A Plea for Harvesters: Practice the Authority Given to You to Harvest (Matthew 9:38-10:15)
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Proclamation. Validation.Compassion.Supplication. Vocation.
Proclamation. Validation.Compassion.Supplication. Vocation.
Jesus has given us a Great Commission. He said,
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”
Jesus has been given complete divine authority to rule and reign over His kingdom. He grants His disciples a share of that authority to go forth and joyfully advance the kingdom of God by glorifying Jesus in the church, community, and home. He promises, “I am always with you.”
We began this series with a metaphor about farming. Just like a farmer who spends most of his time deciding who qualifies as a farmer, the best times to farm, how to farm, whom to farm with, what to farm, and where to farm, but never actually farms, many in the church spend a lot of time deciding who qualifies as an evangelist, the best times to evangelize, whom to evangelize with, how to evangelize, what to use for evangelism, and where to do it, without actually evangelizing anyone. We've acknowledged that the church is struggling to fulfill the Great Commission.
Over the past five weeks, we have learned what a good harvester looks like. A good gospel harvester proclaims the message of the gospel: repent and believe. A good harvester validates the gospel message through works of mercy. A good harvester feels genuine compassion for sinners and desires to lead them to the Good Shepherd so they can experience His Sabbath rest. A good harvester prays earnestly for God to give them eyes to see the potential of the lost and for more harvesters to rescue the perishing. Now we will see that a good harvester practices announcing the kingdom and healing the sick by the authority Jesus grants them.
Vocation: Practice announcing the kingdom and healing the sick by the authority Jesus grants you.
Vocation: Practice announcing the kingdom and healing the sick by the authority Jesus grants you.
Jesus has given you authority to Gather His Sheep (Matthew 10:1-4)
Jesus has given you authority to Gather His Sheep (Matthew 10:1-4)
In verse 1, Matthew says,
1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
Jesus calls his disciples with a purpose. He summons them to send them out into the fields to begin harvesting the elect. As he calls them, he also give them authority. The word authority denotes the right to rule or the right to control. What kind of authority does Jesus give his disciples?
Luke helps us understand more of the authority Jesus gives his disciples. Luke records,
1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,
The kind of authority Jesus gave his disciples has the power to do the same kind of gospel spreading ministry as Jesus did. He describes the authority as having the right to control or rule over the dominion of darkness by having the power to cast out unclean spirits. The disciples also have the authority and power to heal diseases and every affliction. It is an authority that comes from heaven with the resources of heaven.
Why does Jesus give his disciples such power? He gives such power for two reasons. First, it displays the nature of Jesus. J.I. Packer says,
Jesus’ miracles are decisive evidence for all time of who he is and what power he has.
J. I. Packer
The disciples of Jesus do not merely follow an ordinary rabbi. He is the Son of God. He’s proved his divine nature using his power to heal and his authority to cast out demons. To show the world that his disciples are advancing His kingdom, he gives them his decisive power and authority as more evidence to the world.
Secondly, it is the only way the kingdom will be advanced. When Jesus ascends into heaven, he will no longer lead his church the way he led the disciples on earth. He pours out his Spirit to empower believers to testify of His salvation and redemption. Jesus told his disciples,
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Jesus will bestow his Spirit upon his disciples, enabling them to wield his power and authority in gathering the elect. We must grasp the source of this authority in our harvest. We do not call sinners to repent through our own authority. We do not drive out demons or heal the sick by our own name or strength. Jesus reigns as the king of His kingdom. All power and authority is derived from him, flows through him, and in return all praise and honor for salvation is directed towards him, and is intended for him. This underscores the importance of praying for the lost and remaining steadfast in the struggle between God’s kingdom and Satan’s tyranny.
Sometimes it feels like the church is sinking to her peril, that the darkness is prevailing, especially when no one wants to listen to the good news of God’s salvation. It makes you want to sit in your pew and do nothing. The reality is, however, Satan’s kingdom has been put on notice.
John Calvin is right to say,
The whole of Satan’s kingdom is subject to the authority of Christ.
John Calvin (French Reformer)
Charles Spurgeon says,
The highest sin and the deepest despair together cannot baffle the power of Jesus.
Charles Spurgeon
You have nothing to fear, brothers and sisters when you share the gospel. Jesus has promised you the harvest is ripe, and he has given you the power and authority to gather His sheep.
Jesus practices what he preaches. In verses 3-4, he names the twelve apostles and then he sends them out to gather the lost sheep of Israel. With that, we notice that he changes the metaphor from gathering the harvest to gathering the sheep. The goal is the same. The wheat and the sheep are the lost sinners God is drawing to himself. But why the change in the metaphor?
Jesus is the Good Shepherd-King who gathers the lost Sheep of Israel (Ezekiel 34: 23-24)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd-King who gathers the lost Sheep of Israel (Ezekiel 34: 23-24)
God knew the religious leaders and wicked kings would not care for his sheep. In Ezekiel’s book, God indicted the under-shepherds of Ezekiels’ day for neglecting and exploiting his sheep. So, God promise one day he would send a good shepherd who would care for his flock. God says through his prophet Ezekiel,
23 And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken.
Jesus is the Son of David. Jesus is the Bread of Life who feeds his sheep. He cares for his sheep, and his sheep hear his voice. he lays his life down for his sheep.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd-King who heals the sick and wounded (Ezekiel 34:4, 16)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd-King who heals the sick and wounded (Ezekiel 34:4, 16)
The previous under-shepherds were self-centered men who did nothing to care for their flock. God says of them,
4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.
God promises that his Good Shepherd-king will,
16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.
Jesus is that Good-shepherd King who charges his under-shepherds (I’m not using under-shepherds here to speak of pastors/elders. I’m looking at it as believers who are called to evangelize.) to seek and care for the flock in the same manner as he does. With that charge, Jesus gives his disciples the power and authority to act as under-shepherds (not necessarily pastors).
The Authority to Announce and Heal
The Authority to Announce and Heal
Authority to announce the kingdom (Matthew 10:5-7)
Authority to announce the kingdom (Matthew 10:5-7)
Jesus says to his disciples,
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
The disciples are to first go people of Israel. The Jews were Jesus’ first priority, but he eventually extends the reach of ministry to the Gentiles. The Great Commission commands the disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20). The entire Book of Acts is how the Spirit cooperates with believers to joyfully advance the kingdom of God by making much of Jesus to the ends of the earth.
In verse 7, Jesus says,
7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
As I’ve already discussed several weeks ago, the gospel is a message. 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.”
Knowing the kingdom is at hand is understanding your need for repentance. In his Doctrine of Repentance, Puritan Thomas Watson (ca. 1620–1686) defines repentance.
“Repentance is a grace of God’s Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed.” Thomas Watson
When God uncovers your sin, you feel a deep sense of humility and acknowledge your need for a Savior. You come to understand that as a significant sinner, you cannot rescue yourself through your strength, efforts, or deeds. This is what repentance is all about. The journey into the kingdom of God starts with repentance; Jesus empowers you with His authority to invite men, women, and children to embrace repentance and believe the good news.
Jesus gives you the authority to announce His means of salvation. Jesus annoints you as a harold to tell the world there is forgiveness for sins. He gives you the authority, on behalf of his name, to tell sinners,
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.
You have the authority to announce the King’s wishes: repent and believe.
We have become somewhat of a Marvel family. Elias loves watching super hero stories. One of the things I notice about marvel is that the super-hero is typically a human being whose been change by some event. Either some science experiment has gone wrong, or some radio active accident has fallen upon them. Either way, they’ve been changed. From that day of the their life-changing event, they have this new authority with the power to do remarkable things, and Super Heroes do remarkable things for the good of humanity.
In some ways, we are a timid child given a superhero cape, along with a message to share with others. While we may feel inadequate, the power lies in the cape—a symbol of authority and courage. Similarly, Jesus has granted us His authority to share His message. Our confidence doesn’t stem from our abilities but from His empowerment. We are His ambassadors, called to speak with boldness.
Authority to heal the sick and wounded (Matthew 10:8)
Authority to heal the sick and wounded (Matthew 10:8)
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
With the authority to announce the kingdom, Jesus also gives his disciples the authority to demonstrate the kingdom is coming. They are validating the message with spiritual works of mercy. Healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers, and casting our demons is a foretaste of what life will be like in the new heavens and the new earth. Under the perfect rule of King Jesus, there will be no weeping or crying because of sorrow (Isaiah 65:17-19). There will be no more death (Rev 21:4). Peter says righteousness will dwell there (2 Peter 3:13), and the righteous will flourish (Psalm 72:7). Isaiah says,
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;
When John the Baptist was in prison, he asked one Jesus if he truly is the Messiah, whose kingdom will restore the broken, Jesus says,
4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
As Jesus’ disciples, he gives you the authority to prove his good news, that the kingdom is good and right, that when He comes, the sick will be healed, the captives will be set free, and the broken will be made complete (Luke 4:17-19).
Isaac Watts was famous hymn writer. Watts wrote a hymn called “So Let Our Lips and Lives Express.” He captures the application of this point well when he sings,
So let our lips and lives express
The holy gospel we profess;
So let our works and virtues shine,
To prove the doctrine all divine.
Isaac Watts (Nonconformist Hymn Writer)
How do you practice harvesting well?
How do you practice harvesting well?
With the remainder of our text, Jesus offers us three ways to practice harvesting well.
Practice depending on the Lord’s provision (Matthew 10:9-10)
Practice depending on the Lord’s provision (Matthew 10:9-10)
9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
What does Jesus mean in verse nine, “Aquire not gold or silver?” Is he saying to take nor money at all, or to not acquire more money as payment for their ministry, or even acquire more money for the trip? There are good theologians who land on both sides of the isle on this one, but I think I lean more toward the second position. Jesus wanted his disciples to travel light and to leave their wordly concerns behind them. There was no need to gather more money for the trip. Go now, just as you are and trust the Lord. Both positions make the same main point. Jesus wants his disciples to be utterly dependent on him. The disciples needed to trust on the Lord to depend on Him just has God required Israel to depend on him in the wilderness (Deut 8:3-4).
God humbled his people in the wilderness to teach them dependency. Moses writes,
3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years.
In a similar vein, Jesus commands his disciples to trust in the Lord with all of their heart, do not lean on their own understanding, in all their ways acknowledge Him, and he will make their path strait. He will provide for all of their needs, and he will do it through all kinds of different people.
11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.
What this implies is God will use the hospitality of strangers to care for this disciples. As they go and announce the kingdom, some people will be drawn to feed and house them. These are unbelievers who may be open to hearing the gospel and want to know more. Others will hear for a time, and then reject it (v 12). Either way, God will use both to care for the needs of his disciples.
This just reminds us once again that all the earth, and everything it in belongs to the Lord (Psalm 50:10). When God desires to provide for his people, there is no unbeliever or believer, righteous or wicked. It all belongs to God. The sun rises on the just and the unjust. The rain falls on the wicked and the righteous. Just as God provides for both the wicked and the righteous, so he can use their resources to fund his mission.
Practice offering His gospel message and blessing (Matthew 10:11-13)
Practice offering His gospel message and blessing (Matthew 10:11-13)
11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
To find out who is worthy of the gospel message is to initiate a conversation about the gospel. We go back to what it means to be a good harvester. A good harvester proclaims the gospel message. You initiate conversations that bring the gospel message into it. Jesus did this with many people in his ministry.
In John 4, Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman at the well. Instead of avoiding her, He initiates a conversation about her life. Jesus reveals she’s a spiritual woman who is misguided and does not follow her religion very well. She’s had five husbands, and because she’s by herself drawing water, it is likely she’s not respected by her community. Jesus takes her to the truth to bring her the gospel message, and He ultimately offers her living water—salvation.
Consider the story of Paul in Acts 17, where he finds himself in Athens surrounded by idols. Facing a crowd that didn’t know Christ, Paul engaged with them on their own terms, starting a dialogue about their spiritual beliefs. He powerful reminds us that initiating a gospel message often means meeting people where they are and speaking their language, sparking curiosity about the true God.
God is going to bring people into your life who need you to initiate a gospel conversation. When a friend reaches out to discuss their struggles with you, instead of shying away from the message of repent and believe, take the opportunity to share how Christ transformed your life through repentance and faith, and then call the to do the same.
Once the disciples found someone willing to hear the message, they were to bless the household with the peace of Christ. That is, they were to stay there and proclaim the message of hope for as long as the family will receive it. If the family receives it, you’ve once them to the Lord. If they reject it, Jesus says let you peace return to you.
How do you let your peace return to you?
How do you let your peace return to you?
Isaiah the prophet says
7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
The announcement of peace to a home was not only customary, but it was part of the coming of the kingdom of God. It was more than a formality. It was a blessing that had to be received, and when it was recieved, it brought God’s favor. If it was not recieved, notes R. T. France, it will have no effect, but will “return” like an uncashed check. Jesus doubles down on this when he says,
14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
There will be many who do not want to hear the gospel. They will not receive the message of hope. Jesus says, then you must warn them of His definite judgement.
Practice proclaiming His judgement (Matthew 10:14-15)
Practice proclaiming His judgement (Matthew 10:14-15)
14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
God brought destruction upon Sodom and Gomorrah due to their wickedness (Gn 19:24–29). In Mt 11:23–24, Jesus stated that even these infamous cities would have turned away from their sins had they received the disciples' message and seen the miracles they performed. Therefore, those who reject the gospel will suffer God’s judgment.
The Bible warns there is coming a day of judgement where God will judge all human beings. The future judgement will take place on the basis of the entire life a person has lived (N.T. Wright). The apostle John speaks of this judgement.
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
Everyone who rejects the gospel message is thrown into the lake of fire with Death and Hades:
8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Joel Beeke observes, the Bible contains 245 warnings about hell. Jesus spent most of his ministry warning people about the coming judgment and hell. Jesus pleaded with sinners to repent and believe. Jesus calls his disciples to plead with sinners as he did, to repent and believe for God’s judgement is coming. His judgement is final. His judgment is forever. Spurgeon reminds us of the horror of this one thought.
The hell of hells will be the thought that it is forever. You will look up on the throne of God, and it shall be written, “Forever!” When the damned jingle the burning irons of their torments, they shall say, “Forever!” When they howl, echo cries, “Forever!”
Charles Spurgeon, “Paul’s First Prayer,” Sermon 16
Charles Spurgeon
David Wissel is an associate pastor of Mustard Seed Christian Church in Tokyo. He wrote an article for 9Marks Ministry discussing four elements that are lacking in our evangelism. One of those elements is the reality of Hell. He testifies of his own conversion, and says, “When I was a convinced atheist 12 years ago, I learned about a Christian classmate’s belief in the exclusivity of Christ. All the events leading to my conversion began when I asked her plainly, “Do you think I’m going to hell?” She kindly yet confidently responded, “Yes, unless you trust in Jesus.”
Brothers and sisters. God has been so kind to us these last few weeks. He has shown us what a bible believing, God honoring, christ exalting Spirit empowered Christian looks like who is committed to the Great Commission. Christians who take the Great Commission seriously will preach the gospel message of repent and believe. They will prove the message is right and good with works of mercy. They will plead with sinners from a heart of compassion that desperately desires to gather the lost sheep to the Good Shepherd. We pray earnestly for the lost to be found with our eyes on heaven and our backs feeling the flames of hell. We depend on our Lord for our needs, and we heal the sick and the broken as we go out and announce the kingdom: repent and turn from your wicked ways. Confess with your mouth what you believe in your heart. Jesus is Lord and God raised him from the dead. All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
Let us persuade others!
Let us persuade others!
Let us brothers and sisters be good harvesters for the kingdom. Hear the plea for you to preach, prove, purpose, pray, practice. Knowing the fear of the Lord, let us persuade others (2 Cor. 5:11). Amen
