Steve Doyle, Director of Missions
Brazos Valley Baptist Network (BVBN)
Sermon Title:  Ministry of the Harvest
Text:  Matthew 9:35-38:  35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness.   36 When  He saw the crowds,  He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”

Today we are seeing a supply crisis and worker shortage.  The church has dealt with this issue from its beginning.   Verse 38 tells us to pray for more laborers.  The ministry of harvest must be:

Centered on the Gospel. Man’s greatest need is to be reconciled to God their Creator. We risk defeat when we get our eyes off our mission. 1 Corinthians 1:22 …we preach Christ crucified…
Compelled to meet needs. Jesus came to serve and meet needs.  Our actions of service can melt hearts so that they will receive the message of the Gospel. James 2:14: What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
Driven by compassion. Verse 36 tells us  Jesus had compassion on the people.  The emotion compassion is mentioned more in Scripture than any other emotion to describe Jesus.   Colossians 3:12: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion… To become more like Jesus, we need to be more compassionate.
Fueled by prayer. Verse 38 gives a command to pray. God is sovereign but has given us the responsibility to pray. 2 Thessalonians 3:1: …pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored…