Its time to Harvest

Intro

Luke 10:2 NIV

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

I think we can all agree the harvest is plentiful? Amen? Now you and I aren’t called to harvest the world. just our little corner of it. Amen? Are you harvesting your corning of the world? Or do you and I marvel at the need and say, God send revival.” We don’t need revival, We just need to do our jobs. We don ‘t need revival to tell someone Jesus loves them. Just tell them. You don’t need revival to invite someone to church. Just invite them. Want to come to church with me? If you are waiting for the “special feeling” or moment, you are never going to change anything.

You see, all we need to do is ask?

If they say no, then move on to the next person.

But how can we sit there and howl “revival fires fall, if the real problem is we won’t open our mouths.

We had a had 11 kids at the Hallelujah party on Halloween. Awesome right. God is moving, kids are growing back there.

I tell you my daughters are little evangelists. We went on a walk Halloween week, and Emma started asking every kid she saw? want to come to church with me, we are having a party on Sunday. By the end of the walk we had 5 or 6 kids at our house. She was handing them invitations and pop-cycles. Come to church with us.

You and I are laying the foundation for the next generation

Psalm 78:4 NIV

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Are we preventing a move of God in this Church? In this City? Our we preventing the next generation from serving Jesus?

Emma’s friends didn’t come to the Hallelujah party. She asked me that week. I invite all my friends, but no one came. and I gave here the church answer: their parents weren’t abler to bring them, they forgot, this and that. All of which may be true.

But I started thinking, one day these little's of mine will no longer reach out. they will understand what “mature” believers get that you aren’t going to win everyone. Before I know it, her heart will be cold to the lost. Cold to their silent cry. Cold to the deafening scream of Hell’s grip.

She will be a “normal Christians” and come and sit. Maybe stand and preach, teach?

I saw in my daughter myself. when I was a kid we used to invite and bring 4 or 5 kids in our little minivan to church. Then I got older, i invited less, grew colder, and eventually took no one to church as a teenager

I am teaching my daughters via my life the same thing. I say one thing and do another. Oh I have excuses galore.

But here is the issue I cannot get around. all my excuses. all of our excuses, and the world goes to Hell. How noble we are at times. I did this and this and this, but did you tell them I love them? No but I ushered, and I did this and that, But did you tell them, did you invite them?

James 2:14–19 NIV

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Is our faith Dead? Or Alive?

Our Children are lost in a purposeless world

May they find their hope and purpose in Christ.

Job 12:25 NIV

They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.

Children are lost in today's world. We have the hope, “or so we say” do we live like it?

My daughters find their purpose in inviting people. God loves and they want others to know that love. What are we teaching the children of this church? Obviously we are teaching them the Bible. Our kids team and Pastor David are doing a brilliant job. Kids however learn more by watching than hearing. So What are we teaching them?

Do they see you bringing the lost in? Do they see me bring the lost in? Do they see prayer meetings on fire with hunger for the lost to come to Christ?

Are we teaching them that God is number one? Or that lunch is number one?

That our free time is priority? Or that Prayer is Priority?

Are we teaching them that evangelism is important? Or that its don't important when its convenient?

Are we teaching them that Sacrificing for the kingdom only happens if we have time? If it’s on our terms, its not likely a sacrifice.

Are we teaching them that Church is is important? Or that football is important? If I’m not too tired I will go.

They are watching. They are learning, What are we teaching?

If we do not teach them the proper values of Christianity. They will not make it.

My generation is living proof that convenient, modern, easy Christianity, is worthless.

My generation is walking fast. Fast from Christ. They are turning to Witchcraft, mindfulness, and any other demonic thing.

If we do not get this coming generation, we will have failed. I don’t care how little debt we have, how pretty the building is. We will have failed.

Emma Asking me, “why won’t anyone come with me?” I am asking but no one wants to come. Why?

Here is the stone cold reality. Because Daddy is Asleep in the Light. He isn’t reaching your friends parents. I’m Sorry, God help me?

Dad is not leading Like Jesus. He is Asleep.

You say, your a pastor, yes, but before I am a pastor I am a Christian, Am I following Christ? Am I reaching those around me, like I should be?

Lead like Christ! and Change the World!

Church Are you and I asleep? I can’t answer that for any one person? I can look at this room and see we have a lot of empty seats. They are empty because of one reason. We aren’t inviting people. We cry revival, but stay silent when our neighbors lives fall apart. You are pastor, I am’t not an evangelist, or a pastor, I am quiet.

I get that . But the Great commission, Assumes you are sharing the gospel daily. It is a command to share the gospel. Its a command to make disciples. Jesus Assumed you would share the gospel.

Jesus Assumed that Resurrection was enough to get us to talk to the cashier at Walmart. When did it stop being enough?

There are several ways we need to be reaching. Share the good news when god opens the door, with the next 5 people He allows. Look for the opportunity. We must keep reaching out.

Why are there only kids, because children can’t drive. We must reach children and their parents simultaneously.

So while my daughters are reaching the kids, Carolyn and I are reaching their parents and building bridges so that the kids will be allowed to come.

The Call

So what are saying pastor? I’m saying its time to serve and and love and reach those around us, in order to:

Obey Christ

Reach this world for Jesus

Teach our children to live like Jesus!

Another way to do this is to help serve in ministry. Did you know We have a problem at church: Our kids ministry is growing!

But I am going to tell you this, it will not be able to grow much larger if we do not get more help.

15 kids and 2 teachers is unsustainable.

So I ask, how bad do want to see this church grow? Don’t say you want it to grow, and remain silent and asleep. Growth takes sacrifice!

If you commit, you cannot just go camping, you have to make sure the ministry is covered. That is harder. But that commitment changes the world.

If we do not take these steps over the next few years and come together as a church to reach these kids for Christ, then we will have failed. This isn’t just your neighbors kids on the line. It’s my children, your children, your grandchildren. Do we really believe what we say we believe? Eternity for these children is on the line! Do we want them to make it? Or is that the christian answer?

We want your kids here! We want to see them in love with Jesus. But that cannot just be me, Carolyn, pastor Dave and Gary, and the kids team. It must be driven into the DNA of this church.

I will lay my life down to see a child come to Christ. Is that your heart? Is that mine? Or do I just want “our life”

The Future of our kids hangs in the balance. How much do I really believe what I say I believe?

I cannot say I want to reach children and do nothing. I am liar. It’s not true.

They say, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

I’m Done. It’s time to take our children back for christ. It’s time to take our families back for Jesus!

What are you willing to do?

Our kids ministry will not grow if we do not step up. We can pray for more volunteers, but I’m telling you the people God is calling is you! Will you answer the call to rescue this generation. Will you answer like Isaiah, Here am I, Send me?”

So what do we need?

We need people to be teachers assistants at the moment

You will hand out snacks,

take a kid to the bathroom, help with crafts.

You do not have to teach.

Just be there, most importantly to tell children Jesus loves them.

This position will only require you to serve once a month.

Carolyn is in the Lobby, with a clip board. There is praying about. that just gives you and I time, to come up with excuses. We are called to love Children into the kingdom. If you are willing to say I’ want to see Jesus reach these kids, then see Carolyn in the lobby and sign up.

Lets pray as we close.