End Time Spiritual Harvest

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions , do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5)

For what purpose are we mobilizing people? Why should we try to motivate a passive people? If people are comfortable in our church congregations and their needs are being met, why stir things up?

We must be concerned with mobilizing spiritual resources because it is the only way the great spiritual harvest of our world can ever be reaped. We are mobilizing spiritual resources for the purpose of evangelism.

There is a difference between mobilization and other approaches to evangelism. In most evangelistic programs, the center of attention is the "gifted" (or sometimes in the modern church the "professional") evangelist. In this type of evangelism, the focus is on increasing the number of listeners. Advertising, invitations, radio and television interviews, and many other means are used. Everything possible is done to broaden the impact of the evangelist's ministry.

Nothing is wrong with these methods. It is important that we take full advantage of the gifted ones known as "evangelists" which God has set in the Church. But to meet the challenge of the great end time spiritual harvest that is upon us, we must assume a "mobilized approach" to evangelism.

A mobilized approach to evangelism focuses on all believers, rather than just those with the specific ministry gift of evangelism. It seeks to multiply the number of converts by motivating each one of God's people to "do the work of an evangelist".

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions , do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5)

This type of mobilization is done within the Biblical framework of the Church. It is called "body ministry", where each person assumes his position based upon his spiritual gift. Then the whole body functions in unity to achieve global objectives in harmony with that of the Great Commission. In mobilization for evangelism, we use every legitimate means available, to reach every level of society, presenting the whole gospel to all men.

Spiritually, this is a time of warfare. We are in the greatest battle ever for the hearts, souls, and minds of men and women throughout the world. This is a time of great need. We see it as we look at the spiritual harvest fields of the world, ready to be reaped, but with few labourers working feverishly in the setting sun. 

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.  (Luke 10:2)

Now is the time for the mobilization of God's people. As the prophet Micah said, 

"Now gather thyself in troops,..."  (Micah 5:1)

But in order to mobilize, we must return to God-commanded rather than need-oriented ministry. We must rely on God rather than self. Organization, cooperation, multiplying, doctrine. . . all of these are important. But only God can send the fire, the glory, and the revival that mobilizes His people. As a body without breath and life, so is a people of God who are organized, united, and doctrinally grounded, but yet lacking the breath of life of the Holy Spirit.

If you rely on your education, you accomplish what education can do. If you rely on skills and hard work, you will obtain the results of your hard work and skills. When you rely on committees alone, you can get a lot done...but only what committees are capable of doing. But when you rely on God, you get what only God can do!

Human effort will never get the job done. The great end time harvest cannot be reaped by fleshly methods:  

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3)

This work cannot be accomplished by manipulation or by human might or power.

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.  (Zechariah 4:6) 

(Biblical Studies)

01/27/15
08/24/16