The Harvest is Plentiful but the Laborers are

“The Harvest is Plentiful, but the Laborers are Few. ” Matt. 9: 35 -38 Dr. Rodney Orr Associate Professor of World Missions Dallas Theological Seminary

“The Harvest is Plentiful, but the Laborers are Few. ” Matt. 9: 35 -38 “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ”

Two Key Words in this passage § Splanchnizomai “to be moved with compassion, to yearn with compassion, ” is frequently recorded of Christ towards the multitude and towards individual sufferers. (Daughter said of her brother, ”I hope he feels better so I can feel better”) § Ekballo “to cast out” or “send out” James 2: 25 § It says again in Matt 10: 5 “These twelve Jesus sent out instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. § In Matt 10: 16 Jesus says, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. ”

Moroccan (Berber) People Group

History

History § Berbers have resided in North Africa since 5000 B. C.

History § Berbers have resided in North Africa since 5000 B. C. § Call themselves Amazigh meaning that they are free

History § Berbers have resided in North Africa since 5000 B. C. § Call themselves Amazigh meaning that they are free § Lived as nomads for many years

History § Berbers have resided in North Africa since 5000 B. C. § Call themselves Amazigh meaning that they are free § Lived as nomads for many years § Depended on agriculture and created calendar based on agriculture

History § Berbers have resided in North Africa since 5000 B. C. § Call themselves Amazigh meaning that they are free § Lived as nomads for many years § Depended on agriculture and created calendar based on agriculture § Collective culture

Berbers today

§ Have struggled to continue their lifestyle Berbers today

§ Have struggled to continue their lifestyle Berbers today § Currently Berbers live in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania, and Europe

§ Have struggled to continue their lifestyle Berbers today § Currently Berbers live in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania, and Europe § Settling down on mountains and villages

§ Have struggled to continue their lifestyle Berbers today § Currently Berbers live in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania, and Europe § Settling down on mountains and villages § Transitioning from agriculture to education

Religion § Majority of Moroccan Berber are Sunni Muslim

Religion § Majority of Moroccan Berber are Sunni Muslim § First introduced in the 7 th century

Religion § Majority of Moroccan Berber are Sunni Muslim § First introduced in the 7 th century § Had a major influence in the Berber culture

§ Total population of the whole Berber group is 36 million people

§ Total population of the whole Berber group is 36 million people § Morocco has the largest population of Berbers making up to 18, 980, 000 people

Famous Moroccan/Berber Dishes

§ Take Advantage of Culturally Specific Opportunities

§ Take Advantage of Culturally Specific Opportunities § Tourism is welcomed among Berbers in Morocco

Berber Hospitality is welcoming, and provides opportunity for personal conversation

Women are not treated well or given much freedom in Berber culture. Jesus’ treatment of women like the woman caught in adultery (John 7 -8) and the relationship of Hosea to Gomer (Hosea 2: 23) are attractive contrasts to Berber culture, and demonstrate the love and forgiveness of Christianity.

Application! Let us “Beseech the Lord of the Harvest” together § All Missionaries and Elders please stand § All those who would like to become missionaries please stand § Everyone join with a missionary to pray to the Lord of the Harvest

Pray for God to bless the Berber people § God would open the hearts of the Berber people § God would open the door for missionaries to the Berber people § God would send people from this church to unreached people in Houston and around the world