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Intro: A Prosperous Ministry (v. 35)

V. 35 - is a general statement pertaining to the ministry Jesus has performed throughout chapters 8-9. You could just as easily move this verse to 8:1 as an introductory statement.

Matthew’s theme is moving to a shift in the ministry of Jesus in chapter 10.

Chps. 1-4 - introduction of Jesus Christ

Chps. 5-7 - laying the foundations of Christ’s doctrine.

Chps. 8-9 - demonstrating Christ’s activity.

Chp. 10 - expanding Christ’s ministry through the disciples.

John makes this statement in John 21:25, which I believe we can see when we break down the continual activity of Jesus in Matt. 8-9:

John 21:25 KJV 1900

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Matt. 8:1-4 - Jesus heals a leper.

Matt. 8:5-13 - Jesus heals the centurion’s servant.

Matt. 8:14-17 - Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law.

Matt. 8:18-22- Jesus attempts to grow his discipleship.

Matt. 8:23-27 - Jesus calms the sea.

Matt. 8:28-34 - Jesus threw out the legion of demons from the man at Gergesene

Matt. 9:1-8 - Jesus heals the paralytic.

Matt. 9:9-13 - Jesus calls a tax-collector named Matthew to be his disciple.

Matt. 9:14-17 - Jesus defends his doctrine and ministry in regards to fasting.

Matt. 9:18-26 - Jesus heals the official’s daughter and the woman with an issue of blood.

Matt. 9:27-31 - Jesus heals two blind men.

Matt. 9:32-34 - Jesus caused a dumb man to speak through casting out of a demon.

All of this activity brings us to this concluding statement:

A prosperous ministry is an intentionally going ministry.

A prosperous ministry teaches the people.

A prosperous ministry proclaims the Gospel of the Kingdom.

A prosperous ministry is involved in the miraculous for the benefit of the hurting.

Christ Had A Passionate Perspective (v. 36)

The word here refers to a deep-rooted emotion that required you to act.

His perspective was two-fold:

to be grievously afflicted

to be outcasts

If we desire to have a prosperous ministry here at HPBC, it will not be measured by attendance, wealth, or esteemed membership.

It can only be measured by our perspective pertaining to this world.

Is it pitiless, or is it compassionate?

Christ Knew There Was A Perilous Problem (v. 37)

After seeing His perspective, Matthew gives us Jesus’ evaluation of the situation:

The harvest is abundant.

The workers are few.

If v. 37 is true, the question is not, “Is God at work?”

1 Corinthians 3:6–7 KJV 1900

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Hear the perilous problems. There are souls souring on the vines of life because there are not enough laborers in the ministry!

Christ Responded Through Prayer And Participation! (v. 38)

First, Jesus is going to tell His disciples to pray!

The verb is a passive, imperative.

It is a command which emphasis the subject.

The word denotes a style of prayer which is begging for something that is indispensible.

Second, Jesus is going to require His disciples to be active. (Chp. 10)

There is no proxy participation in the ministry. EX: Wealth Civil War Men, or Draft Dodgers

If Jesus calls his disciples to pray for more laborers before sending them out, then the current workers are not enough to reap the whole harvest.

Conclusion: The Results of a Lost Harvest

One of the most direct ways disasters affect agriculture is through lower-than-expected production. This causes direct economic loss to farmers which can cascade along the entire value chain - even affecting the growth of the sector or entire national economies.

From 2008–2018, billions of dollars were lost as a result of declines in crop and livestock production in the aftermath of disasters.

USD 30 billion was lost in sub-Saharan and North Africa

USD 29 billion was lost in Latin America and the Caribbean

USD 8.7 billion was lost across the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean

USD 49 billion was lost in Asia