SF306 - THE HARVEST PRINCIPLE (Acts 18 4-11)

@PAGE NUMBER = SF306

@TITLE = THE HARVEST PRINCIPLE

@LEVEL ONE = ACTS 18:4‑11; 26‑28; 1CO 3:5‑8

@LEVEL ONE = INTRODUCTION

@LEVEL TWO = Biblical Background

@LEVEL FOUR = Paul in Corinth (vv. 4‑11)

@LEVEL FOUR = Apollos in Corinth (vv.26‑28)

@LEVEL TWO = Jesus And The Harvest

@SCRIPTURE = JOH 4:35‑38<R>Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.  Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.  Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true.  I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

@LEVEL TWO = Paul And The Harvest Principle

@LEVEL THREE = Two perspectives:

@LEVEL FOUR = Man's

@LEVEL FOUR = God's

@LEVEL ONE = 1A. OUR PART

@LEVEL TWO = 1B. We Must Work The Field (1Co 3:6a)

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@LEVEL THREE = 1C. Demands a plan

@SCRIPTURE = 1CO 1:21<R>For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

@LEVEL FOUR = "Preached" ‑ emphasis on the message not method

@LEVEL FOUR = "to save" ‑ the goal

@LEVEL THREE = 2C. Demands preparation

@SCRIPTURE = 1CO 2:1‑4

@LEVEL FOUR = Humbled heart (v.1)

@LEVEL FOUR = Determined mind (v.2)

@LEVEL FOUR = Surrendered spirit

@INDENT PARA = ‑Proper personal perspective (v.3)

@INDENT PARA = ‑Powerful presence of God

@LEVEL THREE = 3C. Demands performance (Act 18:4‑11)

@LEVEL FOUR = Faithful (vv. 4‑5)

@LEVEL FOUR = Fearless (vv.6‑10)

@LEVEL FOUR = Focused (v. 11)

@ILL TITLE = DAVID LIVINGSTON

@ILL TEXT = "Fear God and work hard."

@LEVEL TWO = 2B. We Must Water The Field (v.6b; Act 18:26‑28)

@LEVEL THREE = 1C. Demands cooperation (vv. 26‑27)

@LEVEL THREE = 2C. Demands continuation (v.28)

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@ILL TITLE = EVANGELIZE

@POEM TEXT = Give us a watchword for the hour,<R>A thrilling word, a word of power;<R>A battle‑cry, a flaming breath,<R>That calls to conquest or to death;<R>A word to rouse the Church from rest<R>To heed her Master's high behest<R>The call is given: "Ye host arise!<R>Our watchword is "Evangelize!"

@POEM TEXT = The glad evangel now proclaim<R>Through all the earth in Jesus' name;<R>The word is ringing through the skies:<R>"Evangelize! Evangelize!"<R>To dying men, a fallen race,<R>Make known God's wondrous saving grace;<R>The world that now in darkness lies,<R>"Evangelize! Evangelize!"

@LEVEL ONE = 2A. GOD'S PART

@LEVEL TWO = 1B. Committed To Continuous Blessings (v.6c)

@LEVEL FOUR = God is in the blessing business

@LEVEL FOUR = God blessings faithfulness

@LEVEL TWO = 2B. Completely Responsible For The Results (v. 7a)

@LEVEL FOUR = God is the Lord of the harvest

@ILL TEXT = "Work and pray as if everything depends on God."  Charlie Grigsby

@LEVEL TWO = 3B. Center Of All Praise (v. 7b)

@SCRIPTURE = REV 5:12<R>In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

@PAGE NUMBER = Page 4

@LEVEL ONE = CONCLUSION

@ILL TITLE = GOD'S MACHINE SHOP

@ILL TEXT = There is a machine shop on the C & O Railroad that is kept immaculately white and clean inside.  A long axle runs from one end of the shop to the other, high above the heads of the workmen.  There are nearly one thousand wheels on it.  Each wheel carried a belt connected with a machine below.  Each of these machines is different.  Each one has a specific job to do.  Together they take a piece of raw material and make it ready for service on one of the giant mountain climbing engines. 

@ILL TEXT = One tremendous belt runs through a slit in the wall.  It is the connecting link between the giant dynamo and that long axle.  Until it moves, that machine shop stands helpless.  It furnishes the power for every machine.

@ILL TEXT = We are God's machines.  This world is His great machine shop and we are helpless until He turns on the power.  A church should be a powerhouse making available God's power to the rest of the world.  We deal in power and when we, the church, cease dealing in power, there is no excuse for our existence.