DEVOTED Recap
We had a fantastic night at DEVOTED this week. James Ballinger came down from Auckland (his family are on their way to do mission work in Japan) and he helped us think through the question 'What would it look like for us to go 'all in' serving Jesus?' by opening up Matthew 9:35-38 - the other Lord's prayer.
'Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”'
He pointed out three reasons why we won't pray this prayer with Jesus.
We don't think the people around us are really lost - like sheep without a shepherd.
We don't think that there is a massive urgent gospel task to be done - the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few.
We fail to trust God's sovereign care of the harvest - ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.
It was a great challenge to both pray and to consider how we might serve in bringing in the Lord's harvest.
If you couldn't make it, can I encourage you to watch the recording from the Live-stream? You can find it here. There was a slight problem with the audio which begins at about 20 seconds into the talk. I have also included the seminar on Multiplying Ministry which was also excellent. Here is the handout from the night.
Grace & peace,
Andrew