Introduction: Greetings brethren and guests! Once again it is delightful to see God’s people. In conversation and observation with many, I sense people are digging deeper into their Bibles and coming to such an understanding that they can better explain the truths of God. We are heading in the right direction. First, less than a month ago we had about 4 days of below freezing weather. It was the longest I have seen in all my years here in the Phoenix area. Likewise following the freeze eventually it was time to prune and trim the trees. For some reason, I either do too much or not enough. Just can’t seem to get it right, but God knows how to work a Great Spiritual Harvest.

Before going into the heart of my topic, first, a bit of background: Most people I know, whether in or out of the Church are deeply concerned or even terrified about the direction of our Nation, the governmental powers that be and the news media. The world is in crisis with ugly things in the news about Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Mali, North Korea, Syria, and many more nations. Let me put in a little plug for Mr. Jim Tuck’s “Prophetic Times” in our local library. Worldwide moral and political, leadership offer little or any hope for a better future. The world is descending into chaos. But, let me read this from 2 Peter 3:3-4 (YLT) this first knowing, that there shall come in the latter end of the day's scoffers, according to their own desires going on, 4and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his presence? for since the fathers did fall asleep, all things so remain from the beginning of the creation;’

In other words, nothing can be done and God is NOT involved. Mankind is left to his own devices that created all of the problems in the first place. Let us not forget, despite the current bad news, there is good news to be spread. The title of my split sermon is “The Harvest is Great” Body: 1. A Great Harvest is Coming: The Bible speaks of a “Great Harvest” following a preparing and tilling the soil and then a time of planting and sowing seed, in preparation for that Great Harvest. But first, some things to consider: 1. Christ declared in Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Elsewhere the term KOG is often mentioned. 2. Christ warned of some calamitous and distressing times in the future: In Mark, we read this in Mark 13:6-8 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (This is paralleled in Matt 24)

Let’s turn to Luke 10:1-2 1After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” There is a need for each of us. Then we can read where Christ also says in John 4:35-38 35Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, (Look around you!) for they are already white for harvest! 36And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

There are ways each of us can be involved in this commission. Remember that one man plants, another waters, and God gives the increase. We all have a part in the planting and watering -- especially in the Godless age in which we are living. Let’s read this in1 Corinthians 3:5-9 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers (This word means a number of things like deacon, minister, servant.) through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? (Get this!) 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 2. Our Example to the World So just how do we do this, go into all the world? What did Christ say about our example to others?

Matthew 5:14-16"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." We have a responsibility to display the fruit of God's Spirit and His love towards others through our behavior and example. Reference 2 Peter 3:10-11 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.” This would include gentleness, kindness, outgoing concern and so much more! 3. Resistance and Reaction There is an interesting twist we read.

Turn with me to in Matthew 9:36-38: 36But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”Today the members of God's Church are no different. Those who have God's Spirit working in them are eager to be examples of God's way of life and to do their part in helping send the true gospel of Jesus Christ to all peoples. Does God take special notice of His servants who take the time to communicate and work together? Look at Malachi 3:16-18, (NRSV) "Then those who revered the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the LORD and thought on his name. They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them. Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him"

Let’s face it all our goodness and kindness will at times be resisted. They are NOT really resisting you but if you do according to God’s will they are resisting God, or it is just Not their time. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:14-16, "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain". God expects us to be examples to the people of the world. We are certainly in what appears to be at the end of the age and we know there could very well be a great harvest. How many more will God call at this time? We just know we are a small flock and we have a job to do. We know not when God may call or who He may call or even how we are to be used.

However, are we prepared with right knowledge, understanding and a gentle heart and spirit? For some of you who are here and reading the Bible Reading Program, today’s reading has to do with Ex 29-Ex 30. Exodus 29:45-46 (NKJV) I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God. 46And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am the LORD their God. We are on the threshold of something big – something huge! Conclusion As we draw this to a close recognizes that we are less than 2 months from the Passover. It is never too early to examine self and how we live our lives.

Re-examining self will put each of us on the right path Christ came with great compassion healing and coming to the aid of many people during their times of struggle and strife. Let me read a final Scripture from Ezekiel 3:20-21 (NKJV) 20“Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. 21Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.”

There is a Great Harvest coming and WE have a responsibility of doing what we can and ALWAYS setting a right example and witness. People today are in desperate need of light and the right direction.