CENTRAL THOUGHT
There is joy in heaven over a sinner that repenteth (Lk. 15:7).
HYMN: SOWING IN THE MORNING, SOWING SEEDS OF KINDNESS.
TEXT: Luke 15:11-24
INTRODUCTION
In the last few years, harvest has formed the central theme of our focus as a mission. Anyone involved in farming or indeed any other venture does so in anticipation of harvest- a time of in-gathering. Harvest is what makes our labor worthy of the effort we put into it. Before a harvest comes the ground there is preparation, planting of the precious seeds and tending of the growing crops. Sowing is an act of faith. It is done in the belief that the seeds sown will survive the heat of the soil and other adversaries in the environment. Between planting and harvest is a period of hopeful anticipation. Harvest gives fulfillment to the words of the Psalmist that “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seeds, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Ps. 126:5-6). There is indeed joy in and at harvest (Isa. 9:3b), which is a celebration of success, increase and in gathering- a Pentecost of a sort. It is always a thing of joy when the Lord crowns our efforts with success, grants us advancement in our endeavors, blesses our families with children and other things we have desired of Him. None of these compares to the joy that follows the harvest of souls into His Kingdom. The scriptures expressly tells us that “There is joy in heaven over a sinner that repenteth (Lk. 15:7). This harvest gives cause for celebration in heaven. Our resolve and prayer, more than ever should be to partner with the Lord of Harvest to create more occasion in heaven for the celebration of harvest.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
1.) Remind us of the need to sow in order to expect a harvest.
2.) Know the various areas we can expect a harvest
3.) Understand why there is joy in harvest
4.) Know the harvest that gladdens God’s heart
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. CAN THERE BE HARVEST WITHOUT SOWING?
There is no harvest without a sowing phase. It is only when a farmer sows that a harvest can be anticipated. A student can only hope to pass an examination if time has been given to study and preparation. A harvest of souls can only follow a time of groaning and intercession followed by a sharing of the message of God’s love demonstrated in Christ Jesus. In short, every harvest is preceded by hard work, which we must put in to get the desired result. It is only the sluggard that sleeps away his time and somehow expects a harvest. That is why he is enjoined by God to learn from the ant (Prov. 6:6-11). If we expect to have the joy of harvest, we must be ready to do what it takes to have a harvest i.e. work. We must be ready to put in this work at the right time and in the appropriate measure. He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully (2 Cor. 9:6).
Q2. WHAT ARE SOME AREAS WE CAN EXPECT HARVEST?
Not many of us are necessarily involved in farming today. We all however, exert our energies daily pursuing one goal or the other. Whatever we do, we do it with a purpose. We do it with an expectation of a return worthy of the effort we have put in. When a farmer plants seeds it is with the hope that the seeds sown will be multiplied for a bountiful harvest. It is only when we invest in the education and training of our children that we can have hope of a secured future for them. A student will come out successful at the end of a program, if he/she has beendiligent in studies. Effective management of the resources God has blessed us with is what leaves us savings for the rainy day. It means that denying ourselves of some luxuries today will give us respite in our old age. If we take evangelism seriously, our churches will experience the numerical growth we desire (Luke 5:4-6).
Q3. WHY IS THERE JOY AT HARVEST?
The joy of harvest is a reality. The sight of the fruit of our labor gives us cause for joy and celebration. Harvest and the accruing profit helps us to forget the seasons of hard labor that preceded the harvest. It is like a woman who travails to bring forth a baby. The moment the child is born, her sorrow is turned to joy. The Lord Jesus rendered it this way: “A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world (Jn. 16:21). Weeping may endure for the night of hard work, self-deprivation, and anxiety, but joy comes in the morning of harvest (Ps. 30:5b). Success in any endeavor or undertaking always gives cause for joy. There is the common saying to the effect that: “Success has many friends, failure is an orphan”.
Q4. WHAT IS THE HARVEST THAT GLADENS GOD’S HEART?
For us humans, many things give us cause for celebration. When we are sick and get well, we rejoice. When we escape the fatality of an accident, we call our friends to rejoice with us. When we successfully build the mansion of our dream, we have a sense of accomplishment that makes us roll out of the drums in celebration. It is equally a cause for celebration when our children are successful in life. Corporate organizations put up elaborate celebrations to mark the end of a successful business year. The list is endless. For those of us who are His children, God shares in our joy. After all, it is He who gives us power to get wealth (Deut. 8:18). Nevertheless, there is a harvest (success) that gladdens God’s heart and causes angels to roll out the drums in celebration. It does not give God any pleasure when a soul perishes. God’s longsuffering towards the sons of men is borne out of the fact that He does not want anyone to perish. He rather wants all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). Like the father of the prodigal son, He is hopefully and patiently waiting for us to find our way home. He is waiting to embrace and not condemn. He is waiting to take off our filthy rags of sin and to clothe us with the robe of sonship. He is waiting to kill the fatted cow and roll out the drums in celebration of our safe return. The angels flutter their wings in excitement and celebration when a sinner repents (Lk. 15:7). The saving of a sinner is the chief joy of heaven as this is what gladdens God’s heart.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
The sight of the piles of harvested crops evokes joy in the heart of the farmer. The wool sheared from a flock of sheep gladdens the heart of the flock owner. Harvest, in whatsoever way it comes gives joy and a sense of accomplishment. There is a harvest that has been committed to the Church. It is the winning of souls and saving the lost. The work is not yet finished. It is a harvest that will continue until the Lord Jesus returns, to take the Church home. The greatest joy we shall witness in heaven is to see and meet those we led to the Lord. This is the harvest of inestimable value. Whatever our calling or vocation on earth today, let us seek every opportunity to win souls for the Kingdom. It is for this that the Lord will welcome us to heaven with the words: well done (Matt. 25:21).
MEMORY VERSE:
John 4:35b
“…Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: Sow in tears, reap in joy.
Ps. 126:5-6
Tuesday: Sluggard learn from the ants
Prov. 6:6-11
Wednesday: evangelism brings numerical growth
Luke 5:4-6
Thursday: Why is there joy in harvest?
John 16:21, Ps. 30:5b
Friday: The will of the Lord for us
John 4:34-38
Saturday: Joy in heaven
Luke 15