Expedition Outward: Becoming Harvesters

Story - calling the kids to stop what they are doing and come - often they don’t want to, even though we may be going somewhere better.

As Pastor Dean and I have been preaching about for the last several weeks, we, The Lakes, have been called Outward. We have a God-given mission to bring the kingdom to the Lost. We desire to obey Jesus and live into that calling.

We want to see the lost found, people redeemed, relationships restored and God’s kingdom expanded! Jesus is looking for people like us, people who are willing to partner with him in the harvest.

Matthew 9:35–38 NIV

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

We, you and I, are being called to join in the harvesting and we are saying, “Yes!”. But how?

Today we are going to take a look at a story where someone made the choice to change allegiances and enter the kingdom of God. We will study what Jesus did and see what we can learn about being harvesters!

Luke 19:1–10 NIV

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Notice

In spite of the crowds, Jesus noticed Zacchaeus.

Imagine - very crowded. people wanting his attention. and Jesus notices one guy.

Story - William and his cowboy boots - noticing details.

Jesus stayed alert, watching for where God was a work.

He was not distracted by the admiration of the crowd

2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Notice

So what about us? Are we staying awake to God at work around us? What can we do to stay alert and notice the eternal around us?

Recognize

In spite of outward appearances, Jesus recognized God at work in Zacchaeus

If we had been in the crowd that day, we likely would have been surprised of even upset that Jesus noticed Zacchaeus.

Luke 19:2 NIV

A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.

Recognize

Perhaps we would not have been upset that he noticed Zacchaeus, what he noticed about him.

Zaccheaus was not the type of person a “good Jew” would have hung around.

But Jesus didn’t judge Zacchaeus by his vocation, morality, dress, wealth, influence, etc.

Instead, Jesus saw a man seeking him.

Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

God is a God that wants to be found! Jesus recognized the earnestness and seeking of Zacchaeus as God at work in his life.

Jesus was great at recognizing where people were on their spiritual journey toward him. We can learn that skill too!

Recognize

What about us?

Are we able to recognize where God is at work in others? Do we judge people by their appearance, their morals, or vocation? or are we able to look past those outside appearances and see where they are in their journey with God?

Adjust

In spite of his plans, Jesus adjusted to follow God at work.

Luke 19:1 NIV

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.

Luke 19:5 NIV

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”

Jesus was not rigid in his schedule because he knew his mission:

Luke 19:10 NIV

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Adjust

What about us? Do we hold tightly to our plans as if they belonged to us? Do we schedule every minute of our day leaving no margin?

or do our priorities reflect the kingdom? Are we willing to be flexible when a kingdom opportunities presents itself?

Expedition Outward: Becoming Harvesters

God has called us into the harvest field. will we say “yes”?