Pray to The Lord of Harvest.

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said,

 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This passage highlights several key elements:

1.     Authority of Christ:

·       Jesus begins by asserting His authority,

·       which is both divine and comprehensive, encompassing all of heaven and earth.

·       This authority underpins the command He gives, ensuring that His followers act under His sovereign power.

2.     Mandate to Make Disciples:

·       The central command is to "make disciples of all nations."

·       This involves not only evangelism but also the nurturing and teaching of new believers to follow Christ's

·       teachings.

3.     Baptism:

·       Baptism is presented as an essential step in the discipleship process.

·       symbolizing the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

·       It is to be done "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," reflecting the Trinitarian nature of God.

4.     Teaching Obedience:

·       The commission includes the instruction to teach new disciples to obey all that Jesus commanded,

·       emphasizing the importance of living out the teachings of Christ in daily life.

5.     Promise of Christ's Presence:

·       Jesus assures His followers of His continual presence "to the very end of the age,"

·       providing comfort and strength as they carry out His mission.

Through character.

Matthew 5:16: "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Go out and call people to church.

Luke 14:23: "Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled."

Take your focus outside the walls of this church.

Acts 1:8: "You shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Just preach the word. Preach and preach.

2 Timothy 4:2: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

Be cautious

Colossians 4:5-6 "Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone."

He commanded but how urgent is the call?

 John 4:35  “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.”

·       Are you aware that our children are introduced to immorality at a young age?

·       Are your eyes open to see the rot in the society?

·       Does your heart bleed for the lives that will go to hell?

The Harvest is Plentiful:

 Matthew 9:37-38 “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”

·       Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest.

·       The one who gave the Samaritan woman such great favor before the villagers.

·       The one who gave the blind man so much courage.

·       The lord who gathered and fed 5000 people.

IT’S NOT JUST THE GOSPEL…IT’S A WITNESS FROM THE FAITHFUL JUDGE.

Matthew 24: 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

·       No one will stand before the just God and say “I didn’t know”

·       The great loving God would never want someone to miss the opportunity to hear the goo news.

·       His love burning in you would never let you keep quiet when people are running to hell.

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two

Luke 10 :3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals. And don’t greet anyone on the road. 5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘May this house be blessed with peace.7 Stay there, and eat and drink anything they give you. Workers are worthy of their pay. Do not move around from house to house.  ’ me does not accept the one who sent me.” 17 The 72 returned with joy. They said, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we speak in your name.”

18 Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to walk all over snakes and scorpions. You will be able to destroy all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. 20 But do not be glad when the evil spirits obey you. Instead, be glad that your names are written in heaven.”  21 At that time Jesus was full of joy through the Holy Spirit. He said, “I praise you, Father. You are Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from wise and educated people. But you have shown them to little children. Yes, Father. This is what you wanted to do. 22 “My Father has given all things to me. The Father is the only one who knows who the Son is. And the only ones who know the Father are the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to make the Father known.” 23 Then Jesus turned to his disciples. He said to them in private, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see. But they didn’t see it. They wanted to hear what you hear. But they didn’t hear it.”

PRAYERS.

Tomorrow is the beginning of prayers and fasting week. Tis time we are not praying for cars and houses. Neither are we praying for good grades in our children. All these things will follow us.

·       This year we will pray to the Lord of harvest, to give us harvesters.

·       This week we will pray for the Lord of harvest, to make us harvesters.

·       This week we will pray that the Lord of harvest will open our eyes and see the harvest.

·       This week we will pray that the Lord of Harvest will increase our compassion for the lost.

THE GOSPEL doesn’t ONLY BUILD THE KINGDOM OF GOD, IT BUILDS NATIONS.

The National Historical Publication Commission of the United States government listed 66 Americans whose works were considered essential to an understanding of the development of the American nation and its strategic place in world history. Asbury was listed as one of these.

Though neither a political figure nor an American-born citizen, Asbury’s name is listed alongside those of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Abraham Lincoln as a crucial builder of the democratic Republic that serves as a model for the world today. His contribution was so significant that a statue of him on horseback stands in Washington DC looking south down 16th St. towards the White House. It bears the following inscriptions: ”if you seek the results of this labor you will find them in our Christian civilization” and “is continuous journeying through cities villages and settlements from 1771 to 1817 greatly promoted patriotism, education, morality, and religion in the American Republic.” Francis Asbury.

 Matthew 9:37-38 “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”

PART 2

Psalm 115:14  May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children.

·       This year we are breaking some barriers. this is NOT a political message to excite you-it is a prophetic message of what is going to happen.

·       We will get into uncharted territories.

·       Those who love staying in their comfort zones will get even more uncomfortable. If you feel uncomfortable at God’s speed, take some time and pray.

 He is the source of all THE AUTHORITY.

Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said,  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Last Sunday I ended the sermon by quoting one of the greatest American founders, 

“Give me 100 preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergy or laymen, such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven upon earth.” Francis Asbury.

Daniel 2:21“He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.”

Colossians 1:16“For God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth through him. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything was created through him and for him.”

Jeremiah 51:15 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.16 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

You must know him to declare him

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.

·       Paul’s deep desire to know Christ intimately and be transformed by that relationship.

·       Experiencing the power of Christ’s resurrection, sharing in His sufferings, and being conformed to His death.

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (kjv)

Numbers 11:16-17 And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

·       Spirit in Moses.

·       To be placed not transferred to the people/70, not all the people.

·       To bear the burden of the people.

·       So that Moses will not bear the burden alone.

1. The message of the Gospel leads to Salvation

Romans 1:18 “The power of God for salvation for everyone who believes…”

1 Corinthians 15:1-2  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you unless ye have believed in vain.

·       Paul again links his preaching of the gospel to the salvation of those who receive and believe the gospel.

2. Jesus commanded us to share the Gospel

 Mark 16:15: And then He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”

3. God loves humanity and He does not want to see people perish

 Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

·       So, God’s main motive for desiring to save humanity is because He loves us and He is

2 Peter 3:9 “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance”

·       Therefore, we should seek to imitate the same love and desire that God has for humanity.

·       As Christians, we must be motivated by love to share the gospel because just like God, we should not want to see anyone perish.

4. Hell is real and Hell is eternal

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Revelation 20:15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

 Luke 12:5  “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!”

Luke 10 : 12 I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom than for that town. 13 “How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon. They would have turned away from their sins long ago. They would have put on the rough clothing people wear when they’re sad. They would have sat down in ashes. 14 On judgment day it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15 And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted up to the heavens? No! You will go down to the place of the dead. 16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever does not accept you does not accept me. But whoever does not accept

5. Understanding of the Gospel prevents deception

When people believe and appreciate the true Gospel, then they will be able to recognize a false gospel.

Galatians 1:6-9: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7  not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

·       So, the duty of every true Christian believer is to present the true Biblical gospel of Jesus Christ.

·       We should avoid preaching any message that opposes the true nature and character of God and distorts the true purpose of Christ’s finished work on the cross.

Our prayer of increase this year.

THE YEAR OF SUPERNATURAL ADVANCEMENT.

2 Kings 7 Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel[b] and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.”2 The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen? “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”

Psalm 115:14  May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children.

·       Increase our insight that we may see deeper than our normal eyes could ever see.

·       Give us wisdom to guide us for your glory.

·       Give us the grace to persist, brokenness to obey, and focus to walk with you.

·       Increase our praise/worship so that we will steer high through the praise.

·       Open our ears so that we may hear your guiding voice.

·       Increase our faith.

·       Increase our material wealth.

·       Increase our commitment and obedience John 14:15 [If you love me, obey]

·       Increase our excellence in Service.

·       Increase our influence Luke 21:13-15.

·       Guard my tongue Psalm 141:3

We cannot rest when people are perishing

Ecclesiastes 7:4-6 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

5 It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.6 Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.

We are God’s battle axes and weapons of war

Jeremiah 51:19 The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the Lord of hosts is his name.20 Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms.

·       He has positioned us for service.

·       He will empower us for service.

·       He will increase our focus,

·       He will increase our humility/obedience.

Psalm 144:1 Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war,    my fingers for battle.

He has given us power

Acts 2:17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

    your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.

Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said,  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Last Sunday I ended the sermon by quoting one of the greatest American founders.

You cannot venture out there on your strength.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.