The Harvest Is Plentiful

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