Luke 10:1-2 (NKJV) After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them,“The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.
Many of us have been walking with the Lord for years and we would have read the Bible numerous times. One of the great observations that we have of the Lord is His love, compassion and mercy towards the lost. He is indeed the good Shepherd who came and laid down His life for us. Jesus saw the harvest of many souls in His time.
God still longs for the salvation of many who are lost and have never had the opportunity to hear the good news of the Gospel. God established the Abrahamic Covenant to ensure that nothing would hinder the sending of the Messiah so that all the families of the earth could be blessed. The greatest blessing for all mankind is to have Jesus Christ as our Saviour and the Holy Spirit take residence in our hearts. It is the blessing of being restored to sonship in the Kingdom and the family of God.
Are you aware that those who need the Lord are living and working around you? It would be an understatement to say that COVID-19 has changed the world because almost everything has been upended. Everyone’s life has been affected, whether the rich or the poor. Have you seen the eyes of those who are anxious? When they are going through difficult times, we can almost see the misery in their eyes, because they are windows to their souls. Even though they might not share with us their pain, struggles and difficulties, it doesn’t necessarily mean all is well, because there is a hidden story behind everyone and every family. Every now and then, you may catch snippets of it because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak if you have a good relationship with them. They might share with you if you take time to befriend them or show them care. Sometimes, a simple question like “Are you all right?” or “Is everything all right at home?” is all it takes for someone to unburden themselves to you.
It is very painful to live life without hope and without God in this world. People will spiral into depression when they do not have a sense of hope and have come to the end of their own wisdom. Because we live in a fast-paced society, there might not be anyone who would slow down to look into the needs of these people. However, God sees their pain and suffering, and He has placed us around them to share His love with them.
Jesus is aware of the suffering in the world, and His heart cries out for us to reach out to those who are lost. How do Jesus’ words “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few” speak to you today?
Sermon Series: Arise and Build (Part 2)
世界正在受苦
路加福音10:1-2 这事以后、主又设立七十个人、差遣他们两个两个的、在他前面往自己所要到的各城各地方去。就对他们说、要收的庄稼多、作工的人少．所以你们当求庄稼的主、打发工人出去收他的庄稼。
我们中的许多人与主同行已经多年，也读过无数遍圣经。我们对主的一个很重要的观察是祂对失丧之人的爱、同情和怜悯。祂确实是好牧人，祂来为我们舍命。耶稣在祂的时代看到了许多灵魂的收获。
上帝仍然渴望拯救许多失丧的人，他们从未有机会听到福音的好消息。上帝建立了亚伯拉罕之约，以确保没有任何东西会妨碍弥赛亚的到来，以便全地的家族都能蒙福。对所有人类最伟大的祝福就是有耶稣基督作为我们的救主，有圣灵在我们的心中居住。这是在神国和神的家中被恢复的儿子身份的祝福。
你是否意识到需要主的人就生活和工作在你的周围？说COVID-19改变了世界可能是轻描淡写的，因为几乎一切都被颠覆了。每个人的生活都受到影响，无论是富人还是穷人。你见过那些焦虑的人的眼睛吗？当他们经历困难时，我们几乎可以从他们的眼中看到痛苦，因为眼睛是心灵的窗户。即使他们可能不与我们分享他们的痛苦、挣扎和困难，这并不意味着一切都好，因为每个人和每个家庭背后都有一个隐藏的故事。如果你与他们有良好的关系，偶尔你会捕捉到一些细节，因为心立所充满的，口里就说出来。如果你花时间与他们交朋友或展现对他们的关心，他们可能会与你分享。有时，一个简单的问题，比如“你还好吗？”或“家里一切都好吗？”就足以让某人向你倾诉。
在这个世界上没有希望和没有上帝的生活是非常痛苦的。当人们失去希望并且已经用尽了自己的智慧时，他们会陷入抑郁。由于我们生活在一个快节奏的社会中，可能没有人会放慢脚步去关注这些人的需求。然而，上帝看到他们的痛苦和苦难，祂已经将我们安置在他们周围，与他们分享祂的爱。
耶稣知道世界上的痛苦，祂的心呼喊着让我们去接触那些失丧的人。耶稣的话“庄稼多而作工的人少”今天对你有什么启示？
讲章系列：兴起与建造（第二部分）
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