Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Charles Dickens began his 1859 masterpiece, “A Tale of Two Cities,” with the memorable poetic words, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

He continued, elegantly and insightfully, “…it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

He was in essence describing dilemmas of sentient we all experience: The simultaneous yet contradictory states of being, when there is unease, fear, and despair, on the one hand, yet optimism and idealism on the other.

But if we fast forward to 2022, we find that we are experiencing these same dilemmas today, when we are still searching for meaning in our lives.

Physically, emotionally and Spiritually.

In our text today we will explore these contrasts with regard to ministry.

As we do we will discover the Greatest Problem in Ministry and find the answer that Jesus and Scripture lead us to.

What is Ministry?

We use words so lightly.

Thinking we know what they mean yet never really define them.

"Ministry" is from the Greek word diakoneo, meaning "to serve" or douleuo, meaning "to serve as a slave."

In the New Testament, ministry is seen as service to God and to other people in His name.

Jesus provided the pattern for Christian ministry.

Real ministry is always in the context of the cross.

Ministry does not occur in a vacuum.

We don’t do ministry just because it is nice or noble or kind.

We do ministry with a goal in mind, a purpose or an intended goal.

Previously Jesus has called the 12 disciples to follow him, now in Luke 10 he expands the net with the sending of the 70.

Let’s look at this passage together to find how we may face the Greatest Problem facing our ministry today.

Body

I.

The Opportunity - The Best of Times - vs. 2

“…the harvest truly is great.”

Jesus is commissioning 70 followers to go out 2 by 2 to reach the lost, to preach the gospel, to minister to needs.

Are you a pessimist or an optimist?

Look around you.

We are still reeling from the COVID Pandemic, the economy is tanking, Gas prices are nearing $5.00 per gallon, there is war in Ukraine, threats from North Korea and China, and right here in the U.S. we see crime, school shootings and political division all around us.

Our world needs Jesus like never before.

The harvest is plentiful, the fields are white unto harvest.

It is interesting to note that when Jesus said this he had just spoken to the Samaritan woman.

She had gone back to her town and told the people about Jesus and they are coming back to see him.

It is the time that they are planting the crops, they are dressed in white to ward off the sun as they work planting in the fields.

As they come out Jesus looks out and sees not the crops, but the people and says the fields are white unto harvest.

Don’t look at the physical world and its problems, look at the spiritual world and it’s opportunity.

II.

The Obstacle - The Worst of Times - vs 2.

“…but the labourers are few.”

This is the greatest problem.

It is a problem that is beyond human ability to solve.

But God is not a stranger to insurmountable odds.

There were only 8 people on the Ark, yet God birthed an entire Hebrew nation from those 8.

There were only 12 in the upper room, yet God turned the world upside down with those disciples following the resurrection.

Jesus helped Peter catch so many fish that his boat was sinking.

yet they called for help and brought in the catch.

Jesus prescription for this problem?

Prayer.

Pray the Lord of the Harvest, to send forth Laborers.

Stop and pray right now.

III.

The Outcome - Now is the time - vs 3

You are the solution.

I thought it was interesting that in the Thompson Chain reference Bible the chain next to verse 2 where says the laborers are few is labeled indifference.

Someone once asked a congregation member in a Baptist Church, “What is the difference between ignorance and apathy?”

The congregant answered, “I don’t know and I don’t care.”

You will never be able plead ignorance when it comes to ministry.

You have been told.

God has given you his great salvation, you are required to share it.

Conclusion

What will you do?

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

Will you seize the moment?

Will you labor for him?

Will you share the gospel?

Will you do ministry?

For some of you maybe, before you can answer the call to ministry, you must answer the invitation to be saved.

It is as simple as ABC....