The Proper Foundation for Harvest

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, 

The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, 

Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2 Timothy 2:19

No man comes to the father except through Christ Jesus.  

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  John 14:6

Any other way is the wrong way.  It is Jesus who laid the foundation and it is this foundation that we must build our relation, base our faith aon nd live our lives.  

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11

Furthermore, Jesus told the disciples that the harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few.  His goal was to teach the disciples so that they could be fishermen of men.  However, our foundation must be built on solid ground consisting of the word of God and not the doctrines of men.  The proper foundation which brings abundant harvest is:

¨     Built On A Rock Which Is Immovable:

He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Luke 6:48)

¨     That Rock Is Jesus Christ:

There is no other rock; I know not any. (Isaiah 44:8)

¨     The Foundation Is Based On Righteousness:  

As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.  (Proverbs 10:25)

¨     It Is A Good Foundation: 

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:19)

¨     It Is Eternal:  

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:19)

¨     It Is Based On God's Word:

God's Word stands firm like a rock [foundation]; nothing can shake it.

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.  (2 Timothy 2:19)

¨     Stands On Two Principles:

The two principles upon which the foundation stands are:

• Redeemed men:                      The Lord knows those who are His.
• Living redeemed lives:        Let everyone who names himself by the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it.

This is the proper foundation for spiritual harvest.

If there are few laborers in the harvest field, the yield will be poor. The harvest will rot before it can be reaped. Jesus said:  

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)

The prevention of  harvests have tragic results in the natural world:  

The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished. The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field are withered. (Joel 1:10-12)

In the natural world, poor harvest results in sadness:

And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.      (Isaiah 16:10)

In the spiritual world poor harvest also results in a loss of joy and gladness:  

Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God? (Joel 1:16)

If we wonder why there is no joy in our lives, if we question why singing and the victory shout have vanished from our churches... it is the result of poor spiritual harvest.

Through the word of God, we learn the factors which prevent spiritual harvest. We know the reasons for lack of spiritual joy and victory.  What can be done to reverse the cycle of poor spiritual yields and bring abundant harvest in your life?

When the natural harvest was poor in Israel, Joel told God's people to:  

Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.  (Joel 2:12-13)

We must turn to God in repentance for disobedience to His Word and unconcern over spiritual harvest. We must ask Him to remove the spiritual pests and diseases which have prevented fruitfulness.

We must repent of self-effort and ask Him to direct our efforts to the fulfillment of His purpose for the nations of the world.

We must break up the uncultivated ground and rebuild the foundation of our life on righteousness.

The prophet, Joel, advised the spiritual leaders to repent and call a fast:  

Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar...Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord. (Joel 1:13-14)

If you are a Christian believer and you have not been reaping spiritual harvest take the following steps:

√     Go before God in fasting and repentance.  
√     Ask God to give you a vision of abundant spiritual harvest.Then unite with God in purpose to fulfill that vision.  

Church leaders who notice the lack of spiritual harvest within the body of Christ:

√     Call an assembly of your elders and your membership.  
√     Call for a corporate fast.  There is power in unity.  Go before God in fasting and repentance.  
√     Ask God to give you a vision of abundant spiritual harvest and share it with the body.  Then unite with God in purpose to fulfill that vision.

Biblical Studies

10/14/13
09/22/14
09/15/15
12/19/16
07/26/19