The National Survey of Religious Identification claims the “Nones” number more than 30,000,000 (that’s right - million) in the U.S. “If viewed as a religious group, they would only trail Catholics and Baptists in numbers.”
The numbers are staggering, and they remind us that the fields are truly ripe for the harvest (Luke 10:2). However, do not let the enormity of the task cause retreat. The same survey discovered that 50% of the “Nones” agreed strongly that God exists; indicating an openness to discuss spiritual matters.
Remember, Bixby is no different than the rest of America. The Bixby Chamber website estimates there are 360,000 people living within ten miles of our community. Moreover, Tulsa Metro Baptist Association research reveals that 80% of Tulsa County is ‘un-churched’…or ‘nones’. This means there are a quarter of a million people in our community, and surrounding area who do not have a church home. Subsequently, tens of thousands likely do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Bottom line - we need to get busy.
In Luke 10:2, Jesus told seventy followers the fields were ready for the harvest, and that they should pray for God to send out workers into His harvest. Then in Luke 10:3 Jesus sends them, the seventy, out into the harvest. WE ARE THOSE WORKERS. This Summer make it a priority to:
- Learn how to share your faith with a “None”.
- Share your faith, on a regular basis, with someone who needs Jesus.
- Invite someone to church every week.
- Work in the Lord’s fields.
- Pray every day that God will send workers into His harvest.
- Learn who the “Nones” are in your life, and minister to them.
aj
2 comments:
Question: If it is God's idea that no man should perish, and God commands us to make disciples to the ends of the earth, and God knows workers are needed then Why does He want us to pray for Him to send out workers into the harvest field?
Prayer is not about us informing God of a need or concern. ("...Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." Matthew 6:8) Prayer is about fellowship; simply spending time with the Father because He loves me, and I love Him. In a devotional I once read, "The reward of prayer is not answered prayer. The reward of prayer is praying." I wish I could remember where I read that, but it has always stuck with me.
The other reason we pray for God to send workers into His harvest, is because He tells us to. It is an act of obedience. Your answer is in your question. God has commanded us to go and make disciples...and we are not going. We know WHAT God wants us to do / pray, but we don't know WHY He wants us to pray / do these things.
It is neat in Matthew 9:37-38 how Jesus tells the disciples to pray for God to send out workers into His harvest, and then in 10:5 He sends them out. I can just see them praying. "Oh dear Lord, please send out workers into Your harvest", and Jesus standing there smiling...konwing He is about to send them out.
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