The Sower and the Reaper(John 4:35-38)

The Sower and the Reaper (John 4:35-38)

 

We are here to share the grace of the 50th Jubilee and to write a new history for the next 50 years. You are history, and your service leaves marks on history. Today, we want to deeply meditate on God’s amazing love, grace, and His salvation plan. We also want to think together about how we can respond to the evangelistic work that God has begun and that mission.

 

“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God!”

 

This famous confession came from William Carey, a British cobbler. He was born into a poor family and was destined to work with shoes all his life. However, one day, a life-changing event occurred. At the age of 19, during a prayer meeting, he deeply accepted the words of Hebrews, “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured” (Hebrews 13:12-13). Through this verse, he repented of his lukewarm faith and resolved to suffer and bear reproach with Christ in a world that rejected Christ, thus starting evangelism and eventually earning the nickname “Father of Modern Missions.”

 

I. God’s Evangelistic Work

 

1.  God’s Initiative

God’s evangelism began from the beginning of creation. From the moment of creation, God loved us and wanted to be with us. However, when humanity’s sin severed the relationship with God, He did not leave us. Instead, God sought us out and opened the way of salvation. Genesis 3:9, “But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’”

 

In a certain village, there was a farmer who worked diligently every morning. One day, a great storm destroyed all his crops. Although he despaired, he rose again, started to cultivate his field anew, and eventually reaped a bountiful harvest. Similarly, God never gives up on us and always comes to restore our lives.

 

The beginning of restoration in a relationship is to take the first step. Human relationships are always entangled. Still, they need to be untangled. My wife always gives me tangled necklaces to untangle. Using two needles, I pry open the gaps, and they quickly untangle. Until now, there hasn’t been a necklace I couldn’t untangle. It’s not about finding the cause but about targeting the gaps. Human relationships are not resolved by examining every detail from A to Z. They untangle when love is given to the gaps. The difficult part of relationship evangelism is taking the first step. However, once you go, it gets easier. Though we might fear getting hurt more, God also came to us knowing He would be betrayed. Yet, restoration occurred.

 

2.  The Work of Jesus

The coming of Jesus is the climax of God’s evangelistic work. Jesus came to this earth and preached God’s love and the message of salvation. He healed the sick, freed the demon-possessed, forgave sinners, and sought and saved the lost. Everything Jesus did was evidence of how much God loves us. Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

 

II. Jesus’ Example of Evangelism

 

1.  Meeting the Samaritan Woman

Jesus’ life is a perfect example of evangelism. In John 4, we see Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman. Despite the hostility between Jews and Samaritans, Jesus talked with her. Knowing her life’s pain and wounds, He offered her the true living water. This act of love transformed her, and she became an amazing evangelist to her people. John 4:13-14, “Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”

 

If there are people you find difficult to approach due to preconceived notions, now is the time to reach out to them.

 

2.  Building Relationships

We can learn Jesus’ evangelistic methods from this story. Jesus empathized with people’s needs and pains and approached them according to their situations. He opened their hearts to accept the gospel. Likewise, we should listen to the needs and interests of those around us and build genuine relationships. Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.” Showing interest in others is the beginning of evangelism. It’s like giving water.

 

III. Our Calling and Responsibility

 

1.  The Mission of Evangelism

Dear believers, we are also called to participate in God’s evangelistic work like Jesus. Just as Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white for harvest” (John 4:35), there are no people who do not need oxygen, who do not need water, and who do not need the gospel around us. Just as our bodies need Jesus, so do our souls. They are wandering because they have not heard the news of salvation. We must approach them. Just as Jesus loved us, we should love them too. Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

 

A farmer worked diligently every morning. He sowed seeds, watered them, and waited patiently. Finally, he reaped a bountiful harvest. Like this farmer, we must sow the seeds of God’s Word, wait patiently, and water them, and God will make them grow.

 

2.  Help of the Holy Spirit

In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The Holy Spirit gives us the power for evangelism and helps our weaknesses. John 16:13, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” The Holy Spirit is our spiritual compass, guiding us on the right path.

3.  Living as an Example

Our lives should be a testimony to the gospel. Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Our words and actions should reflect Jesus’ love. We live before God and before people. We should be honest, kind, and treat those around us with love and consideration. When our lives reflect the gospel of Jesus, people will naturally accept the gospel. 1 Peter 2:12, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

 

IV. Application

 

1.  Prayer and Preparation

Prayer is the starting point of evangelism. We must ask God to give us opportunities for evangelism and prepare the hearts of those we meet to accept the gospel. Colossians 4:3, “Pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ.”

2.  Selecting and Praying for Targets

We should select our targets for evangelism and pray for them continuously. We should seek opportunities to share the gospel through our relationships with them. Targets of evangelism are not merely subjects but precious people to share God’s love with. It is our responsibility to pray for them, build sincere relationships with them, and share Jesus’ love.

3.  The Role of the Church Community

We must encourage each other and together practice the mission of evangelism. Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”

 

Conclusion

 

Dear believers, the evangelistic work that God began was completed through Jesus Christ. We have been given the mission to spread this gospel to the world. Through prayer, preparation, and living as examples, let us spread God’s love and practice the mission of evangelism together with the church community. There are many lost souls around us, wandering without finding the path of life or faith. If we pray, God will bring them to our minds, and if we seek them out, God will work. Remember, “Life’s wandering ends when you meet Jesus, and faith’s wandering ends when you come to Northern Virginia Presbyterian Church.”