Title: "Why the Laborers are so few?"
Introduction: These two verses of scripture are very well known, but you might be surprised by something in it’s context. In Chapter nine, Jesus is pleading for laborers. In chapter eight, there are many would be followers of Jesus. Why are there so many called, but so few chosen?
I think the answer to this question can be best understood, when you consider the nature of the work that God has called us to do.
Seven questions future employees want to know:
1. How much does it pay?
Answer of Christ: I cannot even guarantee that you will have a place to live, let alone an income:
(Mat 8:19 KJV) And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
(Mat 8:20 KJV) And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
2. How long will my vacation be?
Answer of Christ: You won’t even have time for a personal day:
(Mat 8:21 KJV) And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
(Mat 8:22 KJV) But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
3. What kind of risk will I have to undertake?
Answer of Jesus: You will be constantly targeted by the enemy. A death sentence will be written over you:
(Mat 8:23 KJV) And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
(Mat 8:24 KJV) And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
(Mat 8:25 KJV) And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
4. Who will we be working with?
Answer of Jesus: Demon possessed people who don’t want anything to do with you:
(Mat 8:28 KJV) And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
(Mat 8:29 KJV) And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
5. Is there any glory in what I will be doing?
Answer of Jesus: You will be miss understood and unappreciated by those with whom you are trying to help:
(Mat 8:34 KJV) And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
6. Will there be any chance in upward mobility?
Answer of Jesus: If you want to be much in God’s kingdom, learn to be the servant of all:
(Mat 23:10 KJV) Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
(Mat 23:11 KJV) But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
7. What will be expected of me?
Answer of Jesus: You must be a perfectionist:
(Gen 17:1 KJV) And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Contrast:
I think that it is important to note that in the Old Testament, God told Abraham to "walk before me." In the New Testament Jesus told his perspective disciples to "follow me." The difference is huge!
(Mat 9:9 KJV) And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
THEN WHY SHOULD SOMEONE "WORK" FOR CHRIST?
Answer?
(drum roll)
JESUS
Conclusion: How do we get people to be workers in the Church ministry? Where will our future Sunday School Teachers, Nursery Workers, Deacons, and Elders come from? Why do we have so few laborers in such a great harvest? Perhaps because such a ministry demands bearing a cross! If you will not serve for Jesus sake, you simply, will not serve.
