Preparing the Store Houses
By Jeromy Ford
I’d like to start by saying this. It’s the Revival in my heart that tells me Gods Spirit is starting to be poured out on all flesh. I see it, feel it, and talk about it, with others who believe the same to be true also. It’s time for the biggest Harvest ever.! The best crop ever! It’s up to us as believers to be prepared.
Just like in agriculture, there are seasons of abundance and seasons of scarcity in ministry. There may be times when efforts seem to produce little fruit, or when challenges and obstacles seem insurmountable. However, in times of abundance, it’s important to make the most of the opportunity to bring in a great harvest of souls.
The church needs to prepare for the biggest harvest yet because, the crop is souls, and there is a great need for people to come to know and follow Jesus. This is especially important in todays world where there are many challenges and difficulties, and people are searching for hope and meaning in their lives. They’re starting to realize that the pendulum has swung to far off and needs to swing back right. There’re realizing that the internet, social media, drugs-and other worldly pursuits often leave them feeling empty and unfulfilled. Despite the many benefits that technology and social media can provide, people are realizing that they cannot replace the deeper meaning and purpose that comes from a relationship with God. This recognition is actually an opportunity for the church to reach out and offer hope to those who are searching for something more. By sharing the gospel and demonstrating the love and compassion of Christ, the church can help people to find the true fulfillment and joy that they are seeking. Ultimately, it’s important for the church to recognize that people are searching for something deeper and more meaningful than what the world has to offer. By being intentional about sharing the gospel and demonstrating the love of Christ, the church can be a powerful force for transformation and change in the lives of individuals and communities.
Jesus himself said in Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
This statement highlights the importance of having enough workers to effectively bring in the harvest. The work of ministry can be challenging and demanding, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Those who feel called to serve in ministry should be prepared for the task ahead, both spiritually and practically.
Preparing for the harvest involves many things, such as:
Building up the church’s infrastructure: This can involve physical improvements to the church building, but also improving the systems and processes that support ministry, such as communication, volunteer management, and financial stewardship.
Training and equipping workers: As I mentioned, the workers are few, and it’s important to have a team of dedicated and well-trained individuals who can lead and serve in various areas of ministry.
Creating a culture of evangelism: Evangelism is the work of sharing the good news of Jesus with others, and it’s important for the church to have a culture that supports and encourages this work. This involves not just preaching and teaching, but also building relationships with those outside the church and finding creative ways to share the gospel.
Praying for the harvest: Ultimately, the work of bringing people to faith is not something we can do on our own, but requires the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s important for the church to be in prayer, both for the individuals who will be reached through ministry and for the workers who will be involved in the work.
In summary, the church needs to prepare for the biggest harvest yet because there is a great need for people to come to know Jesus, and this work requires careful planning, training, and prayerful support.
It’s also important to remember that the size of the harvest is ultimately up to God. While we can prepare, work hard, and do our best to reach out to others, it is ultimately God who brings in the harvest. As Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Therefore, as we prepare for the biggest harvest yet, it’s important to remain dependent on God and to seek his guidance and direction in all that we do. We should be faithful in our work, but ultimately trust that God will bring about the growth and the fruit that he desires. Practically, workers should be prepared to invest time and effort in ministry, often going beyond what is required or expected of them. This might involve sacrifice, such as giving up free time or personal preferences, but it is a necessary part of serving others.
Just as it’s important for workers to be prepared for the task of bringing in the harvest, it’s also important for the church to be ready to receive and nurture those who are being brought in.
This involves creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where newcomers feel valued and supported. It also involves providing resources and support to help people grow in their faith and develop their spiritual gifts.
The church can also play a role in connecting new believers with mentors or discipleship groups, to help them deepen their understanding of the faith and build meaningful relationships with others in the church community.
In addition, the church can prepare itself to serve the needs of the community, by providing outreach programs, counseling services, and other forms of practical assistance to those in need.
Ultimately, the church’s role is to be a storehouse of God’s grace and love, providing a safe and nurturing environment for all who seek to grow in their relationship with God. By being prepared and intentional in our efforts to serve others, we can help to ensure that the harvest is not only plentiful, but also sustainable and fruitful in the long-term.
