Expect.

Introduction:

Rev. Joe Cali brought a word that set up this whole series…

Isr. was mostly agric. family through the years.

Important metaphor scheme in script.

Harvests brought JOY and LIFE!

Lack of harvest meant death & weeping. Judgment?

Literal harvests dedicated to God.

Several feasts (1st fruits) and festivals around the bounty of God’s bles’g!

A Harvest was/is symbolic of His abundance, generosity.

A reward for hard work...

If we are aligned with YHWH & His work , we should EXPECT this harvest.

Jesus tweaks this idea in a different way… basis for my series. Matt 9.

A Plentiful Harvest

Matthew 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest that he send out workers into his harvest.”

What is the Harvest?

People who are sick, confused, captive, wayward.

We have all fit into that category to one degree or another...

Without direction, depressed, addicted

Some think it's all fairytale. Believe life is chaos, random, karma!

Just weary; beat down life's struggles, unable stand on own 2 feet

Those without a life purpose or foundation on X; don't realize/deceived 2 believe that day-to-day is fine without Jesus.

Worse?! Sometimes, believers live this way even though we have the power of hope attached to our very being!

Lots of lost people in the world. MANY people need message of the kingdom! Hope!

When is Harvest-time?

NOW.

"plentiful" = polys - much/many, adj.; over 400x in NT

Impl.: ripe, ready, needs immediate attention!

The appointed time had come.

Doesn't mean JUST 1st-C...

Aspect of the kingdom of God. Jesus came to initiate the Harvest!

God's son was in the world to draw Israel back to Him.

Later, His personal Spirit would come and fill those same believers. Mult. efforts ("greater things")!

This Holy Spirit goes out harvesting! We're called to partner w/...

Are you Ready for the Harvest?

Jesus told disc. that there was an abundance of people waiting to understand the truth about Him…

It’s ripe! It’s now. It’s here! And it’s a lot!

This was a fact they could count on.

In fact, Jesus cmds. his disc. to pray for MORE than just the 12 to go and minister (heal, set free, bless, preach hope/truth… nxtwk.)

Jesus taught his disciples to ASSUME that people everywhere needed Him.

Jesus says - you live in a reality where I am drawing people to me.

sitch’s. they can’t control, sitch’s where they lost & helpl’ss, sitch’s need encour., sitch’s need a friend…

Live every day expecting God to put people in your life that need Him.

Expect a Harvest!

As a church, we need to be on the lookout for God to lead us to Harvest spots.

God has promised it! We wait with expectation. Or… are you?

God desires a new crop of people - people that need Him to walk through these doors; just enounter HIM (doesn’t have 2b here)!

I want you to show up here (go to work there, go to school, engage w/comm.) with an expectation that He is going to draw people to Himself - to you, this place!

EXPECT - gk: apokaradokia; "It is a double compound (ἀπο [apo], off from, καρα [kara], head, δοκεω [dokeō], to watch), hence to watch eagerly with outstretched head."

Change your IF’s to WHEN’s!

Not IF you move, but WHEN you move… IF you act/bless/increase/grow

REMINDS me: Parable of Prodogal Son. Straining neck to see prodigal come home…

Look out for someone. God is drawing them.

Takes faith to expect something you don’t see.

Live with expectation… that God can heal you; God can use you (not necc. in that order)!

This is the heart of God!