The Lord of The Harvest

• Matthew 9:32-38 READ
• Whats going on in this story- a demon possessed man who is mute comes out- the man speaks because Jesus healed him- The pharisees say that Jesus did this by the power of Demons. Jesus goes around and heals even more people. He sees that there are multitudes of people who need a shepherd and implores his disciples to labor for the people
• Into His Harvest
• Jesus loves people. He wants to see them in his kingdom and in the family of God. We should want what Jesus wants- To see people come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ- to be healed- to shepherded by Jesus- but he needs laborers. He needs people to be on mission with Jesus

1. If you’re going to labor for Jesus- Don’t listen to haters

• Jesus always had to deal with people who misconstrued what he did, how he did it, why he did it, and what he should be doing
• 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”
• In their religious minds, they questioned the tactics and theology of Jesus to the point of calling him a demon, and doing things by the power of a demon- other writers say beelzebul 
• Sidenote- where do we get the name Beelzebul (Belzebub) 1kings 1: 2 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, “Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.”
• He was a canannite god- the “baal’s” of Cananntite- the Lord of the flies
• When they say this- it’s a total slam on the deity of Jesus, his power, and his messiahship- cant say worse
• Now- I don’t know if you’ve ever been discouraged by what someone said to you- but it can affect you
• From something small to something big- A bad meal, bad work, production etc. (Worship isn’t for you)
• You can just shut down- figure- you know what- I’m not going to do that again- 
• But Jesus wasn’t discouraged by this- he didn’t care what they said or how they said it- 
• 35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
• Jesus moved forward- He continued the work that he was intended to do- for what he was supposed to do
• David said- Psalm 69:4 Those who hate me without a cause Are more than the hairs of my head;
• about David- while simultaneously prophetic about Jesus- many didn’t like him
• John 15:25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

• But people’s hatred was never a discouragement to Jesus- it emboldened him to stay on mission. 
• But Jesus prepared his followers- He told them to be prepared for people to not agree
• John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
• Those who would attempt to simple things for Jesus aren’t going to be met with grace and mercy
• What does it mean to you
• Are you letting the haters dictate what you believe and how you live this Christian life? 
• Now- as much as Jesus said we must be prepared to be hated- we are not to hate in return
• Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
• We are supposed to love and pray for those who hate us because we are Christians- that’s a fact
• But we can’t stop being who we are and doing what we do because the world doesn’t agree with us
• Jesus didn’t stop- we don’t stop. Haters are going to hate- they are going to what they do- soldier on
• They aren’t going to win in the end- just like the pharisees slipped in jabs and slams- Jesus still won. 
• David Psalm 41:11 By this I know that You are well pleased with me, Because my enemy does not triumph over me.
• David was pursued, and attacked by Saul and his tribe- never gave up. Paul never gave up
• 2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 
• We have entered into a realm of existence that Just 30 years ago no one would believe
• Christianity used to be the dominant ethos of America, but its not- Movies, TV, Internet, etc. Nada
• So when you try to be a Christian at work, school or community- it can be met with resistance. 
• Luke 21:17  And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.
• Don’t let it discourage you tho- continue to do what you need to do- Jesus kept it up- you keep it up
• And I get it- sometimes its hard to hold the line- its hard to live for Jesus- maintain the standard
• But don’t give up- even if they call you Beelzebub- even then- don’t give up. Keep doing what you need 
• Psalm 109:3-5 READ
• Identify with David- and keep being. Keep preaching. Keep loving, forgiving, don’t give into the world

2. If you’re going to labor for Jesus- Have Compassion

• So don’t listen to the haters- but also don’t lose a heart of compassion for people
• I’ve been there- the isolationist us four and no more mindset is not biblical- Jesus had compassion
• V 35 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
• The heart of Jesus was and is always for the sheep- the people of God- he wanted good for them
• Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
• That’s what Jesus did- and it was because of his compassion that he was able to do this- 
• Here’s what Jesus knew- the people weren’t aware of their condition- Crystal “I see lukewarm people” 
• Jesus saw people who needed a savior everywhere- but they didn’t know they needed a savior
• John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
• And so because of his deep compassion (For God so loved the world) he had compassion on them. 
• This OT/NT divide between Jesus isn’t real- It’s the same God-  Psalm 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
• This is the God of the Bible- full of compassion and mercy- A God who forgives a God who cares
• When we talk about his wrath, it doesn’t negate his compassion- His wrath is an extension of mercy
• Don’t put the world’s ideas upon a God who is a mystery- he can be judgment and compassion 
• Psalm 103:13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
• So what does it mean to us? 
• Do you have compassion for people? All kinds of people? Do you recognize that they need Jesus
• Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
• But how do we do that? How do we develop compassion in our hearts?
• Here’s what I’ve seen- drug addicts have a heart for addicts- same with homeless
• Why? They’ve been there- It’s why I have a heart for veterans- I get it. 
• But do you know what? We all have experienced God’s compassion- it should extend. 
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 READ
• What is compassion- it’s a form of pity but its more than that- it’s having a heart for someone
• People married between 5-8 with kids and no money- I get that- I’ve been there
• But I’ve also felt like no one wanted me, loved me, liked me, invited me, cared about me
• Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
• 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
• I’ve said it before- but Christians should be the most compassionate person
• God has shown us compassion- we should do the same
• Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
• And yes- sometimes that means even when its their fault and they don’t deserve it- still do it. 
• Lamentations 3:22-23 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
• Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
• Luke 15:20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
• We were the prodigal

3. If you’re going to labor for Jesus-  Don’t stop working

• It feels to me like there’s a shortage of people who actually want to work- 
• Hiring is hard right now because people are making more on unemployment- truckers food $
• There’s a ton of jobs and money to be made- but there’s not a lot of people who want to work
• 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few
• Gospel work is the same- there’s tons of people who need Jesus- people who need salvation
• Just a limited amount of people who are willing to do the LABOR necessary to see it happen
• Work is biblical Gen 2:15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.
• Laziness is not Proverbs 18:9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
• Let me say this- doing the work of the ministry is requirement of all Christians
• But it is also a requirement of all Christians to not be idle- no matter your station
• Even if you don’t have a paying job you can get your own stuff squared away- and the Church
• Galatians 6:4-5 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
• Jesus is talking about Gospel labor- and its what we should be doing- 
• What does it mean to you
• Are you a hard worker? Do you get stuff done? Or are you steeped in recreation and idlness
• Life translates- if you’re slothful at home, you will be at work, and you will be for the Kingdom
• Let me give you a few work verses
• Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me..Proverbs 12:11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.Proverbs 13:4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especi ally for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. 2 Thes 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
• Why do I share all those with you? I want you to realize work is Biblical! Activity
• I think many people get depressed because they don’t produce anything- its in our DNA to work
• Proverbs 26:15 The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth
• So what do we do? Work for and as unto the Lord- Let it be to his glory- for HIM
  Don’t be so worked up for $$ that will come- but maybe you’re not working hard enough
• John 6:27  Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” 
• Labor for what matters- kingdom stuff-  There are many things I will not do or have- but I do have kingdom work- I do have things I have invested in thar are going to pay biblical returns
• Let me say this- there’s nothing wrong with recreation- its needed and fruitful- God rested
• But we were never intended to live a life of rest
• The Curse of Adam was work- and we are to work- we are to stay on mission
• Don’t be lazy- have some discipline- “Christian work ethic” is that what we are known by?
• Not working for our salvation- but because our salvation was already earned- 
• Eccl 9:10 Colossians 3:23 Proverbs 16:3 1 Corinthians 10:31 Proverbs 14:23 Psalm 90:17 

Pastor Matt Krachunis preaches on The Lord of The harvest . Please share online for others to see.

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