Series Big Idea: "Equipping our congregation to embrace and fulfill the Great Commission"

Sermon Big Idea: "Jesus mission to bring healing, compassion, and hope to a broken world continues today"

Key Scripture (Matthew 9:35-38)

Imagine living in a time and place where disease and illness runs rampant, and people are desperate for healing. This was the reality of the people during the time of Jesus. But in the middle of this broken and hurting world, we see the heart of Christ, who has come to bring true restoration and redemption.

(Matthew 9:35-38)

35 Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. 36 When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."

During the time Jesus walked the earth, Israel was under Roman rule and the Jewish people were longing for a Messiah who would deliver them from their oppression. They were also a people who held rigorously to the law and traditions of their faith. Poverty, sickness, and spiritual hunger defined much of their lives. Exasperating things the religious leaders of the time were more concerned with outward appearances and power, neglecting the needs of the people. It is in this setting that Jesus enters, bringing a message of hope and restoration.

In this passage, we see Jesus traveling through towns and villages, teaching, and healing. This was not just physical healing, but also spiritual healing as He proclaimed the good news of the kingdom. Jesus' heart was moved with compassion when he saw the condition of the people. He saw them as harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. This is a powerful metaphor that reflects the spiritual state of the people. They were lost and in need of guidance, just like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus’ mission was to seek and save the lost, to bring healing and restoration to a broken and hurting world. His ministry was not just limited to the physical though, it reached to the depths of people’s hearts. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus paid the ultimate price for our redemption and opened the way for us to be reconciled to God. This is the good news of the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed, and it continues to bring hope and transformation to lives even today.

As we reflect on this powerful passage and the heart of our Savior, we are reminded of the incredible compassion and healing that Jesus brought to a broken world. His mission was not to heal the physical ailments but to offer spiritual restoration and hope to all who would believe.

In a few moments, we will join together in the Lord’s Supper, an ordnance that Jesus Himself instituted with His disciples. This one act serves as a profound reminder of His ultimate sacrifice—His body broken, and His blood shed for our redemption. Through His death and resurrection, we are offered the greatest healing of all: forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with God.

As we come to the table today, let’s remember the depth of Jesus’ compassion and love. Just as He was moved by the sight of the harassed and helpless crowds, He is deeply moved by our own brokenness and need for healing. Communion is a time to reflect on His sacrifice, to confess our sins, and to recommit ourselves to His mission.

Jesus’ invitation to the table is an invitation to be part of His mission to a hurting world. We live in a world that is still full of brokenness, suffering, and spiritual hunger. Just like the people in Jesus' time, many are lost and in desperate need of a Savior. As followers of Christ, we are called to continue his mission of seeking and saving the lost. We are called to have the same compassion for those who are hurting, and to share the good news of the kingdom with them. We are also called to pray for more workers to enter the harvest field, and to actively participate in Gods redemptive plan for this world.

Conclusion

As we leave this place today, let's be reminded of the heart of our Jesus, who came to bring hope and transformation to a broken world. Let us be moved with compassion for those who are lost and hurting, and may we actively participate in sharing the good news of the kingdom with them. Let's also remember to pray for more workers to enter the harvest field, that many more may come to know the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

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