SEE THE FIELDS

Two weeks ago we spoke about God calling people to follow him in full time ministry.

Last week we spoke about God using us in our work, even if it is not “ministry” it is ministry, and whatever our hand finds to do - do it unto Jesus.

This morning I want to bring them together a bit...

Not all will go, but they labor and benefit and need to still be a part of those who will go!

On three separate occasions Jesus spoke about the HARVEST and the FIELDS being ripe and ready to harvested for the Kingdom of God.

He called for His disciples to PRAY for WORKERS in the fields!!!

I am concerned at how much the American church has removed itself from seeing the needs of the HARVEST at home and abroad!

Working locally or being sent!

1. Moved with Compassion

Jesus seeing the fields was moved with compassion!

Matthew 9:35–38 NLT

35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Have we missed the heartbeat of Christ???

To see the spiritual lostness of humankind? and care enough to do something about it???

In the verses that follow Jesus sends out His disciples to the lost house of Israel to bring the truth of His word… knowing by dispersing they could reach and tell more people.

The key here is that the heart of Christ was moved with compassion.

This word compassion is seldom used in Scripture and reveals a very deep love and concern - a burden. It is almost always used in reference to Christ.

He saw the lostness of the people, their tiredness -weariness from life and not having anyone to lead them spiritually.

In America we jump from church to church to find spiritual leaders that we agree with, and yet there are communities, countries that have no LIVING WITNESS TO THE GOSPEL!!!

The areas that Kimberly and I are heading to in November are considered the darkest regions of Europe which is now known to be the darkest continent on earth spiritually.

Christianity was rejected decades ago, and two or more generations are growing up without the knowledge of Christ in completely secular environments.

We say we follow Jesus, but do we feel his heart beating for the lost that are perishing.

Christ commands us to pray for workers in the fields and to send laborers forth…

Are you aware that when we give to missions and pray for missionaries we are SENDING WORKERS OUT!!!

IN Chapter 10 - the disciples went forth with the light of the Kingdom of God!

Those who do feel called to go, but need provision from the people of God to fulfill the mission! AND OUR PRAYERS WHILE THEY ARE THERE!

2. The Time is Now

Jesus had a sense of urgency that if we are not harvesting the fields - the harvest will be lost, and that we cannot be complacent.

John 4:34–35 NLT

34 Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. 35 You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.

It is so easy for us to look out at the world and say there is time for people to come to Jesus.

When a farmer looks at a planted field, they know there is about 4 months to harvest...

But are there?

You see, if conditions are hot and dry - the wheat will ripen faster ---

Jesus is calling out that you think there is time to wait to do something, but there isn’t!

We must be URGENT to the need.

He precedes these statements this time with my meat - what feeds me, nourishes me - is to do the FATHER’s WORD AND WILL --

What is that? Working in the field of SOULS!!!

The Samaritan woman just came to faith in Christ and was already out spreading the Word to Samaria of what Jesus had done!!!

Jesus was calling HIS DISCIPLES to see the urgency of the need!

How many lives perish while we wait for a better time to do something about it???

He loving follows up with a promise that those who labor will reap and sow where others have labored and not reap where you have potentially, but because we labor we will be rewarded!

John 4:36–38 NLT

36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! 37 You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. 38 I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”

3. The Need to Send

Luke 10:1–3 NLT

1 The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. 3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.

This is another sending moment - two by two setting a standard for Hebraic Witness - he sent out 36 teams.

Jesus once again prefaces the need to pray and send laborers into the fields!

Three times! Jesus speaks of praying for the Lord to send workers to the field of souls!!!

It is really a call to go, pray, and send --- how can those who do not go themselves send - they give for others to go!

The priority here is the heart of Christ to send people to the lost!

The urgency for people to go...

We fail to remember that the churches we have here were because someone was sent!!!

(CALL JUDY UP TO SHARE THE TESTIMONY OF HER FAMILY FINDING JESUS BECAUSE OF A HOME MISSIONARY WHO CAME TO HUDSON)

CONCLUSION

Some are called to GO VOCATIONALLY

We are all called to SERVE where we are...

If you were saved in our church, you reaped because of others who sent to establish the church that is here!

The Lord wants to use us to help send those who go to where others cannot support them to establish light in the darkness!