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Willing Workers vs Watching Bystanders

Posted 1/10/2026

The harvest is great but the workers are few.  We live in a generation where people in the body of Christ don't realize that they are suppose to be the labourers.  Instead they become the bystanders.  Lets talk about.

Text: Luke 10:1–2 (KJV)

“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”


Introduction

Jesus opens this passage with a powerful reality: the harvest is ready, but the workers are missing.
The problem is not the field.
The problem is not the seed.
The problem is availability.

Every generation has people who benefit from the harvest but do not want to work in it.
And every generation has a remnant who say, “Here am I, Lord—send me.”

This text shows us two kinds of people:

  1. Those who do not want to serve in the harvest

  2. Those who are willing—and are prayed for and sent


I. The Harvest Is Plentiful—but Not Optional

Jesus says, “The harvest truly is great.”

This means:

  • Souls are ready

  • Needs are urgent

  • Time is limited

The harvest does not wait until it is convenient.
It does not stop growing because people are uncomfortable.

The fields Jesus speaks of represent:

  • Broken people

  • Lost souls

  • Hurting families

  • Confused communities

The tragedy is not that the harvest is great—
The tragedy is that many see it and still refuse to serve.


II. Those Who Do Not Want to Serve in the Harvest

Jesus says, “The labourers are few.”
This reveals that many chose not to labor.

Some reasons people avoid the harvest:

1. Fear of Inconvenience

Serving costs time, energy, comfort, and reputation.
Many want blessings without burden.

2. Fear of Rejection

Some don’t want to be talked about, criticized, or misunderstood.
But the harvest is not about approval—it’s about obedience.

3. Spiritual Spectatorship

Some prefer to watch ministry instead of participate in it.
They sit in church but never step into the field.

They say:

  • “Someone else will do it.”

  • “That’s not my calling.”

  • “I’m not ready yet.”

But delay in obedience is still disobedience.


III. Those Who Are Willing to Serve Are Chosen and Sent

Verse 1 says, “The Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them.”

Notice:

  • Jesus appointed them

  • Jesus sent them

  • Jesus empowered them

They were not perfect.
They were not famous.
But they were willing.

God is not looking for the most talented or the most so call gifted
He is looking for the ones who are willing and available.

The willing are people who are:

  • Prepared by prayer

  • Positioned by obedience

  • Protected by God’s authority


IV. The Willing Workers Are Prayed For

Jesus says, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest.”

This is important:

  • The harvest belongs to the Lord

  • The workers are sent by the Lord

  • The power comes from the Lord

Those who are willing are covered in prayer.

Prayer does three things:

  1. It raises workers

  2. It strengthens workers

  3. It sustains workers

When you say yes to God, you are not sent alone—
You are sent with all of heaven backing you.


V. God Does Not Beg—He Sends

Jesus does not chase people into the harvest.
He sends those who are willing.

The unwilling stay seated.
The willing get sent.

The question is not:

“Is the harvest ready?”

The question is:

“Am I willing to be a laborer?”


Conclusion

There are only two positions in this text:

  • Watching the harvest

  • Working in the harvest

Those who refuse miss the joy.
Those who serve experience the power.

Jesus is still saying today:

“The harvest is great… who will go?”

Will you be among those who avoid the field?
Or among those who are prayed for, sent, and used by God?


Closing Call

Lord, make us more than observers.
Make us laborers.
Send us into Your harvest.
In Jesus’ name—Amen.