Lord’s Day, Vol. 2 No. 1
The Work of Soul Winning
(This is a summary of the message given at our first prayer meeting on 15 August 2013 for your encouragement.)
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matthew 9:35-38 (KJV)
In the matter of soul winning, our Lord sets the example par excellence. Jesus came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Matt. 9:13). The Pharisees laughed Him to scorn but Jesus continued the work that His Father entrusted to Him. How did Jesus accomplish this work? We can glean from Matt. 9:35-38: it is hard work (v35), it is heart work (v36) and it is Holy Spirit-led work (v37-38).
(1) Hard Work (v35)
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
The adjective “all” and “every” is used three times to describe the scope of Jesus’ work. It was comprehensive. He covered the grounds, left no corner of cities and villages not evangelized. It required physical, mental and spiritual endurance. Our Lord demonstrated to us this commitment worthy of our emulation. It is a greatly sacrificial work. He said this to the scribe who wanted to be His disciple – “20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20) And yet the work is highly rewarding for souls of men and women are snatched from the clutches of hell and transported to the glory of heaven.
“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom. 10:15b cf. Isa. 52:7).
He was spreading the good news of the gospel. He preached the word to all who were willing to listen. Jesus also taught. He showed them the true sense of the laws of God in Matthew 5-7. How we are to live our lives in the light of God’s Word that we may receive God’s blessings!
He also healed the sick. We see this in Matthew 8-9. These mighty works authenticated Jesus as the Messiah King. Today, we do not possess such supernatural power of miracle healing but we can pray for the needs of those in beds of affliction. We can acknowledge that power comes from God, and submit ourselves to His sovereign power and will to heal.
However, in the preceding context of verse 34, the Pharisees accused our Lord that “He casts out devils through the prince of the devils”. The accusation was that Jesus’s work was evil, energized by Satan. What great blasphemy! From Matthew 9 onwards, we observe the work becoming more difficult because of opposition. In the midst of toil, our Lord endured mocking and scorning that can cause much discouragement. This was the lot for our Saviour! It will be the lot for us, His disciples, too. May the Lord grant to us His comfort and encouragement so that we may press on despite rejection, resistance and setback!
(2) Heart Work (v36)
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
The hard work was undergirded with a resolve and purposeful determination in the heart to press on with this gospel work despite setbacks. Jesus knew the burdens in the hearts of the multitude. They were filled with sorrows, grief, afflictions, troubles and sins. As Jesus saw their lost estate, he was moved with compassion. Jesus felt deeply for them. He is the good Shepherd who cares for His sheep.
Jesus demonstrated a love that is unconditional and sacrificial. A love the Holy Spirit gives to the child of God (Rom 5:5). Jesus demonstrated the strength of this love in His ministry on earth in humble service.
Jonathan Goforth, a missionary to China in the early 20th century, often sang this chorus as a prayer that God would keep his heart burning for lost souls.
LORD crucified, give me a heart like Thine:
Teach me to love the dying souls of men.
Oh, keep my heart in closest touch with Thee;
And give me love-pure Calvary love to bring the lost to Thee.
(3) Holy Spirit-Led Work (v37-38)
37. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Jesus used a farming imagery to help us see the urgency of the work. When the farmer first sows, there is a season of cultivation, when he waters and fertilizes and patiently waits for harvest. When it is time to harvest, the entire field is ready all at once. There is a sense of urgency to reap quickly before the birds, worms and insects come to feed on them. There is a vast field of work to be done but few are the labourers.
Many need instruction but few are able to instruct in the ways of righteousness and truth. No man by himself can discharge this work unless the Lord raises him up and endows him with the strength and ability to go forth. He has to be led by the Holy Spirit. Pray that the Lord would call and commission more to serve in this ripe harvest field.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, has the Lord called you to be trained so that you can be sent forth for this precious work of soul winning? Do obey His voice.
CONCLUSION
May the Lord grant to us His grace as we embark on the work of soul winning for His glory. Amen.
1 http://pastorshawn.com/a-great-hymn-about-grace-its-story/
Yours lovingly
Pr Lek Aik Wee