SUSTAINING THE HARVEST FORCE IN A HOSTILE WORLD THE ROLE OF GOD’S PEOPLE

SUMMARY OF FACTS ESTABLISHED SO FAR THE ADVANCE OF THE KINGDOM HAPPENS IN THE CONTEXT OF A WORLD FULL OF HOSTILITIES AND VIOLENCE AGAINST GOD’S PEOPLE [MATTHEW 11:12] “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” [PSALMS 74:20] “…. for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty” [ Matthew 10:16ff, “Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves …you will be betrayed, persecuted, imprisoned, and possibly put to death, [JOHN 16:33] “ In the world you will have tribulation…..”

SUMMARY OF FACTS ESTABLISHED SO FAR THE HARVEST FORCE IS FEW AND ENDANGERED [Matthew 9:37] EVERY CHILD OF GOD IS PART OF THE HARVEST FORCE AND THEREFORE A TARGET AND VICTIM OF THE HOSTILITY [John 15:18-22; 17:14-18] THE LORD HAS GIVEN US ASSURANCE AND INSURANCE OF SURVIVING THE HOSTILITIES AND ADVANCING GOD’S AGENDA FOR SALVATION OF MANKIND [Matthew 10:28-31, Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:18 & 20] HOSTILITIES AGAINST THE HARVEST FORCES ARE BOTH INEVITABLE AND UNIVERSAL [John 16:33; I Peter 5:9]

SUMMARY OF FACTS ESTABLISHED SO FAR TO SURVIVE THE HOSTILITIES,EVERY INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER HAS SEVERAL ROLES TO PLAY WHICH INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING 1.Being aware of the natures and dangers of the environment in which he/she leaves and witnesses for Christ 2.Being aware and conscious of the manipulations, agents, and devices which the of the enemy uses to attack internally and externally 3.Being aware of and appropriating the divine, physical, mental, emotional and material resources the Lord has equipped us with to survive and overcome the hostilities in order to accomplish God’s purpose for us and mankind in our generation. 4.The GREATEST AND MOST POTENT RESOURCES FOR SURVIVING THE HOSTILITIES ARE DIVINE INTERVENTIONS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND ANGELIC VISITATIONS

THE ROLE OF GOD’S PEOPLE IN SUSTAINING THE ENDANGERED HARVEST FORCES INTERCESSION & SUPPLICATION MATERIAL AND PHYSICAL SUPPORT ADVOCACY AND MORAL SUPPORT LOGISTICS AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT

SUSTAINING THE HARVEST IN A HOSTILE WORLD THE ROLE OF GOD’S PEOPLE INTERCESSION AND SUPPLICATION [Ephesians 6:18-19] Praying for those a. In the battle line [Exodus 17:8-13], b. In prison and whose lives are in danger [Acts 12:5-12], c. Facing persecution and threats to stop preaching [Acts 4:21-31] d. In distress and lack of support e. Who need access to the open doors before them {I Cor. 16:9; Eph. 6:18-19]

SUSTAINING THE HARVEST FORCE IN A HOSTILE WORLD THE ROLE OF GOD’S PEOPLE MATERIAL AND PHYSICAL SUPPORT 1.1. AS THE REST OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL [THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS] PROVIDED ABUNDANTLY AND SPECIFICALLY THE MATERIALS FOR THE DESIGNERS AND BUILDERS OF THE TABERNACLE IN THE WILDERNESS [Exodus 35:4-29; 30-36:7] 2.AS THE REST OF PEOPLE OF ISRAEL ABUNDANTLY PROVIDED FOR AND SUPPORTED THE FIGHTING MEN WHO WERE ON THE BATTLE LINE TO RESTORE THE KINGDOM TO DAVID ACCORDING TO THE COMMISSION OF GOD [I Chronicles 12:23-39; Verse 40]

SUSTAINING THE HARVEST FORCE IN A HOSTILE WORLD THE ROLE OF GOD’S PEOPLE MATERIAL AND PHYSICAL SUPPORT 1.AS THOSE WOMEN WHO WERE BLESSED THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST MINISTERED TO HIS AND THE DISCIPLES’ NEEDS THROUGH THEIR SUBSTANCES [Luke 8:1-3] 2.AS THE BELIEVERS AT ANTIOCH PROVIDED RELIEF TO BELIEVERS IN JERUSALEM WHO WERE IN DANGER OF STARVATION DURING THE GLOBAL FAMINE IN THEIR DAYS [Acts 11:27-30] 3.AS LYDIA AND THE CHURCH IN PHILIPPI SUPPORTED AND MINISTERED TO THE NEEDS OF PAUL SO THAT HE AND HIS TEAM COULD CARRY ON WITH THE WORK OF REACHING THE UNREACHED OF THEIR DAYS [Acts 16: 14-15, Phil 4:16-19]

SUSTAINING THE HARVEST FORCE IN A HOSTILE WORLD THE ROLE OF GOD’S PEOPLE ADVOCACY AND MORAL SUPPORT Example of Jonathan to David – I Samuel 20:1-9; 28-42; 23:15-17 Other people of Israel that helped David to secure his throne from the hostility of Saul [I Chronicles 12: ] God-fearing people connected with the corridors of power Obadiah [I Kings 18:2-15 ; Note vv 3 & 13] Gamaliel [Acts 5:33-42] Paul’s nephew [Acts 23:12-22] – Last segment of Paul’s ministry – Acts 28:17-31]

SUSTAINING THE HARVEST FORCE IN A HOSTILE WORLD THE ROLE OF GOD’S PEOPLE LOGISTICS AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT AS THOSE WOMEN WHO COULD WEAVE GOAT SKINS INTO THE FORM NEED FOR USE ON THE APRON [Exodus 35:26] AND BAZALEL & HIS TEAM WHO DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED THE TABERNACLE IN THE WILDERNESS [Exodus 35:30-35, 36:1] MEN OF ISSACHAR WHO COULD DISCERN THE TIMES AND ADVISE ISRAEL ON WHAT TO DO – [I Chronicles 12:32] DR. LUKE WHO ACCOMPANIED PAUL MINISTERING TO HIS MEDICAL NEEDS AND KEEPING DAILY JOURNAL OF WHAT THE LORD WAS DOING THAT BECAME THE MOST INFORMATIVE MISSIONS JOURNAL OF OUR DAYS (Acts 1:1ff] TIMOTHY WHO HELPED TO DELIVER PAUL’S WINTER COAT AND DOCUMENTS TO HIM IN ROME [II Timothy 4:13]

SUSTAINING THE HARVEST FORCE IN A HOSTILE WORLD THE ROLE OF GOD’S PEOPLE Example of Jonathan to David – I Samuel 23:15-17 Other people of Israel that helped David to secure his throne from the hostility of Saul [I Chronicles 12: ]