Part 35 | Pray for Laborers
0 ratings
· 7 viewsJesus prays for laborers and calls the twelve disciples.
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
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. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
When we hear the word “ministry” our default is to think solely of pastors and missionaries—those who are called to a particular area of vocational ministry.
One of the greatest privileges of the Christian is that God has called us ALL to the work of the ministry—that is, we are all to be image bearing humans who point others to Jesus.
Tyler Adkins
- Nintendo Came Out on the Market
- Tyler was the first kid on our block to get a Nintendo
- Usually when multiple kids are in the same room with a single gaming console, they have to patiently wait their turn
- My brother and I lucked out; Tyler never wanted to play… he only wanted to “watch”
- Tyler was a spectator
Super Bowl Sunday
- Some of you are avid football fans
- But you never played a day in your life; nor do you wish to (you like avoiding concussions)
Being a spectator in the sports world is completely acceptable. Not so with Christianity.
Christians are not “fans” of Jesus; we are FOLLOWERS of Jesus
Christianity is NOT a spectator sport; God has called every real follower of Jesus to be involved in the work of the ministry.
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
My job as a pastor, is not just to DO the work of the ministry, but to equip and empower each of you to do the work of the ministry.
In today’s text, as Jesus looked over the crowds of people—who were like lost sheep without a shepherd—He instructed His disciples to pray for laborers.
This cry for laborers particular and universal.
It was particular, in that he had a specific call for the twelve apostles.
But I believe their was also a universal aspect to this prayer—because we are all called in to be laborers.
I want to focus, today, on our universal call to ministry.
Three Facets of Christ-Exalting Ministry: Proclamation, Perseverance, and Compassion
I. Proclamation
I. Proclamation
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.
Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages
Cities were normally fortified with walls, villages were not
The Jewish historian, Josephus wrote that there were no less than 200 cities and villages in the region of Galilee, an area that was about 40 miles wide and 70 miles long.
Scholars estimated that the combined population of those cities and villages would have been—at minimum—3 million people, most of which would have encountered encountered Jesus directly.
Jesus traveled these cities for specific reasons: to teach, to proclaim, and to heal.
A) Three Aspects of Jesus Ministry Jesus’ Ministry
A) Three Aspects of Jesus Ministry Jesus’ Ministry
i. Teaching
i. Teaching
Synagogues served as places of worship for the Jews
In these services you would have times of thanksgiving and blessings, some songs of praise, and the reading and teaching from the Hebrew Bible (OT)
The Jewish philosopher, Philo, who lived in Alexandria during the time of Jesus, wrote “Synagogues are mainly for the detailed reading and exposition of Scripture.”
The teaching of Scripture could be given by any qualified man, and often, the privilege was extended to visiting rabbis or dignitaries.
Jesus took advantage of that opportunity, and He would often teach in the Synagogues in a way that amazed and astonished the congregations.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
Jesus faithfully taught the Scriptures and God still still calls some to vocational teaching, but that calling is NOT for everyone.
ii. Healing (2nd Aspect of Jesus’ Ministry)
ii. Healing (2nd Aspect of Jesus’ Ministry)
Jesus not only went about teaching with authority, but He demonstrated that He was the Messiah through signs and wonders.
Matthew 8 and 9 records a cluster of Jesus’ miracles, showing the pervasiveness of His healing.
What was the point of these miracles?
That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
By healing the sick amongst many other miracles, Jesus demonstrated His deity and the fact that He was Israel’s Messiah. That was the purpose of the miracles.
iii. Proclamation of the Gospel (third aspect of Jesus’ earthly ministry)
iii. Proclamation of the Gospel (third aspect of Jesus’ earthly ministry)
Matthew 9:35 (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.
The Gospel of the Kingdom?
When the Bible talks about the Kingdom, it is speaking of the rule and reign of God, and the people who are under that rule.
Jesus inaugurated that Kingdom through His death and resurrection, and He is coming back again to consummate that Kingdom.
He His earthly ministry inviting people to move into that Kingdom through Himself.
He offered offered forgiveness, a restored relationship with God, and the ability to join this new humanity.
That invitation is open to us as well.
Jesus spent His earthly ministry proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom. And we—are are part of that Kingdom—get to take part in the Good News proclamation!
B) We Share in the Calling to Proclaim the Gospel
B) We Share in the Calling to Proclaim the Gospel
We all know that the Gospel must still be proclaimed, but often we think it is the pastor and missionaries’ job to do so.
It is not just the 12 apostles—nor just the pastors—who are called to spreading the good news of Jesus. It is the job of every believer.
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Acts 8:1–4 (ESV)
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
God has called each and every one of us to the work proclaim the good news of Jesus!
Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn't able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase that beautiful instrument. But to his great dismay it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner's home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea. "Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?" he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector's emotions were deeply stirred. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed. "It's yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it."
Friends, we have the best news in the world, and we are not meant to sit on that message. We are called to shout it from the rooftops!
The facet of Christ-exalting ministry is Gospel proclamation!
II. Perseverance (the second requirement for effective ministry)
II. Perseverance (the second requirement for effective ministry)
A) Jesus Experienced Opposition and Persecution
A) Jesus Experienced Opposition and Persecution
Matthew 9:33–34 (ESV)
And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus just set a demon-oppressed man free.
The Pharisees—the religious leaders—responded to Jesus with skepticism and condemnation.
As Jesus would move throughout His ministry, He would be questioned at every term. Ultimately, He would be hung on the cross.
Jesus’ response?
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.
In the face of opposition and rejection, He kept doing what God had called Him to do.
B) Jesus’ Followers will Experience Opposition and Persecution
B) Jesus’ Followers will Experience Opposition and Persecution
Jesus told His followers to expect persecution:
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
It is unlikely that many of us with face death owing to our faith; but times are proving to be more difficult for Christians in America.
Be mocked
Be called outcasts or deemed as bigots (be accused of a hate crimes)
Perhaps a loss of job owing to our faith
There are Christians in many parts of the world who will live their lives for the sake of the Gospel. So—in some sense, it is hard to call what we face in America true ‘persecution.’ But, I don’t want to diminish what we are going through in America either.
The secular world is becoming more antagonistic towards believers by the day.
I don’t want to downplay that.
One of the greatest human fears is the fear of rejection.
We have a need to feel as though we belong.
Psychology today reported that fMRI studies show that the same areas of the brain become activated when we experience rejection as when we experience physical pain.
Rejection is tough!
But, to be a Christian, means we continue to serve God and proclaim the Gospel, even when we are rejected and persecuted for the sake of Christ.
Illustration: Police Officers are ridiculed and disrespected; yet, they continue to serve, laying down their lives… even for those who persecute them.
To become a Christian is more, but not less, than to be willing to die for the sake of Christ. It means spend and be spent for the souls of those who persecute us.
If we are going to be successful in ministry, we must—by the power of God’s Spirit—persevere.
III. Compassion (The Third Aspect of Christ-Exalting Ministry)
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
A) The Compassion of Jesus
A) The Compassion of Jesus
As we have moved throughout Matthew chapters 8 and 9, we have seen demonstrations of Jesus love and compassion for His people.
He had compassion on the man with leprosy and healed him and restored him to the religious community.
He had compassion on the woman with the issue of blood and healed her
He had compassion on those who were oppressed by spiritual darkness and set them free.
Over and over Jesus’ demonstrated His compassion.
In addition to our text today, Matthew explicitly mentions the compassion of Jesus 3 other times in his Gospel account
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”
And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.
i.) Jesus Cared Deeply About the Physical Needs of People
Jesus welcomed the marginalized, healed the sick, set the demon oppressed free, and fed the hungry.
Jesus cared about the practical needs of people and moved in compassion.
ii) Jesus Cared Most About the Spiritual Condition of People
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
The metaphor of sheep and shepherds was one that was familiar in Israel’s history.
Israel’s leaders were likened to shepherds
“Sheep without a shepherd” was a common OT way to describe Israel without a prophet or a king to lead them.
God appointed Joshua leader after Moses, so that “the Lord’s people would not be like sheep without a shepherd.” (Numbers 27:17)
The phrase translated ‘had compassion’ is the verb form of the noun that literally refers to the intestines, or bowels.
Have you been ever hurt so badly for someone in pain, that it has made you physically sick?
Niki couldn’t eat while Connor was training to be an infantryman.
When Jesus looked upon the crowds, He was moved with compassion because he saw precious sheep scattered without a shepherd.
The religious leaders of Jesus day were not leading God’s people.
They were self-righteous, corrupt, and only concerned about themselves.
Jesus came to be their shepherd. He is making His way to the cross, laying down His life for His sheep.
B) God Calls All Christians to be People of Compassion
B) God Calls All Christians to be People of Compassion
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Jesus changed his metaphor from shepherding to farming.
He looked out and he saw people who were ready to hear the Good news of the Kingdom, but at the same time, people who were lost.
And His response was to ask his disciples to pray for laborers. To pray for others who would join Him in His Kingdom work.
The compassion that God calls us to, is not just meant to be “felt”; it is meant to move us to action:
i.) Compassion Should Move Us to Sacrificial Love
i.) Compassion Should Move Us to Sacrificial Love
Jesus spent His earthly ministry spending and be spent for the good of others and the glory of God; that is the ministry that you and I are called to.
The apostle Paul lived his life in that same way:
I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls...
The noun verb behind felt compassion refers to the intestines, or bowels
Niki couldn’t eat when Connor was ill at AIT
ii.) Compassion Moves Us to Go to the Lost
ii.) Compassion Moves Us to Go to the Lost
Jesus went to the over 3 million people throughout Galilee, because he cared about their spiritual state.
How often are willing to move out of the comfort zones of our churches four walls and go to the lost?
One Sunday evening, William Booth was walking in London with his son, Bramwell, who was then 12 or 13 years old. The father surprised his son by taking him into a saloon! The place was crowded with drunks and violent people. Booth said to his son, "These are our people; these are the people I want you to live for and bring to Christ." Years later, Bramwell Booth wrote, "The impression never left me."
Friends, if we are going to reach the lost, we are going to have to quite avoiding them, and—instead—run to them.
And Compassion will lead us to proclaim the good news of Jesus to those people!
B) Compassion Moves Us to View People Differently
B) Compassion Moves Us to View People Differently
Pastor Douglas Shawn O’Donnell, shared a story that he had in an electronics store two days before Christmas, where he went to purchase a new radio player for his hip Dodge Caravan.
The place was packed out.
When he found the stereo he wanted, the salesman took it out of the locked case and escorted him to the front of the store, giving the device to the checkout clerk.
He then turned to O’Donell and instructed him to go to the back of the line.
O’Donnell said the line was to infinity and beyond.
As he stood in line, he became frustrated and formed a critical spirit.
Let me read you his words from that point:
I looked at the guy who escorted me to the front. There he was two aisles away, flirting with some coworker. He was probably thirty years old, had greased-back black hair, and was kind of frumpy looking. I thought to myself, “What’s he living for? I bet he lives at home, takes a class or two at the local community college to pacify his worried mother, works part-time at this store, and then spends most of his paycheck on video games, the latest electronic gadgets, fast food, and Friday night drinking binges with his buddies.”Then I looked at the people in line with me. We were all roped in together—like sheep being led to slaughter. A woman was doing her best to corral us, prodding us to move along. Now remember, I had nothing in my hand. My radio—too valuable for my potently thieving hands to touch—was waiting patiently for me. But everyone around me had carts full of stuff—expensive electronic stuff. So I began to think, What is this world coming to? And what are these people living for? Do they have enough money to buy all this (from the looks of them, they don’t)? And if they do, “What does it profit a man to gain a big-screen TV but to lose his soul?” How long, O Lord, must the righteous wait for your deliverance?
But then my pseudo-Christian thoughts of disgust turned into compassion. I now looked at them and thought, Has anyone ever taught you how to handle money? Has anyone ever taught you what to live for? Has anyone ever taught you the way of salvation? Out of compassion I wanted to round them all up, bring them to church, and preach to them the meaning of Christmas—that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, that Jesus came to seek and save lost sheep.
Instead of criticizing the world around us for their liberal views and loose morality, what if we saw them as sheep without a shepherd?
Compassion should change the way in which we see people.
Instead of judging the secular world, let’s serve them, pray for them, and share the gospel with them! May the Lord grant us compassion.
Closing
Closing
Friends, we are all called to be laborers for the good of others and the glory of God.
Each of us is called to ministry.
God calls us to proclaim the message of Jesus, unashamedly
We are called to persevere—by the help of the Holy Spirit—even in the face of persecution.
And we are called to have compassion on those who are far from God. We must spend and be spent for the good of others.
The Times-Reporter of New Philadelphia, Ohio, reported in September, 1985 a celebration of a New Orleans municipal pool. The party around the pool was held to celebrate the first summer in memory without a drowning at the New Orleans city pool. In honor of the occasion, 200 people gathered, including 100 certified lifeguards. As the party was breaking up and the four lifeguards on duty began to clear the pool, they found a fully dressed body in the deep end. They tried to revive Jerome Moody, 31, but it was too late. He had drowned surrounded by lifeguards celebrating their successful season.
Friends, their is a harvest of lost people all around us. We have the message that can save them. Let’s not let them drown.