Matthew 9.35-38
Matthew 10.1-8 (ff)

The Need
This is Super Bowl Sunday and as I have been out and about there are a lot of people out there suffering from Steeler-mania. The billboards sport the slogan, “Go Steelers!” People are dressed in their Steeler jerseys, from Emergency Room workers to little ole grannies in Sam’s Club.

It used to be we had three basic sports, football, baseball, and basketball. But the list has grown, especially with the addition of x-sports. These sports seek the x-treme. And each is more extreme than the last. Every experience must be more daring, more exciting, more dangerous, more extreme.

Jesus looked out over the people and he saw a people who were harassed and helpless, perhaps bothered or confused and exhausted; troubled and bewildered. They are sheep without a shepherd. The Bible and the church have used the description of those who are without Christ, as lost. The post-modern generation doesn’t like to be called lost. They don’t feel lost. And yet, they are just as Jesus describes them. They are on a quest to find meaning in life. Whether we are driven by the x-treme sport experience or by the pursuit of career, education, or financial gain, there is a spiritual need in our lives.

As Jesus sees the need, Matthew says he is “moved with pity” – a very strong word describing deep compassion. Jesus cannot in his physical body meet every need. And tells the disciples to pray for workers.

The Prayer - Help Wanted
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Jesus will not do the work alone. God wants to raise up others to work. God is at work and he is calling others to be a part of what he is doing.

The Answer
The exciting thing about this passage is that there is an immediate answer to that prayer. Looking at 10.1, those who pray the prayer, “send workers” become the answer to their own prayer. Jesus, in chapter 10, sends out the twelve disciples, giving them the authority to join in the work Jesus himself has been doing. The disciples become the answer to their own prayer.

And this prayer goes beyond the twelve disciples. As Matthew writes, he is calling the readers of his account to pray and become the answers to their prayer. The prayer was for the current readers in the first century church. The prayer for harvest hands is directed to and answered by the Church of every generation. Today, just as there continues to be a harvest, there continues to be a need for harvest hands. It is an invitation for the church today to be harvest hands. Will you be those hands?

God’s Harvest Field
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

We are called to be a part of what God is doing. We are called to join God. Too many times we decide we are going to do something for Christ and then we ask God to bless it. We decide and then we ask God to be a part of it. God is at work in our world and in our communities and in our church. Knowing that, the prayer becomes, let us be a part of what You are doing. Reveal what you are doing and allow us be a part of that.

Also, it is giving God the glory for whatever is accomplished. Knowing that it is not we ourselves who plan or will for something to happen – it is God. It is always God. If it is his fields, it is his work, and it he that accomplishes every good thing. And he must be glorified, praised and worshiped.

Everything we do as a church should be measured by the phrase: “his harvest field”. I, as your pastor, do not encourage you do things for my benefit. Your ad council does not do things for their own personal benefit.

Those of us who went to college or educational program are familiar with the phrase, “It will look good on my resume.” Sometimes people participated in certain activities to add a certain dimension to their resumes. Or the school required things in one’s program to make one more marketable upon graduation.

As a pastor, I don’t have a resume anymore. I don’t have an agenda. My only agenda is to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to be faithful to the call he has placed upon me as your pastor and spiritual leader. And I interpret that call as providing opportunities for you to become faithful followers: to provide opportunities for you to grow in your faith and to put your faith into action. Today God is calling workers. Jesus didn’t do it alone. Your pastor won’t do it alone. This is a call to the church, will you be the church, will you be harvest hands?

Answering the Call
Opportunities:
Faith Ministry Meeting next Tuesday, Feb 14.
Completing a Gifts Inventory.
WC/EV Ad Council.

If God is speaking to you about a ministry, speak to me. That’s a part of my job as pastor – to coordinate ministries, to have the body join you in the discernment process. The scripture today says that Jesus sent them out, giving them authority. Apostolic authority means the passing on of authority, the recognition of God’s call and the gifts and graces He has given. It means partnering together in support of various ministries through prayer, blessing, encouragement, guidance and accountability. This is part of what it means to be in community. The disciples were an extension of Jesus’ ministry. As others become involved in ministry, you become an extension of the ministry of this Church.

We live in such an independent society, where we make decisions, even decisions that impact the church community, on our own, independent of the body. And that should not be. And I don’t condemn anyone on this point; because I’ve been there, done that. And I’m still learning. I know this might be a different way of seeing the church and it will take time to grasp hold of the concept of true biblical community. But it is my desire for us to strive to be the body of Christ, to be the community that we are called to be. And today we start that journey by praying, “Lord of the harvest, send workers into your harvest fields.” Will you join me in that prayer? Will you be an answer to that prayer?

Today, we wrap up this series (“Let’s Conquer the Land!”) which leads up to our vote this Tuesday. As we wrap up the story, we want to learn from the critical mistakes made by the Israelites.

"You must learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t possibly live long enough to make them all yourself." (Sam Levenson)

God’s Judgment
Numbers 14.26-45 begins with a message of God’s judgment on God’s people who have rebelled and rejected God’s call. God says, "How long will this wicked nation complain about me? I have heard everything the Israelites have been saying." (14.27)

Some other statements in God’s message stand out to me as well …

• "I will give you exactly what you wanted. You will die right here in the desert …" (14.28-29)
• "You sinful people who ganged up against me will die here in the desert." (14.35)
• "But I, the LORD, will let them enter the land you have rejected." (14.31)

Well, after the ten scouts who “incited rebellion” died as a result of their disobedience, the people felt guilty or scared, and they decide they had better go. But it was too late! Moses tells them, “You’re disobeying the LORD! Your plan won’t work, so don’t even try it. The LORD refuses to help you, because you turned your backs on him." (14.41-43)

Well, this has been a great story for us to look at. But, personally, I’m hoping that our result will be different. I hope and pray that our response will be a courageous one, one that honors God!

God is doing a new thing!
“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” (Isaiah 43.18-19)

What is the “new thing” that God is doing among us? Do you see it?

The “scouts” (Exploratory Team) have reported to us that they believe God is calling us to unite and become one. Why? The scouts have reported that they believe we’re better together, and that we’ll have more resources. And that we’ll be better stewards!

Will this new direction involve risk? Absolutely! Will it require change? Definitely! But change and risk are always part of being the church!

Jesus had a couple interesting encounters with some would-be followers. They both said, “I will follow you, but …" (Luke 9.59-62)

Jesus says to one, "Come, be my disciple." The would-be disciple says, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father." Jesus responds, "Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus invites another to follow. That person says, "Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family." But again, Jesus responds, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."

Someone has said that there’s good reason that the windshield is larger than the rearview mirror. While we must occasionally glance at the rearview mirror, we must not focus on it. We must give attention to the future, where God is calling us!

Worship where?
One of the challenges we face in becoming one is letting go of our buildings. You know, buildings use to matter! In the Old Testament, religious life was centered around the Temple in Jerusalem.

But interestingly, even back then, Jesus had a conversation with “the woman at the well” (John 4), who talked about the right place to worship God. Jesus says, "Believe me, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father here or in Jerusalem."

And on another occasion Jesus’ disciples are mesmerized by the Temple. They say, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

Quite simply, buildings are tools for ministry. Nothing more.

Questions
Well, this decision will affect you, but it will also affect others. I want to leave you with a few questions to reflect on in the next two days …

>> What is God calling us to do?

>> How will this decision affect others?

>> What’s keeping us from becoming one?

>> How can we honor those who have gone before us?

Our History > Our Future: Appointments on the large Huntingdon circuit began in Petersburg about 1812 and in Alexandria about 1820. Over the years this large circuit gave birth to many smaller charges.

Giving birth is painful! (so I’m told!)

>> What are we giving birth to?

>> What will our legacy be? What will people 50 years from now say about 2006?
Because this *will* be part of our historical record! Will future generations say, “Wow! They demonstrated great courage!” Or, will they say, “Boy! They sure missed it!”

I remember the report of the Exploratory Team at last year’s charge conference where Karl told us that the team was unified in its belief that becoming one was in the best interests for our churches and our communities. In that meeting, Karl said we need to "Lead, follow, or, get out of the way!"

That’s where we’re at right now. And I want to leave you with my personal opinion (for whatever it’s worth).

I believe this is probably our last chance at becoming a missional church! I believe that “no" vote will be the beginning of the end!

But I also believe that there WILL be a missional church in the Valley! If not us, God will raise someone else up to do kingdom work. But it may very well be some of you! There will be a missional people in the Valley!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139.23-24)

The Disciple’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.