“The Harvest Is Plenteous”

by Micky Galloway

Matthew 9:36-38, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.”

Luke 10:1-3, “Now after these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come. And he said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.”

John 4:34-35, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and (then) cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest.”

Indeed brethren, the Lord said, “Lift up your eyes, and look”! These words are echoed by the apostle Paul as he spoke of an open door or a “door of utterance” (cf. I Corinthians 16:9; cf. II Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3 KJV). John wrote of the “open door” which no man can shut (Revelation 3:8 KJV). Opportunity “knocks” (Revelation 3:20), it does not beat the door down. As we drive into the Antelope Valley and stop at Vista Point to view the valley, we are reminded of opportunity. Living in the valley are over 500,000 souls in need of the gospel. This writing concerns itself with opportunities that are ours to teach God’s Word, and our preparation and determination to take advantage of these opportunities. To be a Christian is not a dead belief, but a vibrant way of life that deeply affects our own standard of conduct. Brethren, we are involved in the warfare of the devil and lost souls (I Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:10ff). I am convinced that during these difficult times of pandemic, political and economic upheaval there are those who are looking for the truth! They are not finding it in the denominational ranks and many are content to give up. If WE, as Christians are not living right, it is given that we have no care or consciousness that those about us are lost. What can I do?

Get past the “me first” attitude. These fail to see opportunities when they abound right before us. Paul said some would become “lovers of self” (II Timothy 3:2). Yet, the same apostle taught that we are to “bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying” (Romans 15:1-2). Even among brethren there is opportunity to teach. Paul said, “Let no man seek his own, but (each) his neighbor’s (good)” (I Corinthians 10:24). Paul also said, “not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). What a “door” of opportunity we have to restore those who have become distracted and wayward. “Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). James said, “if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

Pray for an “open door.” The apostle Paul asked the Colossians to pray for him, “that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:3 KJV). Perhaps the very reason things are not more favorable for the growth of the church is our failure to pray for a “lost and dying world.” Paul called on the Ephesians, “And on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:18-20). James said, “the supplication of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). To fervently pray for opportunity means to rid ourselves of the fear of the responsibility associated with open doors and the fear of failure. This can be done by preparation. Attend all the Bible classes so you will be prepared when opportunity knocks.

Believe in the power of the gospel. The message of the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16; I Corinthians 1:21). We can’t preach what we don’t know, love, and appreciate. (Again, the importance of Bible classes!) In a world that held the gospel in contempt, Paul, with the threat of persecution, preached it boldly. Paul had seen the gospel change lives among Jews first and also among Greeks. “The words of eternal life” (John 6:68) are words that are “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). He had dramatically changed his own life. “I thank him that enabled me, (even) Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to (his) service; though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (I Timothy 1:12-15). The gospel is ever relevant and can transform you, your neighbor, and mine if they will receive it with the realization that it is from God. Evidence of this truth is seen in every example of conversion in the book of Acts. Indeed, we have in our possession the power of God to change the lives of multitudes, but failure to proclaim it results in continued ungodly living (SIN) that sends people to hell! Jesus commanded, “Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby” (Matthew 7:13-14). On that broad way leading to destruction will be someone’s mother, father, grandparent, friend, neighbor, or work partner. Perhaps it will be someone you knew and loved (READ Luke 16:19-31). In that great day of judgment will they say, “You met me day by day and knew I was astray, Yet never mentioned Him to me”?

Be aware of the unconverted. There are masses of souls who are hungering and thirsting for the truth. Many who have questions and are seeking answers. Many who have given up! WE have great opportunity. Indeed, the fields are white unto harvest and the laborers are so few. In Acts 8, those who were scattered as a result of the persecution, “went about preaching the word.” Until we understand that the success of personal work is dependent on each one personally working, opportunities will go by the wayside. Let’s not let anyone fall through the cracks and be lost!

Reaping the harvest of lost souls will not occur by accident. Let us prepare ourselves for the greatest work on earth. Someone has said that there are four hinges upon which the gates of opportunity swing: initiative, insight, industry, and integrity. Surely, we have integrity, but what about the others? Let us never forget that procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried. Let us labor, for now is the time.