Engaging in Ministry Makes us Like Christ

Matt. 9:36

To be like Christ, one must do what Christ did while he was here on earth.

Becoming like Christ, requires personal time in study, prayer, and ministry.

Ministry is how we prove our love for God and people and the benefit of ministry is it make us like Christ

Jesus was constantly engaging in ministry wherever needs were. He was willing and able to gladly meet the needs of the people.

Greater Hopewell for us to become like Christ in 2025, we have to engage in ministry as He did.

As we celebrate our Annual Mission Observance, it is important to understand the mission that God has charged us with.

This mission is not just meeting to be meeting but it is going out to meet humanity's greatest need of salvation.

Jesus said the harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few, pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into the harvest.

Being like Christ moves us from meetings to ministry. From staying in the church building to leaving the building, from not caring to caring about people, doing something to bring them to the Savior, who will meet their greatest need.


In this 9th chapter, Jesus is performing miracles; He raises from the dead the ruler’s daughter, He heals the woman with an issue of blood, He heals two blind men, and He cast a demon out of a dumb man, and he is now speaking.

But miracles were a secondary aspect of his ministry. Jesus’ heart is for people who are hurting, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
 
  1. To be like Christ, we’ve got to see people like Jesus see people- 36a
  2. To be like Christ, we’ve got to have compassion for people- vs. 36b
  3. To be like Christ, we’ve got to encourage others to engage in ministry- vs. 37
  4. To be like Christ, we’ve got to pray to God about ministry needs- vs. 38

Many people are not becoming like Christ because of no ministry engagement.

The more we do for Christ, the more we become like Christ.

It is not God’s will to be inactive, while ministry needs are plenty.
 
  1. To be like Christ we’ve got to see people like Jesus sees people- vs. 36a.
“But when he saw the multitude”
  1. The but suggests that the people were more important than miracles.
  2. The but suggests that Jesus’ heart is for the people.
  3. Jesus cared about the multitude that was following Him
  • Saw is not just physically seeing them.
  • Saw them here is to see their spiritual condition.
  • God is more concerned about our souls than our physical well being.
Let us pray to see people like Jesus sees them!
 
  1. To be like Christ, we’ve got to have compassion for people- vs.36b

“He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

  1. To be like Christ, requires more than just seeing but caring about people.
  2. To be like Christ, is not just sympathy but empathy.
  • Empathy is to put yourself in their shoes which will cause you to do something to help
  1. Ministry is preceded by a heart of compassion.
Jesus’ emotions were filled with compassion because:
  1. The people fainted is translated weary, tired, and worn out by life and its challenges.
  • Jesus, says come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest, take my yoke and learn of me. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light
  1. They scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherds:
    1. They were vulnerable.
    2. They had no protection.
    3. They had no one to guide and care for them.
 
  1. To be like Christ, we’ve got to encourage others to engage in ministry- vs. 37

“Then said he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” 

  1. Jesus gives a picture of the work of the mission
  2. Jesus uses practical things to teach spiritual lesson
  3. Metaphors of a harvest are symbolic of lost people.
  • There are plenty that need the Savior
  • They are ripe for the picking, suggest they are waiting for someone to share the gospel.
  1. He points out to the disciples that the laborers are few.
  • The mission is souls.
  1. Jesus encourages those who are following him to engage in the ministry of evangelism.
 
  1. To be like Christ, we’ve got to pray to God about ministry needs- vs. 38

“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.”

  1. The encouragement is that all the saints of God pray to the Lord of harvest.
  2. God owns the harvest and the laborer; therefore, he has the power and authority to send laborers.
  3. To pray is to be like Christ, and praying makes us like Christ.
Praying that God would change the focus of the people of God from clothes to souls.

Praying that God will convict and convince men and women that there is much work to be done.

Praying for boldness and courage to tell a dying world that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Engaging in the mission ministry of evangelism makes us like Christ!