Sermon on Sunday 2 February 2020 by Pastor Justin
The bible talks a lot about seeding, sowing and reaping the harvest. The harvest is the goal. Harvesting is about gathering righteous people into the kingdom of God. It is a time of reaping and of judgment.
Luke 10:2 - Then He said to them, "The Harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few, therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
John 4:35 tells of a ripe harvest now. Jesus called us to go out and tell people about Him. Raise up more people to go to the fields. When they come into the marvelous light, teach them about the kingdom of God.
Matthew 28:19 - Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Equip ourselves to do His ministry - preach the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.
Mark 1:14 - After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
Acts 28:31 - Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 10:1 - After these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.
We need to do according to what Jesus taught. God appointed us to go out. We are not here by chance. Those who sow and those who reap have the same reward.
John 15:16 - You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
1. The harvest won't come easy
Luke 10:3 - "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves."
Jesus did not call us to lead an easy life. There will be challenges and rejections. You will go through hardship. But Jesus wants us to be as gentle as lambs.
2. Your task is urgent
Look at those around us who do not know Christ. Share the gospel with them. We do not know when opportunities will come again. But we know that time is running out. We need to get ourselves out of our comfort zones and do what the Lord called us to do.
Luke 10:4-5 - Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.' The bible tells us to travel light. Don't be distracted.
Luke 10:6-7 - And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his waves. Do not go from house to house.
Do not be fixated on the number of houses you visit. Quality over quantity.
Luke 10:8-9 - When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
You don't need anything but faith in God. The message you carry is enough. What is the message? The kingdom of God has come. The Messiah is here. The way to God is here. The truth to God is here. The life to God is here.
3. The purpose of the harvest is to bring in the people who turn to Jesus
Your purpose is the harvesting of souls. Souls are plentiful but laborers are few. Harvest people into the faith of Christ.
Luke 10:10-11 - But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 'The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.'
People may be deceived. They think that as long as they do good, they can be saved. Let people know the truth. No one can go to the Father except through Jesus Christ.
Luke 10:12 - But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.
Sodom is a city that was very corrupted. Divine judgment was upon this city.
4. Your responsibility is to tell them the kingdom of God is near
Truth does not depend on whether people accept it or not. Know this - the truth is always the truth.
The purpose of the harvest is to get into the harvest. You make a decision now to make an impact on the world. The calling is upon you. Let's go out into the world to harvest. Your actions speak louder than words. Keep the gospel alive by loving, helping, being humble.
Isaiah 6:8 - Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."
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