The Scripture
“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.” (Matt 9:37-38)
What burns in you?
When something amazing happens in our lives we want everyone to know. Maybe it is the birth of your first child, a new job, or an answered prayer. Whatever it is, if it excites you, you are going to tell other people. For instance, in the South football is a passion for many. Therefore, people will brag about their team. You will see heated debates on social media, school and work. It is a passion that burns deep inside. However, does that same passion for the Gospel burn inside them and us? Does the Holy Spirit’s power burn inside you? Is it so passionate in you that it has to be told to others? If not, Why?
The Theological Solution
So why are so many believers not telling other people about Jesus? There are a few reasons for this. First, many believers are consumed with other situations around them. Having a job, taking care of kids, trying to stay healthy, and fulfilling the American dream. In other words, people have many distractions. They are looking to their immediate needs. Because of this, it is hard to look up from their own fields and see the fields that need to be harvested.
Next, many believers feel that because they have in in their lives that they are not worthy to share the Gospel. Therefore, they keep their faith to themselves. They are afraid to be authentic to others around them. So they put on a facade that nobody can live up to.
The Application
So how can this problem of not telling others about the Gospel be corrected? The most obvious way is for churches to make discipleship a priority. A Barna study found that 51% of church goers did not know about the Great Commission. https://www.barna.com/research/half-churchgoers-not-heard-great-commission/ That means that over half of the people sitting in pews do not know they have a role to play.
Furthermore, in my opinion churches need more expository preaching. This way they can be exposed to all of scripture not just certain aspects. I know some people will disagree with this but the Barna study clearly shows that Pastors are doing a poor job of explaining our commission.
Finally, we must take ownership ourselves. Are we more passionate about football, music, our kids, and jobs more than we are about Jesus? Right now what would you passionately tell other people about? Your kids first home run. The new promotion at work. You have a fire inside you that will change the world. You are the laborer for the field. Go burn for Jesus.
