Key Scripture: John 4:35 "Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! (NKJV)
From all that we have been given to understand, Jesus spent an estimated thirty years preparing for His ministry before beginning with that first miracle in Cana of Galilee. Just like David, though anointed to be King of Israel as a young boy, he did not begin to reign until after many years of preparation. Joseph too dreamed a dream that he would one day be placed as ruler over his family, but the journey to that destiny was a long journey which educated him and equipped him for his greatest day of service to God’s plan.
Even the Apostle Paul, after his
In each case throughout the word of God when a person is called, they are then prepared before being used in the field of God’s choice. We, each one of us, are no different than those we read about in God’s Holy Word.
For some of us now is the time of life to hear the calling of God. For others it is the season of our preparation. However, for most it is graduation time … a time to launch out into the deep of our every day life and cast out our nets of ministry and go to work for the Lord.
Just like our key scripture tells us, the fields are white and ripe unto harvest - right now! God has prepared both the fields and the field hands for this moment in time.
What is withholding the greatest harvest of souls the world has ever seen? There is a shortage of laborers in the field.
Matthew 9 NKJV
35 ¶ Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
38 "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."
Matthew 10
1 ¶ And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. (He commanded them)
7 "And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
We stand at the dawn of the greatest day the world has ever seen. The Church is able, the lost are hungry, hearts are open and laborers are prepared for their ministry. What ministry? That of:
Saving to the Lost
Serving to the Saved
How can we begin this ministry? We must become laborers …
Doers of the word and not a hearers only.
1. Be an announcer of Good News
* To the Lost
* To the Saved
2. Be a doer of Good Works
* To the Lost
* To the Saved
What good works can I do for Jesus?
Matthew 10:1 says that Jesus gave His followers ‘power’ … this concept of power is best understood as the giving of authority to act in another’s name.
This bible account is written for our admonition, our encouragement, our inspiration, upon whom the ends of this world has come. These scriptures show us a pattern example of what we can also expect from Jesus as we commit to follow and serve Him.
We also have received power to act under the authority of Jesus as we minister in His name.
Mark 16 NKJV
15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
19 ¶ So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
Notice that He sat down and they went forth … it’s time for us to go to work!
What shall we do? Well, just as Matthew 10:7&8 says:
* Heal the sick
* Cleanse the leper
* Raise the dead
* Cast out demons
* Bless others with what you have been blessed with
What have you been blessed with? - Comfort, forgiveness, financial increase, wisdom, understanding, patience or peace?
Ministry is partnership with God and all ministry is accomplished through prayer and purpose-filled action.
John 14 NKJV
12 ¶ "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
13 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Become a minister of the new covenant of grace today. Take your role and authority serious. You are more prepared than you may know and the need is greater than one can imagine.
The fields are ripe and the time of harvest is now.
God needs laborers in His ready fields today and you have been called, equipped and chosen to serve … now lets go to work in Jesus’ Name.
Make yourself available each day for God’s use and commit yourself to be a joyful laborer in the harvest fields of life.
