The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few
Matthew 9:35-8
(introduction is from Roger Thomas sermoncentral.com)
Take a look around right now?
• What do you see?
• We all know that it is possible to hear and not listen.
• But did you know that you can all see but not see all.
We have each looked for something:
maybe our car keys or worse yet the remote control.
We look and look and don’t see it anywhere.
Maybe we ask accusingly:
• our spouse or one of the kids
• what they did with it this time
• Where did they put it, are they hiding it from us?
Then they walk in the room:
go over to the coffee table, and
point it out.
We looked and looked but didn’t see!
Car keys and remote controls are one thing:
• People are another matter.
• What do you see?
Bible scholar and author D. A. Carson tells of a time when:
? he and a friend were going to the beach
? for some much-needed peace and quiet,
But when they got to the beach:
? they found a horde of high school kids
? celebrating graduation with lots of beer, loud music and,
? shall we say, public displays of affection.
He writes:
"Deeply disappointed that my evening’s relaxation was being shattered by a raucous party, I was getting ready to cover my disappointment by moral outrage. I turned to Ken to unload the venom but stopped as I saw him staring at the scene with a faraway look in his eyes. And then he said, rather softly, ’High school kids—what a mission field!’"
(D. A. Carson, When Jesus Confronts the World, p.110 (Baker Book House)
That’s the picture behind our text:
Matthew 9:36 (NIV) says…
“When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Jesus wasn’t the only one:
o looking and watching that day.
o His followers were also there But
o he may well have been the only one to see.
Following the example of Jesus means:
? that we love people and
? meet their greatest need which
? is to have salvation in Christ
Following the example and commandment of Jesus:
- means meeting the needs of people
- spreading the gospel
- and praying for workers to help bring in the harvest of lost souls
Being like Jesus means:
- we have compassion on people
- that we love people and want to help the lost
- that we interact with the lost to save the lost
Following the command of Jesus:
- means that I am sharing the gospel
- that I am busy praying for the lost, and
- that we are praying for God to send more workers to do the same
Matthew 9:35-38 (ESV)
“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
1. Jesus expressed His love through action.
“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.”
Matthew 9:35 (ESV)
The Ministry of Jesus was not stationary:
- He did not just set up a table and wait for people to come to Him
- Jesus went to where the people were,
- He came from Heaven to Earth, then He went from place to place.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:10 (NIV)
As Jesus went:
- He taught people God’s will, and He healed their bodies
- His being able to give sight to the blind and make the lame to walk
- Gave authority to His message and affirmed that He was God.
Imagine you were one of the ones Jesus healed:
- you were unable to work and provide for your family
- perhaps you were in constant pain
- maybe you were excluded from your favorite activities
And then Jesus healed you:
- how would feel after your healing?
- your body would be rid of pain and
- your heart should be filled with gratitude.
Jesus loved people enough to:
- see their hurt and understand their need
- and that hit his heart in a way that He wanted to help
- and He was able to Help and He did help
How has God helped you?
- has He helped you meet a need?
- did He lead you out of danger?
- has God He provided for you?
Think of the cross:
- the sacrifice of Jesus
- the pain He took for you
- the debt of yours that He canceled
1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)
“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.”
In light of what Jesus has done for us:
- are we doing a good job of
- meeting the needs of others?
- of sharing the blessings God has given us.
2. Jesus had compassion for the lost.
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Matthew 9:36 (ESV)
Jesus noticed people:
- saw their situation
- knew their heartache, needs and lacks
- and it affected His heart…
Some view God as:
- the creator who doesn’t care
- that is distant from people and won’t help them
- they see God as cold and unmoved by the troubles of man
That is not the God of the Bible:
- God cares deeply for you
- God wants to bless you
- God loves you!
Jesus saw the people as sheep without a shepherd:
- people that needed guidance
- people without protection
- people who needed something to eat
- people who needed someone who cared.
The message for you right now is that Jesus cares:
- He knows your struggle
- He hears your prayers
- He has a plan to deliver you
- you are not alone, and God sees you!
3. Jesus commands the disciples to pray for more workers.
“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
- Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)
The intention of Jesus is to save people from sin:
- to spread the saving message
- to reap a harvest of those interested
- to move people from lost to saved
The cross is the whole reason Jesus came to earth:
? He didn’t come just to set a good example.
? He came to offer His life as a ransom for many.
? in the most painful and humiliating way
Jesus entered the world to save the world from sin:
- we are all guilty of sin and all have earned Hell
- but through the CROSS
- JESUS made forgiveness of sin available to ALL
1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV)
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
To be saved:
- people need to turn from sin
- turn towards Christ
- and accept the Lord as their master
- to be obedient to the Gospel
Our job is not to:
- save people by our own message
- not to save people by our own righteousness
- our job is to get the message out!
When I picked this message:
- I thought I would push the idea
- that there are a lot of lost people and
- we need to get out and share the message more
Basically, I would preach this text:
- the way I have heard it preached with
- the basic idea being that the harvest of souls is out there
- and we need to work harder to bring in the harvest
- we need to stop being shy and lazy
- we need to be bold and busy for the Lord!
I think that is a good and true message:
- I’m just not convinced that is what Jesus is saying in the text
- Jesus does say the harvest of souls GREAT and READY for harvest
- but the command is to pray for workers
Listen to Jesus in Matthew 9:37-8
“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
The assumption is that we are in fact:
- already working at our highest ability
- to share the gospel and bring souls to salvation
- the command is to pray harder, not to work harder.
When did prayer become a secondary work of the Church?
During harvest time:
- farmers are out on the combine
- the whole family gets involved in harvest
- food is prepared, grain trucks and combines work in tandem
- sleep is lost and the priority is to get the corn out of the field ASAP
People are greatly motivated:
- to get the harvest in while it is possible
- fighting against bad weather and the clock
- to get the grain out of the field and into a bin or truck
When the crop is ready for harvest:
- no one can afford to be lazy
- if ever there is time to be busy, it is now
- because you don’t want to lose the crop
Back to the message of Jesus:
- the assumption is that the Christian is already working hard
- the command is to pray for more workers to bring in the harvest
- the command is to pray….
(slow down Gary)
And Yet prayer is the one thing:
- that we people seem to put off
- that we neglect
- that sweet hour of prayer never seems to come…
Yet the Bible teaches that “Praying”:
- is the main thing
- that it is not secondary or optional
- in fact we ought to know that prayer is the main work!
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) is clear…
“NEVER STOP PRAYING.”
We ought to be praying:
- for more workers
- for our own boldness to share the gospel
- for the hearts of those who need salvation
The list of what to pray about is endless and
we need to start praying NOW...
“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:35-38 (ESV)
Review:
1. Jesus expressed His love through action.
- He noticed people and cared for their real needs
2. Jesus had compassion for the lost.
- His actions were passed out of real love for this hurting
3. Jesus commands the disciples to pray for more workers.
- Jesus told us to pray
- when we are praying God has us right where we need to be
Where is your heart today?
Is it only focused on you, or
are you moved to help others because you see their pain?
If that describes you then you are seeing people like Jesus sees people?
I want to see people:
- the way Jesus sees them
- not through my own judgmental and critical eyes
- not through the eyes of a pharisee
- I want to see people the way Jesus sees people
When Jesus sees people:
- He wants to help them
- He has compassion for them
- His heart hurts for them to the point He would do anything….
Jesus loves you so much He really would do anything for you.
- how do I know that?
- Jesus saw you in your worst condition, in sin and rebellion to Him
- and He stretched out His arms on the cross and showed you how much He loves you…
Jesus has proven His love for us by His actions:
- and now He is calling us to come to His side
- to turn from the sin that destroys us
- to submit to His in immersion
- to live for Him who died for you!
Today’s invitation is also:
- for the saved.
- to be more faithful in spreading the gospel to the lost
- to submit to a life of obedience and prayer.
We might say we would do anything for God:
- but will we pray?
- will we pray?
Credit:
The introduction is from Roger Thomas sermoncentral.com.
“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.”
Matthew 9:35 (ESV)
The Ministry of Jesus was not stationary:
- He did not just set up a table and wait for people to come to Him
- Jesus went to where the people were,
- He came from Heaven to Earth, then He went from place to place.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:10 (NIV)
As Jesus went:
- He taught people God’s will, and He healed their bodies
- His being able to give sight to the blind and make the lame to walk
- Gave authority to His message and affirmed that He was God.
Imagine you were one of the ones Jesus healed:
- you were unable to work and provide for your family
- perhaps you were in constant pain
- maybe you were excluded from your favorite activities
And then Jesus healed you:
- how would feel after your healing?
- your body would be rid of pain and
- your heart should be filled with gratitude.
Jesus loved people enough to:
- see their hurt and understand their need
- and that hit his heart in a way that He wanted to help
- and He was able to Help and He did help
How has God helped you?
- has He helped you meet a need?
- did He lead you out of danger?
- has God He provided for you?
Think of the cross:
- the sacrifice of Jesus
- the pain He took for you
- the debt of yours that He canceled
1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)
“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.”
In light of what Jesus has done for us:
- are we doing a good job of
- meeting the needs of others?
- of sharing the blessings God has given us.
2. Jesus had compassion for the lost.
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Matthew 9:36 (ESV)
Jesus noticed people:
- saw their situation
- knew their heartache, needs and lacks
- and it affected His heart…
Some view God as:
- the creator who doesn’t care
- that is distant from people and won’t help them
- they see God as cold and unmoved by the troubles of man
That is not the God of the Bible:
- God cares deeply for you
- God wants to bless you
- God loves you!
Jesus saw the people as sheep without a shepherd:
- people that needed guidance
- people without protection
- people who needed something to eat
- people who needed someone who cared.
The message for you right now is that Jesus cares:
- He knows your struggle
- He hears your prayers
- He has a plan to deliver you
- you are not alone, and God sees you!
3. Jesus commands the disciples to pray for more workers.
“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
- Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)
The intention of Jesus is to save people from sin:
- to spread the saving message
- to reap a harvest of those interested
- to move people from lost to saved
The cross is the whole reason Jesus came to earth:
? He didn’t come just to set a good example.
? He came to offer His life as a ransom for many.
? in the most painful and humiliating way
Jesus entered the world to save the world from sin:
- we are all guilty of sin and all have earned Hell
- but through the CROSS
- JESUS made forgiveness of sin available to ALL
1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV)
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
To be saved:
- people need to turn from sin
- turn towards Christ
- and accept the Lord as their master
- to be obedient to the Gospel
Our job is not to:
- save people by our own message
- not to save people by our own righteousness
- our job is to get the message out!
When I picked this message:
- I thought I would push the idea
- that there are a lot of lost people and
- we need to get out and share the message more
Basically, I would preach this text:
- the way I have heard it preached with
- the basic idea being that the harvest of souls is out there
- and we need to work harder to bring in the harvest
- we need to stop being shy and lazy
- we need to be bold and busy for the Lord!
I think that is a good and true message:
- I’m just not convinced that is what Jesus is saying in the text
- Jesus does say the harvest of souls GREAT and READY for harvest
- but the command is to pray for workers
Listen to Jesus in Matthew 9:37-8
“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
The assumption is that we are in fact:
- already working at our highest ability
- to share the gospel and bring souls to salvation
- the command is to pray harder, not to work harder.
When did prayer become a secondary work of the Church?
During harvest time:
- farmers are out on the combine
- the whole family gets involved in harvest
- food is prepared, grain trucks and combines work in tandem
- sleep is lost and the priority is to get the corn out of the field ASAP
People are greatly motivated:
- to get the harvest in while it is possible
- fighting against bad weather and the clock
- to get the grain out of the field and into a bin or truck
When the crop is ready for harvest:
- no one can afford to be lazy
- if ever there is time to be busy, it is now
- because you don’t want to lose the crop
Back to the message of Jesus:
- the assumption is that the Christian is already working hard
- the command is to pray for more workers to bring in the harvest
- the command is to pray….
And Yet prayer is the one thing:
- that we people seem to put off
- that we neglect
- that sweet hour of prayer never seems to come…
Yet the Bible teaches that “Praying”:
- is the main thing
- that it is not secondary or optional
- in fact we ought to know that prayer is the main work!
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) is clear…
“NEVER STOP PRAYING.”
We ought to be praying:
- for more workers
- for our own boldness to share the gospel
- for the hearts of those who need salvation
The list of what to pray about is endless and
we need to start praying NOW...
“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
