Will You Make Time to Harvest?"
Today, we’re going to explore a question that speaks to the heart of our faith: Will you make time to harvest? Just like the seasons in nature—there is a time for planting and a time for reaping. In the same way, spiritually, God has called us to be workers in His harvest field. But here's the thing: the harvest requires our attention, our effort, and our time. If we’re not intentional about it, we might miss what God has prepared for us to gather.
Let’s start with the words of Jesus in Matthew 9:37-38 (NLT):
"He said to his disciples, 'The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.'”
This passage lays the foundation for our message today. Jesus points out two things: first, the harvest is plentiful—there are people ready to hear the gospel, lives ready to be changed. But the second point is sobering: the workers are few. The harvest is there, but there aren't enough people willing to gather it. Today, I want us to think about whether we are willing to be part of the workers who make time to harvest.
Point 1: Recognising the Urgency of the Harvest The first truth we need to grasp is the urgency of the harvest. Jesus tells us in John 4:35 (NLT):
"You know the saying, 'Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest."
In this moment, Jesus is challenging His disciples—and us—to stop waiting. Sometimes, we delay the work of God, thinking there will be a better time or opportunity. But Jesus is saying, “Now is the time!” The fields are already ripe. The people in our lives—the ones we pass by every day—are ready for a spiritual harvest. We might not see it, but God is working behind the scenes in their hearts.
In Greek, the word for "ripe" here is ?e??a? (leukai), which can mean "white" or "ready." This was a common term used in agriculture to indicate that a field of grain was ready to be harvested immediately. Spiritually, Jesus is saying that there are people ready right now for the gospel. Their hearts have been prepared, and they are waiting for someone to bring the message of hope to them.
Are we awake to the harvest around us? Are we tuned in to what God is doing in the lives of those around us? It’s easy to be caught up in our own lives, our own concerns, but God is calling us to see the bigger picture—His mission to bring in the lost.
Picture a farmer who waits too long to harvest his crops. He keeps delaying, thinking he has more time. Eventually, the crops wither and are lost. In the same way, if we don't act when God calls, we risk missing out on souls that are ready to receive Jesus. Let’s not miss the opportunities God has placed before us.
Point 2: Making Time to Be a Worker in the Field The second truth is that the harvest won’t gather itself. We have to make time to be workers in God’s field. Ecclesiastes 11:6 (NLT) instructs us:
"Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both."
This verse is a call to perseverance. We plant seeds of faith when we share the gospel, when we serve others, when we do good in the name of Jesus. But it doesn't stop there. We also need to be diligent in tending those seeds—praying for people, nurturing relationships, and continuing to serve, even when we don’t see immediate results.
The Hebrew phrase used here for "keep busy" is ??? (nach), which conveys the idea of persistent, diligent effort. It’s not about working ourselves to exhaustion but about steady, faithful dedication. God is calling us to be persistent workers in His Kingdom. Whether we see fruit immediately or not, we trust that God is working in the background.
Are you making time for the things of God? It’s so easy to fill our lives with activities, commitments, and distractions, but are we intentionally setting aside time to be part of God's mission? It’s not just about adding more to our schedules but about prioritising what really matters—people’s eternity.
Think of a garden. A gardener doesn’t just plant seeds and walk away, hoping for a harvest. He returns day after day to water, to weed, to care for those seeds. In the same way, we are called not just to plant seeds of faith but to continue nurturing them through prayer, discipleship, and encouragement.
Point 3: Trusting God for the Outcome The third truth is this: We are not responsible for the results; God is. Paul reminds us of this in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (NLT):
"I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow."
Paul is writing to a church divided over which leader they followed, but his message is clear: it’s not about who does the work—it’s about God who brings the growth. This should give us both humility and confidence. Humility, because we are only instruments in God’s hands. Confidence, because the power is not in our abilities but in God’s.
When we feel discouraged, when we don’t see immediate results from our efforts, we can trust that God is still at work. We are called to be faithful, not necessarily successful by the world’s standards. Our job is to sow, water, and nurture, but it is God who brings the harvest.
A farmer plants seeds with faith that, even though he can’t see what’s happening underground, life is taking root. Similarly, we can’t always see what God is doing in someone’s heart, but we can trust that He is at work, bringing life where there once was none.
Point 4: Reaping the Joy of the Harvest The fourth truth is that there is incredible joy in the harvest. Psalm 126:5-6 (NLT) tells us:
"Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest."
The psalmist paints a picture of the tension between hard work and the joy of reaping. Sowing can be difficult. Sometimes we plant seeds with tears—struggling to persevere in prayer, wrestling with disappointment, or facing rejection. But God promises that joy will come. When we see lives changed, when we see people come to Christ, it makes all the effort worth it.
In Hebrew, the word for "shouts of joy" is ?????? (rinnah), which conveys a sense of loud, exuberant celebration. This isn’t a quiet joy; it’s an overflowing, triumphant joy. The same is true in the Kingdom of God—there is rejoicing in heaven over every sinner who repents (Luke 15:7).
When we commit ourselves to the work of the harvest, we are promised the joy of seeing lives transformed by the power of Jesus. There is no greater joy than seeing someone step into the fullness of life that God has for them. And as we engage in the work of the harvest, that joy becomes ours too.
Imagine the joy of a farmer after a long season of hard work. The harvest comes in, and he sees the fruit of his labor. That joy is the same in the spiritual realm—there is rejoicing when we see souls brought into the Kingdom.
Conclusion:
So, church, will you make time to harvest? The fields are ripe, the work is great, and God is calling you to be a part of it. He’s not asking for perfection, but for faithfulness. The harvest is ready—will you answer the call?
Call to Action:
Let’s be a people who prioritise the work of the Kingdom. Whether it’s sharing your faith with a friend, serving in the community, or simply making time to pray for those who don’t know Christ—commit today to being part of the harvest. The time is now, and God is ready to use you.
Invitation to Faith:
If you’re here today and you’ve never experienced the joy of being part of God’s Kingdom, I want to invite you to come to Jesus. He is the Lord of the Harvest, and He’s calling you to be part of His family. You can find forgiveness, purpose, and eternal life in Him. Will you make that decision today?
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of being part of Your harvest. Help us to be faithful in sowing seeds, to trust You with the outcome, and to rejoice when we see lives transformed. We pray for those who are still far from You, that they would come to know the joy of being part of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
