2.22.26 5.25.2025 See Matthew 9.35-38

Start:

Entice: At some point in the past the leaders of Grayville First Christian Church clearly understood the first rule of Real-Estate.

Location! Location!Location!

There is no doubt we have great visibility here on the corner of the 4-way stop. We can be seen by everyone.

More importantly, if we are paying attention we can see virtually everything that goes goes on. 

Engage: How have you sought points of contact or ministry impacts with people in this community? Would it surprise you to know that it’s not as hard as it may seem? You don’t have to be “God in flesh!” You don’t have to be a Preacher or Elder. In fact, much of the ministry that needs done can only be accomplished in the moment when a need is presented.

Jesus shows us, tells us, and equips us—then He sends us. 

Expand: Jesus himself was constantly pursuing ministry. Many  who heard Him, saw Him, and who felt His touch didn’t really grasp what was going on. He did it without fanfare because Kingdom ministry was the reason for His mission. Eventually His body would  be broken on the cross.

But think about all of those

broken spirits He touched,

all the

broken bodies He fixed,

and

broken relationships He mended

on the way to that Cross. True discipleship not only worships and celebrates Jesus, disciples try and emulate His commitment to ministry.

Excite: Vocational ministry has advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that I generally know what to say. The disadvantage is that  Outside of the Church people have their guard up around me. They sort of expect me to insert Jesus into every conversation. For most of us then,  local ministry requires that we play a long game. We must be patient like farmers waiting the natural process of growth leading to the harvest. 

Matthew 9:35–38 ESV

35 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. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Explore:

Jesus models ministry and then includes us in ministry.

Expand: For all that is profound about the words and deeds of Jesus His model of ministry is based on a few simple commitments. 

Body of Sermon: Like Jesus we must be 

1 Present

When managing subordinates my favorite style of management is called Management by Walking Around. It is not micro managing. I try and be there. Intentionally. Asking questions. Inviting  criticism if necessary. Checking the pulse of the organization.  Similarly, Jesus practices Ministry by Walking Around.   The beginning of all transformative ministry is this inclusive “Thereness” We have to be there.

That means

1.1 Involvement.

Jesus went about the cities and villages. He was there. We are here. Not just be be seen but to be involved. 

Ongoing presence provides the context for 

1.2 Instruction.

Jesus was not silent. He taught and he proclaimed that His presence brought the Kingdom’s presence. 

We are here in this place to do the same. We know the native language. It is our job both show and to tell the stories of Jesus in a medium that can be understood in 21st century southeastern Illinois. 

Our involvement and instruction lead naturally to 

1.3 Intervention. 

Immanuel horsepower is a bit different than what we bring to the task. Yet, Jesus enhances our gifts and multiplies our ministry to make a difference. 

Next, since we are present we should also be 

2 Observant

We are here on the corner not only to be seen…but to see. In seeing we understand the impact of sin and the damage it causes. 

When we are observant we will be

2.1 Motivated by compassion. 

When we are observant we will be

2.2 Motivated by understanding.

People are harassed.

People are helpless. 

Finally, being there and being aware invites us to be 

3 Responsive

In vs. 35 and 36 we see what Jesus did, we observe His model of ministry. In vs. 37-38 Jesus speaks. He directs disciples to respond to the needs we see because we are here.

That means 

3.1 Understanding the need.

3.2 Participating in the Plan.

Like the clause in the Lord’s Model prayer “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, the prayer to “send out laborers” is as much a promise as a plea. We pray for more disciples to do what we are committed to doing. 

Shut Down

All of us have at various times, been served by the Church. We have felt the arms of Jesus in the hugs of His people. We have known His love in theirs. If we who are a part of the body need one another, think of those who are not a part of the body. Think of how acutely they need to know Jesus through us.

His words resonate in our mouths. His actions inform our deeds of ministry. His example of being there and being aware helps us to know how to reach out to those crushed by sin. It can be mentally exhausting and physically wears one out. Yet there is no better investment in the life of discipleship that to be in the whitened  fields helping to cultivate the crop and gather the harvest.