March 17, 2010, Luke 10

Key Verse:

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

(Luke 10:1-2)

Central Truth:

God is calling us to bring in the harvest.

THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL

Luke 10:1 tells us that far more than the original twelve had been following Jesus. A group of seventy-two was designated to go to a number of towns to prepare the people for his later visit. Jesus’ instruction to the group begins with, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

Jesus spoke these words over two thousand years ago; yet it is still true today. Come with me, and take a look around:

There is the cashier at Kroger you see each week and sense her hopelessness.

Maybe your child’s best friend and family don’t go to church.

How about your coworkers you know are not saved just from overhearing their conversations.

You may have noticed a new family at church who are first time visitors. Maybe it’s even their first time ever coming to church.

Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful.” But, He then says something convicting. “The workers are few.”

All around us are opportunities to share the Gospel in our community, our school, our workplace, and even in our church. Unfortunately, we are all guilty of walking around with blinders on and getting caught up in our own little worlds. Our hearts fall out of alignment with the heartbeat of God. He watches with disappointment as we let the God-given opportunities pass us by. We must make a conscious effort to open our eyes and look for the lost and thKey Verse:

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

(Luke 10:1-2)

Central Truth:

God is calling us to bring in the harvest.

THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL

Luke 10:1 tells us that far more than the original twelve had been following Jesus. A group of seventy-two was designated to go to a number of towns to prepare the people for his later visit. Jesus’ instruction to the group begins with, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

Jesus spoke these words over two thousand years ago; yet it is still true today. Come with me, and take a look around:

There is the cashier at Kroger you see each week and sense her hopelessness.

Maybe your child’s best friend and family don’t go to church.

How about your coworkers you know are not saved just from overhearing their conversations.

You may have noticed a new family at church who are first time visitors. Maybe it’s even their first time ever coming to church.

Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful.” But, He then says something convicting. “The workers are few.”

All around us are opportunities to share the Gospel in our community, our school, our workplace, and even in our church. Unfortunately, we are all guilty of walking around with blinders on and getting caught up in our own little worlds. Our hearts fall out of alignment with the heartbeat of God. He watches with disappointment as we let the God-given opportunities pass us by. We must make a conscious effort to open our eyes and look for the lost and the hurting. In the book Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says, “There are people on this planet that only you will be able to reach, because of where you live and what God has made you to be. If just one person will be in heaven because of you, your life will have made a difference for eternity.” These words of wisdom remind me of when I was in college majoring in Social Work. Whenever my Dad was asked what I wanted to do with my life, he would respond, “She’s wants to save the world!” And if I was there, I would follow-up with, “Just one person at a time!”

Will you join me and let God use you, right where you are, to change the world - even if it’s only one person at a time? Let us step out of our comfort zone, take our blinders off, and open our eyes. Let us take the opportunities to share the Good News in not only who we are but in what we do and what we say. It is our Christian duty to allow God to move our hearts for those around us. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that all who believe in Him will not die but have eternal life.”
This is the heart of God, and he needs us, His workers, to bring in the harvest! One person at a time!e hurting. In the book Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says, “There are people on this planet that only you will be able to reach, because of where you live and what God has made you to be. If just one person will be in heaven because of you, your life will have made a difference for eternity.” These words of wisdom remind me of when I was in college majoring in Social Work. Whenever my Dad was asked what I wanted to do with my life, he would respond, “She’s wants to save the world!” And if I was there, I would follow-up with, “Just one person at a time!”

Will you join me and let God use you, right where you are, to change the world - even if it’s only one person at a time? Let us step out of our comfort zone, take our blinders off, and open our eyes. Let us take the opportunities to share the Good News in not only who we are but in what we do and what we say. It is our Christian duty to allow God to move our hearts for those around us. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that all who believe in Him will not die but have eternal life.”

This is the heart of God, and he needs us, His workers, to bring in the harvest! One person at a time!