Called to the Harvest: Our Mission in Christ

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound calling of being sent out into the world as laborers in God's harvest, drawing from Luke chapter 10. Jesus, during His ministry, sent out 70 disciples to prepare the way for Him, symbolizing the mission we are called to today. This mission is not just for the original disciples but extends to us, as we are also sent to bring the gospel to the world. The imagery of harvest is powerful, reminding us of the urgency and importance of our task. Just as the seasons change and the harvest must be gathered, so too must we be diligent in gathering souls for God's kingdom.

The concept of "seed to soil contact" was introduced, emphasizing the need for the Word of God to take root in our hearts, nurtured by the Holy Spirit. This is a call to ensure that our hearts are fertile ground for God's Word, allowing it to grow and bear fruit. As we go out, we are reminded to travel light, both physically and spiritually, shedding anything that encumbers us from fulfilling our mission. Jesus sent His disciples two by two, highlighting the importance of community and support in our journey. We are not alone; we have each other and the Holy Spirit to guide and protect us.

The message also touched on the importance of discernment and peace. When entering a new place or situation, we are to seek out those who are receptive to the gospel, allowing the peace of God to guide us. This discernment is crucial in knowing where to invest our time and efforts. Furthermore, we are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation, bringing the kingdom of God near to those we encounter. This involves not only sharing the gospel but also demonstrating the love and power of God through acts of healing and deliverance.

Finally, we are reminded of the joy and privilege of having our names written in heaven. While the authority over demons and the power to heal are significant, the true joy lies in our eternal relationship with God. This eternal perspective should fuel our urgency and passion for the harvest, knowing that each soul is precious to the Lord.

Key Takeaways:

- The Urgency of the Harvest: Just as Jesus sent out the 70 disciples, we are called to go into the world with urgency, recognizing the spiritual harvest that awaits. The changing seasons remind us that time is of the essence, and we must not delay in sharing the gospel. [35:29]

- Seed to Soil Contact: The Word of God must find fertile ground in our hearts, nurtured by the Holy Spirit. This spiritual germination is essential for growth and fruitfulness in our lives and the lives of those we reach. [37:45]

- Travel Light and Trust God: Jesus instructed His disciples to travel light, emphasizing reliance on God rather than material possessions. This teaches us to shed anything that hinders our mission and to trust in God's provision and protection. [47:32]

- Discernment and Peace: As we engage with others, we must seek out those who are receptive to the gospel, allowing God's peace to guide us. This discernment helps us invest our time and efforts wisely, ensuring that we are effective in our mission. [01:04:17]

- Rejoice in Eternal Security: While the power to heal and cast out demons is significant, our true joy lies in the assurance that our names are written in heaven. This eternal perspective fuels our passion for the harvest and our commitment to God's work. [01:16:41]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:35] - Introduction to Missions Month
- [05:29] - The Sending of the 70 Disciples
- [10:13] - The Urgency of the Harvest
- [15:28] - Seed to Soil Contact
- [20:45] - Traveling Light and Trusting God
- [25:32] - The Power of Two by Two
- [30:17] - Discernment and Peace
- [35:47] - The Kingdom of God is Near
- [40:01] - Rejection and Responsibility
- [45:46] - The Joy of Eternal Security
- [50:41] - Authority Over the Enemy
- [55:05] - The Call to Reconciliation
- [01:00:01] - The Great Harvest
- [01:05:53] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 10:1-20

Observation Questions:
1. What specific instructions did Jesus give to the 70 disciples when He sent them out? How did these instructions emphasize the urgency of their mission? [37:45]
2. How does the concept of "seed to soil contact" relate to the spiritual growth of believers, as mentioned in the sermon? [37:45]
3. What role does discernment play when entering a new place or situation, according to the sermon? [01:04:17]
4. How did the disciples react upon their return, and what was Jesus' response to their excitement about having authority over demons? [01:16:41]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have chosen to send the disciples out in pairs rather than individually? What does this suggest about the importance of community and support in ministry? [47:32]
2. How does the imagery of harvest in the sermon illustrate the urgency and importance of sharing the gospel? What might this mean for believers today? [35:29]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers should "travel light" both physically and spiritually? How can this principle be applied in modern life? [47:32]
4. What does it mean to be an ambassador of reconciliation, and how can believers demonstrate this in their daily interactions? [01:07:47]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Is your heart fertile ground for God's Word? What steps can you take to ensure that the Word of God takes root and grows in your life? [37:45]
2. Consider the concept of "traveling light." Are there any physical or spiritual burdens you need to shed to be more effective in your mission? How can you begin to let go of these encumbrances this week? [47:32]
3. Think about a situation where you need discernment. How can you seek God's peace and guidance to make wise decisions in this context? [01:04:17]
4. Identify someone in your life who is receptive to the gospel. How can you intentionally invest your time and efforts in sharing God's love and message with them? [01:04:17]
5. Reflect on the joy of having your name written in heaven. How does this eternal perspective influence your daily actions and interactions with others? [01:16:41]
6. How can you actively participate in the harvest by being an ambassador of reconciliation in your community? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate God's love and power? [01:07:47]
7. Consider the urgency of the harvest. What practical steps can you take this week to share the gospel with someone who has not yet heard it? [35:29]

Devotional

Day 1: The Urgency of the Spiritual Harvest
The call to be laborers in God's harvest is a profound and urgent mission. Just as Jesus sent out the 70 disciples, we too are called to go into the world with a sense of urgency, recognizing the spiritual harvest that awaits. The imagery of the harvest is powerful, reminding us that time is of the essence. Seasons change, and just as a farmer must gather the crops before they spoil, we must not delay in sharing the gospel with those around us. This urgency is not born out of fear but out of love and compassion for those who have yet to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. [35:29]

"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." (John 4:35, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is God calling you to share the gospel with today? How can you take a step towards doing that this week?

Day 2: Cultivating Fertile Ground for God's Word
The concept of "seed to soil contact" emphasizes the need for the Word of God to take root in our hearts, nurtured by the Holy Spirit. This spiritual germination is essential for growth and fruitfulness in our lives and the lives of those we reach. Our hearts must be fertile ground, free from the weeds of distraction and sin, allowing God's Word to grow and bear fruit. As we engage with the Word, we must be intentional in allowing it to transform us, making us more like Christ. This transformation is not just for our benefit but for the benefit of those we encounter, as we become living testimonies of God's love and power. [37:45]

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure your heart is fertile ground for God's Word? Is there a specific area of your life that needs to be surrendered to allow for spiritual growth?

Day 3: Traveling Light and Trusting in God's Provision
Jesus instructed His disciples to travel light, emphasizing reliance on God rather than material possessions. This teaches us to shed anything that hinders our mission and to trust in God's provision and protection. In a world that often values accumulation and security in material things, this call challenges us to examine what we are holding onto that may be weighing us down. By traveling light, both physically and spiritually, we open ourselves to the freedom and flexibility needed to respond to God's call at a moment's notice. Trusting in God's provision allows us to focus on the mission at hand, knowing that He will supply all our needs. [47:32]

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: What material or spiritual burdens are you carrying that you need to release to God? How can you practice trusting in His provision today?

Day 4: Discernment and Peace in Sharing the Gospel
As we engage with others, we must seek out those who are receptive to the gospel, allowing God's peace to guide us. This discernment helps us invest our time and efforts wisely, ensuring that we are effective in our mission. Entering new places or situations with the peace of God allows us to be sensitive to His leading, identifying where He is already at work. This discernment is not about judgment but about being strategic and intentional in our efforts to share the gospel. By seeking out those who are open and receptive, we can partner with God in bringing His kingdom near to those we encounter. [01:04:17]

"And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you." (Luke 10:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of peace and discernment in your interactions with others? Is there someone in your life who seems open to the gospel that you can reach out to?

Day 5: Rejoicing in Our Eternal Security
While the power to heal and cast out demons is significant, our true joy lies in the assurance that our names are written in heaven. This eternal perspective fuels our passion for the harvest and our commitment to God's work. Knowing that our relationship with God is secure gives us the confidence and joy to face any challenge that comes our way. This joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging nature of God's love and promises. As we labor in the harvest, we do so with the knowledge that our ultimate reward is an eternal relationship with our Creator. [01:16:41]

"Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20, ESV)

Reflection: How does the assurance of your eternal security impact your daily life and interactions with others? What can you do to cultivate a deeper sense of joy in your relationship with God?

Quotes

1. "As the Father has sent me, I also send you. And it's very fitting because this morning, I'm preaching out of Luke chapter 10. And if you know the story, it's when Jesus sends 70 disciples into the towns that he was going to come. And you know Jesus' ministry. He had an amazing time of three and a half years of ministry. When he set off to minister, he didn't waste any time. He went from town to town and he brought his disciples with him, teaching them his ways. And he said, he himself was going to go to every town in the region of Judea." [00:35:29] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so my goal today is to stir up our hearts and to remind us that, that we have a harvest to work. And when Jesus, when he sent out these 70, he might as well have been talking directly to us as well because we get these words almost 2,000 years later. And we might as well put ourselves in this story because he is talking to us. And so, let's sit at the feet of Jesus as he delivers these words." [00:36:59] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So in the same way, Jesus, he has the same eager concern as he's sending out the 70 in this passage, and he would walk through the towns and the cities, and he would see people as cornfields or grain, whatever the produce that you want to use. And I think that's what you want to put into your mind right now. Jesus saw the people, and he was, he did not want, he wanted them to be harvested. He did not want these fields to turn brown and to die and wither." [00:45:02] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And we, if you go out, and if you've ever witnessed on the street, you feel much more comfortable with, with a buddy with you, because you're not the only one looking crazy. You know what I mean? You're not the only one. Somebody standing there with you, and you can like bear it. You can be together, and the scripture says in Deuteronomy 19, Deuteronomy 19," [00:47:14] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So God is making an appeal through us when we go out. And we need to make sure that our lives is saying that, and is bearing that message. When people see our lives, they should see Christ in us, the hope of glory." [01:09:58] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "And so when he went out, when the angels went into that city, they found that it was Lot, his wife, and his two daughters were the only ones. There's only four that. And so was Lot's life, was there evidence in his life of God in him, of his faith in God? And so that's it. That's a sobering reality for us today, that it does, do our lives say something to those around us?" [01:13:48] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "And but if people, if God is stirring somebody's heart, and you come, and your life, and you know, the things that you do and say. if they that is like a savor of life to life to some people and so we have that privilege and it also this it almost seems like there jesus is saying that there's varying degrees of punishment because it says it'll be more bearable in the day of judgment for sodom than it will be for the cities that he walked through so you get this idea that there's actually levels of responsibility and levels of judgment so i'm not going to get into that too much this morning but just thought i would note it so jesus says in verse 16 the one who hears you hears me the one who rejects you rejects me and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me so this is an amazing passage so when you go and you speak the word of god to somebody and they reject you for being a christian don't lose heart because they rejected him first it's not you they're rejecting him and so you know that that's not that's not good for them but we're bearing the reproach of christ when they reject and we can rejoice in that fact that we have been counted worthy to suffer persecution for his namesake" [01:15:00] (98 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "i'm going to say that one more time jesus was seeing a glimpse of the spoils from the war that had already been won from eternity and he says i saw satan fall like lightning from heaven behold i have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all power of the enemy and nothing shall hurt you so we need to remember as workers in the harvest that we are in the lord's field he is the lord of the harvest we're walking into his field he knows those that are his he's given us authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and this is no new idea psalm 91 says the same example exact thing you shall he it says this of jesus in psalm 91 you shall tread upon the lion and the adder the young lion and the dragon shall you trample underfoot so it's saying that of jesus the anointed one but jesus is here giving us his authority we're walking in his power does this excite you this morning i'm sorry i'm kind of laid back i'm not very excitable but we should be shouting this morning and that that we are walking in in the power and the authority of jesus himself he's he's he's given it we are the body of christ are we not he's the head of the body the body the head gives commands and makes the body do stuff and we are what we are the body of christ we are his hands and feet in the world and um jesus said in matthew 28 all the authority in heaven on earth has been given to me therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit and teach them to obey everything i have commanded you surely i am with you always to the very end of the age so this is we have been equipped we we have been given he says i've been given authority so therefore you go so he's giving us i think that's very important so we have everything we need to carry on the work and i love how jesus says yeah you think it's pretty cool that uh that you have power over demons it's all right but if you really want to get excited rejoice that your name is written in heaven that yeah it's pretty cool that the demons are subject to your name but the real thing is that god knows your name god is waiting to welcome you for eternity into his kingdom you are not going to be an eternal torment because of sin that has come upon us through the fall i think we don't take the fall serious enough saints i think i think we should be rejoicing that there is a possibility for our names to be written in heaven and the fact that we have relationship with jesus we're going to see family again these we're going to have eternal bliss in the fact with the family of god these are the things that should excite us and motivate us but it's also a good a good thing to be able to uh cast out the devil and bring the kingdom of god into places so uh the pulpit commentary that i read had an interesting take on this and it it says to be right with god to have truth in the inward parts to be such a one on earth that those who live in heaven will recognize as their kindred this is the thing to be concerned about this is the goal to be gained at all costs of true human joy our oneness with god and jesus has accomplished that for us so what does this mean what does all this mean it means that we are the ones called to work the harvest we have been entrusted with the gospel we have been given the authority over over the power of the enemy and we have everything we need to carry out the work so the question remains what are we waiting for let us go out with a sense of" [01:17:58] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "urgency not being encumbered with the world and let's go out and get some sheaves to carry into the kingdom of God and lay at the feet of Jesus I can just imagine the the joy of those working a harvest and just going out and just getting these big bundles and just throwing them up there and just feeling dusting off their hands and just feeling the the satisfaction of a day's work and so we want to have that same satisfaction at the end when Jesus returns and the harvest he puts the sickle in and everything is complete those that are his have been harvested to him and put in his storehouse then we can we could say we laid our hand to the work of the harvest and lastly here I just wanted to remind you if you don't feel equipped or worthy of this work jesus says in 21 and to 23 i thank you father lord of heaven that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children yes father for such was your gracious will and so i think he puts that in there for you and me i think the people that he called that were sending were probably considered the dregs of the earth look at the look at the disciples the 12 that he picked it was like you know a tax collector that was despised and nobody ever thought the tax collector can do the work of god you know and so none of them thought they were worthy for such a task but he chose them he chose them and he's choosing you this morning you are here in this room he has chosen you he set his love upon you and just that alone says that you are qualified for this work and and you might not have the qualifications you might not know the first thing about farming you might not know about seed the soil contact and all that stuff but he's going to teach you along the way and he's going to give you what you need for the work he intends to use everyday people and and so lastly i just want to leave you with this thought that i believe that this was a trial run this 70 being sent out was a trial run in that day to act as a prophetic significance for the global work that would take place throughout all of history that remained in the last 2 000 years this is the work that it's symbolizing to people going into every town every city bringing the gospel because jesus is soon to come you see he's going to come and and he intended to go into every city in the world but he couldn't do it in his in his earthly body he did it in that trial run to show us that his body was going to go throughout all the world and we are going to prepare the way for him preparing the hearts of men because he's going to come and that will be the great harvest the great harvest and the great harvest of every soul and so the work that has been done for all of time ever since there's been humans that is the harvest and we have the privilege of laying our hand to this work when we go out into our workplaces when we go out to the gym when we go to our schools when we go wherever we are we are doing that work shining the light being the light of the gospel so so do that work do that work and do it with joy let us use every opportunity to share the gospel with those around us and the gospel is knowing that jesus died for our sins taking on himself the punishment that was due us and he therefore created a bridge because he's given us his righteousness and though we're worthy of judgment and death he when he died and took all the sins on him he was able to rise because it's impossible that he could be held in the grave and so because he's righteous and so he can transfer his righteousness to us so when we stand before the lord to give account on that day of judgment we can say it is his righteousness in us and he's going to say well done my good and faithful servant and so we don't want to you" [01:17:58] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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