The Laborers… – Ambassador Baptist Church Singapore

Mt 9:37 – Then saith he unto his disciples, …the labourers are few;

The Lord Jesus’ life was filled with good works and the preaching of the gospel. That was His life’s work and His life’s mission: to do the will of Him that sent Him and to finish it. John 4:34, He calls us to FOLLOW HIM in His work. As He ministers to the multitudes, He laments that there are so many needs, but so few labourers. The word labourer means a toiler, someone who puts in effort to toil and work. What kind of labourer does the Lord want us to be?

Follower labourer (Matt 4:19 – follow me and I will make you to become fishers of man). The Lord Jesus asks us to follow Him before He can ever use us. There are many today who serve but do not follow Christ. Following the Lord Jesus is important because following Christ is the process by which God makes us His labourer. Many attempt to serve God, but there is little urgency, compassion, and little time spent in cultivating the soul; is no prayer, no bible reading, no obedience and no sacrifice for GOD. Our Saviour says: you follow me, and I will make you to become the fishers of man.

Filled with the Spirit labourer (Acts 1:8 ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…) God the Holy Spirit has come to empower the church for the winning of souls. When we get saved, the Holy Spirit indwells us, and gives us eternal life. He seals, encourages, comforts, guides and helps us in our Christian journey. He teaches us the word and convicts us of our sin and helps us do right. THE WILLINGNESS OF OUR HEARTS TO SUBMIT TO HIM WILL DETERMINE THE EXTENT BY WHICH GOD WILL USE US TO LABOUR FOR HIM. We need to be filled with Spirit of GOD so that we can do the works of God with the Power of GOD. This DOES NOT mean a second baptism of the Holy Spirit: it occurs at salvation. This does not mean a second experience. It means that we are obedient to the Lord’s Spirit as He speaks to us about doing His will. OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD WILLINGLY IS AN INDICATION OF US BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Fit labourer (Lu 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.) Our Saviour tells us that the christian who decides to serve GOD and then looks back, is not fit to be His labourer. He is looking for patient labourers; He is looking for persevering labourers, who despite the inconvenience, the pressures, the trials, the pain, and the poor results, will keep on keeping on.

Faithful labourer (Matt 25: 14-29) Our Saviour is looking for the faithful labourer: one in whom He can trust, one in whom the task once given, our Lord can be assured that the work will be done, no matter the cost. One in whom nothing will stop him or her from completing the course given to them. A faithful labourer.

Dear Christian, are we a follower of Christ? Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to control our Christian lives or are we allowing the flesh? Are we fit for the Kingdom of GOD? Can we be trusted for the Lord’s work? Lord, make us at Ambassador, worthy servants for Thee, that many may come to Christ because of us.

Evangelist – Pastor Johnny Tan
Ambassador Baptist Church