THE LORD OF THE HARVEST

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." - 1 Corinthians 3:6

We are approaching wintertime here in the West Virginia mountains.  Garden season has been over for some time.  In this area, we typically plant in the spring and reap during the summer. 

When it comes to sowing God's Word, there is never a bad season.  In fact, Paul instructed Timothy to be "instant in season and out of season."  In other words, evangelism is always in season. 

Most people think that spring and fall are the best times to have revival at a church.  Historically speaking, genuine revival may break out at any time.  The Asbury revival, for instance, occurred in Wilmore, Ky. in early February.  At my own church, I can recall when the Lord moved in special ways during the winter.  We are constantly reminded to continue sowing the Gospel seed regardless of the weather.

The Apostle Paul gives us insight concerning the evangelistic process.  When he wrote to the Corinthian believers, he said, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."  Please note a couple of things we learn from this text.

1.  THE LABORERS OF THE HARVEST

First of all, we learn about the laborers of the harvest.  Paul wrote, "I have planted, Apollos watered."  Paul and Apollos both labored among the Corinthians, but the Lord used them in different ways.  There is a need to plant a seed.  There is also a need to water the seed. 

There is a job for each of us to do.  You may never preach at a stadium outreach event, but you may be able to reach your neighbor.  You may never travel America & conduct evangelistic campaigns, but you can walk over to your co-worker's desk and speak to him or her.  You may never pastor a church, but you can lead your family.

There is a tendency for Christians to get jealous or envious of others who are actively sharing the Gospel.  There's no need to get jealous when others are busy serving the Lord.  However, there is a need to repent if you aren't actively laboring in the harvest field yourself.

Let's get busy in the harvest field.  There's much that needs to be done & there's little time left.  Regardless of the role that you are involved in, be obedient and faithful to the Lord.  The Lord can use you right now.  If he can use a donkey to speak the truth, he can use you!

2.  THE LORD OF THE HARVEST 

Finally, we learn about the Lord of the harvest.  "God gave the increase."  Without God, our sowing will be in vain.  While there is a role for the laborers to fulfill, the Lord is the One who accomplishes the miracle.  He is the One who causes the seed to grow and produce a harvest.

It is easy for a farmer to take credit for a large harvest.  If he were honest, though, he'd have to admit that the Lord is the One who blessed his efforts and caused the seed to produce the harvest.

The same is true with the Gospel.  I may plant a seed in the heart of a person.  That person may move to another town & be influenced by another Christian who waters that seed.  Years after my initial contact with that person, a harvest may come about.  I may never know about it.  Certainly, I should receive no credit for the harvest & neither should the person who watered the seed.  All the glory belongs to the One who led me to sow the seed and stirred the person who watered the seed.  The praise belongs to the One who caused the seed to grow and produce a harvest.

As Christians, we tend to exalt pastors, evangelists and soul-winners that see tremendous response to their evangelistic efforts.  While we should honor & respect such men, we should never lose sight of the fact that God is the One who saves souls.  He is the only One who changes lives. 

All the praise belongs to the Lord of the harvest.

Are you working in the harvest field?  I'm reminded of the old song:

In the harvest field now ripened,

There's a work for all to do;

Hark! The voice of God is calling,

To the harvest calling you.

Get busy in the harvest field.  It may be that the seed you sow today will soon bring a glorious harvest!

  

THE SEED OF GOD'S WORD

"The seed is the word of God." - Luke 8:11

What we do today may greatly impact the future.  Our decisions have consequences, some consequences are positive & others are negative.  The Bible states, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."  For several weeks now, I've been writing about the law of sowing and reaping.  Today I want to focus on the seed that all of us should be sowing.

Jesus often spoke to His disciples, using parables to communicate His message.  One day, He shared a parable about a sower.  In the parable, the sower threw seed to the ground as he walked.  Some seed fell into poor or rocky ground.  However, some seed fell on good ground, which produced a great harvest.

His disciples were intrigued by the parable and asked Jesus to explain it to them.  Jesus explained that, "the seed is the word of God."  The Word of God is good seed.  If that seed is sown in fertile ground, it is guaranteed to produce a harvest. 

It is sad that this seed is neglected.  While many pursue psychology, human achievement and self-help methods, God's Word remains untouched.  Yet it is the only seed that God promises to bless.  

Realizing the value of God's Word, let me challenge you to do two things with this seed:

1.  SOW THIS SEED IN YOUR OWN LIFE

First of all, sow this seed in your own life.  Invest time in God's Word daily.  Make sure that this seed sinks deep in the soil of your heart.  Read the Word of God every day.  Meditate on God's Word.  Memorize Scripture.  Stand on God's Word.  Furthermore, attend a local church on a regular basis where you will hear the Word taught and preached.

Prepare your heart to receive God's Word.  Set a specific time to meet with the Lord.  Clear your mind of distractions.  Practice daily repentance.  Come before the Lord with clean hands and clean heart.

Treat the message of the Bible as God's Word to you.  Believe His Word.  Trust His Word.   

2.  SOW THIS SEED IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS

Secondly, sow this seed in the lives of others.  Others don't need to hear about your denomination's constitution or your church's by-laws.  They need to hear the Gospel.  People need more than stale religion, they need to be exposed to the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. 

Share the Word of God with family members, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances and even strangers.  Use unique means to get the Word to people.  There's nothing that will change a person's life like exposure to the Word of God.

The seed of God's Word impacted your life & can impact the lives of others, too.  Sow this seed regularly, generously and expectantly. 

If you want to see a good harvest, sow the right seed.  God will bless His Word.  Sow it day!

SOW IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy." - Hosea 10:12

During the past few weeks, I have been writing about the subject of sowing and reaping.  The Bible says, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."  The law of sowing & reaping is active whether a person consciously knows it or not.  There are many who are reaping painful consequences to sinful seeds they have sown --- but it doesn't have to be that way.

It is true that if you sow evil seeds, you will reap a corrupt harvest.  But the opposite is also true.  If you sow good seeds, you will reap a good harvest.  Which describes your life?

1.  SOWING

God said, "Sow to yourselves in righteousness."  This word was given to Israel.  The people had sinned greatly against God & were reaping a harvest of pain.  Now, God is challenging them to change and begin sowing the right seed.

Notice that God instructed Israel to sow, "... in righteousness."  Righteousness refers to moral perfection.  This is the standard by which men are permitted into heaven.  Here's a major problem.  No one measures up to this standard.  We fall way short of righteousness.  Isaiah accurately pointed out that our righteousness is like filthy rags. 

How then can sinful people become righteous people?  How can we sow in righteousness?  The answer is found in Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ, the righteous, came to earth and died upon a cross.  Through His shed blood upon the cross, forgiveness of sin is guaranteed for those who believe.  When a person repents and believes, the righteousness of Jesus is accounted to their lives.  We are made righteous through the blood of Christ. 

Only through faith in Christ can we become righteous people.  At salvation, we experience real change through the power of God.  Then we live with a different mind-set, a desire to honor God with our words & deeds.  We begin to sow in righteousness.

Israel had strayed far away from God.  Although they had outward religion, they were far from the Lord in reality.  Through the writing of the prophet Hosea, God was calling Israel to renew her faith in Him and begin sowing in righteousness. 

Our nation, like Israel is far from God.  We wonder why our nation is such a mess today.  The answer is found in the fact that our nation is sowing with ungodliness.  We, like Israel, need to repent.  We need to return to God.  We need to seek Him and honor Him.  We need to sow in righteousness.

2.  REAPING

Finally, God told Israel to "sow to yourself in righteousness, reap in mercy."  Here's a fundamental fact about the law of sowing and reaping.  You tend to reap MORE than you sow.  God promised Israel a harvest of mercy, if they would sow in righteousness.

They needed mercy.  They had sinned greatly before God.  Before we arrogantly judge Israel for her sinfulness, we must look in the mirror and see the same thing.  We need God's mercy ourselves. 

Right now, America stands on the threshold of judgment.  Rather than pleading for justice, let us beg for mercy.  However, we must recognize that mercy is the harvest.  Before our nation can enjoy a desired harvest, our country must sow the right seed.  If we seek mercy, we must first sow in righteousness. 

We have just a limited time to live here on earth.  This is the sowing season for us.  On a personal level, are you sowing in righteousness or are you sowing with selfishness?  Are you sowing good seed or scattering wicked seed?  Are you living for the Lord or for yourself? 

It is time to sow in righteousness!          

SOWING THE WIND

"For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." - Hosea 8:7

We are living in a turbulent world.  The recent act of violence at a Texas church is a reminder that there is no safe place in this world.  In recent years there have been acts of violence at work places, malls, schools and colleges.  The sanctity of the home is not immune from violence.  We are living in a wicked world.

During the last few blog messages, I have addressed the subject of sowing & reaping.  America is certainly reaping what she has sown.  Most would object to this analysis, but I believe it is true.  "Sex education" is taught in schools ... and then we wonder why teenage pregnancy is common.  Sin is celebrated.  Righteousness is ridiculed.  Right is considered wrong & wrong is considered right.  "Political correctness" has replaced common sense.  Somehow, it has become "acceptable" for some to show disrespect to those in authority and even celebrate acts of violence against law enforcement agents. What in the world has happened to our country?

America is reaping what she has sown.  Our careless attitude to God's Word has led to the mess we are in.  Somehow, Americans think they can live in violation to God's law and somehow be immune to the consequences.  God has promised that there would be consequences to sin and we are reaping what we have sown.

What is the cure for America's woes?  In response to this question, we must return to the law of sowing & reaping.  If we want a different harvest, we must sow different seeds. 

It is time we face the truth.  While many celebrate the legalization and propagation of sin, we must honestly admit that this has been our problem.  Pastor James MacDonald often says, "If you choose to sin, you choose to suffer."  When you sow sinful seeds, you'll reap a painful, deadly harvest.  That is the problem with America.

America needs to turn to God.  Rather than embracing sin, we need to embrace the Savior.  Instead of celebrating lawlessness, we need to submit to God's Word. 

It is wrong to expect God's blessings when we deliberately pursue the very things He has specifically condemned.  There is something more sacred than the US Constitution --- and that's the Bible.  The Bible is God's Word.  It is the truth.  America will either live by the truth or she will die. 

America is facing self-destruction.  America has placed herself in jeopardy of God's wrath. 

Repentance is the only way judgment may be avoided.  In Jonah's day, the mega-city, Nineveh, faced God's wrath.  After hearing Jonah's message, the people repented and the city was spared.

It is time for Americans to do the same. 

TILL THE LAND

"Break up your fallow ground." - Hosea 10:12

Before a man can sow seed in his field, he must first prepare the soil.  In my opinion, the most difficult part of having a garden is the tilling process.  It is hard work.  When my grandfather was alive, he would plow his garden using a horse and plow.  When my parents moved on the mountain, we used a tiller.  Either way, the purpose was to prepare the soil for the planting of seed.

The purpose of tilling the land is two-fold.  First, tilling the ground breaks up the hard clay and causes the soil to be soft and profitable for sowing.  Secondly, plowing rids the soil of unwanted weeds.  The plow would do more than simply cut the weeds --- it would uproot them & chew them up.  This is important because weeds will hinder the growth of any plant that a seed may produce.

Your heart is much like the soil.  Preparation is needed to get your heart ready for God's seed.  Regardless of your level of love for Jesus or commitment to Him, there are times when your heart gets hard & your love cools off.  At this point, the hard ground of your heart needs to be plowed. 

Weeds also come in our lives on a regular basis.  When I was growing up, I always hated the chore of hoeing the garden.  It was a process of getting rid of weeds and gathering soil around the new plant.  I learned quickly that you never get rid of weeds permanently.  Weeds grow when nothing else will.  It is surprising to recognize weeds in our lives.  Often times, others recognize the weeds before we do.  Simple neglect can aid the weeds in their quest to take over your life.  The weeds need to be cut down in your life on a regular basis. 

How does God break up the fallow ground and uproot the weeds?  The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to reveal sin and convict us.  The Word of God is like a mirror.  When you look in a mirror, you see a reflection of yourself.  A mirror shows you reality.  A mirror may show you that your face is dirty.  You may have been unaware of that.  That is what the Word of God does ... it shows us the dirt in our lives.  Furthermore, the Bible shows us how to be cleansed of the dirt.

God uses His Word to break up the hardness of your heart.  His Word exposes the weeds in your life and challenges you to surrender to Him so He may uproot them, by the power of the Spirit.

Spiritual plowing takes place as you read your Bible.  At times, a Biblical sermon may convict you.  A Christian book may be used of the Spirit to stir a heart that once was hard. 

We tend to resist the plowing process for several reasons.  First, plowing is a dirty, thankless job.  Secondly, plowing is hard work.  Finally, the tilling process can be painful.  Don't hinder the plowing process.  Without it, you can never enjoy a fruitful harvest. 

God is serious about seeing fruit in your life.  He is not satisfied to see a life full of weeds --- and you shouldn't be either. 

  

SOW ABUNDANTLY

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." - 2 Corinthians 9:6

In the past couple of messages, I've written about the fact that a man reaps what he has sown.  As we think about the law of sowing and reaping, we should make sure we are sowing the right seed.

Not only is it important to sow the right seed, it is important to sow it often.  I think we'd all agree that you have a better chance to have a great harvest if you plant several acres of corn than you would if you planted just one hill of corn.  The more you plant, the more you will reap.

The more you read the Bible, the more the Bible changes you.  The more you help someone else, the better you feel within.  The more you share the Gospel, the greater the chances of seeing someone saved.  You see, the more you sow, the greater the chance that you'll have a great harvest.

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he challenged them to be generous with their finances.  Notice what he wrote, "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."  I am not a prosperity preacher.  I do not agree with the "health & wealth gospel" that some propagate.  However, I will state this.  God blesses those who give.  The more you give, the more He blesses.

The happiest people I know do not have much money, but they are generous.  Why are they so happy?  God blesses them.  The more they bless others, the more they find themselves being blessed.

Many Christians are stingy.  In fact, they are sinfully stingy.  They are cheating themselves out of the blessing of giving.  They are not only hurting others & the work of Christ through their stinginess, they are hurting themselves.

One of my favorite epistles is the book of Philippians.  In that tiny book of four chapters, the Apostle Paul often mentions words like "joy," and "rejoicing."  The book of Philippians is a joyous, victorious book.  Yet we also learn something about the Philippians from that epistle:  they were generous.  In fact, the book of Philippians was a "thank you," note from Paul.  That small church had given sacrificially to Paul as he worked for Jesus.  Because of their generosity, God blessed the church at Philippi. 

I've always heard preachers say, "You can't out-give God."  I believe that is true.  I believe that God does special things in the lives of those who give generously.  You see, they sow bountifully and they reap bountifully.

Some of the sourest people I know are stingy.  They have a sour expression on their face.  They mope and complain.  They have sown sparingly and they are reaping sparingly.

Generosity is not just about money.  Generosity can also be about your time and talents.  Giving people are blessed people.  God loves a cheerful giver.  When someone gives their time, talents or treasures, God blesses them. 

Nowhere in the Bible does it state that if you give $10 to a church that God will give you $100 in return.  We should not treat God like He is the stock market or a slot machine.  Instead, we should give generously in His Name because we love Him.  In response, He will bless us in many different ways.  

Ultimately, Christians should be laying up treasures in heaven.  Here on earth, we are making eternal investments.  When we invest in God's kingdom, be assured that there will be a guaranteed harvest.  Although God blesses His children here on earth, I believe our greatest blessings are yet to come.  I believe that there are many things we've forgotten that God still remembers.  He remembers when you took time to speak to a hurting person.  He remembers the time you gave money to a poor person.  He recalls the time that you helped someone in need.  He blessed you when you blessed them ... but He has even greater blessings in store.  There are treasures waiting in heaven for those who've served Jesus because they loved Him.

Don't sow a little here and a little there.  Sow the right seed and sow it generously.  If you sow bountifully, you WILL reap bountifully.

HARVEST TIME

"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." - Galatians 6:8

Last week, I wrote about the law of sowing and reaping.  We learned that the law was a natural law and a spiritual law.  The law is active whether a person consciously knows it or not. 

Many people are reaping what they have sown.  For instance, some are in prison, reaping what they have sown.  Others are reaping, experiencing the ill affects of substance abuse.  Then there are people who are reaping what they've sown as they struggle with sexually transmitted diseases.  Although these examples may seem extreme to most people, they are reminders that we are responsible for our decisions & that we reap what we sow.

Despite all the reaping going on in our world right now, the great harvest is yet to come.  Paul wrote, "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."  Harvest time is coming.  People will be reaping what they have sown.

The Bible makes it very clear that every person will some day stand before God.  Judgment is coming to all of us. 

As I wrote last week, the law of sowing & reaping can be positive or negative. That is certainly the case with the judgment to come.  Paul wrote that some will ultimately reap corruption and others will reap life everlasting.  What will cause some to face corruption while others enjoy eternal life?  The answer is found in the life they sowed.

Paul wrote, "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption."  Those who've lived apart from God will spend eternity apart from Him.  Ultimately, Jesus will reject those who've rejected Him.  People who deny Christ here on earth will be denied entrance into heaven.  People will reap what they have sown.  People who've sown to the wind will reap the whirlwind.  Men who've pursued sin will reap the consequences because Paul wrote, "... the wages of sin is death."  If a man plays with fire, he WILL get burnt.  It is wrong for a man or woman to live like the devil and still expect to go to heaven.  They will reap what they've sown.

On the other side of the coin, Paul wrote, "... but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."  Harvest time is coming for those who belong to the Lord.  Those who've sown "to the Spirit," have been changed by the power of the Spirit.  The Spirit had convicted, converted and changed them.  They've been born again by the Spirit.  The Spirit of God indwells them.  The Spirit of God directs them.  The Spirit of God is sanctifying them.  Ultimately, the Spirit of God will raise them.  These disciples of Jesus have died to sin and denied self in order to follow Him.  God has invested much in these saints & they are investing in Him.  They are laying up treasures in heaven.  They are sowing in the Spirit and not the flesh.  They have received Jesus, confessed Jesus and trusted in Jesus.  He is their all-in-all.  He is precious to them.  They have found the Pearl of Great Price and have sold out to invest in Him.  They, too, will reap what they have sown.  They have sown to the Spirit & through the Spirit they are reaping everlasting life.

Which really describes your life?  If you live for the devil, you will spend eternity with him.  If you live for Jesus, you will spend eternity with Him. 

Harvest time is coming & you will reap what you've sown.