The Love Of The Harvest

We all know the name Billy Graham. He has spoken publicly about Jesus Christ, and preached the gospel to more people than any person in human history. If anybody knows anything about the harvest, it is Billy Graham. He said; “The evangelistic harvest is always urgent. The destiny of men, and of nations, is always being decided. Every generation is strategic. We are not responsible for the past generation, and we cannot bear the full responsibility for the next one; but we do have our generation. God will hold us responsible as to how well we fulfill our responsibilities to this age, and take advantage of our opportunities.”

At this moment more people on planet earth are lost and without Christ than ever before in human history. This world is ripe for the taking.  The opportunity for missions, evangelism and soul- winning is unprecedented. There are more open doors in more countries to preach the gospel than ever before. Here in America, the economy, crime, drugs, politics, abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, the breakup of the family, have all combined to give us the most depressed, discouraged, disillusioned culture in our nation's history. The question is not ''is there an opportunity?'' But ''will we seize the opportunity?''

Jesus never failed to seize every opportunity to be a part of the harvest. He met a woman at a well, and seized the opportunity to bring that woman into the kingdom of God. He did it to teach us that there are men and women at wells everywhere, thirsty for living water, and just waiting for someone to take that opportunity to give them that living water and to satisfy their thirst for all eternity.

Jesus makes it clear that around us is a continual harvest that waits to be reaped. Look around. You will find people ready to hear God’s Word

Now the only way you will ever get excited about the harvest is if two things happen: you've got to see the possibility of the harvest; and

you’ve got to seize the opportunity to participate in the harvest.

Mark 4:35 it says; 'there are still four months and then comes the harvest but, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, they are already white for harvest!” Now normally, it took four months from the time of the end of sowing, to the beginning of reaping. But Jesus said the harvest is always now.

It is later than it's ever been when it comes to the harvest. The fields are white, and if the harvest is not gathered, the fruit will spoil. The problem was not the ripeness of the fields; it was the blindness of the farmers. That is why Jesus said, ''lift up your eyes and look at the fields.''

Did you know that there are ten times as many people living today who have never heard the gospel, as the entire population of the world was when Jesus made that statement? There are six billion people on planet earth today, and at least four billion have never had an opportunity to respond to the gospel.

So why should we be a part of the harvest? John 4:36 says “The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!”

Jesus said this fruit is ''for eternal life.'' Every time you share the gospel and someone receives Jesus Christ, you have put into God's storehouse eternal fruit. It is imperishable. It cannot be spoiled by time, it is incorruptible. This is fruit that lasts forever.

If someone were to offer you a thousand dollars for every person you reach for Christ, would you make more of an effort than you do now when the reward is an eternal crown?

You may not always see the harvest but you just keep sowing the seed because God rewards both the one who sows and the one who reaps.

I would like to ask you a question. I hope it won't offend you, but tell me, if you were to die today, where would you be in eternity? The Bible says it will either be in hell or in heaven, one of the two. Think about it, would you please?

As pastor of First Baptist Church, I beg you fall in love with Jesus and get a burning love for the harvest. But to do that you've got to lift up your eyes and see the fields are indeed ripe for the harvest. Folks, there are prospects everywhere. The fields are white for harvest.