Will You Be The Answer?
Today’s Verse:
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. ~Matthew 9:38
One of the necessary traits of leadership is the willingness and ability to solve problems. Problem solving can be tedious and require much attention. This morning, we see a problem that we are to pray about. It is a problem of such magnitude that all Christians are a vital part of the solution.
We see the concept of missions.
Missions is simply taking the gospel to every person. It is when we obey the Lord’s commission in starting churches, and through these churches, we win souls to Christ, develop these converts into loyal disciples, and replicate the process. Missions is taking the gospel to our local areas, and ultimately, to the uttermost parts of the world. Oswald J. Smith said, “The mission of the church is missions.”[1]
We see the concern about manpower.
“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.” Jesus looked at the vast multitude of people coming to Him for help. His description of their spiritual plight is that they were like sheep scattered without a shepherd. This set the stage for His concern regarding manpower. He said there is a great harvest to reap, but there are not enough laborers. There are not enough men surrendering to go the mission field. There are not enough soulwinners winning souls. There are not Christians taking the gospel to even their family members who are unsaved. The laborers are few.
We see the command of the Master.
“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest. Jesus commands us to pray for laborers.” We are to call upon Him as the Lord of the Harvest. As the Lord of the Harvest, He knows better than us where there is a concentration of too many laborers, and where there is a need for a greater supply. We are to pray for the supply of laborers to equal the demand for laborers. We are to pray individually and corporately. We are to pray without ceasing. We are to pray that this need will be supplied.
We see the calling of missionaries.
“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” The answer to the Lord’s requirement for prayer is that more laborers will be sent forth. First, the word for “laborers” implies full-time laborers. It means people who give their main occupation to the starting of churches and the spreading of the gospel. The words “send forth” is one Greek word meaning “compelled to go.” It is a strong verb having the idea of being sent out with force. No time is to be delayed in going forth. No effort is to be spared in going out to the harvest field with the gospel. It means to let the Lord send us forth with no interference from family, feelings, finances, or failures.
Henry Martyn said, “The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.”[2] This morning, spend some time thinking about the words of our Lord concerning missions. It is a calling that never becomes obsolete, never diminishes, and never is without the supply of God for the laborer. Pray today, and see what God will do!
Have a mission’s emphasis God Morning!
[2] Ibid.
Bible Reading Schedule: Numbers 18-20