HARVEST TIME

Matthew 9:35-38

  1. Intro.
    1. the earthly ministry of Jesus was a short one, but its impact is still seen today
      1. all of us are here today because of the earthly ministry of Jesus
      2. He could have done many things while He was on earth, but He chose to spend most of His time "teaching" and "preaching" – 35
      3. one thing we can clearly see about Jesus was His genuine love and concern for the lost
      4. all He had to do was look on the multitude, and this would move His heart with compassion
      5. that compassion moved Him to teach and preach to them
        1. teaching emphasis instruction
        2. preaching put an emphasis on exhortation and rebuke
    2. when we think of the number of people on earth, and how many of them are not saved, it should break our hearts
      1. how many people die lost right here in America
      2. when they die lost, they go into the blackness and torment of an eternal Hell
      3. one day we will learn that all the plans we wrap our lives in, were not the things of primary importance
    3. it is not difficult for us to find out what God’s plan for our life is today – John 20:21
    4. the harvest must be gathered, or else it will perish
      1. if a farmer does not harvest his crop when it is ready, it will rot and perish in the field
      2. too many souls are perishing in the field
      3. there is a harvest that needs to be gathered
        1. some Christians do not understand the need
        2. some Christians will not listen to the call for laborers (saved and satisfied)
        3. too many Christians simply do not care
          1. they understand the need
          2. they understand the peril of the lost
          3. their attitude is "so what"
  2. basis principles for the harvest
    1. we must give out the truth to bring in a harvest
      1. Jesus went out teaching and preaching the gospel to the people – Matthew 9:35
      2. sin has a death-grip hold on people
        1. it takes the proclamation of the gospel to set people free – John 8:32
        2. free to do what – free to love for God
        3. when the chains of sin have us bound, we cannot live for God
        4. it is the truth that does this amazing work
      3. that is why we preach and teach the Bible around here
    2. we must rely on the power of God’s Word to get people saved
      1. should we get discouraged when we preach the Word, and no one gets saved –NO
        1. our job is to deliver the truth
        2. it is God’s job to save them
        3. the harvest that most people see is the result of seed that was sown months or years before
        4. the seeds were sown months ago, but it is just now getting around to producing a harvest
      2. we will not always win everyone the first time we give them the truth
        1. we sow the seed
        2. God gives the increase
        3. we give the Word in the power of the Holy Spirit, and then let God do the saving
  3. a passion for the harvest – Matthew 9:36
    1. Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the people
    2. compassion came when He took time to "see"
      1. compassion means to enter sympathetically into someone else’s sorrow and pain
      2. the God of the Bible is full of compassion
      3. if we are to be like Jesus, we will feel the hurt and pain of others
    3. do we care
      1. do we see people as the victim of a devilish assault
      2. do we care that the intent of the devil is to drag every unsuspecting soul into Hell
  4. purpose for the harvest – Matthew 9:36 [scattered abroad, sheep having no shepherd]
    1. Jesus had a purpose
      1. the lost are wondering aimlessly without any spiritual direction
      2. it is an amazing thing to look at the world and see the spiritual direction it is going
      3. the whole meaning of the Bible is that God sent His Son to pay the penalty for man’s sins
        1. stop and look and man’s religion today
        2. the world is far remove from the purpose of God
    2. God wants man in a personal relationship with Him
      1. the lost are like a weather-vane, they blow whichever way the wind is blowing
      2. God wants to give direction and purpose to our life
      3. there is a purpose in God saving our soul – to live our lives for His glory
  5. the abundant harvest – Matthew 9:37 [the harvest truly is plenteous]
    1. one thing is for sure, there are people everywhere that are not saved (never run out of people to win)
    2. Jesus looked at the people and saw them as souls in need of a Savior
    3. what do you see when you look at people
  6. poverty in the harvest – Matthew 9:37 [the labourers are few]
    1. we are certainly suffering today, from a lack of workers in the field
    2. we are often like those who made an excuse for not going to the feast – Luke 14:16-20
      1. there is nothing wrong with any of these things, but they become wrong when we put them before the Lord
      2. doing the things of life is wrong, when it keeps us from doing what God wants us to do
    3. a guarantee: there is someone that you could reach with the gospel
  7. praying for the harvest – Matthew 9:38
    1. we pray about a lot of things, but do we pray that God would send out laborers into the field
    2. we must be careful about praying for laborers, because God may send you
    3. we need more laborers because we are not meeting the demand
  8. conclusion
    1. three things that each of you should do
      1. consider yourself as a prospect for working in the field
      2. tell the Lord you are willing to be available –surrender you life to the Lord
      3. daily pray for God to send more workers into the field
    2. "this generation of saints is going to have to answer for this generation of sinners"
    3. can you see that it is harvest time