In this sermon titled "The Harvest is Plentiful," preached on November 24, 2025, Josh Davis addresses the urgent call to global and local evangelism and church planting. Drawing from Matthew 9:35–38, Davis presents a missionary message outlining the necessity of engaging in God's harvest field, specifically sharing his family's upcoming mission with the North American Mission Board (NAMB) to plant Borderlands Family Baptist Church in El Paso, Texas.
Key Sermon Themes
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Modeling Christlike Compassion (Matthew 9:35–36)
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Davis contrasts simple sympathy with deep, gut-wrenching compassion—using the emotional visual of holding his infant daughter during a painful medical procedure to illustrate the visceral agony Jesus feels for lost souls.
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He points out that Christ engaged in holistic ministry, meeting spiritual needs through teaching while also caring for physical needs, as seen in the feeding of the 5,000 (Mark 6).
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Understanding the Scope & Urgency of the Harvest (Matthew 9:37)
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Citing statistics from Ligonier Ministries and LifeWay's State of Theology survey, Davis highlights the stark reality of lostness within both the general culture and modern churches.
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He references data showing widespread false beliefs among churchgoers—such as denying the exclusivity of Christ, downplaying the seriousness of sin, or treating Jesus as a created being—to show the urgent need for clear gospel teaching.
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Responding to the Lord of the Harvest (Matthew 9:38)
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Believers are called to take active responsibility in the Great Commission—either by going into the field or supporting those who do.
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Citing missionary Jim Elliot and Puritan author John Bunyan, Davis emphasizes that fervent prayer is the indispensable foundation of all gospel work, alongside financial support and short-term mission participation.
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Key Scripture References
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Matthew 9:35–38 (Main Text)
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Ephesians 2:4–5
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Ephesians 2:8–10
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Mark 6:34
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John 1:3
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3 John 1:5–8
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Isaiah 6:1–8
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John 12:41