LABORERS FOR THE HARVEST

The Compassionate Shepherd

Christ had great compassion for the people who were suffering.

Isaiah 53:4 “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.”

He saw that the greatest need of the people was spiritual.

Matthew 4:4 “But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”” (See Deuteronomy 8:3)

He saw that they were in need of a Good Shepherd.

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Matthew 18:12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?”

Few Laborers and a Plentiful Harvest

There is a huge harvest of lost people who need Christ.

John 4:35 “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.”

There are only few Christians to reach them.

Matthew 7:14 “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

See Romans 10:13-15...

Christ didn’t immediately tell them to go into the harvest.

See Matthew 28:19-20...

Look to the Lord of the Harvest

Since the task is so great, we must seek help from the Lord.

2 Corinthians 2:16 “to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?”

2 Corinthians 3:5 “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,”

Since only the Lord can save the lost, prayer is vital to our efforts.

See 1 Corinthians 3:5-7...

Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

See Ezekiel 37:1-14...

2 Corinthians 5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Christ sent the very ones that He called to pray.

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

Personal evangelism is very good. Giving money to the church and missions is very good. But praying is absolutely essential. Without the help of the Lord, we labor and give money in vain. But when we pray, we get the help of the Holy Spirit. Money can help send out and support missionaries. Churches, Bible Colleges, and seminaries can teach and train people to serve. Congregations can call and elect Pastors and send out missionaries. But the Holy Spirit alone can make ministers of the Gospel, and raise up Christians to be workers in the great spiritual harvest, who are not ashamed of the Gospel. Never, never forget that if we want to reach the world with the Gospel, our first duty is to pray!