THE HARVEST IS RIPE
(For which you shall receive power)
By W. G. Guy
Matthew 9:35-38 – And 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. 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. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
As Jesus traveled about in Israel, He became burdened for the people whom He came to minister to. He saw that the task was too great for just one person to do. He then set the example for true and pure ministry by appointing those He was close with in joining Him in this task.
Matthew 10:1 – And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Jesus then gave them the same commission that He was engaged in.
Matthew 10:7-8 – And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
However, in this present day we need to understand that the harvest is much greater than it was 2000 years ago. The commission to this ministry now includes the entire gentile world in addition to Israel. In addition, the world’s population is now far greater than it ever has been. Thus the need for laborers for His harvest is the greatest it has ever been.
Jesus’ call for laborers continues today for doing the exact same type of ministry as He did, and which He had His disciples do back then. This is a reason that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is needed for all believers in Christ.
Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
This empowerment is for all believers through the ages to equip them to be His witnesses, even to those who are far off in the future from when it began.
Acts 2:39 – For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
It is God’s power through the working of the Holy Spirit and the application of the name of Jesus that this work of the harvest is to be accomplished by those who believe and obey. Please understand that God is still God, and He has not changed, (Malachi 3:6); nor has His Word, or His commission decreased in any way.
John 6:28-29 – Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
It appears that the passage of time has eroded the understanding and beliefs of much of the church as many today deny the power of God and the works of the Holy Spirit, (2 Timothy 3:1-5). This is one reason why the world is in the state that it is in today. The harvest is truly great and the need for believers to be able to serve the Lord Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit is greater now than ever.
There is not much time left and we definitely need the power tools to show forth the love of God, the Kingdom of God, and Jesus Christ the Son of God. It is time to get back to believing and to get working. This blessed experience is not just for our blessing and enjoyment – it is to equip us for the work in His harvest.
Mark 16:15-18 – And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
The world needs what Jesus and the Father has offered; and we are to be His servants to labor in His harvest just as He said two thousand years ago. Time has not changed what He said back then as the harvest still lingers. He gave us this power to do this! Don’t be among those who refuse His command to do as He commissioned; He won’t be very pleased with you when you appear before Him at His Judgment Seat when rewards are handed out!
Remember, He gave us this power to be His witnesses! This power is to heal the sick and diseased, to cast out demons, and to speak the Word of God that will bring conviction of sin to the unbelievers. We are about to see a fresh outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit upon those who are willing to seek and serve Him. Are you willing to be one of His laborers in His harvest – the need is great and the time is at hand!
(For which you shall receive power)
By W. G. Guy
Matthew 9:35-38 – And 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. 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. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
As Jesus traveled about in Israel, He became burdened for the people whom He came to minister to. He saw that the task was too great for just one person to do. He then set the example for true and pure ministry by appointing those He was close with in joining Him in this task.
Matthew 10:1 – And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Jesus then gave them the same commission that He was engaged in.
Matthew 10:7-8 – And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
However, in this present day we need to understand that the harvest is much greater than it was 2000 years ago. The commission to this ministry now includes the entire gentile world in addition to Israel. In addition, the world’s population is now far greater than it ever has been. Thus the need for laborers for His harvest is the greatest it has ever been.
Jesus’ call for laborers continues today for doing the exact same type of ministry as He did, and which He had His disciples do back then. This is a reason that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is needed for all believers in Christ.
Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
This empowerment is for all believers through the ages to equip them to be His witnesses, even to those who are far off in the future from when it began.
Acts 2:39 – For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
It is God’s power through the working of the Holy Spirit and the application of the name of Jesus that this work of the harvest is to be accomplished by those who believe and obey. Please understand that God is still God, and He has not changed, (Malachi 3:6); nor has His Word, or His commission decreased in any way.
John 6:28-29 – Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
It appears that the passage of time has eroded the understanding and beliefs of much of the church as many today deny the power of God and the works of the Holy Spirit, (2 Timothy 3:1-5). This is one reason why the world is in the state that it is in today. The harvest is truly great and the need for believers to be able to serve the Lord Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit is greater now than ever.
There is not much time left and we definitely need the power tools to show forth the love of God, the Kingdom of God, and Jesus Christ the Son of God. It is time to get back to believing and to get working. This blessed experience is not just for our blessing and enjoyment – it is to equip us for the work in His harvest.
Mark 16:15-18 – And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
The world needs what Jesus and the Father has offered; and we are to be His servants to labor in His harvest just as He said two thousand years ago. Time has not changed what He said back then as the harvest still lingers. He gave us this power to do this! Don’t be among those who refuse His command to do as He commissioned; He won’t be very pleased with you when you appear before Him at His Judgment Seat when rewards are handed out!
Remember, He gave us this power to be His witnesses! This power is to heal the sick and diseased, to cast out demons, and to speak the Word of God that will bring conviction of sin to the unbelievers. We are about to see a fresh outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit upon those who are willing to seek and serve Him. Are you willing to be one of His laborers in His harvest – the need is great and the time is at hand!
