Matthew 9:36-38 NLT - 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."

Jesus mentioned harvest frequently, something people understood.

• He was talking about PEOPLE.
• He was saying people have been in a PROCESS.
• He was saying people are READY.
• He was saying there is a RISK.

Four statements about the harvest:

1. Harvest is a time of JOY.

• Psalm 4:7 NLT - You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
• It is time to PARTY! Everything that has been plowed, sown, watered, nurtured, guarded, and waited on has come to completion.
• Why be happy?
  • It survived the process.
  • Everybody was a part of it coming in.
  • Let's EAT!
  • We have food for the rest of the year.
• When you hear of people being brought to life in Christ, it gives cause for celebration because it means an eternal soul was added to the kingdom.
• God has been working.
  • He's plowed the hearts of men and women.
  • He's planted the Word in them time and time again.
  • He's watered it with His kindness.
  • He's pruned it with hardship.
  • They are now ready!!!

2. Harvest brings great REWARD.

• John 4:36 NLT - The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!
• The reward of fulfillment - "I have food that you don't know about."
• Eternal reward - "good wages"
• The reward of joy - "What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike."

3. Harvest is a time of DANGER.

• Romans 10:13-15 NLT - 13 For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"
• It's dangerous because harvest has a time frame.
• It's dangerous because whatever is lost is lost forever.
• It's dangerous because if we have more harvest than laborers, we will lose what we've worked for.

4. Harvest is a time of WORK.

• There's a reason Jesus said, "Pray for LABORERS." There is labor involved in the harvest.
• It's all hands on deck.
• It's going to take WORK.
  • Harvest is the work of a disciple.
  • Nobody is called to sit in the barn and sip lemonade.
  • The work is caring, praying, engaging, enduring.
  • It's going to take TEAMWORK - Everybody has a section of the field. Someone will probably never harvest your field.

A great strategy for reaping harvest:

• Pick ONE person.
• Pray for them daily.
• Fast one meal for them once a week.
• Have lunch, call them, or see them once a week.
• Text them an encouraging text daily.
• Once a month invite them to church.