Wooden Christians

WOODEN CHRISTIANS

"A converted charwoman, who spoke to as many as possible about Jesus, once began witnessing to a wooden Indian in front of the little drugstore. When she was told how ridiculous that looked, she answered, 'My eyesight isn't as good as it used to be, and I guess that's why I made this mistake. But this isn't nearly as bad as the wooden Christians, who don't speak to anyone about Jesus.' "

"A young man named Tucker painted the picture of a forlorn mother and child in a storm. This vision took such hold of him that he laid aside his palette and brush and said, 'I must go to the lost instead of painting them.' He became the great bishop of Uganda, Africa, and one of the 'Who's Who?' in the mission world. It is well to give for missions; it is better to tell of Jesus. It is the personal contact that wins the soul."

"O may it not be said of us what Wu Ting Fang said of Christians in our country: 'I met Christian missionaries in China and became impressed with their religion. When my country sent me as its ambassador to Christian America, I made up my mind to become a Christian and join the first Christian church that asked me. I have been here three years, and no one has asked me. Now I shall not come."
- Above Quotes taken from the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS

Matthew 9:36 tells us of the Lord Jesus - "But when He saw the multitudes..."

How many of us as Christians have seen "the multitudes"?
Or have we been too busy pursuing our own agenda that we simply have not had time to even notice?

If we have had a glimpse of "the multitudes" like the Lord Jesus, what was our response?

Matthew 9:36 tells us what our Lord's response was - "...He was moved with compassion on them..."

In other words, He was deeply moved at their condition and misery.
He pitied them; was drawn, affected, and agitated at the sight of their utter distress and anguish.

How did He see them?

Matthew 9:36 - "...they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."

He saw them as tired, fatigued, weary, destitute, vexed, straying, and grieving travelers.
He saw them as sheep wandering about in need of a shepherd.

They were "scattered abroad."
As lost sheep, they were helpless, shiftless, exposed, and inept to find their way back home.
They were destitute of the necessary guides to go before them and lead the way to the Shepherd's fold where there was safety and comfort for all.

At this point, let's ask ourselves - what has been our response to "the multitudes" who are fainting around us and are "scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd"? Have we felt "compassion" for them?

Luke 10:30-37 - Or have we had the same attitude as that of the priest and the Levite on the road to Jericho who quickly "passed by on the other side" lest they be defiled by the filthiness of the "stripped," the "wounded," and the "half dead"?
Have we just simply not had the time to stop and help the needy because we had "other" things to attend to?
Or have we been like the "certain Samaritan" who "had compassion" and bound up their wounds, pouring in the oil and the wine?

What is our general attitude toward sinners?
Do we look down on them for the way they talk, look, dress, and carry themselves?
Are we utterly disgusted with their mannerisms and ways to the point where we avoid them at all costs?
Or do we see them in their misery as "scattered... sheep," desperately in need of Biblical guidance for their lives?

They are all around us. They are our neighbors, coworkers, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, analysts, physicians, surgeons, dentists, nurses, landlords, repairmen, painters, carpenters, secretaries, beauticians, barbers, etc.

They are our family and many of them are the friends with whom we grew up or went to school.
Every day we meet up with them at the gas station, at the coffee shop, on the elevator, at the terminal, at the library, in the classroom, in the office, at the grocery store, or on the highway.

Matthew 9:37 - The Lord Jesus told His disciples - "...The harvest truly is plenteous..."

So many are looking for answers to life's problems. They are disillusioned and are searching for meaning and purpose behind it all. They are trying to make sense out of all that has happened and is happening in their circumstances and situations. They are searching for Love and oftentimes all in the wrong places.

Matthew 9:37 - The Lord Jesus goes on to say - "...but the labourers are few."

Why is that? Why would the "labourers" be "few"?

Could it be that the Church is too busy "playing church" rather than "being the church"?
Are many so caught up with their own problems and situations that they have no time to consider anyone else's troubles or predicaments?
Is it because we have developed an "ease in Zion" mentality and have become so comfortable in our Christianity whereby we don't want to be stirred from our "easy chairs," so to speak?
Or perhaps we are too busy "chasing after God" that we don't have time for the harvest? We would rather bask in the Presence of the Lord all day long on the mountaintop rather than come down into the valley where the demon-possessed are.
Or maybe we are afraid that we will be rejected and meet with Great Persecution when we begin to speak for God so we decide to be a "silent witness."
Some may be afraid of the powers of darkness and don't want to have to deal with the devil.
They simply lack the Power of God in their lives.
And then others may feel that they can never witness to another about Freedom From Sin because they are still Slaves To Sin. They cannot witness about Liberty when they themselves are not walking in it.

Matthew 9:38 - In great earnestness, the Lord Jesus cried out - "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest."

There is a passage in Adam Clarke's Commentary that is worth quoting - "...And in Pirkey Aboth: 'The day is short, the work great, the workmen idle, the reward abundant, and the master of the house urgent.' In all worldly concerns, if there be the prospect of much gain, most men are willing enough to labour; but if it be to save their own souls, or the souls of others, what indolence, backwardness, and carelessness! While their adversary, the Devil, is going about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; and a careless soul, and especially a careless minister is his special prey."

Isn't this the way things are today? Most men are willing to work if they can get paid a substantial sum for their labor. However, when it comes to the labor involving soul-winning, we find "indolence, backwardness, and carelessness."

How sad and tragic this is - while we, as the Church, fail to realize that the Devil is going about stealing, killing, and destroying! Neither one of us is exempt from his vicious attacks.

Notice what Adam Clarke said here - "...and a careless soul, and especially a careless minister is his special prey." Our laziness and complacency about the Endtime Harvest does not escape any of us. If we don't work for the Lord and become His Endtime Labourers, we and our families become preys for the devil to devour.

Oh! That all would take this message seriously this day and begin to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth His labourers. And as we pray, may we equip ourselves as best as possible through the study of His Word and intercessory prayer so that we, in turn, would become His ready workers to go forth in His Name.

Please take note that the Scripture above calls it "His harvest."
After all that Jesus has done for us, shouldn't we want to show our utmost love and gratitude to Him by working for Him in "His harvest," bringing as many lost souls into the kingdom as God enables?

May it never be said of us that we are "Wooden Christians" because we never tell anyone about Jesus.

Psalm 126:6 - May we go forth - starting today - weeping, and bearing precious seed, so that we can come again with rejoicing, bringing our sheaves with us.

Lord of the Harvest, send us forth this day as Your Endtime Labourers!
In Jesus' Mighty Name we pray!
Amen & Amen.

Connie

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