All the Lord’s children who have taken up their cross and followed the Lord in baptism are labourers in the kingdom. However, these labourers are not sent by the Lord; they are called by the Lord. They are first called by the Holy Spirit in the new birth; then they are called by the gospel unto obedience and have responded by taking up their cross. The gospel minister is a labourer not only in the kingdom but in the word of God. He has received a threefold call. He first has been called from nature’s darkness unto life eternal. He has also been called by the gospel unto obedience and has responded. Lastly, the Lord has called him into the ministry and sent forth by the Lord Himself just as were the apostles. There is a shortage of ministers among the Primitive Baptists as many churches are without pastors. What are the saints to do? The Bible tells us, “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.” (Luke 10:2). God’s children are His harvest, and He sends labourers into that harvest to feed the harvest of sheep and lambs with the word of God. All the saints should, therefore, be feverent in prayer that the Lord would raise up and send MORE labourers into the harvest as the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Paul tells Timothy, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” (I Tim. 5:17). May the Lord be pleased to send more labourers into His harvest, Amen!–May 21, 2011–Elder Larry Wise
