"What The Church Needs To Hear"

What the Church Needs to Carry Out Its Mission

(Proverbs 14:4 serves as a metaphor for ministry.)

ESV -Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,

but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

NKJV -Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;

But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

Message–No cattle, no crops;

a good harvest requires a strong ox for the plow.

NLT–Without oxen a stable stays clean,

but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

-PRAY

Opening Story:

A few years ago, a small-town pastor in the Midwest was invited to tour a nearby farm.

The owner, a seasoned farmer in his 70s, was proud of his land.

He walked the pastor through rows of golden corn, stacks of hay, and finally to his spotless, freshly painted red barn.

“This here,” the farmer said with a grin, “is the cleanest barn in the whole county.

No manure. No hay scattered. No feed buckets turned over. It’s spotless.”

The pastor looked around, impressed. Then he asked, “Where are your animals?”

The farmer chuckled. “Oh, I sold all my livestock last year. Too much work. Too messy. Too loud. Now, I’ve got peace, quiet—and a clean barn.”

The pastor nodded. “But no milk, no meat, no income?”

The farmer shrugged. “Yeah… none of that either.”

As the pastor left that day, he couldn’t help but think, “That’s a picture of too many churches today.”

According to Barna research, over 4,500 churches close their doors every year in America.

Pastors are resigning in record numbers. Volunteers are burning out.

Some churches boast a perfectly organized schedule, a sleek website, and clean facilities—yet they’ve lost the messy, gritty, spirit-driven work of ministry.

No new believers. No baptisms. No community impact. Clean barns… but no oxen.

Proverbs 14:4 puts it this way:

“Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.”

You see, if you want the harvest, you have to deal with the mess.

Ministry is messy. Growth is messy. People are messy. But that’s where the power is.

That’s where the increase is.

Tonight, we’re going to take a closer look at the ox—what it represents, what it requires, and why your church, your family, your spiritual life needs one in the barn.

I. People Who Will Work (The Oxen)

"Much increase is by the strength of the ox."

The ox is not ornamental — it’s functional. It's not clean — it’s crucial.

We need believers who are willing to serve, sweat, and suffer for the gospel.

Paul told Timothy to “endure hardness, as a good soldier” (2 Tim. 2:3). You have to be able to take punches…one little word = hurt feelings

Jesus said, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2). 20/80 rule. We question why aren’t we reaching, but the truth is not enough hands…

Too many want a seat, but not a yoke. we want a seat at the finest table but want no commitment

The word for "laborers" in Greek is ergatēs (ἐργάτης) — a field-worker, not a theorist.

We don’t need consultants—we need committed co-laborers.

II. Precision in the Work (The Plow)

Illus. butter knife

Have you come across a project where you need a screwdriver quick but can’t find one…

It’s a simple fix but you can’t find the right screwdriver

So you go to the other toolbox

The kitchen drawer

Low and behold there it is. A butter knife

You use it and it works but way more slow eats than the right tool

Too many churches are trying to use butter knives as screwdrivers!!

Oxen were valuable not only for their power, but for precision—they plowed straight lines to maximize planting and growth.

The Church needs clarity in doctrine, direction, and discipleship.

Sloppy theology leads to crooked furrows.

We are called to "rightly divide" the Word (2 Tim. 2:15) — the Greek is orthotomeō (ὀρθοτομέω), meaning to cut straight, like a plowline.

Precision doesn’t mean perfection, but it means we’re intentional.

Too many churches are stuck in the rut of what’s fun and familiar instead of WORKING the Farm!!

Without clarity:

Ministries compete, not cooperate.

The mission becomes confused with maintenance.

Disciples become disoriented.

I would tell you to align the plow with the mission: the Gospel, the Great Commission, and godly growth.

III. Power for the Work (The Strength)

“...by the strength (kôach) of the ox.”

This is not just manpower—it’s God-given capacity.

Acts 1:8 – “You shall receive power (dunamis) after the Holy Ghost has come upon you…”

Zechariah 4:6 – “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord.”

The church doesn't move forward on personality, programs, or popularity.

We need the Spirit’s power: conviction, courage, and conversion.

Power that:

Breaks hardened hearts

Binds up the wounded

Builds up the body of Christ

The modern church often wants sleek branding but lacks spiritual burden.

We want a stage without the strain.

But the harvest requires Holy Spirit horsepower.

Conclusion: It Will Get Messy… But It Will Be Worth It

Let’s go back to Proverbs 14:4.

The clean stall looks appealing—but it’s empty.

No manure, no mud… and no mission.

Jesus walked dusty roads, touched lepers, and flipped tables.

Ministry wasn’t sterile—it was sweaty, gritty, and glorious.

And He told us, “Follow Me.”

Illus. My daughters—Hog Shows

Life Application: How Do We Join the Mission?

1. Get in the Yoke (People):

Ask yourself: Where can I serve? Where am I resisting the yoke of ministry?

Prayer: “Lord, make me usable—even if it means getting messy.”

-Give me the job nobody wants…

2. Sharpen the Plow (Precision):

Are your beliefs and direction aligned with God’s Word?

Is your practice aligned with God’s word?

Action Step: Commit to a Bible study or discipleship group or plan this month.

Get doctrinally sharp.

3. Plug into the Power (Power):

Are you doing God’s work in your own strength?

Challenge: Set aside 15 minutes daily to pray for Spirit empowerment.

Not just to “do” — but to be filled.

Final Word:

You can have a clean church or a fruitful church—but not both.

Let’s choose the mess, for the sake of the mission.

Because “much increase is by the strength of the ox.”

-Pray