Missions:  Expect a Harvest                                                 4 June 2006

1. Introduction:

· Matthew 15:19   “I will build my Church . . .gates of hell shall not prevail”

· Jesus lived for a mission – to seek and save that which is lost.

· “I will build my Church”            => The Church belongs to Jesus

                                                       => He is building to fulfill His purpose

                                           => There is a conflict over this purpose

                                           => He will empower believers to prevail – to win

· Every Church/every believer is called to partner with God in His Mission.

2. If you Saw – expect a Harvest:

2 Corinthians 9:6-8   “He that sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully”

· God calls money a seed.

· Giving to God is sowing a seed.

· God cannot increase what you haven’t sawn.

· God expects us to give out of a grateful heart not out of duty.

· Giving, positions us to expect a harvest – an increase.

· Reward of sawing  (v10)

(i) God’s provision released

(ii) Multiplication and increase

(iii) Abundance in life (v11)

  E.g.  Proverbs 21:13        Answered prayer

Proverbs 22:9          Blessing

Proverbs 28:27        No lack

Philippians 4:19      Needs met

3. There is a contention Over your Harvest:

John 10:10   “Thief comes not but to steal, kill and destroy”

· Demonic spirits are intent upon destroying our harvest.

· There is a contention over the harvest of $ and a harvest of souls.

· World harvest of souls requires release of financial recourses of Ministering.

· God is positioning people for transfer of wealth to engage world missions.

· “There is a contention”   -  a fight against unseen spiritual forces

                                         -   The prize = the Harvest!

· Judges 6:3-6  “When Israel had sown . . . enemy encamped against them”

Strategies:            (1)  Serge / Famine      - 1 Samuel 11:1 / Genesis 26 :1,12

                                        (2)  Control                 - Exodus 10:8-11 / 10:24-26

                            (3)  Ungodly alliances - 2 Chronicles 20:35-37

                                        (4)  Excessive debt     - Proverbs 22:7

                            (5)  Greed                   - 2 Kings 5:20

· Jesus decreed the Church he is building is a prevailing church.

· Prevail => not dept or circumstances or feelings - - supernatural empowered by God.

· 1 John 5:4  “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world”

                      This is our victory that even overcomes our faith.

· Overcome = Nikao  (Nike) = to prevail, get the victory, conquer.

4. Develop a Mindset of Faith:

Hebrews 12:1-2  “looking to Jesus … who for joy set before him endured the cross”.

· Jesus moved by faith – vision/promise of the future not by sacrifice.

· Men with faith and vision do what is needed to win.

· Too often Christians focus on cost, sacrifice instead of faith.

Mindset of Faith Mindset of Sacrifice/Cost

(1)  Focus on God – Hearing.                          Focus on me – doing.

      (Romans 10:17)

(2)  Focus on Promise.                                     Focus on my commitment.

      (Romans 4:20-21)

(3)  Focus on God’s faithfulness.                    Focus on my effort.

      (Hebrews 11:11)

(4)  Fulfilling my Purpose.                               Fulfilling my duty/responsibility.

       (Acts 26:16)

(5)  Pressure in Word of God.                          Pressure on me to perform.

       (Romans 4:17 - Confess)

(6)  Fight for Manifestation of Promise.                       Frustration over delays/Setback.

       (Isaiah 54:17 - Decrees)

· Expect a harvest on what you have done.

· Contend for that harvest with prayer – confession – decrees.