A Plea For Harvesters: Preach. Prove. Purpose. Pray. Practice
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A Plea for farmers
A Plea for farmers
Now it came to pass that a group existed who called themselves farmers. And lo, there were many crops in the land all around. In fact, the whole area was surrounded by rich fertile land filled with crops. And the crops were bustling, ripe, and ready to harvest.
Week after week, month after month, and year after year, these who called themselves farmers met in meetings and talked about their call to farm, the abundance of crops, and how they might go about farming. Year after year they carefully defined what farming means, defended farming as an occupation, and declared that farming is always to be a primary task of farmer.
Continually, they searched for new and better methods of farming and for new and better definitions of farming. Further they said, “The farming industry exists by farming as fire exists by burning.” They loved slogans such as “Farming is the task of every farmer.” They sponsored special meetings called “Farmers Campaigns” and “The Month for Farmers to Farm.” The sponsored costly nationwide and worldwide congresses to discuss farming and to promote harvesting and hear about all the ways of farming such as the new farming equipment, tractors, and whether any new harvesting tools have been invented.
These farmers built large, beautiful buildings called “Harvesting Headquarters.” The pleas were that everyone should be a farmer and every farmer should farm. One thing they didn’t do, however: They didn’t farm. They never harvested a crop.
In addition to meeting regularly, they organized a board to send out farmers to other places where there were many crops. The board hired staffs and appointed committees and held many meetings to define harvesting, to defend farming, and to decide what new lands should be thought about. But the staff and committee members did not farm. They do not harvest any crops.
Large, elaborate, and expensive training centers were built whose original and primary purpose was to teach farmers how to farm, the nature of harvesting, where to find fertile farmland, the psychological reactions of crops, and how to approach and handle crops. Those who taught had doctorates in “farmology,” but the teachers did not farm or harvest a crop. They only taught farming. Year after year, after tedious training, many were graduated and were given farming licenses. They were sent to do full-time farming, some to distant lands which were filled with rich fertile crops.
Many who felt the call to be harvesters responded. They were commissioned and sent to harvest a crop. But like the farmers back home, they engaged in all kinds of other occupations. They built power plants to pump water for crops and tractors to plow new fields. They made all kinds of equipment to travel here and there to look at silos and barns. Some also said that they wanted to be part of the harvesting party, but they felt called to furnish farming equipment. Others felt their job was to relate to the crops in a good way so the crops would know the difference between good and bad farmers. Others felt that simply letting the crops know they were nice, land-loving neighbors and how loving and kind they were was enough.
After one stirring meeting on “The Necessity for Farming and Harvesting,” one young fellow left the meeting and went farming. The next day he reported that he had harvested two outstanding crops. He was honored for his excellent catch and scheduled to visit all the big meetings possible to tell how he did it. So he quit his farming in order to have time to tell about the experience to the other farmers. He was also placed on the Farmer’s General Board as a person having considerable experience.
Now it’s true that many of the farmers sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the fertilizer and bore the smell of manure every day. They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their farmer’s clubs and the fact that they claimed to be farmers yet never farmed. They wondered about those who felt is was of little use to attend the weekly meetings to talk about farming. After all, were they not following the Master who said, “Pray to the Lord of the Harvest for more harvesters”?
Imagine how hurt some were when one day a person suggested that those who don’t farm were really not farmers, no matter how much they claimed to be. Yet it did not sound correct. Is a person a farmer if, year after year he never harvest’s a single crop? Is one following if he isn’t farming?
There is a problem in many of our churches and denominations today with regards to evangelism. Although Christ commands us to,
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
we are not going and making disciples of all nations, baptizing them, teaching, and trusting Christ is with. We live in a time when we have as much resources as the church as ever had to joyfully advance the kingdom of God, and yet the church harvesting much crop. Yes, we have sound seminaries teaching us the what the gospel is and how to share it. We have national and state associations that provide supportive resources like trainings and tracks. There are a plethora of conferences we can send our members too so they can be encouraged to share the gospel. we have online websites and apps that make it easy to not only share the gospel, but even track who you share it with and how often you pray for them. God has given us an abundant amount of resources to fulfill the Great Commission. The bottom line is, we are no different than famers who, talk about farming, but never farm. Just ask yourself, when was the last time you shared the full gospel with someone (Not just invite them to church)? When was the last time you told a lost person they needed to repent and believe the good news? When was the last time you led someone to the Lord?
In our text this morning, Jesus give us a five plea for evangelism. In the immediate context, his primary plea is for us to pray for harvesters to reap the harvest. But what kind of harvester are we looking for? It is not enough to just invite people to church or to organize programs. The gospel is really simple to share if you have certain commitments. So, I will offer you five pleas or five commitments that we need to be harvesters of the kingdom of God. This morning, we will look at one of them; proclamation.
Proclamation: Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 9:35a)
Proclamation: Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 9:35a)
Matthew brackets this portion of scripture with Matthew 4:23
23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Matthew highlights a missional kingdom theme within this scope of scripture. What you see is Jesus’ ministry initially started in the synagogues with the Jews, and eventually branches out to the Gentiles.
For instance, in chapters 5-7, Jesus instructs his disciples on how to live in the kingdom now. Moving beyond the Sermon on the Mount, he engages
more with Gentiles, including a centurion soldier. By showcasing the centurion’s remarkable faith, Jesus criticizes the faithlessness of those who consider themselves the descendants of Abraham. He stresses that faithful Gentiles will find a place at the Lord's table in paradise, while certain Jewish religious leaders will be cast into outer darkness, where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:10-13). To the Jews, this is outrageous. A Gentile sitting at the table of the Lord, even above a true descendant of Abraham? That is inconceivable to the Jew, but it is, in fact, the mission of Jesus.
Moreover, in Matthew 9:35, Jesus’ ministry reaches roughly
200 villages and cities in Galilee. Estimates suggest the population was around 3 million, encompassing Jews and Gentiles alike—men, women, children, slaves, free men, occupiers, and the oppressed—coexisting in urgent need of the gospel of the kingdom?
What is the gospel of the kingdom?
What is the gospel of the kingdom?
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
You will notice Jesus prioritizes teaching and preaching when he enters the villages and cities. He taught in their synagogues how he is the long awaited Messiah, the Christ, the Great Prophet who was greater than Moses, who will establish his everlasting rule on earth.
Jesus also taught the gospel of the kingdom. Mark captures Jesus’ explanation of the gospel as he defeated Satan and returned from the wilderness:
14 … Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus is communicating that he is the fulfillment of the Old testament promises of a Messiah. He is the means to enter the kingdom. But how? Jesus says you must repent and believe.
What is repentance?
What is repentance?
In his Doctrine of Repentance, Puritan Thomas Watson (ca. 1620–1686) writes:
“Repentance is a grace of God’s Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed.” Thomas Watson
Dave Futral, my mentor in the faith, when I was young in the faith, explained to me that repentance is a life-changing turn, an about face from sin, and a march toward God. (Ezek. 14:6;Matt. 3:8; Acts 26:20; Rev. 2:5). Scripture makes it clear that repentance is a change of heart that leads to a change life.
God exhorts his people through the prophet Ezekiel to
6 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
Jesus says to his disciples that their life must.
8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
Paul Helm describes repentance as
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Repentance
a change of mind, not about individual plans, intentions, or beliefs, but rather a change in the whole personality from a sinful course of action to God.
The change of personality is not something you can do on your own. Jesus makes it clear, your heart must be regenerated by His Spirit. Or, as he puts it to Nicodemus,
3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Jesus is alluding to God’s promise of giving his people a new heart in Ezekiel 36:26-27
26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
The only way sinners can know the things of God is with a new heart that he must provide via his Spirit. Repentance, then is a gift, work of the spirit to help you come to Christ. Paul says as much to the Roman church.
As Paul is addressing the doctrine of the depravity of man, makes says something regarding repentance that the reader would have seen as an obvious truth. He says
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
What is Paul saying in this text? Simply put, repentance is a gift of God, a gift of his kindness toward depraved sinners whom he is drawing to the Son (John 6:33-47). Burke Parsons puts it this way,
“Repentance is an act that the Holy Spirit works in us resulting in an act that flows out of us. Although it is our act, it does not originate from within us. In fact, in our naturally stubborn, rebellious hearts the whole notion of repentance is foreign. Just as our righteousness is a foreign, or “alien,” righteousness from Christ, so is our repentance. It is granted to us by God Himself.” Burke Parsons
Once your heart of stone is removed and a spiritually alive heart is given to you, only then can you understand the depravity of your sin when you hear the Law and your need for a Savior when you hear the gospel.
Martin Luther explains repentance like this:
“When a man is humbled by the law, and brought to the knowledge of himself, then follows true repentance (for true repentance begins at the fear and judgment of God), and he sees himself to be so great a sinner that he can find no means how he may be delivered from his sin by his own strength, endeavor, and works.” Martin Luther
When you find yourself in a position where you realize you are so great a sinner that you find no means to be delivered by your own strength, endeavor, or works, Jesus says you must look to him. You must believe.
What is belief?
What is belief?
Belief is faith. Faith is trust. In whom must you trust? You must trust Jesus to save you from the wrath of God. You must trust that his crucifixion was enough to atone for your sin and that God was so fully pleased with his sacrifice, that he raised him from the dead. You must trust his promise that all who call upon his name will be saved. You must believe Jesus is your only hope of salvation. This, brothers and sisters, is the gospel of the kingdom: repent and believe.
There are a few observations I want to make about my first point.
The gospel is a message that must be proclaimed.
The gospel is a message that must be proclaimed.
Once Jesus crossed the Jordan river and began his ministry, he did not begin by curing the sick, healing the disabled, feeding the hungry, casting out demons, building homes for the homeless, or creating clothing shelters. Those are important, but they are not primary. What was primary for Jesus was his message: repent and believe.
The gospel must be proclaimed with your words, words that must be heard. Paul is very clear on this:
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
What eternal good does it do a sinner to fill his stomach with bread, but deny his heart the bread of eternal life? What eternal good does it do to give a sinner a drink of water that satisfies his thirsty lips, but deny him the Living water that makes his soul never thirst again. What eternal good does it do provide glasses for the blind and hearing aids for the deaf, but deny their hearts to have eyes that see and ears that hear their only hope of salvation? It’s good for nothing if they we are a church who merely comforts sinners on earth only to have them spend their eternity in hell.
We cannot simply be a church that works. Works are necessary, but they are nor primary. The gospel message is primary. We must be a church that proclaims the full gospel of Christ: repent and believe.
Salvation is God’s work.
Salvation is God’s work.
There is an idea floating in Christian circles that Christians are to be “soul winners.” When I was young in my faith, my church had a revival. A man came from Texas and shared the gospel with teenagers in our community. When he testified to the church how the day went, he said, “ I won three souls today for the Lord.” At this point my walk with the Lord, I understand what he means when he says, “ I won three souls.” He led three people to Christ. When I was younger, I was deeply confused by his statement. How do I win souls to Jesus? Someone else in the church asked me once, “How many people have I saved for Jesus?” Once again, I was perplexed. I have not saved anyone for Jesus. Although I know these folks mean well, but I think their language is wrong. We can’t win anyone to Jesus.
We can’t save anyone for Jesus, nor does Jesus require us to save anyone. Salvation is God’s gift, every aspect of it: repentance is a gift, faith is a gift, His Spirit sealing us into his kingdom forever is a gift.
What requires of us is to proclaim his message of salvation: repent and believe. Tell the world of God’s gift of salvation. Tell the world.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Preach the gospel in season and out of season, and let God do the saving.
Validation:Prove the gospel true by your works of mercy (Matthew 9:35)
Validation:Prove the gospel true by your works of mercy (Matthew 9:35)
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
Compassion: Purpose with your heart to harvest with compassion (Matthew 9:36)
Compassion: Purpose with your heart to harvest with compassion (Matthew 9:36)
Supplication: Pray to the Lord of the Harvest (Matthew 9:38)
Supplication: Pray to the Lord of the Harvest (Matthew 9:38)
In the 19th century, during a great revival in Wales, only a small group of dedicated believers gathered to pray for the lost. They felt the weight of the world’s need, yet stood firm. Slowly, their faithful prayers ignited a movement that swept the nation, leading thousands to Christ. This historical account demonstrates that even with a few harvesters, great things can happen through prayer and dedication. Each of us can play a part in this harvest.
Vocation: Practice being a harvester (Matthew 9:38)
Vocation: Practice being a harvester (Matthew 9:38)
