Laborers in His harvest
Laborers in His harvest
Mt 5; 7; 9 10/5/08 p.m.
Mt 9:35-38 35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary( harassed) and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
- Jesus went teaching, preaching the gospel
- when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them,
- because they were weary( harassed) and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Some of this evenings headlines
Germany guarantees savings in global finance crisis -
Europeans scramble to save failing banks (AP) -
Economic Unrest Shifts Electoral Battlegrounds -
Germany acts to guarantee savings -
Iceland moves to shore up economy -
No banks bail-out fund for Europe -
Livni: Time running out on Israel-Palestinian deal –
Egypt's top diplomat in Iraq; 11 die in US raid -
Turkey buries 15 soldiers slain in rebel attack –
18 illegal immigrants killed in Turkey road crash –
Many casualties as Kurds and Turks clash in border region -
Iran to enrich uranium even if fuel supply guaranteed -
AP Investigation: Ike environmental toll apparent (AP) -
Strong earthquake jolts Central Asia -
Israelis see delay in Iran-Russia missile deal -
What Happens When We Die? (Time.com) -
Lesbian demands 6-year-old be taken away from her mom
'Bride,' 'groom' can't marry in California
Prospect of Obama victory raises fears
Virginia governor endorses ban on 'Jesus' prayer
Librarians: Christian books make 'gays' feel inferior
'Jesus was a Palestinian,' claims U.S. history text
University rewarded for studying 'exotic dancers'
Player has finger amputated to continue football season
Christian campaign website endorses Obama as pro-life
Militant Obama youth march to 'Alpha, Omega' chant
Report: Palestinians on alert for Hamas West Bank takeover
Oldest 'Footprints' on Earth Found
The oldest-known tracks of a creature apparently using legs have been discovered in rock dated to 570 million years ago in what was once a shallow sea in Nevada. Scientists think land beasts evolved from ancient creatures that left the sea and evolved lungs and legs.
- 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
The Laborers’ nature & character
Mt 5:1-11 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Laborers’ effect on the world
Mt 5:13-16 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Laborers’ Creed
Mt 7:1-5 “Judge 1 (Condemn) not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what 2judgment (Condemnation) you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
The Laborers’ Warning
Mt 7:6 6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
The Laborers’ “Secret Weapon”
Mt 7:7-11 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
The Laborers’ Reality
Mt 10:16-23 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
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1 Condemn
2 Condemnation