Commentary on Matthew 10-11
Chuck Smith emphasizes the call to prayer and active participation in God's harvest, highlighting that awareness of spiritual needs is often God's call to serve.
In this expository sermon, Chuck Smith explores Matthew chapters 9 and 10, focusing on Jesus' instruction to pray for laborers and then to actively go into the harvest. Smith highlights the connection between prayer and action, showing how God calls believers through awareness of spiritual needs. This message encourages Christians to respond obediently to God's call and participate in His mission.
Text
Shall we turn now in our bibles to the tenth chapter of the gospel of Matthew?
In the beginning of the tenth chapter we find Christ sending His disciples out, telling them to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But in the fact that He is sending them to go, in the first part of chapter ten, makes the last verse of chapter nine quite significant. For in the last verse of chapter nine, Jesus said to His disciples: "Pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest, that he will send forth labourers into His harvest" (Mat 9:38). And having told them to pray that the Lord will send workers into the harvest, the next thing He says is, "Go."
So many times as we pray, the Lord speaks to our own hearts. So many times we see a need and we think, oh what a need. The church really should be trying to fulfill that need, and we become all concerned with the need. And the Lord says, "Pray about it." And as we pray about it, suddenly we realize that God has called us. He has shown us the need, because He wants us to plug ourselves into the filling of that particular need. Many times the very fact that God has made you conscious and aware of that particular thing, is the beginning of the call of God upon your own life for that particular field of service.
So the Lord says pray, "Because harvest is plenteous, the labourers are few; pray that the Lord of harvest, will send forth labourers into his harvest" (Mat 9:37-38). Then in the very next section, the Lord says, "Now you go out into this harvest." And so praying so often prepares us for going. It is while I am praying that the Spirit of God can really get a hold of my heart.
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Sermon Outline
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I
- Jesus commands prayer for laborers in the harvest
- The significance of praying before going
- God calls individuals through awareness of needs
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II
- Christ sends disciples to the lost sheep of Israel
- The connection between prayer and action
- The role of the Spirit in preparing hearts
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III
- Understanding the harvest as spiritual opportunity
- Responding to God's call with obedience
- The importance of laborers in fulfilling God's mission
Key Quotes
“Pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest, that he will send forth labourers into His harvest.” — Chuck Smith
“So many times the very fact that God has made you conscious and aware of that particular thing, is the beginning of the call of God upon your own life for that particular field of service.” — Chuck Smith
“It is while I am praying that the Spirit of God can really get a hold of my heart.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Pray regularly for God to raise up workers for the spiritual harvest.
- Be attentive to the needs God reveals to you as a call to serve.
- Respond promptly and obediently when God calls you to ministry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest' mean?
It is a call to pray for God to send workers to gather the spiritual harvest, meaning people ready to receive the gospel.
Why is prayer emphasized before going out to serve?
Prayer prepares the heart and aligns the believer with God's will, enabling effective ministry.
Who are the 'lost sheep of the house of Israel'?
They refer to the Jewish people who were spiritually lost and in need of salvation at that time.
How does God call individuals to ministry?
Often God makes a person aware of a specific need, which is the beginning of their call to serve in that area.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in this process?
The Spirit works in prayer to prepare and move the heart towards obedience and service.