TITLE: HELPERS IN THE HARVEST
TEXT: Matthew 10:1-8
THEME: JESUS’ KEYS TO HARVEST
INTRODUCTION:
A Canadian soldier was wounded during training manouvers. He was ordered to go to the base military hospital for treatment. When he arrived at the large and imposing building, he saw two doors, one marked, "For the slightly wounded," and the other, "For the seriously wounded." He entered through the first door and found himself going down a long hall. At the end of it were two more doors, one marked, "For officer" and the other, "For non-officers." He entered through the latter and found himself going down another long hall. At the end of it were two more doors, one marked, "For commissioned" and the other, "For non-commissioned soldiers." He took the second door, and when he opened it he found himself out on the street. When the soldier returned home, his sergeant asked him, "How did you get along at the hospital?" "Well, Sarge," he replied, "to tell the truth, the people there didn’t do anything for me, but you ought to see the tremendous organization they have!"
The soldier’s comment reminds me of many churches in our day: really organized, but accomplishing little.
It is no secret that the church has more money, technology and resources at its disposal now than at any time in church history. So, why is it that the church in North America is not even making a dent in its mission of preaching the gospel and impacting our society and culture for Jesus? What is the main obstacle to world evangelization? Jesus gives the simple answer, Lack of workers.
In Matthew 9:38 Jesus summarizes the issue, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Jesus tells His disciples to pray for workers, then he makes them the answer to their prayers.
The key to harvest begins with faithful workers who will commit themselves to go and compassionately serve those who need Jesus.
Who has Jesus called? What is the mission of the workers? What have the workers been given to complete the task?
This morning we continue our study of JESUS’ KEYS TO HARVEST”. I want us to concentrate on the first key, which is, the HELPERS IN THE HARVEST. That is, you and me.
Jesus gives His disciples some instructions, and from those instructions, we find a number of principles to take with us in our mission. Today we’re going to look at four of these, from verses 1-10.
The first principle we learn is to...
1. Take the authority Jesus has given you.
He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
As I read this list a couple things come to mind. First of all, I wonder if you and I were in the Human resources department, would we have chosen the men that Jesus did? After all, These guys were not part of the 40 top leaders under 40. They were a motley crew with little of what you might consider leadership potential. Most did not have the social graces to interact with the political or religious powers of the day. They were simply ordinary guys, called to do an extraordinary task.
This should encourage each of us. None of us are what we would describe as superstars. Nevertheless, as Jesus sent His disciples, He also sends you and I.
The word "apostle" means, "sent one," and not just in the sense of going on behalf of someone, but actually in the sense of acting on the full authority of the one doing the sending.
The disciples were sent out on the full authority of Jesus himself.
Two types of authority are in view here:
* Authority over spiritual enemies.
* Authority over illness.
Today we also have another authority from Christ: * Authority to take the message.
Matthew 28:18-20 -
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
If you are a follower of Christ, you have the authority of Christ.
But it’s important to keep this in mind:
When God gives authority, he gives the ability to fulfill that authority.
Author Jill Briscoe in "Here Am I Lord, Send Somebody Else" writes of this subject, "God transports us to a situation. There is no such thing as happenstance in the life of a child of God. His intent is to use fallible people to give out His infallible truth to a world living in error. He wants to use weak people who love and obey Him to transform the society to which they have been transported."
This reminds me of what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:27, ‘But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
So next time, you look in the mirror, and you begin to doubt your capabilities to serve God, remember that it is God who has chosen you and equipped you to fulfill His mission through your life.
Here’s the second principle we can learn from Jesus’ sending out these twelve, and that is to...
2. Go to the people Jesus has given you.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
Now this might seem a little strange, in light of the fact that Scripture is very clear that God loves everybody. So what gives? Why didn’t Jesus send them out to wherever they wanted?
I think part of it had to do with geography. They didn’t have cars back then, and usually blue-collar types like most of the apostles didn’t drive around in chariots.
You might have heard the story about a long-haired teenager who wanted to be able to drive the car. His father didn’t like the long hair and said that he’d have to cut it before he could drive.
So the teenager said, "But Dad, Jesus had long hair!" To which the father replied, "Yup, and he walked everywhere he went, too."
Anyway, geography might have had something to do with it, but really the reason is much more theologically relevant, and it’s the fact that God wanted the Jews, through whom the Messiah would come, to be the first to be able to respond to the Messiah.
This is what Paul was talking about in that great verse from Romans 1 -
(The gospel) is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
When Jesus was talking to the woman at the well in John 4, he said that salvation comes through the Jews - in other words, the Messiah that she had heard of, was from the Jews.
God wanted to give Israel every chance to accept his son.
It’s important to understand that this command to the apostles here was only for this time of missionary work.
A little bit ago we looked at Matthew 28:18-20, where Jesus tells them to go to the ends of the earth, to take the good news to every people group.
Who is this for us? Everyone around us. No one is exempt anymore, since God has sent the good news of Jesus around the world.
God has put you where you are to reach and touch the ones around yu with the love of Jesus.
“but Pastor, God can’t mean the people where I work can He. Surely, the Lord does not expect me to serve THOSE people?”
One of my favorite biblical prayer requests is the one that Paul makes while in a Roman jail. He writes to the Ephesian believers, and asks,
19 Also pray for me that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret of the Good News without fear. 20 I have been sent to preach this Good News, and I am doing that now, here in prison. Pray that when I preach the Good News I will speak without fear, as I should.( Eph.6:19-20)
Did I read that right? Paul asking for boldness to preach, because he was AFRAID?! Does the fact that even the great Apostle Paul have fear to speak give you some confidence. If you are afraid, then you are in good company.
So you need to take the authority Jesus has given you, you need to go the people Jesus has given you, and third, you need to...
3. Speak the message Jesus has given you.
7 As you go, preach this message: ’The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Take a look at the first three words of verse 7, ‘As you Go…” …This is more than an instruction, it is a command. In other words, Jesus says, on your way you will meet people with needs, LOVE THEM AND SHOW THEM COMPASSION. You do not need to wait for people to come to you, meet needs as you intersect with people each and every day.
What was the message the disciples were to bring? The message they were to take was that the kingdom of heaven was near. So what’s that supposed to mean?
Just that the long-awaited kingdom, being ushered in by the Messiah was coming. The Messiah would soon bring redemption to his people, and bring a spiritual kingdom that would someday find fulfillment in both heaven and earth.
And Jesus says that their preaching would be "backed up," if you will, by such things as the signs and miracles listed here: healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers, and driving out demons.
So the question that we need to ponder is this: what is the message God has given us to speak? The same one: "The kingdom of heaven is near."
The kingdom of heaven is near. In fact, it’s here and available to all who will take it. You want to be part of the kingdom of God?
Then come to the one who brought it: Jesus. Put your faith in him, and let him be the boss, living for him instead of yourself. Do that, and you’re part of the kingdom.
‘But Pastor, who am I to do anything for God? I’m nobody special!’
If you look further into Matthew 10, you’ll see that evangelism is only one aspect of Christian ministry. There’s also a social aspect to Christian ministry. In verse seven, Jesus is telling them to get more involved with people. "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.
In other words, we show compassion for any need a person might have in their life. You might not know anyone who has the same problems that are mentioned here in Matthew 10:7. But we all know people who need the touch of God. We all know people who need healing. We all know people who need to be delivered from the grip of the devil. And we can love them. We can pray for them. We can invite them to church. Or Vacation Bible School. Serving the Lord doesn’t have to be this big intimidating thing. It can be a natural part of our lives. And when people see that you care about them for who they are, they’ll be more interested in what makes you who YOU are. One of my life verses is 1 Thessalonians 2:8. Which says
"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."
So take the authority Jesus has given you, go to the people Jesus has given you, speak the message Jesus has given you, and lastly...
4. Take the provision Jesus has given you.
9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
I think part of the issue was that they needed to travel light. Remember, they were on foot, and didn’t have a pack mule or a Mini van.
But at a deeper level, the issue was that the apostles were to do the work Jesus gave them, trusting in him to provide for their needs as they went.
I think it’s important to note that the verb for "do not take" is more accurately, "do not procure." In other words, don’t add to what you’ve already got. They already had a tunic and sandals and such - they just weren’t supposed to pack extras, trusting that their current supply would either last them, or that the hospitality of those mentioned in the next few verses would help their provisions last.
If there was anyone who exemplifies confidence and contentment in God, it is the Apostle Paul. As he writes from his prison cell in Rome, Paul is overwhelmed by the concern which the Philippian church had shown him. Paul had received a very generous financial gift from them ( understand without outside support, prisoners would languish and die while in prison)
In humble thanksgiving, Paul writes, 10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
But the bottom line lesson here is that when God sends, he provides.
Not always in the way we think he should nor in the time frame we think he should, but if he’s really sending you somewhere, he’ll provide.
Conclusion:
But what about when things don’t go the way you had hoped?
Illustration: John and Eloise Bergen
Before you leave today there are two questions you need to ask yourself,
The first question is this: have you received the good news of the kingdom for yourself? Have you made Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life If not, what’s holding you back? Why not leave here today knowing for sure that your sins are forgiven and that you have a home in heaven? Will you pray this prayer with me today?
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
And here’s the second question: are you telling others about the kingdom that you possess? If not, what’s holding you back? Why not leave here today knowing that God’s got your back? That he’ll give you everything you need to spread the kingdom from here to the ends of the earth. During our closing prayer time, I’ll be saying a prayer that you can use for your own - giving yourself to God’s use for the kingdom.
Jesus told us to pray for workers for the harvest. Are you willing to not only pray that prayer, but maybe even be used by God as the answer to it?
It takes courage, but God will help you if you’re willing. Let’s pray.
