Life is Short II - Sowing and Reaping - Brent Cantelon

James 4:13 - 17
There is no aspect of the work of God, more precious than the work of seeing people come to faith in Jesus - to be born again. Sadly a small percentage of those following Jesus today have ever, or will ever, participate in this work of sharing our faith.
If you have a desire to grow in God, increase in faith, experience the filling of the Holy Spirit, and to know the power of supernatural intervension, these 2 things must be active your life:
1. Actively participating in the work of the Harvest
2. Giving of our finances to God - faithfully, cheerfully and generously
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Women at the Well: John 4:1-30 *read the story together
Jesus quickly leads the conversation to Spiritual mattersNo person is impossible to reach
John 4:34-38Lift up your eyesLook at the fieldsAlready ripe for harvestI send you to reap where other's have labored
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Satisfaction and fulfillment in our Christian walk is found in?
•1. Doing the will of the Father
•2. Finishing His work
There is an urgency to the gospel Harvest time does pass and opportunities are missed
What are the reasons why people are not coming to Christ?
1. Unbelief
2. Sinful lifestyles
3. Lack of knowledge (never truly heard)
4. False doctrine
5. The feeling that they are a good person
6. Different cultures have their own faith
Jesus says: "The Harvest is ready now" Regardless of culture, race, obstacles; there is always a harvest
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Application
Ø How do we overcome all the restraining, limiting, forces that render the reapers inactive?
Ø How do we get past the thousands of reasons people do not respond to the gospel.
Ø Why don't we share a testimony, answer to prayer or invite someone
Ø How do we get over it? Get beyond the paralysis?
Be reminded of the Heart of God and the provision of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Word
Ø You will receive power to be witnesses
Ø Jesus did not leave us with just information - we have the person of the Holy Spirit
Ø Relationship with Him - He will guide us
Ø If we sow we will reap - we are in the harvest work
Ø If everyone is somehow in the process of sowing - then everyone should expect to also be in the reaping
Ø Many Christians have quit sowing and have no expectation to reap.
Ø Christian living digresses to the endless pursuit of my stuff, my life, my issues, - these things have no accompanying wages or rejoicing to sustain your faith
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Begin again:
A) Actively pray for people you know to come to Jesus
B) Build relationship with them out of the love that Jesus puts in your heart for the person
C) Open spiritual conversations: testimony, answered prayer, healing you've heard about
D) Invite them to church, to a cell group - to something!!!
E) Sow widely
Galatians 6: 7-10
Keep in mind when telling other's the good news:
G od created us to be with him
O ur sin separates us from God
S ins cannot be removed by good deeds
P aying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again
E veryone who trusts in him alone has eternal life.
L ife that's eternal means we will be with Jesus forever
Give to the work of bringing in the Harvest
Please read 2 Cor. 9:5-15
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Ministry Time:
Ø Pray for those who know people who do not know Jesus.
Ø Encourage your cell to Begin Again to witness
Ø Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel
Ø Pray for those in the group who are struggling financially and encourage everyone to be involved in giving to the work of bringing in the Harvest.