(Matthew 9:35-38) We are focusing our attention on the evangelistic task of the church. For many persons the word "evangelism" brings to mind one cup: The televangelist and the tent revival, or the street corner preacher handing out tracts. In some churches, it means a once a year special event or a particular strategy for incorporating newcomers into the life of the church. By limiting our vision of evangelism to one of these cups, we may be stifling Christ's work on earth and cheating ourselves out of one of the most rewarding endeavors Christ offers us: Evangelism. What is needed is for all of us to become daily involved in evangelism. But how?
I. Let's Begin by Anchoring Our Concern in Christ's Compassion for the World.
This compassion is the only reason He sends us out to make new disciples. We read in Matthew 9:36 "When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
Can you think of a better description of the mass of people today "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd?" What a parable of contemporary life! There are people frantically slaving for values that turn out only to be useless, constantly harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. It is a marvelous metaphor or more properly, a striking simile of the way many people go through life today and you can see it if you look! Just like sheep milling around the pen in no particular direction. Frightened and confused, they stumble blindly, bumping helplessly into one another, because they don't know which way to turn. Sad part is---its just like so many of us.
II. Shepherding Those Lost in the Crowds.
Jesus had compassion on the crowds because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. They were frantically striving after values that would only prove to be paste. They had no idea where they were headed or how they would get there. Even worse they had attached themselves to false gods.
There is a difference between a real god and a false one. Many people link themselves to false gods: power, wealth, physical appearance, the approval of their peers, etc. Sooner or later each of these gods betrays us because they can take us only so far and no farther. Only one God is sufficient in every circumstance in life and beyond and it is the eternal God, the God who made Himself known in Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus had compassion on the crowds. He, alone, understood the real tragedy of a life of empty values, a life with no direction, a life linked to false gods. He "had compassion for them," Matthew tells us, "because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, `The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"
Can you see that the only motivation for what we call evangelism is Christ's compassion for the world? There are people outside the body of Christ who are confused, angry, hurting, dying. There are families that are disintegrating, young minds being destroyed by drugs, older folks feeling forgotten. The need is almost overwhelming---Truly the harvest is plentiful.
III. Committing Ourselves because the Workers are Few
The question, then, is, where are the laborers? Where are those committed to being the body of Christ in ministry to the world?
Where are those who will point their family, their friends and their associates to the One who can satisfy their needs in all circumstances for now and eternity? I'm not talking about buttonholing people on the street. I'm not talking about an offensive holierthanthou kind of sanctimonious salesmanship. I am talking about caring enough about people that you seek to help them out of their confusion, loneliness and fear. .
While seeking help from the Bible, we see these words of Jesus: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide." (John 15:16) Somehow that passage is like light penetrating darkness. We must realize that much of our unhappiness is caused by self-centeredness. How about simply showing compassion to people in need in Jesus' name---because that is what the church of Jesus Christ is all about.
I. Let's Begin by Anchoring Our Concern in Christ's Compassion for the World.
This compassion is the only reason He sends us out to make new disciples. We read in Matthew 9:36 "When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
Can you think of a better description of the mass of people today "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd?" What a parable of contemporary life! There are people frantically slaving for values that turn out only to be useless, constantly harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. It is a marvelous metaphor or more properly, a striking simile of the way many people go through life today and you can see it if you look! Just like sheep milling around the pen in no particular direction. Frightened and confused, they stumble blindly, bumping helplessly into one another, because they don't know which way to turn. Sad part is---its just like so many of us.
II. Shepherding Those Lost in the Crowds.
Jesus had compassion on the crowds because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. They were frantically striving after values that would only prove to be paste. They had no idea where they were headed or how they would get there. Even worse they had attached themselves to false gods.
There is a difference between a real god and a false one. Many people link themselves to false gods: power, wealth, physical appearance, the approval of their peers, etc. Sooner or later each of these gods betrays us because they can take us only so far and no farther. Only one God is sufficient in every circumstance in life and beyond and it is the eternal God, the God who made Himself known in Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus had compassion on the crowds. He, alone, understood the real tragedy of a life of empty values, a life with no direction, a life linked to false gods. He "had compassion for them," Matthew tells us, "because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, `The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"
Can you see that the only motivation for what we call evangelism is Christ's compassion for the world? There are people outside the body of Christ who are confused, angry, hurting, dying. There are families that are disintegrating, young minds being destroyed by drugs, older folks feeling forgotten. The need is almost overwhelming---Truly the harvest is plentiful.
III. Committing Ourselves because the Workers are Few
The question, then, is, where are the laborers? Where are those committed to being the body of Christ in ministry to the world?
Where are those who will point their family, their friends and their associates to the One who can satisfy their needs in all circumstances for now and eternity? I'm not talking about buttonholing people on the street. I'm not talking about an offensive holierthanthou kind of sanctimonious salesmanship. I am talking about caring enough about people that you seek to help them out of their confusion, loneliness and fear. .
While seeking help from the Bible, we see these words of Jesus: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide." (John 15:16) Somehow that passage is like light penetrating darkness. We must realize that much of our unhappiness is caused by self-centeredness. How about simply showing compassion to people in need in Jesus' name---because that is what the church of Jesus Christ is all about.
