, to anyone here who has not yet responded to Christ personally, I plead with you, do not walk away today without settling that decision. Jesus Christ came on the greatest rescue mission: He was sent by the Father to seek and save the lost. He carried our sins to the cross, died in our place, and rose again victorious. This same Jesus offers you full forgiveness and eternal life if you will turn from your sin and trust in Him. But if you will not receive Him, there is no other hope. Don’t risk the “more tolerable for Sodom” fate. Today the Savior’s arms are open. Come to Him in repentance and faith. Be saved today. Then you too will be “sent” to tell others of the mercy you found.

As we prepare for our invitation time and the dedication of our Faith Promise commitments, let’s each search our hearts. What is God asking of you right now? Is He asking you to surrender to go? To increase your giving? To finally witness to that neighbor? To let go of a fear or an excuse that’s holding you back? Whatever it is, say YES to Him. Like those disciples, lay down your staff and bag, your symbol of self-reliance, and trust Jesus. He will never fail you.

I invite you: if you need to make a public decision, for salvation, for baptism, for committing your life to missions or ministry, or if you just want to come pray at this altar and dedicate your Faith Promise or your personal mission to God, you are welcome. Let’s respond as the Lord leads.

Jesus is calling us to be “Sent to Serve.” Will you answer that call?

Let’s bow our heads in prayer.

(Prayer)

“Lord of the harvest, thank You for calling us to Your great work. We are humbled that You would use us, and we confess our tendency to fear and hold back. Forgive us for our unbelief. Increase our faith. Help us to trust Your power and provision like never before. I pray for each commitment being made, that You would provide and multiply the resources for missions. I pray for each witness represented here, give us holy boldness to speak in Your name. And I pray for any soul here unsaved, draw them even now to receive You before it’s too late. Father, take our lives, take our treasure, take our all, let it be consecrated to You for the spread of the gospel. We love You and we ask for grace to obey. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.”

[Invitation] “Take My Life and Let It Be” (or appropriate hymn), you come as God has spoken to your heart. Commit your life, your faith promise, your burdens to Him. Jesus sends and Jesus saves, will you follow? Come as we sing.

(Congregation sings invitation hymn...)

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