My Father's Business

By -
"Pray the Lord of the Harvest to send out labourers into His harvest" (Mt 9:38)

Everyone of us ought to be in the Father's business of soulwinning. We are saved to save others. God desires that each of us be active in bringing the lost to Him. After the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus said, "Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish" (Mt 18:14; 1 Tim 2:3-5). Jesus is the true Vine, but remember his Father is the Vinedresser? (Jn 15:1). We often say that fruitfulness is a necessary mark of the disciples of Christ. Do we realise that the purpose of fruitfulness is to glorify the Father (v 8)? The purpose of all good works is to glorify the Father in Heaven (Mt 5:16).

Jesus compared soulwinning and evangelism to harvest. He said that the Father is the Lord of the Harvest and we are to pray to Him to send out labourers into "His" harvest (Mt 9:37,38). In Isaiah's vision the call was given by the Father on behalf of the Three Persons of the Godhead: Whom shall "I" send and who will go for "Us"? (Isa 6:6,8).

Concerning the ministry of the Kingdom the Father had taught His Son to pray to Him for the salvation of nations: "Ask of Me, and I will give you the nations for Your inheritance" (Psa 2:8). The heavenly authority of the Father must be constantly kept in mind in all our evangelistic endeavours (Rev 2:26-28). We must not be shortsighted and be simply rejoicing over effects like healing and demoncasting. The more permanent reality is that our names are registered in Heaven with the Father who is the "Lord of Heaven and Earth" (Lk 10:17-22; Rev 3:5). Though we are a little flock, it is our Father's good pleasure to give us the Kingdom (Lk 12:32). We must pull ourselves out of fear complex and testify boldly because not one sparrow dies without the permission of our Father! (Mt 10:27-29).

Those in pastoral ministries also must not forget the relationship of the Father with the sheep. Jesus said that He is the true Shepherd. He also added that it was the Father who gave Him the sheep (Jn 10:14,29). Addressing the Corinthian believers who were divided over their favorite pastors and preachers, Paul said, "All ministers are yours; and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's" (1 Cor 3:4, 21-23). How important it is to realize at this hour that we have "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all!" (Eph 4:6). Nothing else will help us to keep the unity among us (v3).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bold Voice

By -
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches"  (Rev 3:13)  Precious Child, I want to bring you out of your apprehensions to witness for Christ. You are afraid that people might mock at you. Your throat chokes every time you want to open your mouth to share the Gospel. The fear of ridicule silences you. Don't feel bad about it, My child. This was the problem of the disciples of Jesus also even though they had walked with Him for over three years. Can you imagine how a key figure like Peter could ever deny and disown Christ? Their weakness overpowered their willingness. The problem was solved by My coming. That's why Jesus wouldn't let them go out until they got filled with My power (Acts 1:4). When I came upon them, the cowards became challengers! Be filled with Me. Don't consider your timidity or boast of your oratory skill. Depend on Me. I will grant you boldness in all situations to speak forth the message of the Cros...
Read more

Utter Confusion!

By -
"They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  But you keep your head in all situations" (2 Tim 4:4,5) I am an ardent fan of John the Baptist. There is no harm in admiring him because all who started as John's fans became Jesus' followers. A comparison of John with many Christian ministers of today makes me hang down my head in shame and sorrow.  John was filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb (Lk 1:15); but the modern prophets communicate with the spirits of men who have gone to the tomb.  The Word of God came to him (Lk 3:2); but many of their revelations contradict the written Word of God.  He was a desert-dweller, dead to the lust for popularity (Mt 3:1); but they are city-lovers, hunting for recognition and lusting limelight.  John was a voice from God (Jn 1 :23); but the modern preachers are an echo of someone of similar brand.  He did not seek pulpits but people sought him and...
Read more