The harvest is plent, the Labourers are few MT 9:35-38

Introduction

Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?

And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?

And how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how shall they preach unless they are sent?

This is the concern that Jesus has in the Matthew 9:35-38.

Jesus spent his time during his earthly ministry doing good. He did this because he had a deep love and compassion for people.

Jesus looked at the people who surrounded him and he saw they had real problems and he sought to deal with them. He saw their suffering. He saw the problem of their sin, their separation from God. He did something about it.

But not only did he do something about it. He also calls those who follow him to do something about it too. Of course, we can’t save. But we call tell about the Saviour.

What are we doing for the good of other people?

I. Jesus went about doing good v.35

Going- imperfect this was a continual ministry of his.

Teaching-

In the synagogues. Explaining and expounded the word of God.

Luke 4:16-21. Read Isaiah 61. Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.

Preaching-

Proclaiming, heralding a message.

Gospel of the kingdom-

God’s Kingdom was at hand. Christ was going to the cross and would rise again so that men may be made new and be brought into God’s kingdom.

God had one Son and he made him a preacher.

Healing-

The miracles authenticated the message, but were also proof of his love.

Application

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” ??John Wesley??

This is what Christ did.

Those of us who belong to him are we like this?

If you aren’t a Christian then you need to know the reason Jesus spent his time going around and doing good is because he is a good and loving Saviour. He wants to do you good. He wants to save your soul.

II. Jesus was moved with compassion v.36

a) He saw the need of men-

They were harassed and helpless- Spiritually

Sin ruins people and they have no remedy in themselves.

They were like sheep without a shepherd. They had no one to lead them. This was probably referring to the religious leaders in that day adding to people’s burdens rather than offering them freedom.

People’s need is the same today. Human nature is the same.

Just as the leaders then, there are some today who claim to be shepherds but they are more concerned with issues like climate change than they are for the souls of men and women.

b) He felt compassion-

More than human pity. Divine compassion.

Matthew 14:14 “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.”

Mark 1:41 “Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.””

This compassion of Christ is what brought him from heaven to earth. This is what made him go to the cross.

Preach gospel

Application

Have you come to this compassionate Saviour?

Your needs are the same as the people here.

Christians do we have the compassion of Christ in us?

With a soul blood-bought and a heart aglow

Redeemed of the Lord and free;

I ask as I pass down the busy street,

"Is it only a crowd I see?

Do I lift my eyes with a careless gaze

That perceives no deep-down woe?

Have I naught to give to the teeming throng

Of the wealth of the love I know?"

As I read in the gospel story oft

Of the Christ who this earth once trod,

I fancy I see His look on the crowd,

That look of the Son of God.

He saw not a number in might and strength,

But a shepherdless flock distressed;

And the sight of those weary fainting sheep,

Brought grief to His loving breast.

Dear Lord, I ask for the eyes that see

Deep down to the world’s sore need;

I ask for the love that holds not back,

But pours out itself indeed.

I want that passionate power of prayer,

That yearns for the great crowd’s soul;

I want to go ‘mong the fainting sheep,

And tell them my Lord makes whole.

Chorus

Let me look at the crowd as my Saviour did,

Till my eyes with tears grow dim;

Let me look till I pity the wandering sheep

And love them for love of Him.

III. Jesus calls to pray and go v. 37-38- 10:1,5a

a) He tells them about the harvest

The harvest is plenty- This is refering to the crop. Not the day of harvest- judgment.

John 4:35 “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”

b) He tells them about the lack of labourers

c) He tells them to pray for labourers to be sent v.38

The LORD is the one who sends. Send out- thrust out.

d) He sends them 10:1,5a

Matthew 28:18–19 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

1 Corinthians 3:9 “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.”

Application

The need is still the same today. The harvest is great. The labourers are few.

We must pray for the Lord to send labourers.

We must be willing to be sent.

Will you go?

Conclusion

What are we doing for the good of other people?

Jesus went about doing good. Jesus had compassion on the lost. Jesus calls for us to pray and go.

The harvest is plenty, but the labourers are few. Are we praying? Are we going?

Let us pray

Dear Lord, I ask for the eyes that see

Deep down to the world’s sore need;

I ask for the love that holds not back,

But pours out itself indeed.

I want that passionate power of prayer,

That yearns for the great crowd’s soul;

I want to go ‘mong the fainting sheep,

And tell them my Lord makes whole.

Let me look at the crowd as my Saviour did,

Till my eyes with tears grow dim;

Let me look till I pity the wandering sheep

And love them for love of Him.