The Fields are White

[0:00] I greet you in the name of Jesus this morning, the one who shed his blood, the one whose blood is powerful, all-powerful.

[0:15] Amen. Amen. Amen. Turn to the Gospel of John, chapter 4. We begin here.

[0:26] This morning, I want to look at the fields are white to harvest.

[0:39] I want to look at the Great Commission. And I just want to take a look at this and see what the Lord has for us.

[0:56] Let's just pray. Lord, we just commit this time to you. Lord, we give it to you, Lord.

[1:07] Have your way. Just bring what you have for us. Nothing more, nothing less. Just give myself to you, Lord, that you can have your way today.

[1:21] We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. John, chapter 4, verse 35. Jesus talking here.

[1:33] He says, Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest. Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes and look in the fields, for they are white already to harvest.

[1:47] The fields are white to harvest. You know, Jesus, Jesus looking at the people, looking out at the multitude that had gathered, looking out at the villages round about him.

[2:03] He said, you lift up your eyes and you take a look and just see what's out there. The fields are white to harvest. You know, you say it's yet four months till the harvest, but I say today the harvest is upon us, and the harvest is ready.

[2:25] Just another look at the heart of Jesus in Matthew, chapter 9. Matthew, chapter 9.

[2:37] Verse 36 through 38. Verse 35.

[2:47] Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

[2:59] But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd.

[3:13] Then saith he and his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labors are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labors into his harvest field.

[3:28] The heart of our Lord Jesus. It was his heart when he was here, and I believe it's his heart today. He looks out at the world. He looks out at the people across this world, and his heart is moved with compassion on them.

[3:47] He looked at the multitudes that day. You know, he was healing the sick. He was, he was, says he was healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

[3:58] But his heart was moved with compassion. Today, he wants us to have that same heart. That our hearts will be moved with compassion on the multitudes that are out there.

[4:12] You know, it's so easy to go about our life. To be busy with our work.

[4:24] To be busy in church. To be busy with our own things. And never look out at the harvest.

[4:35] To never really see the souls that are in need. To never see the opportunities that the Lord puts before us.

[4:48] You know, Jesus warned to not be overtaken with the cares of this life. To not be overtaken with those things of today.

[5:03] But to allow him to use us and to lead us. Jesus told his disciples that day, he said, look.

[5:20] Lift up your eyes and look. And take a look at the harvest. You know, today, our world is some different from that day.

[5:32] But just the fact that Jesus was healing the sick. And he was casting out devils. I believe it was much like it is today. There seemed to be sickness everywhere.

[5:47] Everywhere Jesus went, they brought the sick. Today, we have much sickness. Today, we have many people in the hospital. We have many people at home sick.

[6:03] We have all these things, these cares upon us. And many people today are afraid. Afraid of the pandemic. Afraid of the sickness. Afraid of what will happen with their life.

[6:19] I believe Jesus is saying. Lift up your eyes and look. There's opportunities. There's opportunities in our day.

[6:33] You know, international travel is very difficult. There's a lot of people in the world. There's a lot of people in the world. So, the normal mission fields might not be available. I believe Jesus is saying.

[6:46] Lift up your eyes. There's a work for you to do. There's a work for us. That he would have us to do. The harvest is ripe.

[6:59] Joel 3 says, There's multitudes in the valley of decision. I believe that God is bringing this world into that valley of decision.

[7:21] Bringing this world to the place where they will face reality. They will see that there's more.

[7:33] There must be something more to life than what I have. There must be more. You know, this whole world. You know, it's turning to the supernatural.

[7:47] But so much of it is not Jesus Christ. I believe this world is ripe for a revival. For the harvest to be brought in.

[8:03] Why? Because people are afraid. People see that the medical world does not have the answer.

[8:13] People see that our government does not have the answer. People see they're searching for answers.

[8:30] And if we as the church of Jesus Christ, if we will lift up our eyes, and we will allow God to show us the opportunities before us, the harvest can be brought in.

[8:50] Jesus said in Matthew 28, just before Jesus left, Jesus said, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

[9:07] All power is given unto Jesus. Jesus. You know, today, the government will tell you they have all power. There's many others that will say they have power.

[9:26] The militaries of the world will tell you they have power. But my Jesus said, I have all power. Jesus said, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

[9:45] You know, the only power that we see on this earth, in the government, in the military, in the hospitals, it's just power that God has allowed them to have.

[10:00] And a lot of it, a lot of it is just power because we do not look further. Let me tell you, if our faith is in our government or in our hospitals, we're going to be let down.

[10:24] We have been let down. But if our faith and our confidence is in Jesus, He will never let us down. Jesus said, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

[10:40] Go ye therefore, because I have all power, because all power is given to me. Therefore, you go.

[10:53] You go. And you teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.

[11:09] And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. You know, now let's just think a little bit. On the day that Jesus gave this word, there were the eleven disciples that were with Him out there on the mountain.

[11:25] It was just before He ascended up into heaven. And here's these men, these few men that had walked with Him for three years.

[11:39] And He tells them, basically what He's telling them is I'm giving this work to you. The work that I have begun. The work that I have started here on this earth.

[11:51] The work of reconciling this lost world back to the Holy Father. Father, I'm committing this work to you. Jesus committed this work to the church.

[12:09] There's no one else that's going to do it. Jesus isn't going to come back and preach again like He did before. He gave that to the church.

[12:19] He gave that commandment to the church. In Acts chapter 1. He talks about, He starts here in the first few verses about how Jesus was taken up.

[12:59] Jesus, after His passion, He showed Himself with many infallible proofs. In verse 3. Jesus showed Himself to many people.

[13:10] There's a list in Corinthians. not a complete list, but a list of people that Jesus showed Himself to to prove that He had actually risen from the dead.

[13:24] He was being seen of them forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Verse 4. And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father which saith He, Ye have heard of Me.

[13:45] For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

[14:06] You know, and every time I read this verse, it just stands out to me. Jesus was teaching them about the kingdom of God. The kingdom of heaven has come to earth.

[14:20] I have come to establish my kingdom on this earth. And now, after all of the teaching Jesus did, they asked Him if He will at this time restore the kingdom to Israel.

[14:36] You know, they were still looking for an earthly kingdom. They still did not understand. But after the day of Pentecost, they didn't ask one more time, did they?

[14:47] They understood. They understood what the kingdom of God was. And the kingdom of God is within His people. We are a part of that kingdom.

[14:59] And it is only, you know, the disciples, they had the best teacher ever, Jesus Himself. But they did not understand this truth until the power of the Holy Ghost came upon them.

[15:19] Verse 7, He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power.

[15:30] After that, the Holy Ghost is come upon you. And ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

[15:43] Ye shall receive power. You know, you know, today, I believe, I believe that the greatest reason that the church is ineffective, the greatest reason that the church is not doing more to make a difference in this world is because we lack in power.

[16:07] We lack in power. It's not His fault, it's our fault. He says, Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.

[16:22] And when we receive that power, we will be witnesses. It will, first of all, this power of the Holy Ghost, it will give us power to be witnesses.

[16:36] And I'll be the first to say that I fail. But it will give us power to be witnesses in this dark world.

[16:48] Witnesses of what? Witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ to a lost and a dying world. You will be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the world.

[17:11] You will be witnesses in Plains, Montana. You will be witnesses in Sanders County. You will be witnesses across Montana and across this nation.

[17:23] And maybe across this world. Who knows? God is not limited. But what He, what He says that will happen, let us not limit Him with our unbelief.

[17:38] Let us not limit Him by our short-sightedness. Lift up your eyes.

[17:53] Lift up your eyes. Allow Him to show you the needs around about you. I'm going to turn to the book of Joel and get a few verses out of chapter 2.

[18:29] Joel chapter 2. Here He talks about, you know, and Peter quoted some of this on the day of Pentecost.

[18:54] He talks about restoration and so on. And then, I'm going to start reading. Joel 2 verse 28.

[19:05] The last phrase in 27 says, And my people shall never be ashamed. Joel 2 verse 28. And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.

[19:20] And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your old men shall dream dreams. Your young men shall see visions. And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.

[19:34] And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.

[19:47] And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance. as the Lord has said.

[19:58] And in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. Look at this verse. Look at this verse 32. It says, It shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be delivered.

[20:14] Rowan says, How shall they call unless they be taught? We might look at that verse later. But how will these people call on the name of the Lord? How will they know to call on the name of the Lord?

[20:27] It says, For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem in the church of Jesus Christ these people can find deliverance.

[20:38] That's what he's saying here. In Mount Zion in the church of Jesus Christ there shall be deliverance as the Lord has said and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

[20:52] You know, God is calling a remnant. He's calling forth a remnant. And what's he doing with it? He's filling us with the Holy Ghost and then he wants us to be witnesses for him wherever he will ask us to go.

[21:10] And, you know, it will start right here. Being a witness where you're at. The life you're living. The job you're doing. The work you have.

[21:20] Your business. All of it. It needs to be a witness for Jesus Christ. That everywhere you go, you know, this whole world is in turmoil.

[21:41] But we as God's people we have the peace of God in our heart. So in the midst of all this turmoil, we can be calm and at peace.

[21:55] That in itself should be a witness. And the words we speak, you know, when people ask, do we have the answer?

[22:10] Can we point them to the Savior? Jesus is our answer. Back to verse 28.

[22:23] He says, I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your old men shall dream dreams.

[22:34] Your young men shall see visions. Also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. You know, the answer, the answer to being a witness is the Spirit of God being upon you.

[22:53] The Spirit of God. You allowing the Spirit of God to overtake you and to empower you. You know, we heard in the last weeks about the power of God and what limits it.

[23:11] It's us. It's our own self. It's our own life. That is one of the reasons we've set aside a week to seek God and to draw an eye to Him.

[23:27] Yes. There's a storm covering this world and in the midst of the storm I believe God would yet bring in a harvest of souls.

[23:57] Yes. I believe that the storm that we're seeing the pandemic and all that's with it and all those things out there God wants to use it to bring the people of this world into that place of decision in Joel 3 verse 14 he says verse 13 put ye in the sickle for the harvest is ripe come get you down for the press is full the fats overflow for their wickedness is great the wickedness in this world is great it is very great multitudes multitudes in the valley of decision for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision our God is bringing the people of this world into that valley of decision that they will come and that they will have an opportunity to give their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ and they can be born again that they can be children of God yes and then

[25:27] I just want to read yet the last part of verse 18 and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord and shall water the valley of Shittim this valley this valley that he names here in Israel it was a valley where the children of Israel went to Horon they went out there to worship idols they went out there to sacrifice their children to Moloch they went out it was a place of idolatry but it says here that this fountain will flow from the house of the Lord and it will even water the valley of idolatry you know that is God's will is at the river of life it will flow and it will flow out there and it will water and bring life into that valley of death this lost and dying world it's all it's under the power of Satan and it's full of death but God's life can bring life to those people

[27:00] Matthew 24 14 says the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world and then the end will come and then the end will come 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 14 for the love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that if one died for all then were all dead and that he that died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him that died for them and rose again what's he saying here the love of Christ you know God loved the world so much that he sent Jesus to this world but now what does he say here he says the love of Christ constraineth us we've been born again we're a new creation in

[28:09] Christ Jesus and his love for us that he gave his life he died for us what less can we do but live for him that's what he's asking for that's all he's asking for is that we lay down our life on that altar and we allow him to live through us verse 17 therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature all things are passed away behold all things are become new and all things are of God who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation to wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself notice what this says God was in Christ God himself came to this earth to reconcile this world to himself what a loving God what a loving God and we have been reconciled to him but it doesn't stop there he has given to us the ministry of reconciliation to wit that

[29:45] God was in Christ reconciling the world and himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation salvation remember those disciples Jesus instructed them just before just before his ascension he said all power is given unto me go ye therefore and that command go ye therefore has been to the church throughout the centuries no one is exempt no one is excluded but it's for everyone this command to go and to work in the kingdom of God now then verse 20 we are ambassadors for

[30:46] Christ we are the personal representatives of Jesus Christ here on this earth everywhere you go you represent Jesus does your life reflect Jesus out on the job do people see Jesus in you on the highways do people see Jesus in you everywhere you go everything you do we represent Jesus Christ now then we are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ's stead be reconciled to God to God for God for he has made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him we then as workers together with him beseech you also that you receive not the grace of

[31:58] God in vain we then as workers together with God are we laboring do we see that do we see that that as we that we as as Christians we as representatives of Jesus Christ we are co-laborers with God himself in this work of reconciling the world unto God Jesus you know that's that's that's the reason Jesus came to earth is to reconcile this lost world back to a holy father and now that job is ours today it has been the work of every generation and now it's our work today labors together with him amen then

[33:08] Paul says here I beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain you know you know when when we receive the Holy Ghost he tells us I beseech you that you do not receive the grace of God in vain you know are we faithful with what God has given us are we faithful with the gifts God has given us are we faithful you know you know if you want more of the Holy Ghost if you want him to be more powerful in your life be obedient to what you know and what he shows you walk in obedience read the word of God fill yourself with the word of God as we walk he will add more you know we need

[34:24] I believe we need that supernatural anointing of the Holy Ghost to live a victorious life in this dark world John the Baptist said I baptize you with water unto repentance but there cometh one after me who shoes I'm not worthy to unloose he will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with power Jesus the baptizer if we will walk with him we will be faithful if we will be faithful Peter says it admonishes us to be good stewards of the manifold grace of

[35:25] God to be good stewards of the manifold grace of God it is required of stewards that we be found faithful let's turn to Luke Luke chapter 16 we'll start in verse 10 he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much if therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon who will commit to your trust the true riches you know and as I read this you know he points out here he says if you've not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon who will commit to your trust the true riches you know

[36:40] I believe that our everyday work our jobs our businesses that is an area that God tests us in to see if we are faithful to see what kind of man we are to see if we allow the spirit of God to to direct us and he tests us he calls it this these dollar bills we have it's unrighteous mammon and he says if we have not been faithful in that in our finances in our business in our material work then he will not commit to us the true riches what are the true riches

[37:41] I believe the true riches are the power of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit and a calling to go and to do the work of God you know why is it that the church is so ineffective let's bring it a little closer why is it that I am so ineffective each one of us what's in my heart that is hindering the Spirit of God today verse 10 says he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much you know

[38:43] God is looking for faithful men he's looking for faithfulness that's what he's looking for and as we are faithful with what he gives us he will add the more yes he will add the more he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much and let me tell you if you are unjust in the least God will not add more verse 12 if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's who will give you that which is your own no servant can serve two masters either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will hold to the one and despise the other you cannot serve God and mammon you cannot serve God and mammon you cannot I added here you cannot serve

[39:46] God and self because so many times when we serve mammon it's because of self on the throne no man no servant can serve two masters who are we who is your master is it Jesus Christ or who is it who is it Luke 12 says unto him that who is much is given much will be required in Matthew let's turn to Matthew 25 start in verse 14 for the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country who called his own servants and delivered unto them his goods and unto one he gave five talents to another two to another one to every man according to his several ability and straightway took his journey then he that received the five talents went and traded with the same and made them other five talents likewise he that received two he also gained other two but he that he received one went and digged in the earth and hid his lord's money after a long time the lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them and so he that received five talents came and brought other five talents saying lord thou deliverest unto me five talents behold thou have gained beside them five talents more and his lord said unto him well done thou good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things

[42:01] I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy lord he also had received two talents came and said lord thou deliverest unto me two talents behold I have gained two other talents beside them his lord said unto him well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy lord then he which had received the one talent came and said lord I knew thee that thou art a hard man reaping where thou hast not sown gathering where thou hast not strawed and I was afraid and went and hid thy talent in the earth lo there thou hast that is thine his lord answered and said unto him thou wicked and slothful servant thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not and gathered where I have not strawed thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers then at my coming

[43:05] I should have received mine own with usury take therefore the talent from him and give it unto him which hath ten talents for unto everyone that hath shall be given he shall have abundance but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath and cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth now let's notice here verse 15 he says he called his servants to one he gave five another two and another one it says there to every man according to his several ability you know he he looked at these men and he knew what they were capable of and he gave them responsibilities accordingly you know and today today you know

[44:18] Corinthians tells us that he gives the gifts of the spirit as he will and with his giving he also gives the grace to fulfill so I believe that as he gave these five talents he gave the grace for this man to walk in faithfulness and to make another five talents and the same with the two and the same with the one who only had one but this guy with the one talent what did he think let's just imagine a little bit well he only gave me one what's that worth what can I do with one talent sure not a lot so he didn't want to lose it but in the end he lost it you know I believe if that man would have been faithful with his one talent his reward would have been the same as a man that had received five and made another five talents but this man verse 26 thou wicked and slothful servant oh this man was slothful he was lazy he hid his talent he didn't want anyone to know

[46:00] Jesus called him a wicked man why because he was not faithful with what God had given him he was not faithful with what the master had given him he and I believe that today he expects us to be faithful with what he has given us he's not looking you know if he has only given you one talent all he's looking for is faithfulness and I believe as you're faithful with one talent he will add the more if he's given you five all he's looking for is faithfulness and he will add the more that's our

[47:05] Lord he's looking for faithfulness today and who much is given much will be required I believe here in America we've been given much we've been given much you know let's go on a little further in this chapter let's read again starting in verse 31 when the son of man shall come in his glory and all the holy angels with him then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory and before him shall be gathered all nations he shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left then shall the king say unto them on his right hand come ye blessed are my father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world for

[48:36] I was hungry and he gave me meat I was thirsty and he gave me drink I was a stranger and he took me in naked and he clothed me I was sick and he visited me I was in prison and he came unto me then shall the righteous answer him saying Lord when saw we thee and hungred and fed thee or thirsty and gave thee drink when saw we thee a stranger and took thee in or naked and clothed thee or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee and the king shall answer and say unto them verily I say unto you in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me you know these needs are all around us these needs are all around us

[49:47] Jesus said if we've done it unto one of the least we've done it unto him he's looking for faithful men he's looking for faithfulness he's looking for a people that will sacrifice their own self to help their fellow men to bring our fellow men into right standing with a holy God to reconcile this lost world to a holy father he's looking for faithful men and I believe today he's saying to us lift up your eyes lift up your eyes and look look about you look at the fields out there they're white to harvest the time is today the time is short we have no promise of tomorrow we have no promise of next year we have no promise but the promise of today and that he will be with us lift up your eyes on the fields for they're white to harvest though it's not next year it's not in five years from now it's today and every day and he asks us to look at the harvest to find our place in it to fill our place to be that personal representative of

[51:55] Jesus Christ here in this world wherever you go whether it's Plains Montana or it's Kalispell or Missoula or wherever you go remember you represent Jesus remember that with his power within you you can meet the needs of the people you meet if you meet some hungry soul if you meet someone who is scared of life scared of the pandemic scared of what's going to happen you can lead them to the Savior that they can find true peace not the peace that the world offers but the true peace that comes only by knowing Jesus peace I believe the

[53:05] Lord desires to yet bring in a harvest I believe that and I believe he wants us to always have eternity in our heart as we see people about us as we see the needs round about us his heart of compassion can work through us you know we read there in Matthew where it said that Jesus looked on the multitudes and his heart went out with compassion for them you know I believe Jesus still looks at the multitudes he looks at the multitudes round about us the multitudes across this world and he has a heart of compassion for them and he he looks at his church

[54:06] I I gave them the commandment to take this gospel to those people out there what are they doing are we faithful in doing our part you know as we are faithful as we are faithful in Jerusalem and in Judea we don't know maybe he will call us to the outermost parts of this world we don't know that but if we walk faithfully and we allow him to empower us and use us that his life can flow through us out and water that valley of idolatry bring life to those who need it there's no limit to what

[55:08] God can do to each one of us let's stand for prayer Lord we come to you this morning in the name of Jesus Lord I pray Lord that you would show each one of us what hinders your power from flowing through us Lord that you would show each one of us the work you have for us Lord today and tomorrow and this week oh God Lord that you would show us your will Ephesians tells us to not be ignorant but to know the will of the Father Lord Jesus help us to be yielded vessels in your hands

[56:10] Lord that you can empower us and you can use us as you desire Lord have your way have your way today in our hearts we pray in Jesus name amen you may be seated