The Harvest Is Ready

Boldly Embracing Your Call to Mission

By John Conn, September 22, 2024

Scripture: Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV)

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Introduction:

We are going to explore what it means to boldly embrace your call to mission. We'll look at three key truths from Scripture: the urgency of the harvest, the equipping of the workers, and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us.

1. The Urgency of the Harvest

Let’s go back to the passage in Matthew 9:37-38. Jesus tells His disciples that the harvest is .

In John 4:35, Jesus says, “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” The time is now.

Every day we , souls continue to live without the hope of Christ. Every moment matters.

Think about the people in your life: your friends, coworkers, neighbors, family members. Are they living with the joy and peace of knowing Jesus?

Are we willing to step out and share the Gospel with them?

The world is hurting. People are desperate for purpose, identity, and truth, but they often search in the wrong places. The good news is that you have the answer. Jesus Christ is the answer. The harvest is not just “out there” somewhere; it’s in your immediate surroundings.

Application:

Who in your life needs to hear the Gospel?

Are you looking for opportunities to engage in spiritual conversations?

2. The Equipping of the Workers

Many of us feel when it comes to sharing our faith. We think, “I don’t have all the answers,” or “What if they reject me?” But here’s the good news: God equips those He calls.

In Ephesians 2:10, Paul reminds us, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

God has already prepared works for you to step into. He doesn’t expect you to go out into the mission field . He provides the you need, and He to be with you every step of the way.

Moses felt to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Jeremiah felt too young to be a prophet. But in each case, God provided exactly what they needed. God isn’t looking for people; He’s looking for people.

Jesus sends us out with the promise that we are not alone. In Matthew 28:19-20, the Great Commission, He says,

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Application:

Where is God calling you to step out in faith, even if you feel unequipped?

Are you relying on God’s strength and provision, or on your own abilities?

3. The Power of the Holy Spirit

The third and most important truth is that we do not fulfill our mission in our own strength—we do it through the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 says,

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This verse reminds us that our mission starts at (“Jerusalem”) and expands outward.

But how?

Through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (Romans 8:11). You are not going out alone—God Himself is with you, guiding your steps, giving you words, and opening hearts.

If you rely on the Spirit, you will be surprised by what God can accomplish through you. Boldness comes from knowing that the results are in God’s hands. Your job is to plant seeds, and God will bring the growth. Some people may reject the message, and others may accept it, but your responsibility is simply to obey the call to go.

Application:

Are you actively seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your conversations and relationships?

Are you praying for boldness, as the early church did in Acts 4:29?

Conclusion:

The harvest is ready, but the workers are few. Will you answer the call?

God is not asking for perfection; He is asking for availability. The urgency of the Gospel is real, the equipping of God is promised, and the power of the Holy Spirit is unstoppable.

Today, let’s commit as a church to boldly embrace our mission, whether it's in our homes, workplaces, or communities. The time is now. Souls are waiting. The Kingdom is advancing. And God is calling you to step into the field.

Let’s close in prayer: