But the Workers are Few

Big Idea: There are Three reasons the Workers are Few

Reason 1: We Don’t Share Christ’s Compassion

Matthew 9:36 LEB

And when he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were weary and dejected, like sheep that did not have a shepherd.

“Compassion” is the Greek word Splanchnizomai, from Splanchna the term for intestines. To be moved from the deepest parts of one’s being.

John 20:21 LEB

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

Matthew 10:5–8 LEB

Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them saying, “Do not go on the road to the Gentiles, and do not enter into a city of the Samaritans, but go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you are going, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near!’ Heal those who are sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, expel demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Reason 2: We Underestimate the Spiritual Oppression

Matthew 13:18–19 LEB

“You, therefore, listen to the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown on the side of the path.

2 Corinthians 4:4 LEB

among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they would not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Reason 3: We are too Concerned With Our Own Comfort

Too often we’re like the prophet Jonah, more concerned about our own comfort and convenience than we are about the dying masses all around us.

Jonah 4:10–11 LEB

But Yahweh said, “You are troubled about the plant, for which you did not labor nor cause it to grow. It grew up in a night and it perished in a night! And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than one hundred and twenty thousand people who do not know right from left, plus many animals?”

Researcher Kent Hunter says: “Our research shows that most Christians don’t have a clue to what the mission of the church is . . . up to 80% of church members believe that the primary purpose of the church is to provide a place of fellowship where Christians can share God’s love with one another rather than reach out to those who are unchurched.”

Tom Clegg says: “Jesus taught that ‘If a man owns a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?’ (Mt.18:12) But many churches have replaced the image of the seeking shepherd with one of Little Bo Peep. The nursery rhyme character has also lost her sheep and doesn’t know where to find them. Her solution is to leave them alone and they’ll come home. The problem is that people are no longer finding their way back to church. Jesus’ model is for us to get off our tails and find them.”

Application

APPLICATION: What are you willing to sacrifice this coming year in the way of time and money to reach the lost?

Pray for: “People who will reach people who need to know Jesus.”