The Lord of the harvest

The Lord of the harvest

Preached by Jonty Allcock on Sunday, January 5, 2020

From the series Guest Speaker - Preaching

     I have got a question for you. What you are you asking God to do in 2020? What would you love God to do in 2020.

     Asking is what Christians do. To be a Christian means that you are a child of the creator of the universe. You get to call Him Father and therefore you get to ask him for things. So what are you asking him for.? One of the big mistakes we make as Christians, we fail  asking God for anything. I learnt this the hard way when we were young, I have 3 brothers. Once we had a visitor in, this wasn't very normal. but he was a fairly wealthy man from Jordan and he was travelling back to Jordan and coming back to England, he said what would you like me to  bring you. I was polite and I said: 'Can I just have a few sweets. My little brother who was less well-mannered said I want a remote-controlled car. We forgot all about it then he turned up. He gave me my sweets and then he gave my brother the biggest most extraordinary remote-controlled car I've ever seen.

I learnt an important lesson that day, You ask and what you ask for shows what you think of the person you ask.

Often the things we ask God for are about the things that affect us

In Matthew chapter 9:35-38 Jesus is going to teach us something something all of us should be asking for. 

Can you see Jesus is telling us what we should be asking God in 2020. It's in verse 37, 38

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

We should be asking in 2020 that there would be more workers to go in the labourers sent by God. What would it

What would it be for you 

To help bring it down, 3 ways

The idea of harvest.

The harvest is plentiful, the Lord of the harvest. What is he talking about? Why does he use this language

The Lord of the harvest

A rich biblical thing, it goes right through the bible. 

The bible is one story from beginning to end, the Bible is not random verses where you pick verses that's nice for you. 

it's the story of God and his work.

The idea of harvest

I'm not much of a farmer, and I get  I do remember occasionally doing a bit of There are two bits of harvesting, 1st bit is scattering, you scattering the seeds all over the place then you wait

and then the comes the exciting bit : the gathering bit

To be honest, the scattering is a bit boring

Scattering and harvesting this is what 

In the Bible, Jesus is talking about something bigger.When you hear the word scattered, that is a bad thing, 

To be scattered, it's to be under God's judgement, when people do something wrong, he scatters them.

To be gathered, is a good thing

When they rebelled against him, what did he do, he scattered them out of the Garden,  away from the Garden

in Genesis 11, humanity again rebells against God in a big way and it build a tower so that they can be gathered together.. in rebellion agasint God

It's very funny. 

We are going to make a name for ourselves

They are building a tower to reach the heavens

Are they doing something down there?'I can't see what they are doing it's very small

When God comes down and sees the rebellion, do you know what he does? he scatters them, that's His judgement, he sends them away. 

The story of the bible is how God from scattered people gathers them in the harvest. 

That's what the Bible is all about

We discover time and again that when people do things wrong, they are scattered.

There is an evil king of Israel called Ahab, and his days, one of the prophet said to Ahab I saw Israel  like sheep scattered without shepherd.

When there is something wrong, the people are scattered.

Turn to Ezechiel chapter 11, verse 17. Here is God speaking through Israel, 

“Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’

Here is God's great promise, that's God's judgement. Now in his coming, there is the time of gathering, not the time of scattering

that is what Jesus is referring to when he says the harvest is plentiful

Jesus as he is looking at Israel 

Matthew 9 verse 36

Do you see a people content or do you see like Jesus see them 

people who are like sheep without a shepherd. Do you know how they are, they are dead. For a little while, they could be happy, the reality is that if they haven't got a shepherd, they are in danger

As we walk through London

if we first see the need

He didn't walk through the world

There was a b

Jesus sees it

We pretend that everything is fine but it's not We live in a world 

because this world is a scattered world

There are millions of people scattered

The danger is

 that 

we've got to fix it

Can we fix it?

Bob the builder, can we fix it? No not really!

We just need better education, heathcare, 

a declaration 

we don't want 

The message in the bible is no you can't. 

v 38 Therefore do, fix, therefore pray why, 

Do you know what his Son come to do?

Right at the start of Matthew gospel, John the Baptist said..

his winnowing hand ..

Why does Jesus have to die in order to gather the harvest? I deserve to be scattered in hell but Jesus came to take the punishment in my place, he was forsaken by his people

This morning, do you know this Lord of the harvest

Those who refuse to be gathered, i will not be gathered by Jesus

broken, Jesus says Come to me, why don't you come 

There is no 

Only him 

There would be more 

Jesus is interested in labourers, he doesnt want fan, he doest not want 

He wants people 

He doesnt want customers, 

Jesus doesn

want volunteers, that is very different to a labourer

Labourers work

The normal experience 

How are you? I am tired. Exactly, that's what it's supposed to be like.

We are supposed to rest, you learn to rest.

Some of us need to be told: work

There are million people

how are they going to hear?

On this final day

It's our finest joy, 

He is looking for labourers

Other time I go to the supermarket, 

Saying to people about Jesus is the best thing ever

and sometimes we think that 

When I was visiting my penpal in the US at Chicago, Nora took me to 

Single dad CHH star reaches out to people lost in the streets!

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

You reign!

You Reign
Simon Brading

Though i walk upon ground

That is rugged and uneven Your faithful hand won't lead me astray
Through the rain and the clouds, Where the sun is barely shining Your grace surrounds my life everyday, everyday (x2)
You reign Yesterday today forevermore, forevermore You reign in every circumstance You are good, You are good
And You hold in Your hands Every star, the sun and moon Yet those hands are marred And wounded from nails.
Precious blood at the cross Was poured out for the nations And this love that drove salvation never fails Your love never fails

You reign Yesterday today forevermore, forevermore You reign in every circumstance You are good, You are good You rule the world You rule the world, You reign You are the name above all names The King above all kings, You reign.
You are good, You are good

Called and empowered!

Dear sisters and brothers, I share this video with you as I hope that Derek's message will encourage you 
Blessings and love
N.A.

Jeremiah 29 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

1 Peter 2:10 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Luke 12:32  ESV  “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Sunday 3 November 2019

Talk by Pastor Derek Chittick at Come and worship in the Salle Annexe
Civray 86000

Who was Obed-Edom ?

Obed-Edom 

servant of Edom.

"The Gittite" (probably so called because he was a native of Gath-rimmon), a Levite of the family of the Korhites ( 1 Chronicles 26:1 1 Chronicles 26:4-8 ), to whom was specially intrusted the custody of the ark ( 1 Chronicles 15:18 ). When David was bringing up the ark "from the house of Abinadab, that was in Gibeah" (probably some hill or eminence near Kirjath-jearim), and had reached Nachon's threshing-floor, he became afraid because of the "breach upon Uzzah," and carried it aside into the house of Obededom ( 2 Samuel 6:1-12 ). There it remained for six months, and was to him and his house the occasion of great blessing. David then removed it with great rejoicing to Jerusalem, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle he had pitched for it.

A Merarite Levite, a temple porter, who with his eight sons guarded the southern gate ( 1 Chronicles 15:18 1 Chronicles 15:21 ; 1 Chronicles 26:4 1 Chronicles 26:8 1 Chronicles 26:15 ).

One who had charge of the temple treasures ( 2 Chronicles 25:24 ).

Strive to enter through the narrow door..

24“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 

Luke 13:24

If you want to enter, you must unload! How narrow is the gate? What is in the basket in the context of Luke ch 13 ? It's sin. Sin is like a cat a door! 

Who was Gideon? find out!...

When God rescued his family from a nation called Midian, he did it through a guy named Gideon. At first, Gideon didn’t think he was strong enough to lead God’s people, but God gave him the strength and help he needed.
Gideon Defeats the Midianites

7 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3 Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

4 But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”

5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” 6 Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

7 The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.

Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. 9 During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10 If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. 12 The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.

13 Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.”

14 His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”

15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.” 16 Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.

17 “Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. 18 When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’”

19 Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. 20 The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” 21 While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.

22 When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. 23 Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. 24 Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.”

So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they seized the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah. 25 They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.

The Kingdom and repentance: lost and found!

News update July 2019

Dear friends and family in Christ, here are the latest news!

July's gone already and here is a new month.

Even though I'm retired now, time seems to go as fast as it used to go when I was teaching.
As I'm taking it easy, I haven't drawn a personal timetable yet. I think I should really!

The only pattern that does not change is the following
- delighting in bible reading in the morning
- praying together
- breakfast or brunch whenever
- afternoon, out with my hubby 

However I am easily distracted and will joyfully go on YouYube to listen to worship songs or messages. I am also reading an excellent book : Creating a culture of invitation in your church by Michael Harvey

Last week was a treat, Steven's sister Pauline visited us we enjoyed this special time. She came all the way from Wales.

My sister in law Pauline

We went to Angoulème, the comic strip capital, here are a few photos!

A painted post box

the market at Angouleme

An old poster for a photo festival

Today's verse: 

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord,

He is good;

His love to Israel endures for ever.

And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, 

because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 

But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, 

who had seen the former temple, 

wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid 

while many others shouted for joy

Ezra 3:11 - 12

At calvary!

A beautiful worship song 

Courtesy of Susan Tuck

Calvary

Thank you Lord, you bore the pain
You wore the crown, took all my shame
And thank you Lord, you died for me
Upon that cross at Calvary

Chorus
At Calvary, at Calvary
At Calvary, at Calvary
You took my sin and set me free
And now I live to worship thee

Thank you Lord, that I should know
The Son of God, Your Love to show
And thank you that you died for me
To set this lonely sinner free

Chorus

Risen Lord, eternal King
God’s only Son, above all things
I bow before Your heavenly throne
And seek Your kingdom, eternal home

Chorus

Let not the wise boast of their wisdom...

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)

23 This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom

    or the strong boast of their strength

    or the rich boast of their riches,

24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:

    that they have the understanding to know me,

that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,

    justice and righteousness on earth,

    for in these I delight,”

declares the Lord.

Obeying Christ!

2 Corinthians 10:5 New International Version (NIV)

5 We demolish arguments

 and 

every pretension 

that sets itself up

 against the knowledge of God,

 and 

we take captive

 every thought

 to make it obedient to Christ.

Dear friends, I hope that you are having a lovely day. It's very hot here in Civray (Vienne) as the forecast announced it. We've just had lunch and about to go for a walk at our friends'house to water their garden while they are away in Portugal. 

You may wonder why I have highlighted this verse in 2 Corinthians 10:5. Though I've had to check where it belonged, I keep my 'sanity' thanks to that verse. In effect, among the thousands thoughts that invade our conscious mind every day, quite a few are annoying and we must not dwell on them for fear or being dragged to the bottom of a pit. This verse gives us authority to counteract the plan of the evil one so we can stay on the narrow path and listen to the Holy Spirt without being either distracted or dejected. Does it happen to you sometimes? We must be ready to 'analyse' 'every thought' and decide it they are contrary to the will of God and get rid of them with the help of the Holy Spirit who is by our side! All glory to our Lord who cares for us and whose love is unfathomable! 

No other name...

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men in which we must be saved.

 Acts 4: 12

17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

Romans 5:17

Franciscan prayer of discomfort

May God bless you with discomfort at eay answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless  you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed  for those who suffer with rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference  in the world so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
And the blessing of God who creates, redeems and sanctified be upon you and and all you love and pray for, this day and for ever.
In the name of Jesus Amen!