Called to Be Laborers in God's Harvest

Summary

Today, we gathered as the redeemed people of God, reminded that our lives and our mission are rooted in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. We began by lifting up the needs of our world, our community, and our own hearts, interceding for those who are suffering, for our leaders, and for our nation. We prayed for peace, wisdom, and a spirit of righteousness to fill our land, and for the church to be a beacon of hope and love in a world that is often hurting and confused.

Reflecting on Jesus’ words in Luke 10, we considered the image of the harvest—a symbol of God gathering people into his kingdom. The harvest is plentiful, and there is a renewed openness to the gospel in our time, even as our culture shifts and many are searching for meaning. Yet, Jesus’ observation remains true: the laborers are few. He calls us first to pray, to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers, and then to recognize that we ourselves are often the answer to that prayer. Each of us is sent, not just clergy or missionaries, but every follower of Christ is called to be a laborer in God’s mission, right where we are.

We explored what it means to be a missionary in our daily lives—at home, at work, with friends, and even with those we encounter regularly in our routines. God places us in relationships and situations so that we might be his witnesses, sowing seeds of kindness, truth, and hope. Paul’s words in Galatians 6 remind us to do good to everyone as we have opportunity, and to boast only in the cross of Christ, not in our own achievements. Our mission is not about our strength or strategy, but about humility, gentleness, and dependence on the Spirit.

Jesus sends us out as lambs among wolves, calling us to reflect his own gentleness and humility. Many people we meet are carrying unseen burdens, and our approach must be marked by compassion and grace. The power of the gospel is revealed not in our strength, but in our weakness and willingness to trust God. As we pray and step out in faith, we prepare the way for Jesus himself to show up in the lives of those around us. Our calling is to be faithful, to pray earnestly, and to trust that God will do mighty things through us as we labor in his harvest.

Key Takeaways

- Mission Begins with Prayer and Openness to God’s Call
Jesus instructs us to pray earnestly for laborers in the harvest, but often, as we pray, God stirs our own hearts to step into the mission ourselves. Prayer is not just preparation for action; it is the place where God aligns our desires with his and calls us to participate in his work. When we pray for others to be sent, we must be ready for God to send us. [36:42]

- Every Christian is a Missionary in Daily Life
The call to labor in God’s harvest is not reserved for clergy or professional missionaries. Each believer is placed in unique relationships and contexts to be a witness to Christ. Our workplaces, homes, and everyday encounters are the fields where God invites us to sow seeds of the gospel, often in simple acts of kindness, truth, and love. [39:15]

- Gentleness and Humility are Essential for Kingdom Work
Jesus sends us out as lambs among wolves, emphasizing the need for humility, innocence, and gentleness. Many people are deeply wounded, and harshness or pride can close doors that gentleness and compassion might open. Our effectiveness in mission is rooted in reflecting the character of Christ, who was the perfect Lamb of God, gentle even with his enemies. [44:56]

- The Power of the Gospel is Revealed in Weakness
We are not called to rely on our own strength, strategies, or achievements, but to trust in the sufficiency of Christ and the power of the Spirit. When we embrace our limitations and walk in humility, God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. The history of the church is filled with stories of God doing the unexpected through ordinary, surrendered people. [46:13]

- God Goes Before Us—We Prepare the Way for Christ
When we are sent to share the gospel, we are not alone; Jesus himself is preparing to show up in the lives of those we reach. Our role is to till the ground and sow the seed, trusting that God will bring the growth and transformation. This truth gives us courage and hope, knowing that our labor is never in vain when it is done in faith and obedience. [47:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[13:04] - Prayers for the World and Community
[13:56] - Intercession for the Sick and Suffering
[15:09] - Prayers for the Nation and Leaders
[16:42] - Blessing of the Children
[29:02] - The Labor Shortage and Jesus’ Help-Wanted Sign
[31:28] - The Harvest is Plentiful: God’s Kingdom Gathering
[34:29] - Signs of Spiritual Renewal and Openness
[36:42] - Mission Begins with Prayer
[37:46] - God’s Call: From Prayer to Action
[39:15] - Everyday Missionaries: Living the Call
[42:10] - Using Our Gifts and Influence for God’s Mission
[43:53] - Boasting Only in the Cross
[44:56] - Sent as Lambs: Gentleness and Humility
[46:13] - God’s Power in Our Weakness
[47:49] - Jesus Goes Before Us
[49:08] - The Power of Prayer and Response
[56:37] - Confession and Assurance
[01:06:40] - Holy Communion
[01:09:09] - Thanksgiving and Sending
[01:10:31] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Sent into the Harvest

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### Bible Reading

Luke 10:1-3, 17-20 (ESV)
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.
2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
...
17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Galatians 6:9-10, 14 (ESV)
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Luke 10, what does Jesus say about the harvest and the number of laborers? What is the first thing he tells his disciples to do in response? [[29:02]]
2. According to Galatians 6, what are believers encouraged to do as they have opportunity? [[42:10]]
3. How does Jesus describe the way he is sending out his followers in Luke 10:3? What does this image suggest? [[43:53]]
4. In the sermon, what signs of spiritual openness or renewal in our culture did the pastor mention? [[34:29]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus tells his disciples to pray for more laborers before sending them out themselves? What does this reveal about the relationship between prayer and action? [[36:42]]
2. The sermon says, “Every Christian is a missionary in daily life.” What does it mean for ordinary believers—not just pastors or missionaries—to be sent by Jesus? [[39:15]]
3. The pastor emphasized gentleness and humility as essential for kingdom work. Why might these qualities be especially important when sharing the gospel with people who are hurting? [[44:56]]
4. Paul says he will “never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” How does this attitude shape the way we approach mission and service? [[43:53]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon said that mission always starts with prayer. Who is someone in your life you could begin praying for regularly, asking God to open a door for gospel conversations? Are you open to God using you as an answer to your own prayer? [[36:42]]
2. Think about your daily routines—at work, at home, or in your neighborhood. Where do you see opportunities to be a “missionary” right where you are? What is one small step you could take this week to be more intentional? [[39:15]]
3. The pastor shared that many people are carrying unseen burdens. Is there someone you interact with regularly who might need extra gentleness or compassion from you? How could you show Christ’s love to them in a practical way? [[44:56]]
4. The sermon challenged us to “do good to everyone as we have opportunity.” What is one specific act of kindness or service you could do for someone outside your usual circle this week? [[42:10]]
5. The message reminded us that the power of the gospel is revealed in our weakness, not our strength. Is there an area where you feel inadequate or unqualified to serve? How might God want to use you anyway? [[46:13]]
6. Jesus sends us out as “lambs among wolves.” Are there situations where you are tempted to respond with harshness or pride instead of humility and gentleness? What would it look like to reflect Jesus’ character in those moments? [[43:53]]
7. The pastor said, “God goes before us—We prepare the way for Christ.” How does knowing that Jesus is already at work in people’s lives change your attitude or approach to sharing your faith? [[47:49]]

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Close in prayer, asking God to give your group open eyes, gentle hearts, and courage to step into his mission this week.

Devotional

Day 1: The Harvest is Plentiful, but the Laborers are Few
Jesus calls His followers to recognize the abundance of people ready to receive the gospel, but also the urgent need for more workers to share His message. The world is full of people who are open to hearing about Jesus, and the time is ripe for gathering souls into God’s kingdom. This is not just a future event, but something happening now, as hearts are stirred and lives are changed by the good news. The call is not only to see the need but to respond, knowing that God is already at work and inviting us to join Him in His mission. [31:28]

Luke 10:2 (ESV)
And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Reflection: Who in your daily life do you sense is open to hearing about Jesus, and how might you intentionally pray for an opportunity to share the gospel with them this week?


Day 2: Mission Begins with Prayer
Every movement of God’s mission starts with prayer, as we ask the Lord to raise up people who will serve and share His love. When we pray for God to send laborers, we open ourselves to His call and may even discover that He is inviting us to step forward ourselves. Prayer is not just a formality; it is the engine of mission, shaping our hearts and aligning us with God’s purposes. As we pray, God works in us and through us, preparing us to be His hands and feet in the world, wherever He has placed us. [36:42]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can set aside time this week to pray for God to raise up workers for His mission—and are you willing to ask if He might be calling you?


Day 3: Every Christian is Sent—Mission Where You Are
God’s call to mission is not just for pastors or missionaries, but for every believer, right where they are—in homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Each relationship and daily encounter is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love and truth. God has uniquely placed you in your circles of influence to be a light, to do good, and to share hope. Embracing this calling means seeing your ordinary routines as sacred opportunities for God’s kingdom to break in, and being willing to step out in faith, trusting that Jesus is sending you. [39:15]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally serve or encourage someone in your everyday environment as an act of mission this week?


Day 4: Boasting Only in the Cross—Serving with Humility and Gentleness
Our confidence and hope are not in our own achievements, but in the grace of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. As we go out to serve, we are called to be gentle, humble, and forgiving, reflecting the character of the Lamb of God. Many people around us are hurting, and the way we approach them—with compassion and humility—can open doors for healing and transformation. True mission is marked by a spirit of gentleness, a refusal to hold grudges, and a willingness to trust God’s strength in our weakness. [43:53]

Galatians 6:14 (ESV)
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Reflection: Is there someone you need to approach with greater gentleness or humility this week, and how can you let the grace of Christ shape your attitude toward them?


Day 5: Jesus Goes Before Us—Trusting God’s Presence in Mission
When we step out in obedience to God’s call, we can trust that Jesus Himself is already at work in the places and lives to which He sends us. We are not alone in our efforts; we are preparing the way for Christ to move and reveal Himself. Even when the task feels daunting or the soil seems hard, God promises to show up and do what only He can do. Our role is to pray, to sow seeds, and to trust that the Lord of the harvest will bring fruit in His time. [47:49]

Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Reflection: Where do you feel most uncertain or hesitant about stepping out in faith, and how can you remind yourself that Jesus is already present and working ahead of you?

Quotes

If we heed the command of Jesus to pray to God, to raise up laborers, we might just have the impression we were praying for somebody else to step up, and through that earnest wrestling prayer, we might hear the call of God saying, no, I want you to step up. And I will help you right where you are to be about my mission, right where you are. [00:38:15] (25 seconds)  #RoyalPriesthoodMission Edit Clip

What if God has placed you in these relationships? Because God is appointing you to be a missionary to these people. Not somebody else you're waiting on. You. I'm sending you, says Jesus, after you've been praying for God to raise up laborers. [00:39:27] (23 seconds)  #DeepConversationsMatter Edit Clip

Above all, we need to remember what Paul says in verse 14 in Galatians 6. He says, he will never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. My salvation, my new life, my hope in sharing in heavenly glory is not based on my own achievement or my own law -keeping. That's one of the issues going on in Galatians. They're arguing about circumcision because a group in the church is like, you've got to keep all the Old Testament law. And Paul is saying, he's writing this letter to set them straight. No. [00:43:06] (32 seconds)  #GentleStrengthHeals Edit Clip

``It's not based on our achievement. It's based on Jesus' achievement for us. It's called grace. Grace, and you simply receive it by faith, and you cling to him. It's not based on our law -keeping. It's based on what Jesus has done in faithfulness to the Father for us. The cross is the foundation of everything in our life and in our ministry as Christians. [00:43:38] (28 seconds)  #SpiritGrowsTheSeed Edit Clip

And I think this connects with what Jesus says in Luke 10, verse 3. He says, I'm sending you out to his followers. I'm sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. That doesn't sound really exciting, maybe, if you think about that. But what does that mean? What is it like to be a lamb? Humble, gentle, innocent. Trusting not in our own strength, but in our shepherd. [00:44:05] (25 seconds)  #WeaknessRevealsStrength Edit Clip

Jesus sends us out, he says, like lambs, ultimately because that's how he came to us, the perfect Lamb of God, completely innocent, completely gentle. He prays even for his own killers, Father, forgive them. They know not what they do. He doesn't hold on to grudges or rage or anger. He suffered in weakness and humility on the cross, entrusting himself to the power of God, the Father. And that is how the kingdom of Satan is defeated. And that's how the kingdom of God still works. [00:45:49] (41 seconds) Edit Clip

You know, we don't really make things happen for God. We sow seed and the spirit makes things grow. I've been in so many meetings. I could go on about this about, well, let's get some guru in here who's an expert to tell us what we need to do to like make the church grow. And I've always felt like that's like fundamentally wrongheaded. Like let's do our part the best we can. But ultimately this thing is not all in our hands. It's God who makes the mission happen. We do our part. We sow the seed. [00:46:29] (32 seconds) Edit Clip

When we walk in humility, determined not to bear a grudge, determined to be forgiving, determined to be people who reflect Jesus, the Lamb of God in this world. When we do that, one of the things that happens again and again and again and again in church history is that in our weakness, God's strength shows up. And it surprises people. And it's sometimes the last thing anyone would have expected, but look at Easter morning. It happens and it changes the world. [00:47:18] (32 seconds) Edit Clip

When Jesus sends out these disciples, these 72, to be his missionaries, to be the laborers that they were praying for, he sends them, according to verse 1, to the very places where he himself was about to go. If the Lord Jesus calls you to be a missionary to people in your family or in your neighborhood or in your workplace, it's because he plans on showing up. We are tilling the ground, we're sowing the seed, but Jesus is planning to show up. And that's what makes all the difference. We're helping to pave the way. [00:47:51] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

Remember, it starts with prayer, earnestly. Pray to your Father to raise up laborers for the harvest and then see what he doesn't do in you and through you. If you start there. It's easy to pray. It's easy to turn to him. Are we doing it? He can do mighty things. [00:48:48] (22 seconds) Edit Clip