Preparing for the Harvest: Faith and Readiness
Summary
### Summary
Today's message, titled "Are You Ready for the Harvest?" focuses on the parable of the weeds in Matthew 13. Jesus uses this parable to illustrate the end times and the separation of the righteous from the wicked. The key points are: it is not our job to separate the weeds from the wheat, we must be ready for the day of the harvest, and there are only two options at the end—either we are gathered into the kingdom or thrown into the fire.
Jesus often used parables to relate spiritual truths to everyday experiences. In this parable, the field represents the world, the good seed are the children of the kingdom, and the weeds are the children of the evil one. The harvest symbolizes the end of the age, and the harvesters are the angels. Jesus emphasizes that it is not our role to judge or separate people; our job is to spread the gospel and let God handle the separation at the end of the age.
We are called to be ready for the day of the Lord, even though we do not know when it will come. Just as Noah was faithful in building the ark despite ridicule, we must be faithful in spreading the gospel and living righteously. The story of Noah also reminds us that there is always room for repentance and salvation, but we must act before it is too late.
Finally, there are only two outcomes at the end of the age: being gathered into God's kingdom or being thrown into the fire. There is no middle ground. We must be fully committed to following God's will and spreading His message. Lukewarm faith is not acceptable; we must be on fire for God, living as ambassadors for Christ in a world that desperately needs His message.
### Key Takeaways
1. It’s Not Our Job to Separate: Our role is to spread the gospel, not to judge or separate people. We must be so immersed in the Word of God that we can discern truth from falsehood, but we should not let this discernment lead us to withhold the gospel from anyone. Our mission is to sow the seed of the gospel indiscriminately, trusting God to handle the harvest. [07:31]
2. Be Ready for the Day: We do not know when the end will come, but we must live in a state of readiness. Just as Noah built the ark in faith, we must live righteously and spread the gospel, knowing that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly. Our readiness is a testament to our faith and obedience to God's commands. [13:10]
3. The Importance of Obedience: Jesus' obedience to the Father, even unto death, is our model. We should strive to obey God's will in our lives, understanding that our actions have eternal significance. Our obedience is not just about avoiding sin but actively participating in God's mission to save the lost. [23:39]
4. The Reality of Judgment: At the end of the age, there will be a clear separation between the righteous and the wicked. This reality should motivate us to live faithfully and to share the gospel urgently. There is no room for complacency or half-hearted commitment in our walk with God. [45:08]
5. Unity in the Body of Christ: The church must unite under the mission of spreading the gospel. Disunity weakens our witness and effectiveness. By working together and supporting one another, we can fulfill the Great Commission and bring more people into the kingdom of God. [54:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:22] - Introduction to the Parable of the Weeds
[02:37] - Explanation of the Parable
[04:00] - The Role of Parables in Jesus' Teachings
[06:14] - Point 1: It’s Not Our Job to Separate
[10:58] - Point 2: Be Ready for the Day
[13:10] - The Story of Noah’s Ark
[20:19] - Our Responsibility to Spread the Gospel
[23:39] - The Importance of Obedience
[26:14] - The Multiplication Factor in Discipleship
[32:20] - The Tactics of the Enemy
[37:18] - The Reality of Judgment
[45:08] - Point 3: There’s Only Two Options
[54:01] - Unity in the Body of Christ
[57:31] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 - The Parable of the Weeds
2. Matthew 24:36-44 - The Day and Hour Unknown
3. John 3:16-17 - For God So Loved the World
#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the weeds, who does Jesus say the good seed and the weeds represent? (Matthew 13:38-39)
2. What does Jesus say will happen to the weeds and the wheat at the time of the harvest? (Matthew 13:30)
3. According to Matthew 24:36, who knows the day and hour of the end times?
4. How does Jesus describe the state of people before the flood in the days of Noah? (Matthew 24:38-39)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize that it is not our job to separate the weeds from the wheat? How does this relate to our daily interactions with others? (Matthew 13:29-30) [07:31]
2. What does it mean to be ready for the day of the Lord, and how can we live in a state of readiness? (Matthew 24:42-44) [13:10]
3. How does the story of Noah illustrate the importance of obedience and faithfulness in the face of ridicule? (Matthew 24:38-39) [16:00]
4. What are the implications of there being only two outcomes at the end of the age, as described in Matthew 13:41-43? [45:08]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to judge or separate someone based on their actions or beliefs. How can you shift your focus to spreading the gospel instead? [07:31]
2. What practical steps can you take to live in a state of readiness for the day of the Lord? Consider your daily habits and spiritual disciplines. [13:10]
3. Noah was faithful in building the ark despite ridicule. Have you ever faced ridicule for your faith? How did you respond, and what can you learn from Noah's example? [16:00]
4. Jesus' obedience to the Father is our model. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with obedience to God's will. What steps can you take to align your actions with God's commands? [23:39]
5. The reality of judgment should motivate us to live faithfully and share the gospel urgently. How can you increase your sense of urgency in sharing your faith with others? [45:08]
6. Unity in the body of Christ is crucial for spreading the gospel effectively. Are there any areas of disunity in your church or small group? How can you work towards reconciliation and unity? [54:01]
7. Reflect on your current level of commitment to following God's will. Are there any areas where you are "lukewarm"? What changes can you make to be fully committed and on fire for God? [46:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Sowing Without Judgment
Our role is to spread the gospel, not to judge or separate people. We must be so immersed in the Word of God that we can discern truth from falsehood, but we should not let this discernment lead us to withhold the gospel from anyone. Our mission is to sow the seed of the gospel indiscriminately, trusting God to handle the harvest. [07:31]
Matthew 13:24-30 (ESV): "He put another parable before them, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
Reflection: Think of someone you have judged harshly. How can you extend the love and message of the gospel to them today without judgment?
Day 2: Living in Readiness
We do not know when the end will come, but we must live in a state of readiness. Just as Noah built the ark in faith, we must live righteously and spread the gospel, knowing that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly. Our readiness is a testament to our faith and obedience to God's commands. [13:10]
Matthew 24:42-44 (ESV): "Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to live in a state of readiness for the Lord's return? How can you actively spread the gospel in your daily life?
Day 3: Obedience with Eternal Significance
Jesus' obedience to the Father, even unto death, is our model. We should strive to obey God's will in our lives, understanding that our actions have eternal significance. Our obedience is not just about avoiding sin but actively participating in God's mission to save the lost. [23:39]
Philippians 2:8-9 (ESV): "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name."
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate obedience to God's will today? How can you actively participate in His mission to save the lost?
Day 4: Urgency in Faithfulness
At the end of the age, there will be a clear separation between the righteous and the wicked. This reality should motivate us to live faithfully and to share the gospel urgently. There is no room for complacency or half-hearted commitment in our walk with God. [45:08]
2 Peter 3:10-12 (ESV): "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God."
Reflection: How can you increase your sense of urgency in sharing the gospel? What steps can you take to ensure your faith is not lukewarm but fervent and committed?
Day 5: Unity in Mission
The church must unite under the mission of spreading the gospel. Disunity weakens our witness and effectiveness. By working together and supporting one another, we can fulfill the Great Commission and bring more people into the kingdom of God. [54:01]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: How can you contribute to unity within your church community? What actions can you take to support and encourage others in the mission of spreading the gospel?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We're supposed to go and be like the sower and just sow the seed. We're not supposed to control the outcome. We're not supposed to control the actual soil itself. Our job, according to the Great Commission, was to go and make disciples, to spread the gospel. Just like the sower and the seed, we're just supposed to throw the seed. Wherever it lands is where it lands. We can't control that." [09:45] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "For those of us who have heard the gospel, for those of us who accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and has made the change. Now it is your responsibility as a ambassador for Christ to spread the gospel, to let people know the end is coming, to let people know that it's no fault of theirs. They were born into sin." [21:26] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We have to be 100%. For God. I don't want y'all to miss Steve. In conclusion. Prayer team if you want to come on up. Church we've got a job to do. We have a job as Christians. To go out. And spread the gospel. We've got to understand. That we are the body of Christ. And that as we unite. Under the finished work of the cross. We have unity. As the body." [53:18] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Because church. We've read about it. I've talked about it. There is going to come a day. And when that day finally comes. Every knee. Will bow. Every tongue. Will confess. That Jesus Christ is the king of kings. And the Lord of lords. He's wonderful. Counselor. The mighty God. The everlasting father. The prince of peace. The first and the last. The alpha and the omega. He will get the recognition that he deserves." [55:28] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus didn't stutter. In John. He clearly said. I am the way. The truth. And the life. Nobody comes to the father. Except by me. I don't care. What the world tries to tell me. About the way. I know the way. And there's just one way. And it's time that we as believers. Tell others about the way. So that they can experience the same grace. And mercy that we did. The forgiveness. That we discovered." [56:59] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "In our attempt to look at the weeds, the Bible did command us to look for false teachings, to look for false teachers, and to be aware of those, to be so immersed in the word of God that when we hear untruth, we know the truth enough to know the difference." [01:22] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's not our job to do the separating. It's just our job to go out into the world and spread the gospel. And as our gospel is being spread, then that's when the seed starts to take root in the areas where God has prepared already. And we can't see the heart. We can't tell the difference between the weeds and the wheat in some aspects. So it's just our job to, as Christians, still present the gospel." [09:45] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We have a job and a responsibility as children of God to go out and make disciples. And in the process, we ourselves grow. We grow ourselves because as iron sharpens iron, as we go and pull someone aside and start working in their life, teaching them things that have happened in our lives, they've experienced some things as well. And maybe something that you've never faced. So now you're learning from them." [27:32] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We have to be so on fire for God. That when we go out. We have that desire. That we have to be. And as the ambassador for Christ. Because y'all realize this isn't it. This world is not my home. I'm just passing through. I'm on temporary residency here. Until I get called home. And until that day. I am an ambassador in a foreign nation. Talking about my home. And I am a personal representative. On behalf of the king." [48:02] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We have to be fully committed. To the mission. And that same mission never changes. I promise. I've quoted it already. But I'm going to quote it again. All authority has been given to me. Here on earth. And in heaven. Therefore go. And make disciples. Baptizing them in the name of the Father. The Son. And the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe. All the things that I have commanded you. And lo I am with you always. Until the end of the age." [50:07] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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