Compassionate Community: Abandoned Together for the Harvest
Summary
In Matthew 9:35-38, Jesus exemplifies a life of compassion, service, and community. As He traveled through cities and villages, teaching and healing, He was moved by the sight of the harassed and helpless crowds, likening them to sheep without a shepherd. This passage calls us to reflect on our own lives and how we can embody the same compassion and commitment to the gospel. The theme of being "Sold Out, Sincerely Abandoned, Together" emphasizes the importance of living a life fully surrendered to Christ, not just individually but as a community.
The call to action is clear: we are to be laborers in the harvest field, sharing the gospel and showing compassion to those around us. This requires us to be intentional in our daily interactions, taking the extra minute to show mercy and kindness. It also means being part of a community that supports and encourages one another in our walk with Christ. The vision is to see the fields ripe for harvest and to respond by praying earnestly for more laborers to be sent out.
Prayer is a powerful tool in this mission. We are encouraged to pray with passion and urgency, asking the Lord of the harvest to send out workers. This is not a task we undertake alone; it is a collective effort, supported by the prayers and encouragement of our community. The 9:38 challenge is a practical way to incorporate this into our daily lives, setting aside time to pray for the harvest and for God to raise up workers.
As we gather for communion, we are reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus and the call to live a life abandoned to Him. This is a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal, as we remember the death and resurrection of Christ and commit ourselves anew to His mission.
Key Takeaways:
1. Compassion as a Community: Jesus' compassion for the crowds challenges us to feel deeply for those around us. We are called to be a community that embodies this compassion, taking the time to show mercy and kindness in our daily interactions. This requires intentionality and a willingness to be interrupted for the sake of others. [12:09]
2. The Harvest is Plentiful: The fields are ripe for harvest, and we are called to be laborers in God's kingdom. This means recognizing the spiritual needs around us and responding with the gospel. It is a collective effort that requires us to work together as a community, supporting and encouraging one another. [22:31]
3. Prayer as a Foundation: Prayer is essential in our mission to be laborers in the harvest. We are called to pray earnestly, with passion and urgency, for God to send out workers. The 9:38 challenge is a practical way to incorporate this into our daily lives, reminding us of the importance of prayer in our mission. [28:13]
4. Living Abandoned to Christ: Being "Sold Out, Sincerely Abandoned, Together" means living a life fully surrendered to Christ. This involves being part of a community that supports and encourages one another in our walk with Christ, and being intentional in our daily interactions to show the love of Christ to those around us. [29:27]
5. Communion as a Time of Renewal: Communion is a time to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and renew our commitment to His mission. It is a time for repentance and renewal, as we remember the death and resurrection of Christ and commit ourselves anew to living a life abandoned to Him. [30:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:29] - Introduction and Prayer
- [03:34] - Sermon Series Overview
- [04:40] - Individual and Community Abandonment
- [05:45] - Jesus' Ministry and Call to Disciples
- [06:46] - Walking with Jesus
- [08:03] - Future Hope in Christ
- [09:00] - Walking Together in Faith
- [09:39] - Jesus' Invitation to Community
- [11:07] - Abandoned Together in Compassion
- [12:09] - Feeling Compassion Deeply
- [13:15] - Burden for the Lost
- [14:25] - Compassion in Action
- [22:31] - Vision for the Harvest
- [28:13] - Abandoned Together in Prayer
- [29:27] - Call to Communion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 9:35-38
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Observation Questions:
1. What activities was Jesus engaged in as He traveled through the cities and villages according to Matthew 9:35? [05:45]
2. How did Jesus feel when He saw the crowds, and what metaphor did He use to describe them? [11:07]
3. What did Jesus identify as the problem in the harvest field, and what solution did He propose? [22:31]
4. What is the significance of the 9:38 challenge mentioned in the sermon? [28:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the sermon emphasize the importance of community in living a life "Sold Out, Sincerely Abandoned, Together"? How does this relate to the passage in Matthew 9:35-38? [03:34]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that compassion should be a collective effort within the church community? [12:09]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of prayer in the mission of being laborers in the harvest field? What does it mean to pray earnestly? [28:13]
4. What does it mean to live a life "abandoned to Christ," and how is this reflected in the practice of communion as discussed in the sermon? [29:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent interaction where you could have shown more compassion. How can you be more intentional in showing mercy and kindness in your daily interactions this week? [15:15]
2. The sermon calls us to be laborers in the harvest field. Identify one person in your life who might be "harassed and helpless" like the crowds Jesus saw. How can you share the gospel with them this week? [14:25]
3. The 9:38 challenge encourages us to pray for more workers in the harvest field. How can you incorporate this challenge into your daily routine? What specific time will you set aside for this prayer? [28:13]
4. Consider the idea of being "Sold Out, Sincerely Abandoned, Together." What steps can you take to deepen your commitment to Christ and your church community? [04:40]
5. During communion, we are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice. How can this reflection lead to a renewed commitment to His mission in your life? What specific changes will you make to live more fully abandoned to Christ? [30:40]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of community support. How can you actively support and encourage someone in your church community this week? [09:00]
7. How does the sermon challenge your current understanding of prayer and its role in your spiritual life? What changes can you make to prioritize prayer in your daily schedule? [28:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Compassionate Community Living
In Matthew 9:35-38, Jesus is moved by the sight of the harassed and helpless crowds, likening them to sheep without a shepherd. This passage challenges us to embody the same compassion in our daily lives. We are called to be a community that feels deeply for those around us, taking the time to show mercy and kindness. This requires intentionality and a willingness to be interrupted for the sake of others. Compassion is not just a feeling but an action that involves stepping into the lives of others and offering support and love. As a community, we are to reflect the heart of Jesus, who was always ready to serve and heal those in need. [12:09]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community is in need of compassion today, and how can you intentionally show them kindness and support?
Day 2: Recognizing the Harvest
The fields are ripe for harvest, and we are called to be laborers in God's kingdom. This means recognizing the spiritual needs around us and responding with the gospel. It is a collective effort that requires us to work together as a community, supporting and encouraging one another. The vision is to see the fields ripe for harvest and to respond by praying earnestly for more laborers to be sent out. We are not to be passive observers but active participants in God's mission, sharing the good news and meeting the needs of those around us. [22:31]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: What specific spiritual needs do you see in your community, and how can you actively participate in meeting those needs today?
Day 3: Prayer as a Foundation
Prayer is essential in our mission to be laborers in the harvest. We are called to pray earnestly, with passion and urgency, for God to send out workers. The 9:38 challenge is a practical way to incorporate this into our daily lives, reminding us of the importance of prayer in our mission. Prayer is not just a personal discipline but a communal effort, supported by the prayers and encouragement of our community. It is through prayer that we align our hearts with God's will and seek His guidance and strength for the work ahead. [28:13]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the 9:38 challenge into your daily routine, and who can you invite to join you in this prayer effort?
Day 4: Living Abandoned to Christ
Being "Sold Out, Sincerely Abandoned, Together" means living a life fully surrendered to Christ. This involves being part of a community that supports and encourages one another in our walk with Christ, and being intentional in our daily interactions to show the love of Christ to those around us. It is a call to live with purpose and dedication, putting aside our own desires and ambitions to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. This kind of abandonment requires trust and faith, knowing that God is in control and that His plans are greater than our own. [29:27]
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Communion as a Time of Renewal
Communion is a time to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and renew our commitment to His mission. It is a time for repentance and renewal, as we remember the death and resurrection of Christ and commit ourselves anew to living a life abandoned to Him. This sacred practice reminds us of the unity we have in Christ and the call to live out His love and grace in our lives. As we gather for communion, we are reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus and the call to live a life abandoned to Him. [30:40]
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV)
Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what specific areas of your life do you need to bring before God in repentance and renewal? How can you commit to living out His mission more fully?
Quotes
As Jesus looked at the massive crowds that he was ministering to, he felt compassion. And that word in your text, it means to feel in one's gut. And all God's people said, whew, I was expecting a different word. You see, Hebrews, they thought of the seat of emotions and thought as the gut, right? [00:11:51]
Jesus looks over this crowd and he feels a deep compassion inside of his heart for the spiritual condition of the people that he's ministering to. He feels it. His heart is coming out. And this is what I'm telling you we need together. As we abandon ourselves together as a community for Christ, we must have the same compassion that Jesus has. [00:13:15]
There is no lack of mercy needs in our communities. Can I get an amen? There's not a lack. There's no lack of people who need compassion because their souls are struggling. Their minds are struggling. Mental health is kind of a thing in our culture today. People are struggling with how to think, how to process. [00:14:25]
We need to look upon the people in our communities like Jesus did. And we at Living Waters need to say we have compassion for them. We got time for them. Can I float it out as an applicational point that it may just be an extra minute or two in your schedule? I think that's what God is calling me to and it might be you as well. [00:15:01]
Matthew Henry said it this way to this very day vast multitudes are as sheep not having a shepherd and we should have compassion and do all that we can to help them this is happening in our church i pray that it happens more and more it's so good god is moving in our church do you believe that god is moving here [00:15:39]
The fields are ripe for harvest the comp it's ready for the combining but we need more laborers we need more farmers the spiritual harvest field jesus is saying is is large it's mega lots of people could be harvested for jesus's glory and brought into his kingdom through the compassion of the gospel [00:20:00]
The fields are white for harvest there is a spiritual opening that is there in the hearts and minds of people right here right now but the labors are few that's the problem the problem is that we don't have enough farmers in the fields so therefore this is the thing we have a lot of crops that need to be harvested [00:22:21]
The harvest is plentiful the laborers are few we got to walk in that vision together and finally area number three is being abandoned together in prayer being abandoned together in prayer verse 38 therefore pray earnestly to the lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field [00:27:01]
Jesus asks that we be abandoned together in compassion and then also in vision but now in prayer because the situation is so desperate and massive we must pray earnestly the word earnestly in verse 38 it means to pray with passion or to pray big or to pray with a begging spirit beg the master of the field [00:27:41]
We as christians we are to pray to the lord of the harvest to send out new farmers into his harvest field which means the idea is this you are called to go if you are being thrust out by god through the prayer of his people go to the harvest field and live your life for christ or you are called to pray and help send [00:29:01]
If we're going to be sold out and abandoned to god we've got to take prayer seriously and i'm challenging every one of you to join up with this movement this is a worldwide movement it's happening all over christianity all over the world this is a little living waters expression of it but i'm asking you to get serious about prayer [00:31:21]
We pray that your Holy Spirit would speak very specifically to believers as they confess their sins and reflect on the perfect life of Jesus, the death of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus. May your power come. And Lord, we pray that you would do amazing things right now in communion. [00:30:44]
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