Barnabas Bulletin ~ 0200
THE LABOURERS ARE STILL FEW!
This BB~200 is written out of a heart of concern at the lack of professing Christians in dedicating their lives to the will and purpose of God. New Testament Christianity is all about a total commitment to Jesus Christ and His will. Every born-again Christian is called to be involved in the purposes of God in a practical way. Jesus never called us to be “pew-sitters” listening to yet another sermon, and not applying the message heard. When we consider the teachings of Jesus we see it is all about calling men and women to a life of discipleship ~ listening to and doing what He asks of us. When we are committed to the cause of Christ, then He prepares us for a life of service. As we listen to His voice He makes known to us what He is asking of us and what He requires us to do.
Sadly, so many today doubt the voice of God. Christianity is totally powerless if we do not know when the Lord is speaking to us. Jesus’ sheep hear His voice (John 10). It is still the same today. When we look into the Scriptures we discover that the great men and women of God heard the voice of God that caused them to rise up out of whatever they were before and to accomplish great things for God. Interestingly, most if not all of them, heard the voice of God when they were alone. There were no other people around to distract them and to talk them out of what they heard. Yes, they were disbelieved and persecuted, but they rose above the negativities and made a positive impact in their generation to the glory of God (and which still continues today).
IT CHALLENGES ME
It challenges me when I read what Jesus said about the lack of labourers for His work: “But when He (Jesus) saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, BUT THE LABOURERS ARE FEW. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest’” (Matthew 9:36-38, emphasis mine. See also Luke Chapter 10; John 4:34-38). Here we see the heart of Jesus for His followers to be available to gather in the harvest. This challenge can only be for professing Christians. We are the labourers in this passage.What are we doing about the ripened harvest waiting for the labourers?
In spite of all the negativities going on around the world, we are actually living in a day of tremendous opportunity to spread the Gospel Message. Continually we are receiving requests and pleas from numbers of nations to send someone to minister to them; to provide Conference speakers who can teach and demonstrate the way of the Holy Spirit; to provide books and literature that will teach them the ways of the Lord. Sadly, it is hard to find Christians willing to answer their requests.
LEARN FROM ISAIAH
We all need to come to the place of commitment that Isaiah of old came to in Isaiah Chapter 6. He had an experience of seeing the Lord and hearing His voice. The experience showed Isaiah of his lack and need, and then he heard the voice of God saying to him: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us”? Isaiah’s response was: “Here am I! Send me.” And He (God) said: “Go and tell this people . . .” Isaiah’s total commitment to the voice of God brought about an immediate response from God. He was commissioned to go and tell the message that God gave him. Isaiah’s total commitment and obedience caused Isaiah to become the great prophet Isaiah whose ministry has impacted multiplied millions of people ever since. But it would not have happened if Isaiah had not answered the call.
Today we also have to answer that call of God: “Who will go for Us”? God is looking for men and women, boys and girls, who will make themselves available to fulfil the Great Commission of Mark 16:15-20. Until we do, we will not be fulfilling the purpose for which Jesus Christ has saved us. I have learned that as long as we have an excuse we will always disobey God. There is no room for excuses when we become a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ. We must get rid of them. An excuse is telling God that we know better than Him ~ and that is nonsense.
The call of God on our life does not necessarily mean that we are all called to full-time Christian ministry with no secular job. That is why we need to hear the voice of God for ourselves, so we will know what involvement He is calling us to. I first heard the call of God in my life at 18 years of age. It was so clear that it changed my life completely. Then on the morning that I was sovereignly baptized in the Holy Spirit among a herd of cows I began speaking in tongues as fluently as though I had been speaking them all my life. God spoke to me and told me He was calling me to be a preacher, and that He would open the doors for me to preach straight away. I did not know how that would happen, but it happened. I started preaching at 18 years of age and have been preaching ever since. I am so glad I heard the voice of the Lord and obeyed. We have been privileged to take the Gospel Message to multitudes of people over many years. And it continues to grow today. All Praise to Jesus!
TAKE TIME TO WAIT ON THE LORD
If you do not as yet know the will and purpose of God for your life, then I encourage you to set time aside to get alone with God and ask Him to speak to you and tell you what He requires of you. Still your spirit and wait on the Lord. He is more willing to speak to you than you realize. It is vital that Christians know their calling and purpose in God so they will not wander aimlessly through life. Discover whether He wants you to go to other nations, stay in your current nation; whether He wants you to be an intercessor and pray for those who do go; or whether He wants you to be one who financially supports those who are reaching the lost for Jesus Christ. There is nothing more fulfilling in life than knowing the will and purpose of God for our life ~ and our doing it. God bless you through speaking to you. Love in Him ~ Rodney W. Francis.
Bible Reading: Isaiah 6 Philippians 3
Prayer: “Dear Lord, I come to You in the wonderful and worthy name of Jesus Christ Your Son, and I offer my life totally to you this day so that I may fulfil your plans and purposes for my life in a positive and effective way. Lord, help me to be finished with all excuses, and any other reasons that are hindering me from being totally available to You. I do want to be a fruitful labourer in your harvest field today. In Jesus’ name I pray this, Amen.”
The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry, New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.