​Introduction:
1. This morning we showed from the Scriptures that "we can learn much from farmers and farming."
2. Farmers certainly understand the importance of "labor."
3. According to the Scriptures, there is a close relationship between labor and a harvest
(Proverbs 12:11a; 28:19a; 20:4).
4. This evening we are emphasizing the fact that "Jesus taught His followers to labor."
5. The first point we need to make is that . . .
Discussion:
I. JESUS LABORED HIMSELF
A. Jesus had a mission to fulfill that involved labor (John 4:34).
B. According to John 9:4, the Lord had a sense of urgency about His work.
C. He fulfilled His mission throughout His ministry (Matthew 4:23; 9:35).
D. In addition to laboring Himself, . . .
II. JESUS TAUGHT HIS FOLLOWERS TO LABOR DURING HIS MINISTRY
A. When Jesus observed the multitudes in Matthew 9:36, He recognized the need for laborers.
B. In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus taught His followers to pray for the Lord of the harvest to send laborers
into His harvest.
1. In vs.37 Jesus made His disciples aware of the problem that existed.
2. Jesus told His disciples to pray about this situation in vs.38.
3. (Matthew 10:1) Jesus selected the twelve, and He sent them on the limited commission (vs.5-8).
4. Their return is mentioned in Luke 9:10a.
5. Jesus sent 70 others (Luke 10:1-2, 9).
6. Their return is mentioned in Luke 10:17.
C. To summarize,:
1. Jesus labored Himself.
2. Jesus taught His followers to labor during His ministry.
D. Let us turn our attention to passages which show that . . .
III. JESUS HAS GIVEN GUIDELINES TO HIS FOLLOWERS AS WE LABOR ON HIS BEHALF TODAY
A. (1 Corinthians 3:8) Each person will "receive his own reward according to his own labor."
B. (1 Corinthians 3:9) "We are laborers together with God" who gives "the increase" (vs.6).
C. (1 Corinthians 15:58) Paul concluded his discussion of the resurrection by showing that Christian labor
"is not in vain in the Lord."
D. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3) In addition to their "work of faith" and "patience of hope," Paul was thankful for
the "labor of love" of the Christians in Thessalonica [the necessity of love is stressed in Matthew 22:37-39;
1 Corinthians 13:3].
E. (Hebrews 6:10) God remembers the labor of Christians (Nehemiah 13:31b).
F. (Revelation 14:13) Rest is in store for Christian labor.
1. This message is comforting -- those who have died in the Lord are blessed.
2. They are able to rest from their labors.
3. Their works will follow them.
Conclusion:
1. Now is the time to work, as Jesus stated in John 9:4.
2. According to Revelation 14:13, there will be plenty of time for rest in heaven.
Webmaster Gary L. Wade