An Invitation to Labour God’s Harvest Steve McClure

An Invitation to Grow 1. An invitation to Follow – Jesus is Enough 2. An invitation to Grow – Growing to Maturity 3. An invitation to Build – Building to Last 4. An invitation to Labour – God’s Harvest 5. An invitation to Go – A cause to Die for 6. An invitation to Serve – The Worth of the Individual 7. An invitation to Pray – The Lord of the Harvest AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST2

Labouring Metaphor 3AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST

JESUS AND THE HARVEST 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’ Matthew 9: AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST

WHAT IS A LABOURER? Definitions: “a worker in the fields”, “a workman, usually one who works for hire, an agricultural labourer” “to work, denoting action or active zeal in contrast to useless busyness” 5AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST  “ERGATES” – WORKER (e.g. Matthew 10, Luke 10)  “SUNERGOS” – CO-WORKER (used of Priscilla and Aquila, Urbanus, Timothy, Titus, Epaphroditus, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Philemon, Demas and Luke)

THE FIELDS ARE RIPE FOR HARVEST 35 Don’t you have a saying, “It’s still four months until harvest”? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying “One sows and another reaps” is true. 38 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 labour.’ John 4: AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST

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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION How would you define the ‘worker’ and the ‘harvest’ that Jesus speaks so much about? To what extent are you familiar with these terms for what God is asking you to be involved with? To what extent do you think the fields are still ripe for harvest? 8AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST

RESPONSIBILITIES: SOWING AND REAPING 9AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying “One sows and another reaps” is true. 38 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 labour.’ John 4: I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

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RESPONSIBILITIES: CONSERVING 11AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST “We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.” 1 Thessalonians 3:2 “Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel…” Romans 16:25 Definition: “A worker is a follower of Christ who is actively involved in the process of helping those who do not yet know Jesus (sowing, reaping)and/or those who have already followed Him (conserving/establishing).”

QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION 12 What is your experience of being involved at the various stages of this harvesting process (e.g. sower, reaper, conserver)? How would you describe your major contribution within the harvest? AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST

THE WORKER WORKS HARD 13 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.1 Cor 15:58 “By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” 1 Cor 15:2 “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” Psalm 127:1 AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST

THE WORKER IS REFRESHED 14 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Cor 15:10 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Cor 12:9 AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 15 What is your response to the challenge to “work hard” in the harvest? How have you experienced God’s promises of rest and refreshment through the presence and grace of God? AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST

TWO KINDS OF HARVEST 16 1.Kingdom of Heaven (The Parable of the Weeds) Jesus told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. Matt 13:24 2. Kingdom of God (The Parable of the Growing Seed) He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces corn – first the stalk, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. As soon as the corn is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come. Mark 4:26-29 AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST

CO-LABOURING WITH GOD 17 “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4-5 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” Matt 13:44-46 AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST

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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 1. How would you define the ‘worker’ and the ‘harvest’ that Jesus speaks so much about? To what extent are you familiar with these terms for what God is asking you to be involved with? 2. What is your experience of being involved at the various stages of this harvesting process (e.g. sower, reaper, conserver)? How would you describe your major contribution within the harvest? 3. What is your response to the challenge to “work hard” in the harvest? How have you experienced God’s promises of rest and refreshment through the presence and grace of God? 19AN INVITATION TO LABOUR – GOD’S HARVEST