The Harvest
Matt 9:36-38; Jn 4:35-38

Introduction:
A. There was a time in our past when most of the people lived 
   on farms and grew their own crops. As the industrial 
   revolution took shape, that has slowly come to an end. 
B. Most today do not have any idea what was involved in the 
   harvest of the grain or other crops that the farmers 
   planted. In this area we see the production of food crops 
   every year for about six months. All we need do is look at 
   the fields as we drive down almost any road in the area to 
   see what work is involved in this process.
C. The Lord made note of the harvest when talking to His 
   disciples. We, as Christians need to look at this and see 
   what we must do that we might have a plentiful harvest. If 
   we are to glean the fields there are some things we must 
   know about the harvest.

I. What Should We Know About The Harvest
   A. It is the Lord's - Matt 9:38
      1. The harvest is souls - Ezek 18:4
      2. God gives increase - 1 Cor 3:4-6
   B. It is great - Matt 9:37
      1. Was large then
      2. Even greater now (over 4 billion souls)
   C. It is ready - Jn 4:35
      1. Time is ripe
         a. Conditions have never been more favorable
      2. Song 387 (Far & Near) 
   D. It is in need for laborer and reapers - Matt 9:38; 
      Jn 4:36-38

II. What We Should Do About The Harvest
   A. Lift up your eyes - Jn 4:35
      1. No outreach till there is outlook
      2. Lift eyes from self, materialism, etc.
         a. "My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can
            do for you - ask what you can do for your country."
            - John Kennedy (inaugural address, Jan 20, 1961)
         b. Col. 3:1-2
   B. Look on the fields - Jn 4:35
      1. Field is the world - Matt 13:38
      2. 
   C. Pray for laborers to be sent - Matt 9:38
      1. Col 4:3; 2 Thess 3:1ff
      2. Lack of prayer results in lack of workers
   D. Teach - Mk 6:34
      1. What should we teach
         a. Matt 28:20
         b. 2 Tim 1:13
         c. Rom 1:16
      2. "Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save"
   E. Reap - Jn 4:36-38
      1. Final phase of harvesting
      2. Preliminaries must be followed

Conclusion:
A. The harvest will never be reaped until we know that it is 
   the Lord's, that it is ready now and that reapers are 
   needed.
B. It will never be realized until we bow our heads in prayer, 
   take the seed and sow it and then take up our sickles and 
   harvest the ripened grain.