So we're looking at several aspects of missions, and so we're starting off with Matthew chapter 28. And the first thing we want to look at is the responsibilities of the sowers. And what we look at is Matthew chapter 28, known as the Great Commission because of its scope worldwide. Worldwide is what the commission is about. We're supposed to reach the whole world. Matthew chapter 28, beginning with verse 19, The Bible says, go ye therefore and teach, and that's with the idea of making disciples, says teach all nations. So it's worldwide for sure. That's every tribe, every nation, every tongue, every people group. Then after they get saved, what do you do? Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Then verse 20, teaching them, which is the idea of discipling and so forth, teaching them to do something, to observe, or what's called attending to something very, very carefully. Not just looking at something, but it's attending to something carefully. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, When you look at the word low, you don't necessarily realize that it's an imperative. You say, oh, we're supposed to low low. Well, what what the word low means is behold. And lo, I am with you always. In other words, it's very important for us to really behold this fact. Otherwise, we're gonna get discouraged if we don't realize that the Lord Jesus Christ himself is saying, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world, amen. Let's pray and we'll get started. Heavenly Father, we're thankful again for your great blessings to us. How good you are. We thank you for the so great salvation that we have in Christ. And Lord, we ask that you'll help us as I teach and as the folks listen. And Lord, please speak to all of our hearts today. We ask it in Jesus name. Amen. What we see in Matthew chapter 28, reiterated in Mark chapter 16, and he said unto them, go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. It gives the impression that every creature may or does have the opportunity to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. We're not just picking and choosing who we're preaching to and who we're going to try to win to the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke chapter 24 and verse 47 gives some specifics and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem. Now, if we're not careful, we will forget that we are the people about whom he is speaking. We're the ones who are the sowers. When we think of the responsibility of the sowers, if we're not careful as church members, what might we do? Oh, we might think, well, he's talking about the missionaries that are here in the church, and he's talking about the preacher that's preaching to us, and he's talking to the pastor, that they're supposed to be the sowers. But every single one of you who are saved are included. So you don't have to feel bad about being left out. You are included. But we sometimes will forget that we are the sowers and these responsibilities are our responsibilities. It's not the pastor's responsibility solely. It's not the missionaries responsibility solely, but it is our responsibility in total. as a local church, you have a responsibility. And we need to remember that. That's the responsibilities of the sowers. And this was given to the first assembly, the first church in Jerusalem. And it is a commission that is applicable. It applies to every single church since the Lord Jesus Christ started the first one. So we see the responsibilities of the sowers. We're supposed to go into all the world, preach the gospel. And so the second thing we want to look at is the response to the sowing. It's always nice if you know in advance what to expect. When I first got saved, I thought, since the Lord had changed me, that everybody who hears the gospel would certainly want to have this so great salvation because it's so great. And yet I was really discouraged after a while because I realized that not everybody that you talk to about salvation is really all excited about it. And some of them act like they don't have time. They do all sorts of things to avoid you. When you're saying, hey, I'd like to talk to you sometime. And they say, well, sure, come on over, you know, at such and such a time. And you show up and knock on the door, and they don't answer. And it's like, well, what's going on here? And so we need to be aware of the fact that there is a response to the sowing. And Jesus said, basically, that we can expect four types responses and those of you who know what Matthew chapter 13 is talking about once again We're talking about and he spake many things unto them in parables saying behold a sower went forth to sow and So in Matthew chapter 13 and beginning with verse 3 Jesus is describing to the people that he's talking to that All of us, really, we fit into one of four types of listeners or hearers. And it's not like everybody fits in exactly in one or the other. Sometimes this gets mixed up a little bit. But the idea is, let's face it, there's going to be exactly what Jesus said. He never spoke anything just off the cuff. He didn't speak in hyperbole. He meant what he said. And so he's giving this parable to all these people, and we realize that everybody wasn't understanding what the parable was all about. But we have the benefit of hearing the rest of the story. But let's look at what everybody heard to begin with. in Matthew chapter 13 in verse 3. And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow. And when he had sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside. That's a really traveled way. It's a road, and the road's been made hard by people walking on it. And he said, And the fowls came and devoured them up. So the seed that was sown was devoured. Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth, and forthwith they sprung up. because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was up, they were scorched. And because they had no root, what happened? They withered away. And verse 7 says, and some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up and choked them. Verse 8, but other fell into good ground. and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Now, if we can picture ourselves amongst those people listening to that parable, the people may have thought, what was that all about? What's with this? What's the meaning of four types of ground? What's this all about? But aren't you thankful that we know what he's talking about? Because later on, he spoke to his disciples and explained what the response to the sowing really is. It's talking about the response to the sowing of God's word. And so we can pick it up in verse 18. where he speaks to his disciples and he says, hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. We look at the wayside hearers, verse 19. And let's just say in advance for all four of these groups, they all have one thing in common. Anybody know what that one thing in common is? And I'll emphasize the word and you'll know exactly what it is. When anyone, Heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not. Then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown." Next three words, in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside. So let's note that these are really hard-hearted people who hear the Word of God and they don't understand the Word of God. They don't understand the importance of the Word of God. And would you agree that that's one of the commonalities among people today? When they hear the word of God, they don't really understand just how important it is. And perhaps we can use the word, how critical it is for them to understand the word of God. And so they don't understand it's important. So the wickedness of the world very quickly attracts them from the word and they soon forget all about it. Now you say, that's tragic, and it is. So we ought to have a warning for everyone who's listening today. Don't allow the influences of the world to keep you from understanding the word of God. And somebody said, well, how am I supposed to understand the word of God? Well, you not only read it and hear it, but you ask questions about it. The didactic way of teaching, asking questions and so forth. I had a question just this morning given to me, and I gave an answer to it. And the idea is, allow yourself to ask people questions who may know the answers. All right. And so that's the wayside hearers. But then in verse 20, we look at the stony ground hearers. And by the way, if you see me looking over here, I'm looking over at a clock that tells me what the time is, except for one unfortunality. I don't see anything on that clock. So I don't want anybody to be afraid. I don't want my wife to be scared when she hears this bell go off. at about 20 minutes till if anybody can hear it, but I have somebody who's going to go like this when it's my time to stop, okay? So if I, I'll try to not look over there anymore, because some of you are looking over there wondering where is this strange clock where it's at? So, and some of you are, could be smart, Alex, and I'll just say it and I'll go on. Yeah, you're already tapping at your clock. That's not right. That is so wrong. All right? And so, but it does go right into the point of stony ground hearers, perhaps. Verse 20. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word. And anon, which means very quickly, with joy receiveth it. Yet hath he not root in himself, but doerth or last or endureth for just a while. Why? For or because when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, the preaching of God's word, by and by he is offended. Was it just two weeks ago? Tribulation and persecution arose in a very distinct manner because of the Word of God. And persecution and tribulation exists right here in the United States of America. Can I get an amen on that one? It sure does so note about these stony ground hearers that these are the the joyful receivers that they show promise of genuine salvation until resistance and mockings start coming their way. And by the way, the first time somebody mocked me, it was like very devastating. I'm thinking, why would anybody be so mean to a nice person like me? And it's like, well, wait a minute, you're now saved and they don't consider you to be a nice person anymore. They believe that you're like Hitler, you're a fascist, you're a racist, you're all these other things. And it's like, wait a minute, I'm just a Christian. So in 2nd Timothy chapter 3 in verse 12, we ought to be used to the idea that this is coming our way in the United States of America for a long period of time There has not been the persecution that was around in the 1700s, especially sometimes in the late 1600s where people were beaten and People were whipped for being, for their Christian faith, and specifically for being Baptist, who didn't want their children to be baptized, their babies to be baptized and so forth. And so in 2 Timothy chapter three and verse 12, you'll notice the Bible says, yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. And the word persecution is really talking about any kind of mistreatment because you are a Christian. Sometimes it can be more subtle where you don't know why you were fired from your job. know why you were passed over for promotion and the fella had less credentials than you did for the job, things like that, but any kind of mistreatment that is because you hold to the Christian faith, and maybe you actually live like a Christian, and maybe you testify of the Lord Jesus Christ, and people don't like it. But yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. In the United States of America, we have been somewhat semi-exempt from persecution. One of the reasons is that God's blessings have been upon this country. The other one is a sad one. It says, yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus. And perhaps that's a sad commentary on Christians in the United States. There's not much persecution compared to other countries. Perhaps, do I need to fill in the blanks? Perhaps we're just not living godly in Christ Jesus. Well, how are we supposed to do that? Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's influence on our life rather than the influence of the world on our life. Be more interested in pleasing the Holy Spirit within than the people without. Not be people-pleasers, but God-pleasers. And so that is the stony ground here is one of the responses we can expect in the world. The third one is the thorny ground here is in verse 22. Notice once again, the commonality. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word. All four of them have this in common and the care of this world. the things of this world that bring care, perhaps a burden upon us. The cares of the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word. And he, this is what we call the thorny ground hearer, and he becometh unfruitful. So the thorny ground person was already concerned about the world when they received the word. And here, both the world and the word, as it is today, are vying for attention. That simply means they're in competition. They're in competition. In our society today, which one primarily is winning? Well, because of these three types of listeners, hearers, so far, we can see the world has a very, very strong influence. In our society. So both the world and the world and the word are trying to get your attention trying to get your time. They want your strength. They want your consideration. And if you don't consider if you're not considerate of the things of the world, they will get upset with you. You're not concerned about this. Why aren't you concerned about this? Why aren't you concerned about people who are in the small minority? How come you're not interested in helping those people in the small minority that think things that are not factual? Is that a nice way of saying it? All right? But the cares of this world spring up, and things seem uncertain. It wasn't long ago before the last election that things really looked uncertain in this country. Can I get an amen on that one? All right. Boy, did it seem uncertain. And if we're not careful, we'll think that the Messiah has already returned when he has not. No president is going to be the great deliverer. And so the cares of this world spring up, things seem uncertain. And if you're not a Christian, what is it that you start being concerned about? You really don't have to go farther than your television screen, where everybody and his brother-in-law are telling you that you need to invest in gold. or silver, am I right or wrong? And so what does the world do in times of care and concern? They basically have a misinterpretation of Ecclesiastes chapter 10. You can turn there if you want to, Ecclesiastes chapter 10 and the last portion of verse 19. But the cares of this world spring up and things seem uncertain, but it also says, and the deceitfulness of riches. Do you know what the deceitfulness of riches is talking about? It's a misinterpretation of Ecclesiastes chapter 10. If there are uncertain times, in times of uncertainty, I can almost hear the commercial, in times of uncertainty, gold has been the bedrock of confidence and so forth. It has risen in its wealth, in its importance, and now it's worth $3,000, $4,000 an ounce or whatever the prices are going up on. But deceitfulness of riches is predominant in our country, that riches solve the cares of this world. Whatever care you have, the riches will take care of it. Ecclesiastes chapter 10, verse 19, the last portion of it just says, money answereth all things. You got a problem? The answer's money. That's the deceitfulness of riches. That's why people do the things that they do. And so in this particular situation, it can choke the word of God. And people are more concerned about money than they are the word of the creator, God. But fortunately, verse 23 is there, the good ground. Verse 23, but he that received seed into the good ground, is he that heareth the word and the key word understandeth it. which also, the idea as a result of that, which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. So these people are the ones who hear, they understand, and they accept the word of the kingdom as it's presented here. So Christ is the source of salvation and the power to live the Christian life, and the good ground listeners are folks like you and me, who have trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. We do what the world says is ridiculous. You're spending a good weekend on Sunday morning, gathered together, talking about someone you have never seen. That's right. Exactly right. And if you were in the world, you'd think like they do. How crazy of you to think that somebody you've never seen has saved you from your sins, and is the answer to all of life's problems, and that the word of God has all things that pertain unto life and godliness. Why do you believe that way? And we would answer, because it's true. We know what the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ can do to an individual. We know what the passage of scripture that says, old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new. We'll look at it later in the morning service. Our way of thinking is just not the same as it used to be. And so we see the responsibilities of the sowers to begin with, then we see the response to the sewing, and then the third thing we find out that most people don't want to talk about, the reluctance of the sewers. That's us, once again. Let's just ask the question, is there any reluctance on our part as sewers to the Great Commission? Any reluctance on our part? Well, let's look at Luke chapter 10, the book of Luke chapter 10, the reluctance of the sowers. You would think we have the great commission and then you would have a statement that says, therefore, everybody who's saved is involved in sowing because we realize we have a great responsibility and we need to be a part of it. And so in Luke chapter 10, verse number two, the Lord Jesus Christ is speaking, therefore said he unto them, the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are what? Few, oh, so what should we do then? Pray ye therefore, that means because of that fact, Pray ye, the Lord of the harvest. Then the next word is what? Anybody following along? Pray ye therefore, the Lord of the harvest. Next word? That, very interesting word. It's a compound word from two Greek words. And it basically means, so that. Oh, well that changes our thinking. So that introduces a purpose statement here. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest so that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. What that does, it ties a responsibility to what the Lord of the harvest is going to do. And what is the responsibility on the part of all of us who are sowers? Well, we're supposed to pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest so that something will happen. And what does it say is the something that will happen. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Oh, so let's ask a question. Is there any connection between us praying the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his field and that he would send forth laborers into his harvest? You would say, well, Brother Schaffer, if you're talking grammatically, that's called a direct connection. It's a direct connection. Well, Brother Schaffer, I don't believe that if we don't pray the Lord of the harvest, We don't believe that God is gonna stop sending laborers into the harvest just because we're not praying the Lord of the harvest to send for the laborers into his harvest. We don't believe that. Why did Jesus say this? How many laborers are being sent into the harvest today from the United States of America? Can we say, not like they used to be? Not like they used to be. It's only my opinion and therefore I could be wrong, but I think Satan has accomplished the job of just not having Christians pray the Lord of Harvest. and just say, well, the Lord of the harvest is gonna send forth labors into his harvest, whether we pray or not. Then why did Jesus say, pray ye the Lord of harvest so that he would send forth labor? Is everybody getting it? Are we getting it? Then why is it that many people don't pray the Lord of the harvest that he would? send forth laborers into his harvest. Because for me, I wasn't sure that I wanted my son-in-law to be a pastor and take my daughter someplace to pastor. And I had to catch myself. I can only speak for myself. I think we were thrilled that the Lord would speak to one of our sons or sons-in-law about being a laborer in the harvest. But when it actually happened, I was like, okay. Later on, we found out, at least I found out, it was at least a test for me. You say, a test for you? Yeah. Because later on, he said he realized that he was not called into the ministry, and he wasn't really sure why he felt like he had been called into the ministry at that time. I thought to myself, I was one of the reasons why he was tried to see whether he was willing so that I would be able to admit I wasn't really all that excited that the Lord might call my son or my son-in-law. And sometimes I'm wondering how many of God's people say, send laborers into the harvest, but not my children, not my grandchildren. And in reality, We're setting limits on the Lord of the harvest. Send forth laborers, but not my kids. I could be wrong, but I'm so afraid that I'm right. Strangely enough, the reluctance of the sowers is because we succumb to the same tactics that Satan uses on us before we even get saved. Take a look at the parable. Four groups. One out of four. How good are odds of that, folks? One out of four. And one out of four people may respond positively. One out of four, what? Only one out of four get it? No wonder there's a reluctance on the part of the sowers. It's a losing battle. That's Satan's thought. It's a losing battle. No, just because one out of four seem to respond properly is not a losing battle. Well, that means not very many people are going to get saved. Let's put it in the perspective of go ye into all the world. Eight billion people, one out of four, how many probably could be reached? Two billion, is that okay? Two billion, just with this law? Is two billion enough people for us to pray for the Lord of harvest that he'll send forth laborers into his harvest? They're out there. And Satan wants us to concentrate on the negative. Why? Because not many people in their right minds want to be involved in a losing cause. So if Satan can convince us as Christians that we are fighting a losing cause, then he's got us. The reluctance of the sowers. We need to understand, as you all do, that reluctance is there. That reluctance really does exist because people say, I don't know about this. So what they do is they build their own kingdom in this world instead of the kingdom of God. Would you agree with me that self-sacrifice is not the number one option for most people? Hey, I'm gonna sacrifice myself. The last 50 plus, 55 years or so, the Lord and I, the Lord and I, excuse me, my wife's included here. My wife and I have been serving the Lord for 55 years. It's called self-sacrifice. It's called self-sacrifice. You can do anything you want to with 50, half a century of your life. But I'm here today to advertise, if I had it all to do over again, I'd do it all over again. Because it's worth it. The whole idea is, well, don't you hate the idea that you're in a losing battle? That's what Satan wants you to believe. Because he knows part of it is true. Everybody loses battles. The determining factor is who wins the war. And according to God's word, we've already won. You hear it over and over again. I've read the back of the book and we win. Amen. So, when we're looking at the reluctance of the sowers, as a result, people are really not open to the Lord calling them into what they feel is a losing cause. They'll ask the question, would God really call me to be part of a losing cause? Well, he would remind us that, guess what? This isn't anything new. In Ezekiel chapter 22 and verse 30, brethren, this type of situation is not at all new. Back in Ezekiel chapter 22 and verse 30, many of you know the passage, and I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. It was a bad time. It's a bad time now. We don't like to say it because we don't want to scare people, but civilization is on the brink. It's on the brink. If it were not for the Lord, if it were not for the Holy Spirit of God that's withholding, this world would be extinct. It's possible for the world to be completely destroyed and the only reason it's not going to be is because God's not going to let it happen. because he's the only one who can someday and will destroy this world and it's going to be rolled up like a scroll and burnt, but he's going to build a new heaven and a new earth and that's going to be good. Amen. So the devil knows that if you become conscious of the power of God that's available through prayer, pray ye the Lord of the harvest, and you become conscious of the victory ahead, you may end up having victory over your personal unbelief. You say, well, how do you know? Because that happened to me. That's exactly what happened. And if you are aware of what God is doing in others, you just might think that God can do it in you, and you are absolutely correct. Some may ask, how much difference can I make? I think that's a good question, but it needs to be phrased. How much difference can I make? Notice the difference? How much difference can I make? That's exactly what 1 Samuel chapter 14 and verse 6 tells us about a fellow by the name of Jonathan, the son of Saul. And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armor, come and let us go over under the garrison of these uncircumcised. Talking about the Philistines. It may be that the Lord will work for us. That's kind of like a good possibility. It's kind of like, it may be, maybe that the Lord will work for us. Let's give it a try. For there is no restraint. That means there's no hindrance to the Lord to say by many, or what's the next two words? By few, by few. And many times we feel like we're just the few. That's enough. when God's working. So, the Christian life includes the idea of obtaining God's promises through our personal faith and our trust in what can God do. In 1 John chapter 5 and verse 14, the Bible says, and this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. Can you make the connection Hmm is it God's will to send forth laborers into his harvest? Well, that's what Jesus said So we know that it is God's will to send forth laborers into his harvest. Let's make the connection. I This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, Lord, would you send forth laborers into his harvest? There's a guarantee in God's word. When you pray that, he heareth us. I don't know about you, but I like praying prayers when I know that I have a guarantee that God hears me when I pray, and God's Word gives us that guarantee. No wonder in Hebrews chapter 4 and verse 11, the Bible says, let us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest. which we're eventually looking forward to, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Pray ye the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth laborers, let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Well, I would surrender, but I don't know whether God would be able to use me. Give him a chance. give him a chance. Early on, I was pretty much voted the preacher least likely to succeed. Not very many people get that acclamation, I'll tell you. And so it's like, okay, well, I'm not out to please anybody. God, my wife will tell you, we're just trying to please the Lord. And if anybody else is happy about it, that's fine. But let's labor, therefore, to enter into that rest. Now, we have Matthew 24, verse 14. I'm in the process of closing, mainly because I'm not sure what that gray screen with no numbers on it means, all right? But Matthew 24, verse 14, the Bible says, and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come. All right, this gospel to the kingdom shall be preached in all the world. I've got a question for you. Do you want to get in on this? Some of you have been in on it for a half a century, perhaps, and more. And it's like, why doesn't everybody want to get in on this? Because of all those hindrances that Satan throws at everybody. Or you only have two choices as Christians. Do you want to get in on this or do you want to sit on the sidelines? I'm not sure what preacher said it. If you're not able to get in on this in the way that others are, At least sit on the sidelines and cheer like crazy for everybody that's out there. Amen. So we have two promises here as we finish up. This gospel shall be preached in all the world. You say, Brother Schaffer, it's been 2,000 years, 2,000 years since the Lord was here. Does that mean we're 2,000 years closer to the coming of the Lord? We're a lot closer to the coming of the Lord. 2,000 years. Wow. It's all on how you look at it. Perspective is everything. So then shall the end come? And when will that be? When is the end going to come? Well, I think sometimes we think of ourselves more highly than the disciples even. Because we're reminded of what the Lord told the disciples when they asked him if this was a time that he would restore the kingdom to Israel. You remember what he said? It's in Acts chapter one in verse seven. He said unto them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the father hath put in his own power. And it is not for you and me to know the times and the seasons which the father hath put in his power. but you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and under the outermost part of the earth. And strangely enough, that is the same great commission that's given to us. And we have the Holy Spirit of God living within us and working through us with exactly the same power that those early disciples had. So we have the Great Commission, the responsibility of the sowers. We have the response of the sowers, but we have what I call the potential reluctance, right? But we have the power that the sowers have, and that makes all the difference in the world. Missions month is coming up. There'll be lots of messages that you will hear. But I trust that the Lord will help this to be a good basis for your missions month. And may the Lord bless the teaching and preaching of his word. Let's go to the Lord in prayer. Heavenly Father, we ask now that you'll dismiss us from the Sunday school time into the main service. And Lord, we're thankful for speaking to all of our hearts We ask that your will would be accomplished in our lives as we pray that there will be more laborers to send into the harvest. We ask it in Jesus' name, amen.