Hope you will be blessed by this weeks Sabbath lesson by Dr. Kentbourne McFarlane , Happy Sabbath. SS LESSON OUTLINE:HARVEST & HARVESTERS: March 21, 2014 INTRODUCTION: Farmers know when there will be a bountiful harvest. Harvesting comes at the conclusion of a process that includes, preparing the soil, planting the seeds, watering, cultivating, and then harvesting. Jesus used these agricultural metaphors to illustrate the mission of the church leaders. You cannot harvest if you have not planted. And each step of the process is important. In spiritual farming and harvesting of souls for the Kingdom of God, there are no small parts. We are co-laborers with the Holy Spirit and every role in the plan of salvation is significant. DIVINE STANDARD FOR LEADERSHIP: it is by beholding Christ that we are changed into his image and become like Him. We must talk as Christ talked; work as Christ worked; live as Christ live. As his apprentices we must copy Him to the minutest details. Jesus lived a purpose driven life. Daily prayers and meditation on his mission gave Him strength to deal with the challenges that confronted Him. He broke the conventional rules and cultural norms when he talked with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in Sychar and taught His disciples to include “sinners, tax collectors and publicans’ in the plan of salvation. He allowed the Holy Spirit to use him as He went through Towns and villages healing the sick, and preaching the gospel to everyone He met; lifting their minds from the daily routine to the kingdom of God. [Matt 9:35]. THE “ABIDING IN ME” MESSAGE: The setting of this message is the Last Supper. Jesus knew this time was His last opportunity to instruct His disciples on their future. He was unequivocal. Our success as church leaders [disciples] resolves around ONE thing: ABIDING IN HIM. [JOHN 15; 18] We stay connected with Christ by cultivating the spiritual disciplines that have served Christians for centuries. Bible study, prayer, witnessing and service. A connection with Jesus Christ brings FRUITS… that is, the fruits of the Spirit, which is love, joy, Peace, patience, etc. We don’t use the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit uses us. Abiding in Jesus Christ allows the Holy Spirit to USE US in our daily activities [spiritual and non spiritual]. CONSIDER THIS: Branches that are connected to the VINE can’t help but bear fruits. It is their natural consequence of their connection to the VINE. Instead of “trying to bear fruit’, we should encourage each other to STAY CONNECTED. HARVESTING SOULS FOR THE KINGDOM: Jesus was able to say “the harvest is plentiful” because He had spent so much time sowing the spiritual SEEDS. [MATT 9:35-38] Farming is hard. It take planning the full process of the harvest… ploughing, planting, fertilizing, cultivating, nurturing and pruning before the rich rewards of a plentiful harvest occurs. [Psalm 126:6]. The farmer needs to have PATIENCE. He must wait for the ‘early rain’ and the ‘latter rain’ to bless the plants. Likewise the SPIRITUAL farmers must work and exercise PATIENCE while depending on help from the invisible Hand of the Holy Spirit to prepare the soul of men for the harvesting. CONSIDER THIS: In what AREA OF SPIRITUAL FARMING do you believe you have talents to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in soul winning [SOWING, NURTURING, And CULTIVATING? Which population in your community is READY FOR HARVEST? SHOULD THE CHURCH KNOW THIS? FINDING SOULS FOR THE KINGDOM: In response to the accusation that He associated with sinners, tax collectors and publicans, Jesus spoke three parables to illustrate the Christian position. [LUKE 15; 1-32] The parable of the LOST SHEEP. This story is about the love of God for humanity. He left heaven and authority over millions of world and angels to seek the lost sheep of earth… the rebellious planet [Luke 15: 3-7]. The parable of the LOST COIN. The coin is unaware that it is lost but its value is unchanged. The value of a sinner is equal the price of the son of God [Luke 15:8-10] The parable of the LOST SON. Both sons are lost and son that came home is not received by the son at home. Who is more lost? [Luke 15: 11-32]. CONSIDER THIS: PERHAPS THE WORST THING ABOUT BEING LOST IS NOT HAVING ANYONE LOOK FOR YOU OR CELEBRATE YOUR RETURN. SUMMARY: Unless we are involved in searching and finding the lost we are NOT FULLY CHRIST’S DISCIPLES. Following the example of Jesus and relying on the Holy Spirit will lift our lives to a higher plane of worship and service and we will begin to experience SPIRITUAL GROWTH. By: Dr. Kentbourne McFarlane
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 07:26:06 +0000
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