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Be the Church by Helping People — 11/7/2024 10:00 AM
Today's speaker is Dr. Alan Brumback, Lead Pastor of First Naples Church in Naples, FL. Pastor Brumback gives a challenge from Matthew 9:35-38, which provides a foundation for being the church where we live, work and play, by pointing us to both the reality of lostness, and the opportunity of a lifetime.
Notes
Living on Mission – Seeing Ourselves in the Picture of Matthew 9:35–38
In Matthew 9:35–38, Jesus shows us what it truly means to live on mission. The passage describes Jesus moving through towns and villages, teaching, healing, and having deep compassion for the people He encountered. They were “like sheep without a shepherd,” lost and in desperate need of direction, care, and salvation. This is the foundation of what it means to be the Church wherever we live, work, and play — to see the reality of lostness around us and seize the opportunity to share Christ with a hurting world.
Seeing the Lost as Jesus Did
One of the greatest challenges we face is seeing people through Jesus’ eyes. In Matthew 9:36, Jesus doesn’t just glance at the crowd; He sees them deeply, understanding their true condition beyond the surface. While we might encounter people who seem content or happy, many are hiding fear, pain, or emptiness inside. Jesus didn’t dismiss their struggles or see them as a problem — He saw them as people who needed a shepherd. His compassion was a mix of empathy and active love, reaching out to meet them where they were. There’s a profound reminder here: “There’s one thing worse than being lost — being lost with no one looking for you.” Our world is filled with people living without hope, separated from God. It’s easy to forget that this was once our own story. Remembering what it’s like to be lost can give us the compassion we need to share Jesus with others, knowing that His love sees them as treasures worth saving, not as lost causes.
Embracing the Mission of Evangelism
Jesus’ call to action is clear. He doesn’t just point out the need — He urges His disciples to pray and engage. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few,” He says (Matthew 9:37). There are countless people who are ready to hear the Gospel, and many of them are more open to it than we realize. The shortage of laborers isn’t because people don’t care, but often because they don’t see evangelism as their role. Sharing Jesus isn’t just for the “professionals” or leaders; it’s the mission of every believer. When Jesus says to pray for laborers, He’s calling us to pray not only for others to join in but for us to be ready to answer that prayer ourselves. As followers of Christ, we need to remember that “found people find people.”
Action Steps for Living on Mission
- Pray With Purpose: Begin by praying for an evangelistic heart and for opportunities to meet people’s needs with the Gospel. As you pray, ask God to open your eyes to the “harvest” around you.
- Engage With Intentionality: Look for opportunities in your daily life to start genuine conversations. God has placed people in your path who need His love — be mindful and available.
- Live as Part of God’s Mission: See evangelism not just as a program but as a way of life. Ask yourself: Do I see myself in God’s picture of reaching the lost?
Jesus calls us to live out our faith boldly, sharing the good news with a world that’s longing for hope. Let’s remember that we are each uniquely called to this mission, and every encounter is an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ.