Where are the Multitudes?

TEXT: Matthew 13:1-2

TOPIC: Where are the Multitudes?

Pastor Bobby Earls, Northgate Baptist Church, Florence, SC

March 20, 2022

This morning our text is found in the first Gospel of the New Testament, the Gospel according to Saint Matthew chapter 13.

1 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Matthew 13:1-2 (NKJV)

This message from Matthew 13 raises a question for us to consider here at Northgate. And the question is, “Where are the Multitudes?”

Verse one says, on the same day. This particular day for Jesus was not unlike many others. The crowds surrounding Him were growing larger every day. In fact, they had become so numerous that He was forced to leave the smaller confines of a house to go to a small boat, push back from the crowds on the shore, and using the natural amplification of the water, Jesus preached to the multitudes.

What preacher today wouldn’t like to move out of his accustomed place of preaching in order to support the crowds? But that has not been our problem for a while now has it? But why not and why shouldn’t it be? What was it that Jesus offered to the multitudes that our church may not be offering in our day?

So let’s dare ask the question this morning; where are the multitudes? If our church or any church is to reach the multitudes of our day, we must offer what Jesus offered to the people of His day, which was a new message with a new ministry.

I. JESUS OFFERS A NEW MESSAGE

A. Through His Preaching, Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:16-22

14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:14-15 (NKJV)

Jesus preached and Jesus preached the Gospel. My pastor use to say that God had only one Son, and He made him a preacher!

In fact, Mark tells us Jesus preached the Gospel, the Kingdom of God and repentance.

Jesus’ preaching was different from that of the religious leaders of his day. Whereas the Pharisees and the Sadducees spoke from the traditions of men, Jesus preached the Gospel according to the Word of God, and the multitudes said, “No man ever spoke like this man.”

Look at Luke 4:16, 16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." 20 Then He closed the book, and gave itback to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." 22 So all bore witness to Him and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. Luke 4:16-22 (NKJV)

Application: We live in an uncertain and dangerous world. People today are still looking for a message of hope and security. The Gospel of God’s offer of forgiveness, love, and eternal life is still a message people need to hear.

Remind your friends, neighbors, work associates and family that God loves them and that Jesus offers them hope both in this world and the world to come!

And always begin with God’s love. John 3:16, that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

Like Jesus preaching, our preaching today must also call people to repent of sin in their lives by confessing and turning from sin, and living lives that are pleasing and holy; dedicated to God.

That is what Kingdom preaching is all about, calling men to live for something that is higher than themselves. To understand we’re not here for ourselves but for Him and His kingdom. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Matthew 6:33

Jesus offers a new message through His preaching but also in His teaching.

B. In His Teaching, Mark 12:37; Matthew 5 - 7

Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?" And the common people heard Him gladly. Mark 12:37 (NKJV)

Now preaching and teaching are very similar but there is a difference. Preaching is much more exhortative, emotional and forceful whereas teaching is didactic, it informs, explains and enlightens. Teaching appeals to the head while preaching appeals to the heart. Preaching is performed before the masses while teaching is most often practiced before smaller assemblies. We need both. Both are important.

But preaching is primary. It comes first. The reason the pulpit is the center piece in a Baptist sanctuary is because the preached word is foundational to all we do.

Someone put it this way: “First the preacher with the Bible in his hand and then the teacher with his hand on the Bible. The preacher passionately proclaims the gospel, repentance and the Kingdom of God. A small boy comes and gives His heart to Jesus not fully understanding everything about the Christian message, its faith, and its doctrines. But then the teacher steps in and with his hand upon this boy, this infantile believer, he begins to instruct him in the ways of the Lord until he is a fully committed disciple capable of teaching others also.”

Before we leave this new ministry of teaching which Jesus did so well, look at one of His best-known lectures, Matthew 5 – 7.

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, Matt 5:1-2 (NKJV)

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matt 7:28-29 (NKJV)

II. JESUS OFFERS A NEW MINISTRY

Jesus offers a new ministry, and that ministry often began where people hurt. Jesus cared about hurting people. He often responded to individuals based upon what we call today, “their felt need.”

A. Physically, Luke 6:17-19

17 And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases,

18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. Luke 6:17-19 (NKJV)

There’s no denying that Jesus touched people and healed them of their hurts. While we may not have the same power Jesus possessed to heal the sick or cause the blind to see or even raise the dead. We can minister to those who are hurting with the oppressions of this life.

A kind word spoken to those who are grieving; a bowl of fruit for the sick can still bring a smile; or a caring card or a call to the lonely makes a difference. We should still feed the hungry.

And we certainly offer those same ministries to our community, we can always do more. You’ve heard it said and you know it’s true, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

We have to care for people if we are to reach the multitudes as Jesus did.

B. Spiritually, Mark 10:52; John 8:11

Blind Bartimaeus: Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:52 (NKJV)

The Woman Caught in Adultery: She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." John 8:11 (NKJV)

Jesus often began with the physical, felt need of people but He quickly moved on to an even more important need, the spiritual need of humanity.

Jesus said to blind Bartimaeus now made whole, "Go your way; your faith has made you well."

To the woman taken in adultery He said, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

As we look to our future as a church, we know to be like our Lord Jesus Christ, we must offer a new ministry that meets the needs of people both physically and spiritually and we must continue to offer the message of the Gospel to a lost and dying world!