WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.919 I don't want to accidentally strangle myself or fall on those cords. 00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:14.000 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.159 Jesus Phelps, glad to have you and John back here. 00:00:34.780 --> 00:00:36.600 It's a good thing to have you in Columbus. 00:00:37.799 --> 00:00:38.079 Amen. 00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:38.240 Amen. 00:00:45.420 --> 00:00:47.299 Let me read the passage to you. 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:53.100 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging him, saying, Rabbi, eat. 00:00:54.460 --> 00:00:59.420 But he said to them, I have food to eat that you do not know about. 00:01:00.619 --> 00:01:04.359 So the disciples said to one another, has anyone brought him something to eat? 00:01:06.180 --> 00:01:12.079 Jesus said to them, my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:16.980 Do you not say there are yet four months, then comes the harvest? 00:01:18.980 --> 00:01:26.359 Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white for the harvest. 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:36.640 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. 00:01:37.480 --> 00:01:40.980 For here the saying holds true, one sows and another reaps. 00:01:41.980 --> 00:01:45.980 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. 00:01:46.140 --> 00:01:49.680 Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor. 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:50.900 Let's pray. 00:01:53.900 --> 00:02:03.700 Our Father, we are thankful this morning that, first of all, you and your loving kindness have communicated to us your word. 00:02:03.700 --> 00:02:13.080 And in that word, you have given us a clear indication of the heart, the character, the life of our Savior. 00:02:13.080 --> 00:02:28.680 Secondly, we're thankful that you have given to us who know Christ the indwelling spirit whose ministry includes helping us to understand the word, to understand the scriptures. 00:02:28.680 --> 00:02:40.540 And we confess at the outset that the matter of allowing the word of God to make a difference in our life is not simply a matter of intellectual grasp, 00:02:40.540 --> 00:02:46.219 but it is also something that we are wholly dependent upon the work of the Spirit. 00:02:46.219 --> 00:03:03.219 And it is your intention that the word of God would help us change, to be more like Christ and less like we used to be. 00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:14.319 And we ask that this morning you would be pleased to work among us and help us to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:24.019 that the remainder of our lives would be lived with a passion for the glory of the King that we someday will see. 00:03:25.239 --> 00:03:28.560 And I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:39.379 I suppose it's something that in the last several weeks have kind of rolled up inside of me a little bit. 00:03:39.379 --> 00:03:46.340 And I can't read the news without becoming a little disconcerted. 00:03:48.639 --> 00:03:52.919 I look at what is happening around the world. 00:03:54.259 --> 00:03:56.259 I look at what's happening in our country. 00:03:57.479 --> 00:04:07.800 And I recognize that there actually is a growing adversity towards the faith that you and I delight in and find confidence and comfort in. 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:17.520 But I suppose it's not just this moment and this hour of history that is fraught with danger at being a Christian. 00:04:17.660 --> 00:04:21.860 I stop and think in a practical and a realistic perspective. 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:25.980 And I'd have to say that it's amazing that Christianity really exists at all. 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:33.560 I mean, our Savior, the founder, died on the cross. 00:04:33.660 --> 00:04:36.780 He was rejected by the nation that he came to minister to. 00:04:39.080 --> 00:04:47.960 Of his 12 disciples, 11 of them died as martyrs, taking Judas off the page. 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:59.639 And in the subsequent years that followed, Christians were persecuted, were fed to the lions, burned the stake, driven from their homes, and hated beyond reason. 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:03.819 And it's not just 2,000 years ago that that happened. 00:05:04.019 --> 00:05:05.639 It's going on today. 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:20.639 And as I think about it, I trust that none of us here in the days to come will actually take the... 00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:25.800 One of the things that persecution did in the early church was it weeded out the wheat from the chaff. 00:05:25.800 --> 00:05:32.259 You know, you could pretend to not be a Christian and avoid pressure. 00:05:33.259 --> 00:05:39.540 Or you could be an authentic believer and invariably end up being identified. 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:47.259 Identified for the life that you lived and identified for the truth that you spoke. 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:52.160 I think a little bit about Peter and John. 00:05:52.160 --> 00:06:01.220 You know, when you think about their lives, you recognize that they were clear indicators of who Jesus was. 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:10.300 And one of the things that spotted them was, remember when they were brought before the Sanhedrin to give an answer for the fact that they'd been witnessing? 00:06:10.580 --> 00:06:15.060 And they were, don't you be doing this anymore, talking about Jesus, etc. 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:27.660 And they were kind of stunned that these rude, uneducated fishermen were as clear in their gospel presentation and in their grasp of the scriptures. 00:06:27.860 --> 00:06:28.819 And yet they said this. 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:33.000 Well, the one thing that was a giveaway was evident that they had been with Jesus. 00:06:34.899 --> 00:06:39.579 Their lives had been affected by their time with Christ. 00:06:39.579 --> 00:06:57.079 And as we work our way through the book of John, one of the undeniable goals that I believe the scriptures intend in our life is that we are changed to grow to be more like Jesus and we grow to love him more. 00:06:57.139 --> 00:06:57.879 Does that make sense? 00:06:59.099 --> 00:07:00.500 I mean, here's the truth. 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:06.839 We, by nature, have a great tendency to be pretty self-focused, sadly. 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:16.240 And it is the word of God and the spirit of God that lifts our heart up to grow to know who Christ is. 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:25.019 And in growing to know who Christ is, to grow to love him and to grow to want and desire to be more like him. 00:07:25.019 --> 00:07:34.539 And so as we look at this passage this morning, what we're going to see is some of the indicators of what Jesus was like. 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:46.279 And the outcome is this, is that it should be some giveaways for you of whether or not Jesus' presence and his person is making a difference in your life. 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:52.639 Let's look at a couple markers of what Jesus was like and see whether or not we see these in our own. 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:56.719 Okay. You look, first of all, at John chapter 4, verse 31. 00:07:56.899 --> 00:08:00.939 It says, meanwhile, the disciples were urging him, saying, Rabbi, eat. 00:08:02.279 --> 00:08:12.819 Now, the scene that we actually have here is a little crazy in that you remember Jesus had stopped at the well in Sychar and he'd stopped to kind of refresh himself and rest. 00:08:12.919 --> 00:08:16.399 And the disciples had gone on into town to get something to eat. 00:08:16.479 --> 00:08:17.099 They were hungry. 00:08:17.740 --> 00:08:22.079 Jesus had stayed at the well and he'd end up having a conversation with this woman. 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:23.719 This Samaritan woman. 00:08:25.560 --> 00:08:32.399 He had shared the sweetness of the gospel with her and her life had been transformed by the power of the cross. 00:08:32.819 --> 00:08:40.659 And she had run back into town and she went in there and said, hey, I want you to meet the man who told me all that I ever did is not this the Christ. 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:46.419 As a result, the men from the town came back to the well. 00:08:46.840 --> 00:08:48.500 They wanted to meet Jesus themselves. 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:51.120 And so you have this very interesting scene. 00:08:51.559 --> 00:08:59.279 You have a crowd of men coming towards Jesus and you have the disciples kind of coming back at the same time. 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:09.519 And you can kind of imagine here is Peter and John and the rest of the disciples kind of munching on some pita and maybe a little bit of feta cheese and a little bit of goat meat or whatever else. 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:11.840 And they're kind of they're all into lunch. 00:09:13.559 --> 00:09:18.659 And they come up to Jesus and they say, hey, we brought you back something here. 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:19.699 Have this. 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:27.320 And Jesus immediately in the context of of this offer for food, he says, what's he say? 00:09:27.400 --> 00:09:28.220 Look at the passage. 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:32.860 He says, I have food to eat that you do not know about. 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:37.460 The disciples were all caught up in their meal. 00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:46.420 And to them, the issue that was most important was was seeing to it that their physical hunger was satisfied. 00:09:46.680 --> 00:09:49.800 And that was at the very center of their thinking and ambitions. 00:09:51.780 --> 00:09:56.860 And so when Jesus makes the statement, I have food that you do not know about. 00:09:57.060 --> 00:10:02.000 I have something that nurtures and sustains me that you're not connecting with. 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:04.120 They it went right over top of them. 00:10:04.160 --> 00:10:04.700 They missed it. 00:10:04.700 --> 00:10:06.080 They didn't understand it. 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:13.300 And I want you to recognize this morning as you look at this passage, as Jesus speaks, 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:17.080 he's giving us a picture of what his heart, his motivation was like. 00:10:18.139 --> 00:10:22.320 Well, when he says this, I have food to eat that you do not know about. 00:10:22.620 --> 00:10:25.320 He was identifying the fact that here's the truth. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:27.580 Food is pretty essential for human existence. 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:30.840 How many of you have gone NPO? 00:10:31.160 --> 00:10:32.740 How many of you know what NPO is? 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:35.379 The adults in the crowd have done that, right? 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:38.700 NPO is you don't want to hear your doctor say NPO. 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:39.620 What does that mean? 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:43.919 Nothing by mouth after generally what? 00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:51.259 If you have a test in the morning, it's NPO after 12 o'clock or whatever. 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:55.059 You know, it's like and I remember going to a surgery. 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:56.840 Well, forget that one. 00:10:56.860 --> 00:10:57.779 I won't tell that story. 00:10:57.779 --> 00:11:04.939 But if you miss the memo on NPO after midnight, guess what happens to your procedure? 00:11:06.439 --> 00:11:07.139 Does anybody know? 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:09.379 You get to come again. 00:11:10.339 --> 00:11:11.779 And you get to try again. 00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:13.459 If you break the NPO rule. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:19.039 And how many of you, when you are NPO and they delay surgery, get a little anxious? 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:21.179 It's like, get this over with. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:23.359 I have not had anything to drink. 00:11:23.599 --> 00:11:25.799 I have not had anything to eat. 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:27.159 You know, blah, blah, blah. 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:30.339 We're pretty sensitive to food. 00:11:31.219 --> 00:11:32.319 And here is Jesus. 00:11:32.459 --> 00:11:33.159 He makes this comment. 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:35.739 He says, man, I've got something to eat that you guys don't know about. 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:37.879 They immediately thought he was talking about food. 00:11:37.939 --> 00:11:38.959 And that's not the case. 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:47.620 Actually, what Jesus was referring to is something that is woven into the scriptures. 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:49.960 And he had already identified earlier. 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:54.139 And I want you to think with me just for a moment to a passage in Deuteronomy chapter 8. 00:11:54.440 --> 00:11:55.560 Turn over there, if you will. 00:11:55.660 --> 00:11:57.580 Keep your finger because we're coming back to John. 00:11:58.100 --> 00:12:05.259 But when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, what he actually did was he recited scripture. 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:13.299 By the way, that is the best way to deal with the ongoing battle we have with sin. 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:22.419 How many of you recognize there is a daily battle that each one of us have with our own heart and the challenge and the temptation to indwelling sin? 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:23.279 How do you deal with it? 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:26.220 Well, I'm not going to do that. 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:27.299 How many of you tried that before? 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:29.120 Just kind of the self-will deal? 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:37.279 No, the best way to handle that battle with indwelling sin is to remind yourself of the scriptures themselves. 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:40.240 Deuteronomy chapter 8, verse 3. 00:12:41.700 --> 00:12:43.600 Here is Moses preaching. 00:12:44.580 --> 00:12:47.240 And he reminds the nation of Israel of God's provision. 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:47.759 He says, 00:12:47.759 --> 00:13:17.740 Jesus, when he made this statement, he was reminding us of a larger picture that should be kind of stuck in our hearts. 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:19.220 And it should be this. 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:25.679 God feeds us and provides for us for the purpose of our doing his work. 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:26.519 Do you understand that? 00:13:26.939 --> 00:13:32.439 When Jesus made that statement back in John, back in John we are, when he said this, 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:37.179 I have food that you guys don't connect with, you don't understand. 00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:42.860 What he was saying is this, is I have that which the Father has provided for me. 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:46.539 And it is in relationship to the purpose that he sent me for. 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:49.039 The truth of the matter is, 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:54.700 every one of us in here that belong to Christ, that know him as our Savior, 00:13:55.080 --> 00:14:02.759 at the end of the day, the reason he fuels your body is to do his business. 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.360 Does that make sense? 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:07.480 You should not say, 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:12.279 I owe, I owe, and off to work I go. 00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:13.120 Right? 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:17.480 Or, I hope I can take a cruise next month, 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:19.940 and that's the reason I'm doing thus and so. 00:14:20.200 --> 00:14:21.220 At the end of the day, 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:26.460 the believer's life is wrapped up in doing the work of God, 00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:30.019 and he provides for that end. 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:34.240 Jesus also is making this statement, 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:39.019 the things that really sustain and satisfy is doing his will. 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:42.579 That's the thing that really, at the heart of it, 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:46.240 characterizes those who have been with Christ, 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:50.019 and whose lives are affected by the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:53.279 Now, let me stop and have you think with me just for a moment. 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:55.379 One of the very common afflictions of our day 00:14:55.379 --> 00:15:00.379 is a high level of discontentment and depression and discouragement. 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:01.299 Let me tell you something. 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:06.559 In many cases, it is rooted simply in living your life for yourself 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:09.720 and being involved in self-aduling, 00:15:09.939 --> 00:15:11.139 I'll change that word, 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:12.580 in self-worship, 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:17.120 and it is a very fruitless, counterproductive way to live. 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:19.799 If you are focused on yourself, 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:24.299 you will not be a happy person. 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:27.100 And I want you to understand, 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:33.279 Jesus lived his life to accomplish the work of his Father, 00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:35.820 and that was the thing that fed him and carried him. 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.620 Now, before we move on, 00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:39.039 I want you to stop just for a second 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:41.159 and kind of think about the scene that we have here. 00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:42.439 Here are the disciples. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:44.279 They've been out getting lunch. 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.379 They come back, 00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:48.080 and they see Jesus having this conversation with a woman. 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:52.580 Right behind them is this kind of crowd that is descending on Jesus, 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:54.639 and they're talking about food, 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.700 and he says, 00:15:55.780 --> 00:15:57.020 Hey, you guys don't understand. 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:59.680 There's something that's really fueling my heart, 00:15:59.800 --> 00:16:01.840 and it has nothing to do with what you're thinking about. 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:04.460 It kind of went right over top of them. 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:05.720 They missed it. 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:08.100 And so if you're sitting here this morning, 00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:09.300 and the truth of the matter is, 00:16:09.300 --> 00:16:10.720 is that it has been, 00:16:10.920 --> 00:16:11.960 and everybody look at me. 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:12.840 Everybody look at me. 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:17.360 It's been a long time since you have actually had a passion 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:19.440 for people that are on their way to hell. 00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:21.440 I mean that. 00:16:22.300 --> 00:16:24.100 I don't want you to give up and say, 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:24.759 Well, it's hopeless. 00:16:26.160 --> 00:16:28.500 Because the more you're around Jesus, 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:30.720 and the more you understand the heart of Christ, 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:34.019 the more your heart will begin to connect 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:36.540 with the things that he connects with. 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.280 Does that make sense? 00:16:38.040 --> 00:16:39.720 And when you look at these disciples, 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:42.379 and you kind of get the idea that these guys are brain dead, 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:43.960 yeah, 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.720 thankfully, 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.300 being around Jesus, 00:16:47.660 --> 00:16:49.480 change the things they thought about, 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.980 and you have hope. 00:16:51.300 --> 00:16:52.040 You can change. 00:16:52.300 --> 00:16:53.139 I can change. 00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:56.259 Well, I want you for a minute 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:58.180 to look at the second thing that we look here, 00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.519 having a sense of his timing. 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:03.399 And as we work our way on down there, 00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:03.779 it says, 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:05.200 Do you not say? 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:08.339 There are yet four months. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.319 Then comes the harvest. 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.200 So the situation, 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:12.240 and probably the scene that had been taking place, 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.980 these guys were on their way. 00:17:14.139 --> 00:17:16.099 They were moving up north towards Galilee. 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:19.599 And as they had kind of been walking this journey, 00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:21.619 they were walking through farmland. 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:26.799 About 85% of the nation of Israel was engaged in farming. 00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:27.539 That's what they did. 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:29.480 And evidently, 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:32.099 during the time in which Jesus was making this journey, 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:38.179 it was just after the seed had been planted. 00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:40.279 And you looked out, 00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:42.399 and you saw the little sprouts coming up, 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:47.980 and probably one of the farmer's little statements was, 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:49.839 it's four months till harvest time. 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:53.399 How many of you grew up in a rural community? 00:17:54.399 --> 00:17:55.579 Raise your hands and wave at me, 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:56.299 the rural crowd. 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:57.980 How many of you remember the old saying, 00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:59.720 knee high by 4th of July? 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:00.839 Does anybody remember that one? 00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:04.220 How many of you know it's not true anymore because of hybrids? 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:05.559 You know, 00:18:05.639 --> 00:18:07.299 you're riding through the countryside, 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:07.799 and you say, 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:08.980 knee high by 4th of July, 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:10.359 and the stuff's over the top of your head. 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:11.539 Well, 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.459 in the ancient world, 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:17.079 they'd kind of look at those little sprouts coming out of the ground, 00:18:17.179 --> 00:18:17.459 wheat, 00:18:17.699 --> 00:18:18.119 barley, 00:18:18.439 --> 00:18:18.699 rye, 00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:19.379 whatever it was, 00:18:19.419 --> 00:18:19.839 and they'd say, 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.339 four months to the harvest, 00:18:21.659 --> 00:18:22.579 four months to the harvest. 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:26.559 And you can kind of imagine the disciples as they're trudging along in a nudge, 00:18:26.659 --> 00:18:27.879 four months to the harvest. 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:29.019 They had it. 00:18:29.459 --> 00:18:30.119 They knew that, 00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:30.859 little diddy. 00:18:31.959 --> 00:18:33.119 And Jesus says to them, 00:18:33.199 --> 00:18:33.619 guys, 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:34.679 hey, 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:38.599 you're on top of this farming business, 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:40.179 but you're missing the real picture. 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:42.539 You got that? 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.319 What was going on? 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.899 Here they were. 00:18:46.979 --> 00:18:48.919 They were kind of chomping on their sandwiches, 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.959 and here comes a whole crowd. 00:18:51.439 --> 00:18:53.559 Jesus had been pouring his heart into one woman. 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:55.279 Now comes the crowd. 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.439 You get it? 00:18:58.979 --> 00:19:00.019 And Jesus says, 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:00.459 guys, 00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:06.899 you're all about this little sprout of barley or wheat coming out of the ground, 00:19:06.899 --> 00:19:08.199 and you're all about four months, 00:19:08.199 --> 00:19:09.259 and let me tell you something. 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.059 You're missing it. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:11.839 Look! 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.759 Lift up your eyes. 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.919 And what do you see? 00:19:18.459 --> 00:19:22.500 You see the fields are white unto harvest. 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:24.519 Now stop and think with me just for a moment here. 00:19:25.219 --> 00:19:28.399 How many of you have ever seen wheat fields that are ready for harvest? 00:19:28.719 --> 00:19:29.079 Color? 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:29.879 What's the color? 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.199 White? 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:32.000 Huh? 00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:32.719 White? 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:34.000 No. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.039 No. 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.460 Barley? 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.019 Rye? 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:39.559 Corn? 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:44.620 When crops are ripe for harvest, 00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:46.440 they are not white. 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:49.360 What gets white? 00:19:50.820 --> 00:19:51.900 Nothing in the field. 00:19:52.340 --> 00:19:53.620 What was Jesus talking about? 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:58.620 Now this is where it helps you a little bit to know something about Samaritan culture. 00:19:58.779 --> 00:20:01.400 The Samaritans were really into wearing white. 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:02.680 Okay? 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:02.800 Okay? 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:09.560 And not only was that a color that was predominant on the Sabbath. 00:20:09.800 --> 00:20:13.500 I mean, if you were a Samaritan man on the Sabbath, you were white. 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.799 You had a white robe. 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.940 You had a white turban. 00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:17.519 You were white all over. 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.900 I mean, it was the thing to do. 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:24.220 And we don't know the day that Jesus stopped at the well there at Sychar. 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:28.839 But evidently, here comes this crowd of people to talk to Jesus. 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:31.859 And his disciples are all cut up in sandwiches. 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:34.140 And he says, hey, look around. 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:35.440 Look around. 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:37.740 The fields are white unto harvest. 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:42.559 And what he was talking about was the people that were right there in front of them. 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:44.660 And they were missing it. 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:48.519 You see, here's the fact. 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:52.420 The disciples were brain dead to the lost throng around them. 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.880 Has that been that way for you? 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.819 The disciples were brain dead. 00:20:58.519 --> 00:21:00.660 They were missing what was right there in front of them. 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:06.519 You know, when we take our eyes off of ourself 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:12.119 and we began really thinking about what God is doing in the lives of people around us. 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:17.339 And when we interact with the people that we have daily relationship with, 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:25.339 at the heart of our concern should be this unrelenting interest in their eternal destiny. 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:25.980 Is that right? 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:28.139 That's the way Jesus was. 00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:32.799 Here he was at the well taking a rest. 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:34.440 And a woman shows up. 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:36.440 And he immediately gets into the business. 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.579 Of where her soul was. 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:39.200 And where she would spend eternity. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:40.400 For all practical reasons. 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.799 Back come the disciples. 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:43.339 They're all wrapped up in sandwiches. 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:46.960 And Jesus says, hey, I'm not about food. 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:48.639 There's something else that really drives me. 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.480 And it's doing the work. 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:51.799 The work of the one that sent me, my father. 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:54.059 Interested in the souls of men. 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:58.480 And so here is Jesus as he is addressing the disciples. 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:03.920 He says, you know, don't go on with this thing about four months in the harvest. 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:05.039 Because let me tell you something. 00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:06.320 It's right here in front of you. 00:22:06.840 --> 00:22:08.080 It's right here in front of you. 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:14.880 And the business of seeing lost mankind come to Christ is supremely important. 00:22:15.840 --> 00:22:16.900 It really is. 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:19.700 And so here's a question you can ask yourself. 00:22:19.780 --> 00:22:21.660 And I want you to be very practical and think about it. 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:24.660 Are you all about the harvest? 00:22:26.060 --> 00:22:26.620 Truthfully. 00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:29.179 I'm not talking about the professional. 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:31.799 I'm talking about you personally. 00:22:31.959 --> 00:22:33.139 Are you all about the harvest? 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:35.779 Or are you at all about the harvest? 00:22:36.919 --> 00:22:42.239 Is that something that you think about on a regular basis that you're interested in? 00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:46.259 That you're looking for opportunities to be involved in? 00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:49.199 Or is it something that occasionally you get kind of tweaked at? 00:22:49.239 --> 00:22:51.579 And you think, well, I better share the gospel. 00:22:51.739 --> 00:22:53.099 Or what am I going to say at church? 00:22:53.159 --> 00:22:53.839 You know, that kind of thing. 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.519 No. 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.759 Where's your heart? 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.299 Where's your heart? 00:22:58.539 --> 00:23:02.759 I can't help but think about something I read earlier this week. 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:04.119 Actually, last week. 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:09.960 Franklin Graham, in an email that I get from him talking about witnessing, etc. 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:12.200 He shared the life of an individual. 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:13.740 I want to read just a little portion of it. 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:18.819 When you think about the opportunities that we have to see people come to Christ. 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:21.460 Andy Meekins and his wife were on an airplane. 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:22.700 They were seated together. 00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:25.500 And they were making a long journey. 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:32.599 Hijackers took over the airplane and demanded that the airplane be flown from where they had hijacked it. 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:35.160 Somewhere in Africa, I guess, over to Australia. 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:40.600 And they were advised by the pilot, we don't have enough gas to make it. 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.660 They said, go anyway. 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:48.480 And so, as they neared Coromos Islands near India, one engine flamed out. 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:55.059 And the pilot came over the intercom and he says, listen, folks. 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:59.000 I want you to know that we only have very little fuel left. 00:23:59.000 --> 00:24:07.880 And in just a short while, the other engine is going to be exhausted of its fuel and we are going to crash land in the ocean. 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:15.220 His wife heard his seatbelt click and he stood up. 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:25.600 And right there in the middle of that airplane in that very, very intense moment, he says, folks, I want you to understand that the probability is that many of us are going to die today. 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:28.400 And I want to talk to you about the thing that's most important. 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:33.800 And he shared the gospel briefly. 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:39.759 And there was a stewardess who survived. 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:43.660 125, I think of the 175 people died. 00:24:45.340 --> 00:24:49.400 A stewardess that survived says, I said, and she shared later. 00:24:49.400 --> 00:25:02.160 She said, as we were going towards the sea, I bowed my head and prayed and says, I happened to look around later and see several others that were praying. 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:15.820 Of the 175 people on that airplane, 125 died, including Andy, who was still on his feet preaching the gospel when the airplane hit the water. 00:25:17.320 --> 00:25:18.120 Do you understand that? 00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:19.739 Listen to me. 00:25:20.979 --> 00:25:23.079 Now is harvest time. 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:26.419 Now is harvest time. 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:30.639 And that's the point that Jesus was making to these disciples. 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:33.599 Well, there's a time that we can get around to maybe sharing the gospel. 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.419 No, now. 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:37.039 Now is the harvest time. 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:41.979 Let me have you think of a third point that we find here in the passage and just kind of pick up, if you will. 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.879 Here is Jesus as he's talking. 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:53.560 He says, listen, I want you to recognize that this business of harvesting, it gives you an opportunity that you may not realize. 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:54.580 Think about it. 00:25:55.440 --> 00:26:05.200 He says there in verse 36, already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:07.880 Let me tell you something. 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:17.800 Seeing people come to Christ is without question the most satisfying experience you will have. 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:19.680 Why is that? 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:25.720 Because it is something that you carry forward with you into eternity. 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:39.980 It's something that in the life to come, we will continue to rejoice in in a way that we cannot rejoice in anything else in this life. 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:54.620 I have watched over the years, many, many people in their early days spend a great deal of energy in acquiring stuff. 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:57.759 How many of you understand what I mean by stuff? 00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:58.839 Okay. 00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:08.179 And I've watched as people get older and older and sicker and sicker that their interest in stuff dissipates. 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:23.559 And all that they thought was important, their children are beginning to think when dad passes, when mom passes, I'm going to have a 40 foot roll off here and the rest of it goes to the dump. 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:24.599 Right. 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:28.419 You see, the truth of the matter is, is we don't take it with us. 00:27:29.439 --> 00:27:33.939 But the people who come to know Christ will be our companions in eternity. 00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:42.359 And here is Jesus telling us, listen, seeing people come to faith in Christ is a joy that lasts for all of eternity. 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:47.859 I want you to recognize another thing that we find here in the passage, just kind of pick up on if you will. 00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:49.299 It says this, 00:27:49.299 --> 00:28:06.579 What's he saying here? 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:17.859 The truth of the matter is, is that in most cases, seeing people saved is more often than not a team sport that plays out over time. 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:19.379 Do you realize that? 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:28.179 Many, many of the individuals that you have shared the gospel with did not make decisions at the time in which you spoke to them. 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:29.660 They weren't convicted. 00:28:30.120 --> 00:28:32.080 They weren't necessarily drawn to the cross. 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:37.140 And they may have ambled on down the road and you never had another opportunity to contact with them. 00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:45.900 And yet, time and time again, behind the scenes, afterwards, the Spirit of God has taken that which you have sown. 00:28:46.120 --> 00:28:48.539 And he has brought that individual to faith. 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:51.200 And somebody else was involved in the reaping. 00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:58.720 Many, many times as I've had opportunity to share the gospel with different individuals, 00:28:58.879 --> 00:29:03.139 I recognize at that moment that when people have come to faith, 00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:06.480 that there's been a great deal of background work done behind. 00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:11.460 Others, family members, people in church that individuals grew up with, 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:18.200 or someone who was a passing acquaintance dropped the seed of the gospel and it fell upon fertile soil, 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:19.400 but it grew over time. 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:23.160 And I just happened to be at the moment when the reaping took place. 00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:26.100 And Jesus says this. 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:28.039 He says, listen, you need to understand this. 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:31.340 It takes place over time. 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:33.480 It takes place over time. 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.759 And so here is Jesus. 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:39.059 He says, one sows and another reaps. 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:42.399 By the way, will there be reaping if there is no sowing? 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.200 And what's the answer? 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:46.279 Will there be reaping if there is no sowing? 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:50.839 And the truth of the matter is, you cannot have reaping unless there is sowing. 00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:57.119 And Jesus, when he spoke to his disciples, the truth of the matter is, 00:29:57.359 --> 00:30:05.139 is that at that moment, they did not get the priority and the significance of being involved in reaping. 00:30:05.179 --> 00:30:05.659 Isn't that right? 00:30:06.359 --> 00:30:07.319 What were they all about? 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:08.919 Sandwiches. 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.940 They were all about their belly. 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:14.419 They were all interested in what was in it for the moment. 00:30:14.419 --> 00:30:16.279 And yet, here's the sweet truth. 00:30:16.679 --> 00:30:21.559 As a result of being around Jesus, being around Jesus, being around Jesus, 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:29.079 their lives moved from being self-focused to being individuals who were interested in the harvest. 00:30:31.079 --> 00:30:31.859 Now, think with me. 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:38.979 What is a giveaway that you've spent time with Jesus? 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.980 Well, you're in church. 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:42.220 Well, you're in church. 00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:43.740 Well, that's nice. 00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:51.000 Well, you don't engage in the filthy five or the nasty nine or the dirty dozen. 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:51.599 Do you follow me? 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:53.539 I mean, you're just as pure as the wind-driven snow. 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:54.079 Is that right? 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:57.919 Here's one of the things I hope is really the case. 00:30:57.920 --> 00:31:07.340 As a result of your time with Jesus, you have a growing affection to see people come to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:13.639 The conversations that you have are about opportunities to eventually plant the seed. 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:19.279 How many of you realize that not every case in every moment is the right time to do the seed thing? 00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:19.779 Agreed? 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:22.960 Sometimes the soil has to be prepared over time. 00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:24.339 But here's my point. 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:29.980 When you have a heart that has been touched by the Savior himself, 00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:36.559 you grow to become a person who is interesting, scattering seed every opportunity you have. 00:31:40.920 --> 00:31:41.799 Listen to me. 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:55.220 I have no doubt that the coming generation here in America is going to know absolute difference in what persecution is. 00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:57.299 It's just a matter of time. 00:31:59.259 --> 00:32:02.379 My question to you, number one, 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:05.659 in that coming day, 00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:14.660 will your testimony for Christ be sufficient to draw other people to the cross? 00:32:17.100 --> 00:32:26.960 And your testimony for Christ will not be any more significant than your affection for him and your interest in him today. 00:32:27.080 --> 00:32:27.820 Does that make sense? 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:31.340 You're not going to be different in the future 00:32:31.340 --> 00:32:35.440 if you're not growing to be different in the present. 00:32:35.660 --> 00:32:41.160 And, beloved, I want to challenge you this morning as you look at this passage in John. 00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:45.120 We see what Jesus was like. 00:32:47.360 --> 00:32:51.500 He was motivated with a desire to see people come to Christ. 00:32:51.580 --> 00:32:52.000 That's one. 00:32:53.140 --> 00:32:57.600 Two, he saw the opportunity at the moment, and it wasn't something in the future. 00:32:57.980 --> 00:33:00.279 And so I want to challenge you as you think about your life. 00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:01.540 It's all about the moment. 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.720 You have opportunities. 00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:04.120 Every one of you. 00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:05.019 Don't kid yourself. 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:07.380 You've got opportunities. 00:33:08.560 --> 00:33:10.880 Most often, like the disciples, we're just missing them. 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:17.120 Number three, the truth of the matter is, is that God uses other people, 00:33:17.340 --> 00:33:19.980 and he expects you to be part of the other picture, 00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:25.360 so that the harvest involves sowing and reaping, 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:33.719 and those who are touched by the sweetness of Christ have lives that are affected by Jesus, 00:33:33.879 --> 00:33:37.439 and it shows up in their interest in the souls of lost mankind. 00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:38.680 So let me ask you a question. 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.820 Do you get it? 00:33:39.820 --> 00:33:43.900 Do you get it? 00:33:45.900 --> 00:33:47.400 Do you get it? 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:51.440 How will you know that you get it? 00:33:54.720 --> 00:34:02.840 The simple way will be when you lift up your eyes and see the harvest field and understand that's why Jesus came. 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:13.299 The simple way will be when you find pleasure and satisfaction in the simple process of sowing the seed, 00:34:14.299 --> 00:34:16.059 whether or not you reap the fruit. 00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:28.860 The simple evidence that you have been with Jesus will be your interest in the souls of lost mankind. 00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:30.460 Why? 00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:32.320 Remember what Jesus said? 00:34:34.200 --> 00:34:37.440 When he was explaining the purpose for which you'd come, he says, 00:34:37.559 --> 00:34:39.740 I have come to seek and to save, what? 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:41.519 That which is lost. 00:34:42.620 --> 00:34:46.420 And in John 17, he made this statement when he was praying for his disciples. 00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:52.680 He said, listen, Father, I am sending them out in the same manner in which you sent me. 00:34:53.660 --> 00:34:54.340 That's me. 00:34:55.140 --> 00:34:55.740 That's you. 00:34:56.780 --> 00:34:58.059 Let me close with this. 00:34:58.860 --> 00:35:07.280 I think one of the things that characterizes a church that is truly growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:16.059 is that the majority of the work that that church is doing in evangelism takes place outside, not inside. 00:35:17.140 --> 00:35:17.880 Do you follow that? 00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:24.599 You bump into people every day that desperately need Christ. 00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:33.199 And my encouragement and my passion is to see you here together grow in your affection for the Lord Jesus, 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:36.059 that you carry that virus out and you affect other people. 00:35:36.259 --> 00:35:37.279 You bump into them. 00:35:38.799 --> 00:35:40.059 I encourage you. 00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:46.539 Don't put your energy into bringing them here so the professional can deal with them, right? 00:35:46.539 --> 00:35:57.440 I want you to grow in your love for the Lord Jesus Christ so that that love just kind of radiates and touches people in the places where he has put you, 00:35:57.639 --> 00:36:01.400 that I don't get to go, Saul doesn't get to go, Andrew doesn't get to go. 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:02.320 You're there. 00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:03.599 Why? 00:36:04.279 --> 00:36:06.699 For the testimony and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:08.319 Let's close in prayer. 00:36:11.679 --> 00:36:17.000 Our gracious Father, this morning, as we consider the life of our Savior, we want to be like him. 00:36:18.699 --> 00:36:27.119 We want to be affected by the truth of what his heart was like so that when we leave this place this morning, 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:29.799 there is a resolute determination. 00:36:29.800 --> 00:36:37.280 Lord, work in me that I might have the same passion for lost mankind that Jesus had. 00:36:37.860 --> 00:36:47.120 Not just because my heart has been stirred to a certain level with emotion, but because I see Jesus and I want to be like him. 00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:54.300 And, Lord, we ask that you would do that, that you might be glorified here on earth as you are in heaven. 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:56.800 We ask this in your precious name. 00:36:57.140 --> 00:36:57.420 Amen.