Hindering the Harvest

John 4:27–29 NLT

Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?”

Introduction

Attitudes start on the inside and work their way out.

You cannot hide your attitude for long, it is going to make itself known.

You can say one thing while your face says another.

There are some attitudes that hinder the harvest and the mission of God and the church.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, a day that reminds us of the great multitude that came to the salvation after Peter preached under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Imagine what we could do for the Kingdom of God without our hindering attitudes.

Lets look at these today.

The Attitude That There is No Harvest

Jesus went out of His way to go to Samaria

The disciples were surprised that Jesus was talking to her

They were concerned about fleshly things (food)

Jesus was concerned about souls

Many church-going people deny there even is a harvest to be had

We have become isolated within the four walls of the church

If God wanted people to come to church, He would send them (FALSE)

We seldom interact with sinners

Who is my neighbor?

There are souls who do need saving and God has given all of us the ministry of reconciliation. We must be intentional about looking out for those who don’t have the hope that we do.

The Attitude That The Harvest is Limited

Some don’t go so far as to say there is no harvest, but limit it by saying there is no harvest here or there.

Matthew 28:19–20 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

Jesus did not put limits on the harvest - it is everywhere

The Samaritan woman was a half-breed - outcast - unliked -

Do we selectively evangelize?

Its easier to go away on a mission trip and talk to people

There are people right here

The sad truth is that we probably rarely talk to people about Jesus at all

Not on Facebook, but face to face

Acts 10 reminds us that God is no respecter of persons - He loves all

The Attitude That I Am Not Needed for the Harvest

Matthew 9:37 “He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.”

Every single person has something to offer

You cannot sit on the sidelines while people are dying without Jesus

Some can do somethings while others can do other things

The labor force is short

Matthew 9:38 “So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.””

The Attitude That There is Plenty of Time

John 9:4 “We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.”

John 4:35 “You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.”

If time was short when Jesus was actively walking the earth, how much shorter is it now?

App. 150,000 people die each day - meanwhile we go about our lives while souls slip away

Time is running out

Not only is it running out for all of us

but it is certainly running out for someone you might know

James 4:13–14 “Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”

Conclusion:

A mother cried as she watched her home go up in flames. Her little boy was still inside and one can only imagine the anguish she felt. She begged for someone to save her son. Two fireman rushed in to save little Johnny and were able to get him out in time. They had no idea that little Johnny Wesley would become one of the greatest evangelist of his time.

Souls are crying out to be saved. What is your attitude about the harvest?

Altar Call

Do you need to surrender today?

Do you need to repent of an ungodly attitude about the harvest.

Do you need to talk anything else over?