A Time for Harvest
A. Introduction
1. As most of you know, I enjoy running. I usually
run a couple miles day and I do this because I
find it relaxing.
2. I get to see some of the most wonderful things
when I run.
a. Sometimes I get to see beautiful sunrises.
b. Sometimes I get to see beautiful sunsets.
c. Sometimes I see deer playing in the field.
d. Sometimes I get chased by dogs.
e. But one thing that I always do is take in the
beauty of what God has surrounded me with.
f. And it was on run earlier this week that I
noticed something different about my
surroundings.
g. Not only could I see the difference but I
could smell the difference.
3. The difference is that it is now harvest time.
a. A time when the farmers work around the clock,
16, 17, 18 hours a day to bring in the crops.
b. Harvest season is a time to reap what you have
sown.
4. Today, I want to talk to you about a couple of
different things. I want to talk to you about
what harvest season means, what the bible says
about harvesting, and about how you can improve
the way you harvest.
B. Scripture – Galatians 6:9
1. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the
proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not
give up.
C. What does it mean to harvest?
1. Webster’s dictionary defines harvesting as the
gathering in of ripe crops or fodder.
2. But we all know that there is more to it than
that, don’t we.
3. Harvesting is hard, dirty work.
4. As a farmer your whole livelihood depends on it.
5. Harvesting can bring great joy if the yield is
abundant but can bring great sorrow if it is not.
6. Harvesting can bring great satisfaction as well.
You see the fruits of your labor before your very
eyes. You see the seed that you planted grow
until it is fully mature and ready for the
harvest. The seed that you spent so much time
with, nurturing, watering, and protecting by
every means at your disposal.
7. Harvesting a crop is more than just reaping the
benefits. It is long, hard days of sacrifice.
Sacrificing time and money.
8. But why do you do it? You do it because it is all
worth. It is worth it to see the fruits of your
labor. It is worth it to see all the hard work
that you poured into something pay off in the end.
9. Harvesting is very hard but well worthwhile.
10. Now we have talked a lot about what harvesting
means to us but what does Jesus say about
harvesting. It is actually pretty interesting.
D. What does the bible say about harvesting?
1. Luke 10:2-3 – He told them, “The harvest is
plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord
of the harvest, to send out workers into his
harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like
lambs among wolves.”
2. What is Jesus talking about here? He says that
the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
What is he talking about? What is the harvest?
Let’s read John 4:27-28 and see if this helps.
3. John 4:27-36
4. Jesus tells us that the harvest is plentiful and
the fields are ripe for the harvest. But the
workers are few.
5. What if you had a really good year in farming and
when harvest season rolled around, you had so
much abundance of the crops that you could not
keep up. No matter how hard you tried you could
not get all the crops in. How would you feel?
Well even though you still made more money than
last year, you would still be a little
disappointed wouldn’t you. Why? Because you would
have seen all the other crops that you were ready
to harvest but you couldn’t get to. You would be
sad because you didn’t reach them all.
6. This is what Jesus is talking about. He is
telling us that there are so many people out
there that lost.
a. People are looking for the light.
b. They are looking for a hope.
c. And if we don’t reach them first, it is just
a matter of time before they go the wrong way
or possibly just pass away.
d. Jesus has no desire to see any parish.
Because he loves us all.
e. He tells us that the harvest is plentiful and
this is true.
7. We all know someone who is not a Christian. Maybe
we work with them, maybe they are a family
member, maybe they are a good friend, or maybe
they are just a friend of a friend. The point is
that there are millions and millions of people
out there that are seeking for Hope. They are
lost and they need help and that is where we come
in.
8. Jesus says that the harvest is plentiful but the
workers are few.
9. Do you want to know what is truly sad? There are
million and millions of people that claim to be
Christians around the world today. There are over
4000 churches in America alone but out of all of
those Christians 60% of them attend church and
out of that 60% I would have to wager that only
10% share their faith in Jesus Christ with
others.
10. We have many say that they are willing to help
but the workers are few. Being a Christian means
more than just coming to church on Sundays and
Wednesdays. It means more than just paying your
tithes and greeting your brothers and sisters on
the street.
11. In 2 Timothy 3:8, Paul states “So do not be
ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of
me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering
for the gospel, by the power of God. Jesus wants
us to share our faith with others, he wants us to
reach out to the lost because they are the ones
need the most help.
12. No one ever said that reaching out to the lost
would be easy.
13. I know that sharing your faith with others is
hard but do not be scared because if the Spirit
prompts to share the love of Christ with others
then he will give you the words.
a. Isaiah 42:1 – Look at my servant, whom I
strengthen. He is my chosen one, and I am
pleased with him. I have put my spirit upon
him.
14. Now look, all we have to do is share our faith
and God will take care of the rest.
a. Mark 4:26-29 - He also said, “This is what
the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters
seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he
sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows,
though he does not know how. All buy itself
the soil produces grain – first the stalk,
then the head, then the full kernel in the
head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts
the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.
15. All we can do is plant the seed, God is the only
one that can make it grow. We cannot make someone
believe in Jesus Christ but we can be there to
help them understand Him better.
E. How can you improve the ways you harvest?
1. First, you must read the word of God.
a. 2 Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is God breathed
and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness.
2. Second, you must pray.
a. 1 Timothy 2:1 – I urge, then, first of all,
that requests, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for everyone…
3. Third, you must listen to those who are crying
out.
a. Proverbs 23:19 – Listen, my son, and be wise,
and keep your heart on the right path.
4. Finally, you need to be led by God.
a. Romans 8:31 – If God is for us, who can be
against us.
