Messengers Series Part 1 - Lord of the Harvest

This morning, we gathered as a diverse community, united in our shared need for God’s presence and direction in our lives. We began by recognizing that prayer is not just about asking God to show up—He is already here—but about opening our hearts to be changed, to see ourselves and others through His eyes. As we worshipped, we remembered that each of us bears God’s image and is part of His ongoing work in the world. Our community is active in serving others, from immigration workshops to Thanksgiving baskets and outreach to the homeless, embodying the call to be Christ’s hands and feet.

We reflected on Psalm 119, considering God as our shield and sustainer, the One we can lean on when life is chaotic. The Hebrew letters Samek and Ayin reminded us that God both upholds us and sees us, inviting us to seek understanding and to trust in His faithful love even when we are weary. We confessed together the core truths of our faith through the Apostles’ Creed, grounding ourselves in the story of God’s redemptive work.

Turning to Matthew 9, we saw Jesus moved with compassion for the crowds—people who were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus’ response was not just to heal, but to call His followers to join Him in the work of the kingdom. The good news, the gospel, is that God’s kingdom has arrived in Jesus, who brings restoration not through power and domination, but through sacrificial love—even for His enemies. This is the upside-down way of the kingdom: the greatest is the least, and true leadership is found in serving others.

We are not called to be spectators, but participants in God’s mission. The world is full of people who are “sick and tired of being sick and tired,” and Jesus’ compassion extends to them—and through us, to them. The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. God calls us to step out, to build real relationships, to love genuinely, and to share the hope and peace of Christ not just with our words, but with our lives. The resources we need are found in the harvest itself; as we go, God provides. Our allegiance is to King Jesus, and our calling is to reflect His image, bringing light and life to a weary world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Prayer is transformative, not just transactional. When we pray, we are changed—our hearts soften toward others, our perspective shifts, and we begin to see ourselves and the world as God does. Prayer is the means by which we become more attuned to God’s presence and more available for His purposes. [09:01]
• 2. God’s compassion is for the weary and worn out. Jesus sees those who are exhausted by life, who feel directionless and defeated, and He is moved with deep compassion. His response is not mere pity, but a call to action—He invites us to join Him in bringing hope and restoration to those who are struggling. [03:45]
• 3. The gospel is the good news of God’s kingdom breaking into our world through sacrificial love. Jesus redefines power and kingship, not by conquering enemies with force, but by laying down His life for them. This radical love is the foundation of our faith and the model for our own lives. [61:07]
• 4. Participation in God’s mission is not optional for followers of Jesus. We are not meant to be passive observers, but active messengers and agents of God’s kingdom. This means building genuine relationships, loving people where they are, and letting our lives bear witness to the reality of Christ’s love. [69:10]
• 5. The resources for God’s work are found in the harvest itself. When we step out in faith to serve and love others, God provides what is needed—often through the very people we are called to reach. Our smallness or lack is not a barrier; God multiplies our efforts as we trust Him and go. [71:18]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [08:29] - Opening Prayer and Presence of God
• [10:24] - Community Announcements and Outreach
• [11:45] - Thanksgiving Baskets and Community Partnerships
• [12:59] - Missional Work and Upcoming Opportunities
• [13:36] - Apostles’ Creed: Confessing Our Faith
• [18:34] - Psalm 119: God as Shield and Sustainer
• [24:44] - Psalm 119: God Who Sees and Understands
• [33:29] - Testimony: From Doubt to Faith
• [45:10] - Reflections on Worship and Authenticity
• [49:32] - Personal Story: God’s Transforming Grace
• [51:10] - Called to Be Messengers, Not Spectators
• [54:40] - The Gospel: Good News of the Kingdom
• [58:05] - Isaiah’s Runner: Beautiful Feet of the Messenger
• [62:57] - Jesus’ Compassion for the Weary
• [69:10] - Our Call: Participation in the Harvest
• [71:32] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Matthew 9:35-38 (ESV) — 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for 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 laborers are few;
38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Psalm 119:113-120, 121-128 (ESV) — (Selected verses from the Samek and Ayin sections, as referenced in the sermon.)

Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 9:36, what does Jesus notice about the crowds, and how does He respond to what He sees?
2. According to Psalm 119:114, what does the psalmist call God, and what does that say about his relationship with God?
3. The sermon described the Hebrew letter Samek as a “shield” and Ayin as an “eye.” How do these images help us understand God’s role in our lives? [18:34]
4. What does Jesus say is needed in response to the “plentiful harvest” in Matthew 9:37-38?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus was moved with compassion for the crowds, and what does it mean that they were “like sheep without a shepherd”? [01:02:57]
2. The sermon said prayer is “transformative, not just transactional.” What does it mean for prayer to change us, rather than just be a way to get things from God? [09:01]
3. The message described the gospel as “good news of God’s kingdom breaking into our world through sacrificial love.” How is this different from the way the world usually understands power and leadership? [01:01:07]
4. The sermon said, “We are not called to be spectators, but participants in God’s mission.” What does it look like to move from being a spectator to a participant? [51:10]

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about being “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Have you ever felt this way? How did you experience God’s compassion in that season, or how would you like to? [01:06:09]
2. Prayer was described as something that changes our hearts and helps us see others through God’s eyes. Is there someone in your life you need to start praying for in this way? What might change if you did? [09:01]
3. Jesus calls us to join Him in the work of the kingdom, not just to watch from the sidelines. What is one step you could take this week to be more involved in serving others—either in the church or in your community? [51:10]
4. The sermon mentioned that “the resources for God’s work are found in the harvest itself.” Have you ever felt like you didn’t have enough to serve or help others? How might God provide as you step out in faith? [01:11:18]
5. The message challenged us to build real relationships and love people genuinely, not just with words. Who is someone outside your usual circle that you could reach out to this week? What would it look like to love them with Christ’s love? [01:10:06]
6. The gospel is about sacrificial love, even for enemies. Is there someone you find it hard to love or forgive? What would it look like to show them sacrificial love, even in a small way? [01:01:07]
7. Our allegiance is to King Jesus, not to comfort or convenience. Is there an area of your life where you need to realign your priorities to reflect this? What practical change could you make this week? [01:16:45]