Harvest is Plentiful, Workers are Few

Harvest is Plentiful, Workers are Few | August 27, 2023
Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor

Journey Church Mission:
We lead people to become ALL IN followers of Jesus.

1 John 2:5b-6 (NIV):
This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

NEXT STEP QUESTIONS:
What are you saying to me?
What do you want me to do?

Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV):
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.”

What did he SEE?

Matthew 9:36-37 (NIV):
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.

2) What did he FEEL?

Compassion (Webster’s):
Sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together WITH a desire to alleviate it.

3) What did he DO?

Reflection Questions:

1. What evidence do you see in our culture that people are “harassed and helpless” and need Jesus as their shepherd?

2. When you look at the culture around you do you see the “plentiful harvest” that Jesus describes? Why or why not?

3. How do you respond to people in the culture that need Jesus? How about those that oppose the values of Jesus’ Kingdom in their beliefs and behavior? (Frustrated? Angry? Fearful? Repulsed? Superior?)

4. Do you find it difficult to have compassion for them? Why or why not?

5. How/Why was Jesus able to have compassion for those that opposed him and the values of his Kingdom? How/Why can we also have compassion? Who are people that you have a difficult time having compassion for?

6. What is the cost to the Church and the cause of Jesus if we don’t lead with and show compassion for those that need Jesus?

7. Do you think there is a shortage of laborers/shepherds in the church today? Why or why not?

8. How have you responded to the call of Jesus to pray for and become laborers in the Kingdom? How can we raise up more laborers/shepherds in the church? What is your next step?

9. Who can you begin to invest / invite this week? Who could you invite to sit an empty chair next to you next week?

Next Steps:
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Notes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2023.08.27.pdf

Music Licensing Information:
“Echo Holy”
Jake Espy, Kory Miller, Mia Fieldes, Ran Jackson
Copyright 2021 Be Essential Songs, Songs From Richmond Park,
Songs Of Red Rocks Worship Publishing, Upside Down Under

“I Speak Jesus”
Abby Benton, Carlene Prince, Dustin Smith, Jesse Reeves, Kristen Dutton, Raina Pratt
Copyright 2019 Here Be Lions Publishing, Integrity's Praise! Music, BEC Worship,
Raina Pratt publishing designee, WriterWrong Music

“Firm Foundation”
Austin Davis, Chandler Moore, Cody Carnes
Copyright 2021 For Humans Publishing, Maverick City Publishing,Capitol CMG Paragon,
TBCO Publishing, Writer's Roof Publishing, A.L.K.D. Music

“Build Your Church”
Alton Eugene, Naomi Raine
Copyright 2020 Heritage Worship Music Publishing, Maverick City Publishing,
Alton Eugene Publishing, Naomi Raine Music

CCLI License #2669821
Video & Background Music licensed through Soundstripe