Weekend Sermon -- Matthew 9:37-38

     Welcome and thank you for taking the time to read the Weekend Sermon this week. I hope that everyone has had a good week.
     Today, I would like us to focus our attention on the words of Jesus found in Matthew 9:37-38. In this passage Jesus states, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."  Jesus said these words after He looked with compassion on the multitudes that were following Him. Jesus said that they were like sheep without a shepherd.
     In Jesus' day, there were people who were looking for answers to the spiritual questions and emptiness that they were facing in life. They were coming to hear the words and teachings of Jesus because He taught with authority. He had compassion on people, and He said that anyone could come to Him. He said that He would not cast anyone out.
     Jesus told His disciples that many people needed to hear a message of hope and forgiveness. However, the workers to tell the message to the people were few. There was a great need, but there were few people to meet the need. Jesus told His disciples to pray that more would come and go into the fields.
     These words of Jesus have a great message for us today. We live in the same type of situation as in Jesus' day. There is an entire world of people who need answers to the spiritual need in their lives. They lack hope. They feel a sense of guilt, and they need deliverance. There is an entire world of people who do not know that Jesus has come to seek and save those who are lost.
     In this world today, about 30 percent of the people claim to be some type of Christian. That means that at least 70 percent of the people living in the world today have not come to Jesus and received His love, mercy and forgiveness. Truly the fields are ready for harvest.
     What this means is that there is a great need for those who are believers in the Lord Jesus to tell others about the life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ. People need to hear those of us who believe tell them about how Jesus can make a difference in their lives.
     The Lord told the disciples to pray that there would be workers in the harvest field. Jesus expected His disciples to be part of that answer to prayer. He gave His followers the Great Commission before He ascended into Heaven. Jesus told His followers to go into all the world and preach the Gospel.
     Jesus expects us to carry out and obey the Great Commission today. We have the duty to tell others about Jesus. Each one of us, I'm sure, knows someone who is without Christ. We need to use the opportunities that the Lord Jesus gives us to tell others about Him.
     This week, I urge you to find some opportunity to tell others about what Jesus means to you. If you have a friend or a family member who is not a believer in Jesus. Take the time to share with them who Jesus is and what He has come to do.
     There may be some people who feel as if the Lord is calling them to become a pastor, teacher, evangelist or missionary in full-time Christian work. If you feel that the Lord is calling you, heed the call and serve the Lord to the best of your ability.
     If you have the means, try to support missionary organizations who are trying to spread the message of Jesus around the world. You can make a great difference for people in this world. Amen

Prayer Requests And Other Matters:

     This has been a great week for me in my writing work, and I want to thank the Lord for His blessings. I would also like to thank the Lord that the rains were not bad in my area. Thank you for your prayers regarding this matter.
     I would ask that you pray for those who live just west of where I live. They had a tremendous amount of rain and flooding. Please pray that they will be able to recover quickly.
     As we go to prayer this week, please be in prayer regarding the Ebola outbreak in Congo. Please pray that those who are sick will recover. Pray that this will end quickly.
    Let us be in prayer for peace in this world. Pray for peace in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and Yemen. I heard this week that there is some peace in Sudan and South Sudan. I pray that this will hold and thank the Lord that things might be improving.
     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. Pray that many will hear the message of the love of Jesus.
     Next week, I will be posting the sermon on Saturday. I will post the verses on Monday, and I hope to have a review to post on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.