The Harvest

Matt 9:36-38; Jn 4:35-38

Introduction:

A. There was a time in our past when most of the people lived on farms and grew their own crops. As the industrial revolution took shape, that has slowly come to an end.

B. Most today do not have any idea what was involved in the harvest of the grain or other crops that the farmers planted. In this area we see the production of food crops every year for about six months. All we need do is look at the fields as we drive down almost any road in the area to see what work is involved in this process.

C. The Lord made note of the harvest when talking to His disciples. We, as Christians need to look at this and see what we must do that we might have a plentiful harvest. If we are to glean the fields there are some things we must know about the harvest.

I. What Should We Know About The Harvest

A. It is the Lord's - Matt 9:38

1. The harvest is souls - Ezek 18:4

2. God gives increase - 1 Cor 3:4-6

B. It is plenteous - Matt 9:37

1. Was large then

2. Even greater now (over 4 billion souls)

C. It is ready - Jn 4:35

1. Time is ripe

a. Conditions have never been more favorable

2. Song 387 (Far & Near)

D. It is in need for laborer and reapers - Matt 9:38; Jn 4:36-38

II. What We Should Do About The Harvest

A. Lift up your eyes - Jn 4:35

1. No outreach till there is outlook

2. Lift eyes from self, materialism, etc. a. "My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." - John Kennedy (inaugural address, Jan 20, 1961)

b. Col. 3:1-2

B. Look on the fields - Jn 4:35

1. Field is the world - Matt 13:38 2.

C. Pray for laborers to be sent - Matt 9:38

1. Col 4:3; 2 Thess 3:1ff

2. Lack of prayer results in lack of workers

D. Teach - Mk 6:34

1. What should we teach

a. Matt 28:20

b. 2 Tim 1:13

c. Rom 1:16

2. "Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save"

E. Reap - Jn 4:36-38

1. Final phase of harvesting

2. Preliminaries must be followed

Conclusion:

A. The harvest will never be reaped until we know that it is the Lord's, that it is ready now and that reapers are needed.

B. It will never be realized until we bow our heads in prayer, take the seed and sow it and then take up our sickles and harvest the ripened grain.

by Jack Critchfield

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