Rejoice In Opportunities To Preach The Word God
Rejoice In Opportunities To Preach The Word God
John 4:36, “36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.”
Pastor’s blog: Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 10-11-12
Recently I met Matt Armstrong. He heads up Cross Roads Ministry, dedicated to bringing the gospel to public schools, especially through the after school programs. I was amazed because he is willing to pour out his energies on his cross roads mission. He is giving his all and pouring out his resources just to be able to share the gospel with some kids whom (most of them) may not even be listening. There is no guarantee that parents will even be coming to his church. His eyes light up with the prospect of being able to share the gospel, pure and simple. He was willing to spend time and money simply to make these opportunities happen. Would I be so happy to preach the gospel simply? Would I rejoice at the open doors but no visible fruit? Would I claim a victory in this? Would I be happy in just planting the seed so that maybe another church may reap the fruit of that seed? I confess I am not quite there yet, but I am getting there!
Jesus said in John 4:35-38, “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the 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 labor.” There are sowers and there are reapers in the work of God. The act of sowing and reaping makes one glad. The sowers and reapers may not be in the same generation or the same church. But they are glad to simply sow the seed of the word of God. If they are able to reap…that is lead someone to Saving faith in Jesus, then that is “gravy.” The problem is when we want to be both the sower and the reaper at the same time and we want these activities done in our own church. Then what happens is we loose the joy of sowing because of our expectations. God does not seem to be fulfilling our expectations. We need to be set free from our own selfish ambition and be glad simply for being given the opportunity to preach the word of God.
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