September 27, 2026
Jesus Sends
Sermon: Jesus Sends
Text: Luke 10:1–12
Series: Knowing Jesus: Discovering Him in the Gospels
Speaker: Dr. Terry Kirby
Text: Luke 10:1–12
Series: Knowing Jesus: Discovering Him in the Gospels
Speaker: Dr. Terry Kirby
CONTENTS
Click the links to go directly to a section in this post:
Sermon Talking Points
Main Takeaway
Sermon Summary
Blog Post
Living It Out
Small Group Discussion
Family Conversation
Prayer
Sermon Talking Points
Main Takeaway
Sermon Summary
Blog Post
Living It Out
Small Group Discussion
Family Conversation
Prayer
Sermon Talking Points
1. Every believer has a mission.
Our purpose doesn't disappear when we retire.
It isn't determined by our career, education, age, family situation, or skill set.
If we belong to Jesus, we have a mission.
Make disciples.
2. Mission is a lifestyle.
Being on mission isn't just:
Those things can be important expressions of mission, but Jesus calls us to something bigger.
Being On Mission happens wherever we live.
At home.
At work.
At school.
At the store.
On vacation.
In our neighborhoods.
Through our hobbies.
In conversations with people we meet.
3. The harvest is plentiful.
People all around us need to hear about Jesus.
Pigeon Forge is an especially visible reminder of this reality. People come to our community from across the country and around the world.
The mission field isn't necessarily somewhere far away.
It may be standing right beside us.
4. Jesus sends us even when we feel unprepared.
Jesus sent His followers as lambs among wolves.
He didn't promise that the mission would always be comfortable.
But He did call them to go.
We don't have to know everything.
We don't have to have every answer.
We need to be willing to obey Jesus and faithfully share what we know about Him.
5. Don't let rejection stop you.
Some people will listen.
Some won't.
Some will welcome the message.
Others will reject it.
Our responsibility is faithfulness—not controlling the outcome.
Share. Pray. Love. Serve. Trust God.
Our purpose doesn't disappear when we retire.
It isn't determined by our career, education, age, family situation, or skill set.
If we belong to Jesus, we have a mission.
Make disciples.
2. Mission is a lifestyle.
Being on mission isn't just:
- Going to church
- Giving an offering
- Taking a mission trip
- Volunteering occasionally
Those things can be important expressions of mission, but Jesus calls us to something bigger.
Being On Mission happens wherever we live.
At home.
At work.
At school.
At the store.
On vacation.
In our neighborhoods.
Through our hobbies.
In conversations with people we meet.
3. The harvest is plentiful.
People all around us need to hear about Jesus.
Pigeon Forge is an especially visible reminder of this reality. People come to our community from across the country and around the world.
The mission field isn't necessarily somewhere far away.
It may be standing right beside us.
4. Jesus sends us even when we feel unprepared.
Jesus sent His followers as lambs among wolves.
He didn't promise that the mission would always be comfortable.
But He did call them to go.
We don't have to know everything.
We don't have to have every answer.
We need to be willing to obey Jesus and faithfully share what we know about Him.
5. Don't let rejection stop you.
Some people will listen.
Some won't.
Some will welcome the message.
Others will reject it.
Our responsibility is faithfulness—not controlling the outcome.
Share. Pray. Love. Serve. Trust God.
Main Takeaway
BIG IDEA: When what we have seems insufficient, Jesus invites us to bring it to Him.
Key Verse
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” — Luke 10:2
Key Verse
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” — Luke 10:2
Sermon Summary
Rewatch the sermon here beginning at 00:25:00.
Jesus appointed seventy followers and sent them in pairs ahead of Him into the places where He was going. He told them that “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
The mission would not always be easy.
Jesus warned them that they would be like lambs among wolves. They might experience intimidation, difficulty, opposition, and rejection. Yet Jesus still sent them.
The sermon identified three challenges of being on mission:
1. Being On Mission can be dangerous.
Following Jesus into the world means entering places and situations that may make us uncomfortable or even afraid. But Jesus sends His followers while providing His presence and direction.
2. Being On Mission requires obedience.
Jesus gave His followers specific instructions. They were to depend upon God, remain focused, serve people, and proclaim that the kingdom of God had come near.
Being on mission isn't about doing whatever we think is best. It means listening to Jesus and obeying Him.
3. Being On Mission will sometimes bring rejection.
Not everyone will welcome Jesus' message.
Our responsibility isn't to control how people respond. Our responsibility is to faithfully share the Gospel, pray, love people, and remain obedient.
God brings the results.
The challenge for us is simple:
Will we be one of the workers Jesus sends?
Jesus appointed seventy followers and sent them in pairs ahead of Him into the places where He was going. He told them that “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
The mission would not always be easy.
Jesus warned them that they would be like lambs among wolves. They might experience intimidation, difficulty, opposition, and rejection. Yet Jesus still sent them.
The sermon identified three challenges of being on mission:
1. Being On Mission can be dangerous.
Following Jesus into the world means entering places and situations that may make us uncomfortable or even afraid. But Jesus sends His followers while providing His presence and direction.
2. Being On Mission requires obedience.
Jesus gave His followers specific instructions. They were to depend upon God, remain focused, serve people, and proclaim that the kingdom of God had come near.
Being on mission isn't about doing whatever we think is best. It means listening to Jesus and obeying Him.
3. Being On Mission will sometimes bring rejection.
Not everyone will welcome Jesus' message.
Our responsibility isn't to control how people respond. Our responsibility is to faithfully share the Gospel, pray, love people, and remain obedient.
God brings the results.
The challenge for us is simple:
Will we be one of the workers Jesus sends?
Memory Verse:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” — Luke 10:2
Blog Post:
Jesus Sends: Sent by Jesus. Living on Mission.
What is your purpose?
People often ask this question at different stages of life.
What should I do with my life? What should I do now that I'm retired? What am I supposed to accomplish? Where do I fit?
For followers of Jesus, Scripture gives us a clear answer.
We have been sent.
In Luke 10:1–12, Jesus appoints seventy followers and sends them ahead of Him into the cities and places He is about to visit. Their assignment was simple: go, serve, proclaim the kingdom of God, and prepare people for Jesus.
And that assignment isn't limited to pastors, missionaries, worship leaders, or other people serving in professional ministry.
Every believer is called to live on mission.
THE MISSION ISN'T A SIDE HUSTLE
We often think about missions as something we do occasionally.
Those are all valuable ways to participate in God's work. But Jesus calls us to something more comprehensive.
Being on mission is a lifestyle.
The mission goes with us wherever we go.
When we raise our families, we have opportunities to point our children toward Jesus.
At work, we have coworkers who need to know about Him.
When we go shopping, travel, participate in hobbies, or meet new people, we encounter people who may need to hear the Gospel.
Our location doesn't determine whether we're on mission.
Our relationship with Jesus does.
THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL
Jesus told His followers:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
People everywhere need the hope of Jesus.
That includes the people right here in our community.
At First Baptist Church, Pigeon Forge, we live in a community where people come from many different places. Every week, we encounter visitors, neighbors, workers, families, and travelers.
They are not simply people passing through.
They are people who need Jesus.
That means our mission field is closer than we sometimes realize.
The harvest is plentiful.
JESUS SENDS US
Jesus didn't tell His followers that the mission would be easy.
In fact, He said:
“I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”
That's not exactly a promise of comfort.
Being on mission can be intimidating.
We may worry about what people will think.
We may be afraid that we won't know what to say.
We may worry about being rejected.
We may feel like we're not prepared.
But Jesus still sends us.
We don't go because we're superheroes.
We go because Jesus is our Lord, and He has sent us.
Our confidence isn't in ourselves.
Our confidence is in Him.
MISSION REQUIRES OBEDIENCE
Jesus gave His followers instructions about where to go, how to respond, how to serve, and what to say.
They were to proclaim:
“The kingdom of God has come near to you.”
Their mission wasn't simply to do good things.
Their service was connected to the message of Jesus.
We need to remember that.
We serve people because we love them.
We help people because Jesus has called us to love our neighbors.
We pray for people because we want them to know God.
And ultimately, our mission points people toward Jesus.
Our actions and our words work together.
WHAT ABOUT REJECTION?
Jesus also prepared His followers for rejection.
Some people would welcome them.
Others would not.
The same is true today.
Not everyone will want to hear about Jesus.
Some may disagree.
Some may ignore us.
Some may reject the message.
That doesn't mean we've failed.
Our responsibility is to be faithful.
We can't force someone to believe.
We can't manufacture a spiritual response.
We can't control the outcome.
But we can pray.
We can love.
We can serve.
We can share.
We can remain faithful.
The results belong to God.
WHERE IS JESUS SENDING YOU
You don't have to move across the world to be on mission.
You may not be called to another country.
You may not be called to another city.
You may simply be called to live differently in the place where you already are.
Jesus may be sending you to your family.
Your mission doesn't begin when you get somewhere else.
Your mission begins where you are.
So ask yourself this week:
And then pray the words Jesus taught His followers:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
Then ask God:
“Send me.”
You have been sent by Jesus.
Now let's live on mission.
People often ask this question at different stages of life.
What should I do with my life? What should I do now that I'm retired? What am I supposed to accomplish? Where do I fit?
For followers of Jesus, Scripture gives us a clear answer.
We have been sent.
In Luke 10:1–12, Jesus appoints seventy followers and sends them ahead of Him into the cities and places He is about to visit. Their assignment was simple: go, serve, proclaim the kingdom of God, and prepare people for Jesus.
And that assignment isn't limited to pastors, missionaries, worship leaders, or other people serving in professional ministry.
Every believer is called to live on mission.
THE MISSION ISN'T A SIDE HUSTLE
We often think about missions as something we do occasionally.
- Perhaps we take a mission trip.
- Maybe we volunteer at church.
- We give to a missions offering.
Those are all valuable ways to participate in God's work. But Jesus calls us to something more comprehensive.
Being on mission is a lifestyle.
The mission goes with us wherever we go.
When we raise our families, we have opportunities to point our children toward Jesus.
At work, we have coworkers who need to know about Him.
When we go shopping, travel, participate in hobbies, or meet new people, we encounter people who may need to hear the Gospel.
Our location doesn't determine whether we're on mission.
Our relationship with Jesus does.
THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL
Jesus told His followers:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
People everywhere need the hope of Jesus.
That includes the people right here in our community.
At First Baptist Church, Pigeon Forge, we live in a community where people come from many different places. Every week, we encounter visitors, neighbors, workers, families, and travelers.
They are not simply people passing through.
They are people who need Jesus.
That means our mission field is closer than we sometimes realize.
- The person in the checkout line.
- The neighbor next door.
- The coworker across the desk.
- The person sitting beside us at a restaurant.
- The visitor we meet in Pigeon Forge.
The harvest is plentiful.
JESUS SENDS US
Jesus didn't tell His followers that the mission would be easy.
In fact, He said:
“I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”
That's not exactly a promise of comfort.
Being on mission can be intimidating.
We may worry about what people will think.
We may be afraid that we won't know what to say.
We may worry about being rejected.
We may feel like we're not prepared.
But Jesus still sends us.
We don't go because we're superheroes.
We go because Jesus is our Lord, and He has sent us.
Our confidence isn't in ourselves.
Our confidence is in Him.
MISSION REQUIRES OBEDIENCE
Jesus gave His followers instructions about where to go, how to respond, how to serve, and what to say.
They were to proclaim:
“The kingdom of God has come near to you.”
Their mission wasn't simply to do good things.
Their service was connected to the message of Jesus.
We need to remember that.
We serve people because we love them.
We help people because Jesus has called us to love our neighbors.
We pray for people because we want them to know God.
And ultimately, our mission points people toward Jesus.
Our actions and our words work together.
WHAT ABOUT REJECTION?
Jesus also prepared His followers for rejection.
Some people would welcome them.
Others would not.
The same is true today.
Not everyone will want to hear about Jesus.
Some may disagree.
Some may ignore us.
Some may reject the message.
That doesn't mean we've failed.
Our responsibility is to be faithful.
We can't force someone to believe.
We can't manufacture a spiritual response.
We can't control the outcome.
But we can pray.
We can love.
We can serve.
We can share.
We can remain faithful.
The results belong to God.
WHERE IS JESUS SENDING YOU
You don't have to move across the world to be on mission.
You may not be called to another country.
You may not be called to another city.
You may simply be called to live differently in the place where you already are.
Jesus may be sending you to your family.
- To your workplace.
- To your neighborhood.
- To your school.
- To your circle of friends.
- To the people you meet every day.
Your mission doesn't begin when you get somewhere else.
Your mission begins where you are.
So ask yourself this week:
- Who has Jesus placed around me?
- Who needs to hear about Him?
- Where can I serve?
- Who can I invite?
- Who can I encourage?
And then pray the words Jesus taught His followers:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
Then ask God:
“Send me.”
You have been sent by Jesus.
Now let's live on mission.
LIVING IT OUT
SENT BY JESUS. LIVING ON MISSION.
This week's challenge isn't to add another activity to your already busy schedule.
It's to see your ordinary life differently.
Wherever you go this week, ask:
“Who has God placed in my path, and how can I point them toward Jesus?”
Monday — Pray
Pray Luke 10:2:
“Lord, send workers into Your harvest.”
Then add:
“Lord, make me one of them.”
Tuesday — Notice
Pay attention to the people God puts around you.
Don't rush past every opportunity for a conversation.
Wednesday — Engage
Start a conversation.
Ask someone about their church, faith, family, or spiritual background.
Thursday — Serve
Find a practical way to serve someone without expecting anything in return.
Friday — Share
Tell someone one thing Jesus has been teaching you.
Saturday — Invite
Invite someone to join you at First Baptist Church on Sunday.
The Challenge
Don't think of yourself as someone who occasionally does missions.
Think of yourself as someone who lives on mission.
It's to see your ordinary life differently.
Wherever you go this week, ask:
“Who has God placed in my path, and how can I point them toward Jesus?”
Monday — Pray
Pray Luke 10:2:
“Lord, send workers into Your harvest.”
Then add:
“Lord, make me one of them.”
Tuesday — Notice
Pay attention to the people God puts around you.
Don't rush past every opportunity for a conversation.
Wednesday — Engage
Start a conversation.
Ask someone about their church, faith, family, or spiritual background.
Thursday — Serve
Find a practical way to serve someone without expecting anything in return.
Friday — Share
Tell someone one thing Jesus has been teaching you.
Saturday — Invite
Invite someone to join you at First Baptist Church on Sunday.
The Challenge
Don't think of yourself as someone who occasionally does missions.
Think of yourself as someone who lives on mission.
Small Group Discussion
JESUS SENDS
OPENING QUESTION
When you hear the word “missions,” what is the first thing that comes to mind?
READ Luke 10:1-12
DISCUSS
1. Jesus sent the seventy in pairs. Why do you think He sent them together rather than alone?
2. Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” What does that statement mean for the church today?
3. What are some ways we unintentionally treat missions as an occasional activity rather than a lifestyle?
4. Where are the mission fields God has already placed around you?
5. Jesus warned His followers that they were being sent as “lambs among wolves.” What fears can keep Christians from sharing their faith?
6. What does obedience look like when we don't know exactly what will happen?
7. How should we respond when someone rejects the Gospel or rejects us personally?
8. How can our church become better equipped to live on mission in Pigeon Forge and beyond?
APPLICATION
Complete this sentence:
“Jesus may be sending me to __________.”
Then pray for the person, place, or situation named.
When you hear the word “missions,” what is the first thing that comes to mind?
READ Luke 10:1-12
DISCUSS
1. Jesus sent the seventy in pairs. Why do you think He sent them together rather than alone?
2. Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” What does that statement mean for the church today?
3. What are some ways we unintentionally treat missions as an occasional activity rather than a lifestyle?
4. Where are the mission fields God has already placed around you?
5. Jesus warned His followers that they were being sent as “lambs among wolves.” What fears can keep Christians from sharing their faith?
6. What does obedience look like when we don't know exactly what will happen?
7. How should we respond when someone rejects the Gospel or rejects us personally?
8. How can our church become better equipped to live on mission in Pigeon Forge and beyond?
APPLICATION
Complete this sentence:
“Jesus may be sending me to __________.”
Then pray for the person, place, or situation named.
Family Conversation
JESUS SENDS
Parents, use these questions around the dinner table this week.
Read Luke 10:1-12 together.
TALK ABOUT IT
FAMILY CHALLENGE
As a family, make a simple “Mission Map.”
Write down the places your family goes during a normal week:
Home → School → Work → Store → Activities → Church → Neighborhood
Then ask:
“How could we show the love of Jesus in each place?”
FAMILY PRAYER
Jesus, thank You for calling us to follow You.
Help our family understand that we are not only called to come to church—we are called to live on mission wherever we go.
Help us notice the people around us. Give us opportunities to serve, encourage, pray, and talk about Jesus.
When we are afraid, give us courage.
When we don't know what to say, give us wisdom.
When people reject us, help us remain faithful.
Use our family to help others discover and enjoy new life in Christ.
Amen.
THIS WEEK'S FAMILY PHRASE
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
Read Luke 10:1-12 together.
TALK ABOUT IT
- Who did Jesus send out?
- Where did Jesus send them?
- What did Jesus say about the harvest?
- Why do you think Jesus warned them that they were like lambs among wolves?
- What does it mean to live “on mission”?
- Where does your family encounter people who need to know about Jesus?
- What is one way your family could serve or encourage someone this week?
- Is there someone your family could invite to church?
FAMILY CHALLENGE
As a family, make a simple “Mission Map.”
Write down the places your family goes during a normal week:
Home → School → Work → Store → Activities → Church → Neighborhood
Then ask:
“How could we show the love of Jesus in each place?”
FAMILY PRAYER
Jesus, thank You for calling us to follow You.
Help our family understand that we are not only called to come to church—we are called to live on mission wherever we go.
Help us notice the people around us. Give us opportunities to serve, encourage, pray, and talk about Jesus.
When we are afraid, give us courage.
When we don't know what to say, give us wisdom.
When people reject us, help us remain faithful.
Use our family to help others discover and enjoy new life in Christ.
Amen.
THIS WEEK'S FAMILY PHRASE
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
Prayer
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to us.
Thank You that Jesus has called us not only to follow Him but to go and make disciples.
Forgive us for the times we have treated our faith as something we keep within the walls of the church.
Open our eyes to the people around us.
Help us see our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, friendships, travels, and everyday activities as opportunities to live on mission.
Give us courage when we are intimidated.
Give us obedience when You call us to step outside our comfort zones.
Give us wisdom when we don't know what to say.
Give us compassion for people who need Jesus.
And when we experience rejection, help us remember that our responsibility is to be faithful and that the results belong to You.
Lord, the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few.
Send us.
Use First Baptist Church to help people discover and enjoy new life in Christ.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to us.
Thank You that Jesus has called us not only to follow Him but to go and make disciples.
Forgive us for the times we have treated our faith as something we keep within the walls of the church.
Open our eyes to the people around us.
Help us see our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, friendships, travels, and everyday activities as opportunities to live on mission.
Give us courage when we are intimidated.
Give us obedience when You call us to step outside our comfort zones.
Give us wisdom when we don't know what to say.
Give us compassion for people who need Jesus.
And when we experience rejection, help us remember that our responsibility is to be faithful and that the results belong to You.
Lord, the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few.
Send us.
Use First Baptist Church to help people discover and enjoy new life in Christ.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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