Gaining a Passion for Missions

[0:00] So, pleasant morning, Kingdom Life Church, Bahamas. Oh, this is amazing.! I just want to especially thank you for this wonderful opportunity this morning to share God's word and just for the support from this church.

[0:17] We, the Campbells, we really appreciate it this morning. Thank you. Alright, so, for those who have been looking in your bulletins this morning, you may be there right now.

[0:32] But if not, would you just turn to Matthew 9, starting in verse 35, ending in verse 38. It's just four verses we'll be looking on this morning for the main text.

[0:47] Are we there? I'll read. 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.

[1:08] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

[1:24] Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest, to send out laborers into his harvest.

[1:45] You know, as I prayed and reflected on Matthew 9, you know, verse 35 through to 38, which we just read, I felt like the Lord gave me the topic, gaining a passion for missions.

[1:59] You know, these four verses really highlight Jesus' view and approach to missions.

[2:11] And this morning I want to put forward a proposition this morning. And it goes, While all believers are commanded to do missions, they are also called to be passionate about missions.

[2:31] Let me repeat this. While all believers are commanded to do missions, they are also called to be passionate about missions.

[2:43] Let's pray. Dear Lord, we thank you this morning. We thank you for your word. I thank you for this opportunity. That we can gather together.

[2:55] And just look to your word. This morning I pray, Lord, that I would speak as the very oracles of God. I pray, Lord, that what will be communicated this morning will not necessarily be what Shalom wants to communicate, but it will be what God wants to communicate.

[3:12] It will be what Jesus Christ wants to be communicated, what the Holy Spirit wants to communicate this morning. Lord, have your way. Have your way this morning, I pray.

[3:25] In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Amen. You know, when I chose this topic two to three weeks ago, Tropical Storm Erica had not developed.

[3:38] There is no way I could have known that Erica's existence and activity, especially in Dominica, would have some bearing on what God was impressing upon me to share today.

[3:53] In the first week of August, a team put together from YWAM, Montego Bay, where my wife Sarah and I, as you heard, where we serve, comprising of Marian Jacob, who is our base director, and Camisha, one of our past discipleship training school students.

[4:16] And other individuals not from YWAM were invited to Dominica. This was three weeks ago, for two days. I want you to hear this.

[4:28] A sister from Dominica had felt that there was a disaster coming, and that this team should come to pray, repent, and encourage persons to put their trust in Jesus Christ.

[4:40] As a result, three of them went and did just that. Well, we all have heard what has happened, the reports. Erica killed 20 persons.

[4:52] There are 20 persons confirmed, persons who were killed, on the 28th. That was two Fridays ago. Now, I don't know what the real impact of the team's visit three weeks ago to Dominica meant.

[5:06] Only God knows. However, this along with what I'm about to share with you today are reasons why we need to have increased passion for missions.

[5:22] With this in mind, first let me tell you one of the three areas which I will be addressing today. This is the motto of Gospel Mission.

[5:35] In Gospel Missions, we share the good news of Jesus Christ with unbelievers.

[5:48] Now, there are two main types of missions, and we know. You have foreign missions, you have local missions. With foreign missions, you would think of going outside of the Bahamas.

[6:00] And within local missions, you would think missions that you do within the Bahamas. Hopefully that's clear. Let me give you some idea of what local missions, what it entails.

[6:16] It includes having regular Bible study with friends, coworkers, neighbors. It may entail going to hospitals, schools, in the workplace to share the gospel.

[6:29] Feeding the homeless. Personal and community evangelism, and so forth. But you know, the interesting thing is, a lot of times when we think about missions, we think about what we as a church do.

[6:42] I want to give us a perspective here this morning. God is on a mission. Let me say that again. God is on a mission to redeem mankind.

[6:56] And to advance His kingdom. Could we just look on Ephesians 1, 3 to 7 right now?

[7:06] We're starting in verse 3, and then in verse 7. You know, for those who affirm we're from theology, this is actually a very popular passage.

[7:24] You know, in Jamaica, where I'm from, this is, it would be so novel to be sharing this passage this morning. In some context.

[7:36] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

[7:48] Even as He chose us in Him. Before the foundation of the world. That we should be holy and blameless before Him.

[8:02] In love. In love. In love. He predestined us for adoption. As sons through Jesus Christ. According to the purpose of His will.

[8:15] To the praise of His glorious grace. With which He has blessed us. In the beloved.

[8:27] In Him we have redemption. Through His blood. The forgiveness of our trespasses. According to the riches of His grace.

[8:43] You know, as we look on this passage. It should be clear that God is a missionary. God is on a mission. And on this mission.

[8:55] He purchases us back. That's why we use the word redeem. Redemption. He has paid the price. This morning. You know, I so love that word that God has impressed upon you.

[9:07] Because it just gives us this great picture of what the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of this world.

[9:17] This Lamb. Jesus who paid that price. That redemption. And God is on a mission to redeem mankind. And to advance His kingdom.

[9:29] This is glorious. But it does not end there. There is a part that we have to play. In Christian missions.

[9:42] We partner with God in missions. Could you just turn to 2 Corinthians 5. 18 through to 20. Are we there?

[9:58] Okay. All this is from God. Who through Christ reconciled us to Himself. And gave us.

[10:12] When you hear the operative word us. Gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself.

[10:27] Not counting their trespasses against them. And entrusting to who? Us. Us. Us. The message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ.

[10:43] God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ. Be reconciled to God.

[10:55] Us. Us. Us. Us. We partner with God in missions. This morning, I want to share a quote with you this morning.

[11:08] It's from David Bernard. And it says, Here am I. Send me. And we know that's a popular passage in Isaiah.

[11:21] But let me continue to read this quote. I'll start over. Here am I. Send me. Send me to the ends of the earth. Send me to the rough.

[11:32] The savage pagans of the wilderness. Send me from all that is called comfort on earth. Send me even to death itself.

[11:45] If it be but in thy service. And to promote thy kingdom. You know, I don't know if many of you have studied church history.

[11:59] And if you are aware of who David Bernard is. You know, a revival took place because of this young man.

[12:10] He died very early. You know, he died at 29. He worked with the Indians. You know, that Delaware, New Jersey area. That site.

[12:22] He had a very profitable ministry. If you study church history. And you hear about this young man. As a matter of fact. Jonathan Edwards was the one who spoke at his funeral.

[12:33] And probably if he had lived longer. Maybe his daughter. Jonathan Edwards' daughter. Probably would have married him or something. But the interesting thing about this young man was.

[12:44] It was someone who was very passionate. Passionate about missions. Passionate about seeing people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

[12:56] If you, you know. Maybe you could just read upon him. An amazing person who died so early. At 29. But let's just look back at what he's saying here.

[13:09] He's asking God to send him. Even to the wilderness. Away from comfort. Even to death itself. You know.

[13:22] They have his diary. And in his diary. There's so many accounts of him. Just praying outside. And you know.

[13:34] This was someone who was very sickly. Weak. Frail. He had tuberculosis. Right? And. He would pray for hours upon hours outside.

[13:47] Because he felt that God would move through those prayers. And touch these people. And God did that.

[13:59] A young man who was just on fire. So. So comfort wasn't what he was about. You know. In this time. Comfort is very important for us. Comfort. But.

[14:11] But as this young man says. He says. Send me from all. That is called comfort on this earth. That's a challenge to us this morning. Isn't it?

[14:21] When we think of all of the. The wonderful things. I mean. Some of us. If we. If we were even to go on a missions trip. And we probably don't have the internet. That's a serious challenge. You know.

[14:35] I mean. It's. Oh boy. But. This morning. You know. This is a very popular quote.

[14:45] By John Piper. I just wanted to share with us again. This morning. It says. Mission exists. Because worship doesn't. If you really listen to that quote. One of the things that.

[14:57] Comes to mind. Is the fact that worship is important. Because it says. Mission exists. Because worship doesn't. This morning.

[15:08] You know. The worship was. Was. Was really. I really enjoyed worship. This morning. And you know. As. As we think about missions. This morning. We want. Other persons.

[15:19] To be able to participate. In worshiping God. Because he's good. Isn't he? He's good. When we think.

[15:31] Of what. Our triune God. God. The Father. The Son. The Holy Spirit. Has done. For us. We can't. We can't. Help. But to want. To tell. Others.

[15:42] About. The true God. Who. Deserves. Worship. We can't. That is the reason.

[15:53] Why. When. You know. We fulfill. God's commandment. To go. To make disciples. To baptize. To teach. Observance.

[16:04] Of Jesus's. Instructions. As Matthew 28. 18. Through to 20. Teaches. Right? But we do this.

[16:15] Out. Of love. Out of. Recognizing. What God. Has done. For us. You know. The Bible says. He who has been. What? Forgiven.

[16:26] Much. Loved. What? Much. Listen. Unfortunately. This morning. I won't be able. To share my testimony. With you. But. Listen.

[16:37] When I know. Where I came from. Pastor Cedric. Has heard. Some of my stories. Listen. When I know. Where. Where God. Has taken me from.

[16:48] I love him. So much. I am so. Grateful. To this God. Well. But let me continue. So. Therefore. God.

[17:00] Is. The first. Missionary. And. We. As. His disciples. Followers. Are. By. Default. Well. You hear what I'm saying.

[17:11] Missionaries. As well. I know. This morning. Some of you will be saying. But. Shalon. What are you saying? Am I a missionary? Missionary? But.

[17:21] I don't travel to distant lands. Like. You and your wife. Let me give you a perspective. I believe. This morning. That missionaries work.

[17:32] Within the seventh sphere. Or. If you know it. As. The mountains of influence. I believe so. Arts and entertainment. Business. Education.

[17:44] Family. Government. Media. Religion. Information. You know. Just for information. Some of you may wonder. Where did you get this. This.

[17:54] This mountain of influence. Or fear. Or whatever. Well. Lauren Cunningham. Who is the. The founder of YWAM. And Bill Bright. He's.

[18:06] He's deceased. But he's the. The former. Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. They. They. They. They. Both. Had these. Seven areas.

[18:16] As. As. Basically. Being. The seven areas. Of influence. You can research it. But. But what. But what I want you to. To think about this morning. Is.

[18:27] You could be an artist. And. And that. And you are doing God's work. You know. Sometimes we think. The only person. Who is a missionary. Is a pastor. Or the full time. Missionary. That.

[18:37] Is. Not. So. Wherever. God has called you. Wherever. God. Has called you.

[18:48] To be. That is your mission field. Let me say that again. Wherever. God. Has called you to be. That.

[18:59] Is. Your mission field. Know that we have looked at gospel missions. Let us. Consider. My second point. This morning.

[19:10] Which is. Gospel. Passion. You know.

[19:22] Jesus. Had passion. You know. The first thing. When I think about Jesus.

[19:33] His passion. I can't help. But. To look on this passage. And it says. Go. Went.

[19:45] Let us look back on the passage. In verse 35. And. Jesus. Went. You know.

[19:59] This morning. Some of you may. Say that. But that's simple. Just going. Having. Having. The Lord. Spoken to us. Many times. And said. Do something. And what we do.

[20:10] We do not do it. We disobey. Sometimes God might say. Go over and speak to someone. And he said no. Because the fear of man. Somewhat. Crowded out.

[20:20] The fear of God. In that particular situation. But I want us to see something here. Jesus. Passion for the lost. Compelled him to go.

[20:31] That is to move from his. Present location. To go to. Another. He went. Simple. If Jesus.

[20:42] Our king. Our master. Our God. Oh. My apologies. If Jesus. Our king. Master. And God.

[20:53] Went. So. Should. We. As Christians. We cannot be satisfied. Believing that. Because others. Are. Going. Out.

[21:04] And sharing the love of Jesus Christ. With unbelievers. That God is okay. With us. Just being. In church. That's deception. Ouch. I want to share another quote.

[21:20] With you this morning. It's by John Keith Faulkner. He says. I have but one. Candle. Of life. To burn. And I would rather.

[21:34] Burn it. Out. In a land. Filled with darkness. Than in a land. Flooded. With light. Wow. Today.

[21:48] There are many. There are many missionaries. Many. Many missionaries. But guess where they. Guess where they go to do missions. In the reached world.

[22:01] They don't go to unreached people groups. Because. They're thinking about comfort. They're thinking about their lives. And. And I understand. Let me move over this way.

[22:13] Okay. I understand. I mean. We don't run. Looking persecution. That would be. Crazy. Wouldn't it be.

[22:23] Right? But the thing is. We really need to. Have the proper perspective. Here this morning.

[22:35] You know. As I read. That quote. By. David. Bernard. This morning. It. It. It. It. It. It. To let us really think about the gospel.

[22:48] To think about. Even what. You know. What we are called to do. And. The real purpose. For while we are here. Doesn't it? Yes?

[23:00] No. I would say this morning. And. I want you to recognize. What I'm trying to do this morning. I've been talking about foreign missions. And local missions. Right? And I'm telling you. I'm also saying that we.

[23:13] Even in our own context. We have a mission field. So. What I'm trying. Not to do this morning. Is. To let. Everyone here. Because my wife and I. Are full time missionaries.

[23:23] And we travel. All over the world. And do. That type of stuff. That. That's what I'm here. Talking about. Even though. That is part of what I'm sharing. I want you to recognize.

[23:34] Even if you're a banker. This morning. That you have a mission field. I want to make that very clear. I'm hoping that this is very clear. Okay.

[23:47] Just praying for persons to be saved. While it is clearly. A God. Ordained. Activity. It cannot. Be.

[23:58] Enough. For us to sit down into church. And think. You know what? I'm praying. That they will be successful. On. On the mission field.

[24:10] There is something that we are required to do. We are required to go. So the first thing is. In Jesus' passion. Jesus' passion.

[24:21] Compelled him. To go. So as you get a revelation. Of how good God is. And as we are. His followers. What you think is likely.

[24:33] That we should go. No. The going might mean. That. Okay. Instead of. Instead of. And let's. Let's not.

[24:44] Think of foreign missions. Just for this. For this illustration. It might mean. That. Maybe that sister. That God has been impressing. Upon your heart. To share.

[24:55] A word of encouragement. To that you go to that sister. I want to let this be very simple. This morning. Him. Because sometimes. We. We complicate. These things. It may mean.

[25:05] That maybe you normally. Evangelize. At a particular place. You could try somewhere new. I. I. I. Just want to give us. Some. Some. Perspective. But Jesus' passion.

[25:16] Compelled him to go. The second thing. Jesus' passion. Made him. Not only. Go. But. It. Inspired him to go.

[25:27] Throughout. All. The cities. And villages. Amazing. Let us. Let us look back on the passage here. Do you recognize it said.

[25:38] Cities. And villages. When you think about cities. We know cities are usually large. Towns. They're.

[25:49] Usually. They're bigger than villages. Right? They tend to be more developed. In the cities. You would find the wealthier persons. In the villages. You would find the poor set of persons.

[26:00] It tends to be obscure. So I want you to just. Just think about that this morning. Cities. Wealthy. Bigger. More developed.

[26:11] Villages. Poor. Obscure. Alright? What do. When you think of that now. Do you see Jesus.

[26:21] Is this passion? Because it means. He was not. He went everywhere. Cities. And villages. He was sparing.

[26:33] None. This indicates. How passionate. He was. And the extent. The degree. To which. He. He wanted to reach the lost.

[26:44] He was. My question. To kingdom life. This morning is. What is the extent. To which we are going. To reach the lost.

[26:55] This morning. What is the extent? I want you to model. A little bit over that. This morning. I want to.

[27:06] Share another quote. This morning. This one is. Is from. John Stott. And he says. Why is it.

[27:17] That some Christians. Cross land. And see. Continents. And cultures. As missionaries. What on earth. Impels them.

[27:27] It is not. In order. To commend. A civilization. An institution. Or an ideology.

[27:39] But rather. A person. Jesus Christ. Whom. They believe. To be unique. You see. That is the reason. Why we do this. We do this.

[27:51] So that the lamb. Who was slain. May receive. The reward. Of his suffering. We do this. Because. Of. Jesus. Jesus Christ. This is the reason. Why. This is the reason.

[28:01] Why. My wife Sarah. And I. I remember. We were in Greece. And they were detaining. A couple of us. Just because. We wanted to give. Give. Give. People Bibles. Because the Greek.

[28:12] Orthodox priests. Thought. Well. I am the one. Who. Who should teach them. The word. No one else. Must be teaching. The word. No one else. Must be giving out. Bibles. So. They.

[28:23] Had some. Police officers. Who. Carried. A couple of us. Well. I wasn't in. In that group. And detain us. And then. When they realized. That there was no. Reason for detaining us.

[28:35] That they. Let us. Let us go. Free. But. The thing is. The thing is. We do this.

[28:45] Because. Of Jesus Christ. But you know. When Jesus left. He did not. He did not leave us. Without. The comforter.

[28:56] And that is so amazing. I just want to. Remind us this morning. A passage. A very popular passage. Especially as. As.

[29:07] As. As. As. As. As. Charismatics. This morning. Or continuationist. As we would say. It says. In Acts 1. Verse 8. It says.

[29:17] But you will receive power. When the Holy Spirit. Comes upon you. And you will be my. Witnesses. In Jerusalem. And in all Judea. And Samaria. And to the ends of the earth.

[29:29] You know. This morning. I have to. I have to challenge us. This morning. I have to challenge us. To. To be mindful. To be mindful.

[29:40] Of what Jesus has done. And so we must go. As we. Think of. The fact that Jesus. Went through. The cities. And the villages.

[29:52] And as we think of his passion. And. And just. How that. Led him to go to these different places. I also want us. Not to miss something.

[30:02] Here this morning. Jesus went. To the synagogues. But you. But Shalom. Jesus was a Jew. So. Obviously. He would go. To the synagogue. And I said. Yes.

[30:13] But let me just. Try to. To. Let you. Think of something. Here this morning. So yes. Jesus was sent. To the last. Sheep of Israel. As Matthew. 15. 24.

[30:24] Says. And we know. That his priority. First. Was to the. To the Jews. And you know. As he. As he had. You know. That famous. Discourse.

[30:35] Between. Jesus. And this lady. And you know. She's. Telling him. You know. You know. Lord. You know. She wants to be healed. And healing the children. And the bread. And that whole discourse.

[30:46] And Jesus was pretty much. Just telling her. Listen. I was really sent. To the Jews. You know. My priority. Is to the Jews. Right. But I want you to just. Think of something here. As Jesus.

[30:57] Is in the synagogues. Who do you think. Is in the synagogues. Aren't there Pharisees. And scribes. As well. Yes. You can expect.

[31:09] Opposition. So. He went. He's going throughout. The cities. And the villages. He's in the synagogues.

[31:19] Which is. Which is an avenue. To share. The gospel. At that time. Because they. At that time. They would share. In the synagogues. But there was also. There was. There was.

[31:30] The. The opportunity. To be opposed. To. To receive. Persecution. As they share. In these synagogues. Especially because. The Pharisees.

[31:40] And the scribes. They never. They never really liked. Some of the things. That Jesus was saying. Isn't that true? Yes. Another question. To you. This morning. Will you share.

[31:53] Even. If you will be. Persecuted. Reviled. Or derailed for it. Will you? Will you? This is just a side note.

[32:07] Because I know. Some persons might say. But Sheldon. You just told me. That Jesus. First priority. Was to. To go to the Jews.

[32:18] And I would just. Just. Just as a side note. I don't want to spend. Too long thinking on this. But I would say. You know.

[32:29] By extension. The church. Through the apostles. Went to the Gentiles. After Jesus. His earthly ministry. This was followed. Even by the apostle Paul.

[32:41] Even though the apostle Paul. Was the apostle to the Gentiles. If you look on Romans 1.16. You would recognize. That he talked about. To the Jews. First. And then to the Gentiles. So.

[32:51] So the thing is. I. I had to say that. Because I. I want us to recognize that. The idea was always. To reach everyone. Even though they started. With the Jew first.

[33:03] The. The idea was always. To. To. To. To widen the group. To include the Gentiles. I'm hoping. That that's clear. All right. My third point.

[33:14] I'm still. Along. This idea. Of gospel. Passion. A third point. Jesus. Passion.

[33:25] Compelled him. To proclaim. The gospel. Of the kingdom. I know. Some of you. Would say. But Sheldon. I am not.

[33:36] A preacher. But can you at least. Share. Your testimony. Of how you came to faith. Can you. Can you instruct others.

[33:49] As to. This great salvation. For which you. Have become. A beneficiary. Can you. Yes. And Jesus.

[34:00] Passionately. Told. Individuals. About. The gospel. The gospel. The gospel. Is the good news. But this good news. Of the kingdom.

[34:10] Would. Only. Have. Relevance. Significance. If. You first. I want you to hear this. Now. If you understood. The bad news.

[34:21] First. And one of the. And the bad news is. Our sinful state. You know. This morning.

[34:31] We could. Sing the songs. That we sang. Because. We. We recognize. What. What. Adam has done. And because of Adam. And that. Sinful nature. Which we all.

[34:42] You know. For all. Have sinned. And fall short of the glory of God. All. But because of that. And because of the separation. Which sin has.

[34:53] Has brought upon us. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Rejoice that God has done this great work and that there is good news. We read earlier about this ministry of reconciliation.

[35:08] So therefore, there is a work where we have been reconciled. So where we were first at odds, there is no reconciliation. This is amazing. This is why the gospel is good news.

[35:21] It is good news. But I want us here this morning to recognize that we have a responsibility to proclaim this good news.

[35:35] Let it not be that because we are not preachers this morning that we say we can't proclaim it. Far be it. We all should be able to give an account for this Jesus who has saved us this morning.

[35:54] We should. My fourth point here this morning. Jesus' passion led him to heal. Let me just turn back to this passage here.

[36:07] It says in verse 35. And I'll just read it. It says, And healing every disease and every affliction.

[36:22] Jesus' passion led him to heal all who were diseased and afflicted. You know, Jesus was traveling through that Galilean area there, that geographical area.

[36:37] And we know one of the reasons why Jesus performed miracles was to authenticate, to say, listen, I'm God. Simple. That was one of the reasons, right?

[36:49] But one of the other things that we need to remember is that Jesus was also someone who, he was good.

[37:01] He was full of passion. He saw the persons. He was quite aware of the need. This morning, are you aware of the need?

[37:11] You realize how many questions I'm asking this morning? I want us to think on this. Are you aware of the need of healing for your brothers and sisters this morning?

[37:24] Let me say this again. I know some of you may say this morning, I'm not a healer. Some of you may say, you know what?

[37:34] I don't have the gift of healing. But can you pray? Can you pray that someone be healed? Maybe there are persons who are brokenhearted this morning.

[37:44] They are going through challenges. Can you pray? Can you be a means of support for people who are experiencing hurt this morning?

[37:57] Because in that process, you're agents of healing. Can you? You know, we've just examined gospel mission, one.

[38:10] Gospel passion. I just want to go to my last point here this morning. It's gospel compassion. So we've looked at gospel mission, gospel passion, and now gospel compassion.

[38:29] As we look, let me go back to this verse.

[38:43] Verse 36. Let's just, let's look at it. It says, When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them.

[38:57] Because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful for the laborers, I feel.

[39:11] The first thing I want to say this morning is, Jesus' compassion was demonstrated in that he perceived.

[39:23] He saw the crowds. Have you ever felt like people are not seeing you? Have you ever felt that way? Like, I am here, but they're not really seeing me.

[39:35] Do you understand what I'm saying? Have you ever felt like you're not being seen this morning? Yes? But Jesus saw them. He really saw them. Are you looking for a God-given opportunity this morning to serve people?

[39:54] Are you? We need to grow in tender compassion. I want to use a very controversial topic today.

[40:07] Let me use this one. We need to grow in tender compassion, even in some areas. For instance, how do we treat persons struggling with homosexuality? How do we?

[40:20] Can the gospel be considered good news to the homosexual? Can it? We will maintain that engaging in homosexuality.

[40:35] That lifestyle is sinful. We will. And we will in no way compromise. But what I'm saying is, but can we show tender compassion to them? Can we?

[40:46] We should be able to. The gospel should be good news for everyone. Shouldn't it? We have to recognize our prejudices.

[40:58] We have to. We have to. You know, if this morning, suppose the door is swung open right now and someone off the street comes inside and he sits right here.

[41:10] This person is destitute. He probably is not well-dressed. Probably smells really bad. And everyone, you can just smell the stench just all over. How would we treat that person? Would we treat that person less than the person to your right who has on this wonderful cologne, who is well-dressed?

[41:26] We have prejudices, you know, in the church. We do. But this morning, Jesus has demonstrated that he looked and he saw the crowds.

[41:40] He saw them. Compassion. Amazing. I love Jesus. I love him. I do. Anyway, my second point.

[41:52] I need to finish. Jesus' compassion was not limited to him. Only seeing the crowds. You know, Jesus was able to...

[42:09] He looked and he says, They were harassed. We're still in verse 36. He says, They were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.

[42:25] You know, the idea concerning this verse is that the sheep, they would throw themselves down because of weariness.

[42:41] But this is an analogy here. So let me try to give you an idea of what was happening. The people at that time, they were burdened.

[42:52] You know why they were burdened? Because the Pharisees and the scribes, they were putting all type of things on the people. They were telling them about Sabbaths and fasts and traditions.

[43:04] It was hard. It was really hard. And they weren't caring for them. So can you just imagine that situation? You're not getting the care that you need.

[43:26] They weren't getting the care that they needed. But all of these things were thrown at them. I don't know if anyone here has ever researched sheep.

[43:42] A sheep, by far, is one of the most helpless animals you'd ever find. Helpless.

[43:54] You know, just, when was it? Since I've been here in the Bahamas, two days ago, I was driving with Pastor Cedric, and I heard someone talking about sheep, and I was smiling.

[44:05] Like, God, you know, you're just too cool. You know. And the person was saying, if a sheep falls on his back, simple as this, you know, if he falls on his back, and there is no one there to help him, the sheep would die.

[44:24] And I was like, that cannot be true. It's true. It's true. I cannot believe a sheep is so helpless. But all the studies have said that sheep is one of the most helpless animals you'll ever find.

[44:40] Sheep need protection. Sheep need a shepherd. Sinners are like sheep. They need guidance.

[44:52] This morning, no, I know, I know in the context of, I know Jesus calls us his sheep.

[45:04] And he guides us. But what I'm trying to say this morning, too, is, when I say sinners are like sheep, what I mean is, we who, can you think of yourself as a shepherd here this morning?

[45:18] This morning, this morning, I've, I've encouraged you to think of yourself as the, the person who's proclaiming the, the gospel. I told you to think of yourself as the person who could administrate healing.

[45:30] And hear what I'm saying to you this morning. Could you think of yourself as a shepherd here this morning? Someone who sees sheep. And you should give them guidance.

[45:41] I'm challenging you, challenging you here this morning. Can you decide to, to give guidance to individuals who are seeking truth this morning? Can you?

[45:53] I believe so. Jesus' heart gave out because the people like sheep did not recognize their spiritual condition. His heart gave out.

[46:04] You know, in the Greek, the word pity and sympathy and all these things, it doesn't fully conjure what, what it was, what it, it meant in the original language.

[46:18] Let me put it that way. The best way to say it is his heart gave out. Jesus looked and his heart gave out when he saw that these sheep didn't have a shepherd.

[46:32] And they were being harassed. They were helpless. Wow. Wow. Wow. Thirdly, Jesus' compassion was shown in his request of prayer.

[46:50] Let's go to verse 38. Well, I guess we could still look in verse 37 into 38.

[47:01] It says, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send all laborers into his harvest.

[47:16] You know, the word send, ekbalo. You know, sometimes when we hear the word send, we just think, oh, send. But the word really means to be thrust forth.

[47:31] Thrust forth. That's my desire this morning. I pray that God would thrust you forth into the field that people would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ because of you this morning.

[47:45] When I say you, I'm speaking to every single person here, no matter how young you are or how old you think you are. Jesus encouraged us to pray earnestly.

[48:00] To pray earnestly. Don't you think it will take time and dedication and discipline to do something like that? Yes. You know, Jesus had all-night prayer meetings with himself.

[48:12] Well, I guess with God, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. But when I say with himself, you know what I mean. He was all alone having all-night prayer meetings. Wow. Jesus believed in prayer.

[48:26] I want to share another quote with you this morning. It's by Roderick Davis. I hope that this quote will be meaningful even as I've tried this morning to share just some things with you here this morning.

[48:41] It says, Love is the root of missions. Sacrifice is the fruit of missions. Love is the root of missions.

[48:56] I've said this several times from today. The reason why we can do missions is out of love. But it will cost us. It will.

[49:07] There is a sacrifice. There is a sacrifice. You know, Jesus wanted more persons to be involved in missions. He encouraged them to pray.

[49:26] You know, as I reflected on this passage, I smiled when I looked at the verse right after verse 38. You know what it is? It's chapter 10, verse 1.

[49:38] You know what Jesus did? You think it's coincidental? He appointed 12 apostles and sent them out.

[49:53] As I close this morning, you know, I, that was a very, I would say not conventional way to go about this morning in the midst of my sermon to show a video.

[50:14] But you know, as I, as I pray and as I, you know, I thought about what I was sharing this morning, I really felt like the Holy Spirit just impressed upon me to let you actually see the need that is out there.

[50:28] You know, we've been talking this morning, we've been talking about mission, we've been talking about passion and compassion, and I just pray that the Holy Spirit would have just done something to us as a church this morning.

[50:41] As we looked at the statistics, as we learned some new things about the people groups this morning. But as I close, I don't want it to just be about what we observed in the scriptures and how we can probably interpret it in some way.

[51:04] I want us to leave this place this morning feeling that God has challenged us to do something. So I have some questions for us this morning and then we close.

[51:22] Could I just ask you to do something for me? I know this might be strange, but could you just close your eyes? We're not praying, but I just, I don't want any distractions. I just want to ask some questions and I want you to just, just, just, just think on this.

[51:38] What is God saying to your heart about missions today? Has God given you a greater appreciation for foreign and local missions?

[51:52] Do you see the importance of overseas missions? missions? Are you consistently sharing the love of Christ within your personal or your individual mission, your God given mission field?

[52:09] Whether you're in high school, university, whether you're working, you're unemployed, you're retired, do you feel like God has challenged you this morning to recognize your mission field?

[52:21] You could be an artist this morning, an entertainer, a banker, a teacher, a stay-at-home mom, a politician, a police officer, a church worker.

[52:34] Do you recognize your mission field? Are you intentional with your evangelism and your discipleship? This morning God isn't calling us to make converts per se, but disciples.

[52:51] Are you shepherding the sheep, the flock this morning? Do you make it a point of duty for persons to feel like they are seen or heard?

[53:05] It could be at church, it could be at work, it could be at school, so forth. Are you making the time in your busy schedule to accommodate people?

[53:17] Have you ever considered discipling someone, maybe as both of you shop at the supermarket, or maybe while you're jogging or walking in the park, or even at the gym?

[53:31] Do you sense that God is challenging you this morning concerning maybe your prejudices or ways that you've been partial? Is there some ways or some measures you feel like God may help you to overcome this?

[53:48] as we affirm the reformed faith, the tradition, we rightly view evangelism this morning as a God ordained means to which he uses to empower the whole process of election for salvation.

[54:10] But my question this morning is, are you going? we do know that God has elected? Therefore, are we challenged to speak to everyone, to have the heart like God who says, he wishes that none would perish?

[54:34] Ask yourself this morning, where are you going to share your faith? Jesus went among fishermen and called them to be fishers of men.

[54:47] When he was with the woman at the well, he said, I'll make rivers of living waters come from you. This morning, do you offer prayer for individuals who need healing?

[55:00] Can you personally say like the apostle Paul this morning, I have become all things to all people that by all means I may save some. There may be some of you here today who say, you know, I've lost my passion for missions.

[55:18] Some may say, I've never had it in the first place. And I would want to pray with you this morning. There may be some who said, I don't think I am compassionate enough, and I would love to pray with you this morning.

[55:37] I'd love to pray that you would regain or even receive a new passion for mission and compassion for people. Romans 10 14-15 says, How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?

[55:55] How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things.

[56:14] This morning I just wanted to say the gospel not only saves us and keeps us, but we are called to constantly reflect and behold Christ, to daily become more like him.

[56:27] And in that order, we are called to do missions. Would you pray to the Lord of harvest today for laborers?

[56:42] As all believers are commanded to do missions, they are also called to be passionate about missions. Could we just stand as I pray this morning?

[56:57] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Dear Lord, I just thank you this morning. Lord Jesus, that you came, you died, you were buried.

[57:12] Lord, you raised from the dead and you ascended on high. You are seated at the right hand of God the Father this morning. Lord, I pray this morning, even as we have been talking about you, Lord Jesus, and just how passionate you were, and how you were filled with compassion, who you were focused on the mission to which you were sent.

[57:39] That Lord, if there are persons here this morning who don't know you, Lord, that they would come to recognize this God who is good and has given all.

[57:51] He who knew no sin became sin, that we might become the righteousness of God. I pray, Lord, that you would have encouraged your people this morning.

[58:02] just have your way this morning. Have your way, I pray, in Jesus' name, Amen, Amen. Amen.

[58:13]