Join us for our special UK Conference service as we sing, worship and learn from the scriptures together. Today’s message is titled “The Fields Are Ripe.
Worship is lead by teams from various sister churches.
Message Summary & Reflection
As the title would suggest to any evangelistic Christian, the message is urging us to engage with God’s work in the hearts of people to bring them into his close family. However, Shane’s message is not one of fire and brimstone or shouting and prodding, but a calm message which speaks to the heart about a task that we can do if we get up, stretch out our limbs and focus on God.
We see in the passage how Jesus redefines the terms of reference for society, he does things differently and changes our normal ways of life. Jesus shows us that we can and should mix with people that we don’t like or whom we consider outcasts. Jesus, hot and thirsty, ignores his worries and looks to love people and engage in conversation with them to find out about who they really are. Jesus has God’s purpose at the front of his mind and in all he does. We are reminded in the message to remember God’s promises and Shane uses a number of verses as an example to encourage us (Ephesians 2:6; Psalms 139; Psalms 103:12-13; Romans 8:1; Matthew 7:7).
Shane also reflects on the use of farming in Jesus’ stories, noting how this task that we can all relate to on some level is a vital one, necessary for survival but it is hard work. Not all the seeds will germinate or grow into an edible crop but time leads to a harvest. To do the work God has in mind for us can be hard work too, it can seem pointless but if we remember the love spent on us in our spiritual lives it ends up as a labour of love as we seek to do likewise for others.
Unseen by us, God is always at work preparing the soil and planting seeds. Thankfully he never gives up. Wherever we are, there is an opportunity for us to be his workers and be joyful in his harvest if we open our eyes and look with his eyes. Whatever the situation, the task or the effort involved, a person reunited with God and loving others is a joyful and wonderful thing to behold. Let’s be part of the harvest time and join the celebration.
Scriptures Shared In This Message
This message will focus on the scriptures featured below:
- John 4:27-38
- Ephesians 2:6
- Psalms 139
- Psalms 103:12-13
- Romans 8:1
- Matthew 7:7
