John 4:34-38 Sowing & Reaping

This session does call for real discernment. This is based on my personal study and my own interpretation. I pray I don’t lead no one astray doing these lessons. I am here just to encourage the people on the word of God and strengthen His people. All I ask from you if to test (exam) everything I say to you with your own personal study of the Scriptures and also pray that you will gain the truth, wisdom from the Lord.

This I am about to share is something I noticed that has made some people feel weak in their faith. I have been praying and asking the Lord to help me encourage His people on this matter. I don’t like how this has divided many Christians today, and the Lord reminded me about a Scripture in the New Testament. The Scripture is from (Luke 12:51) [KJV]Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: [NASB] Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; [SBL] δοκεῖτε ὅτι εἰρήνην παρεγενόμην δοῦναι ἐν τῇ γῇ; οὐχί, λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀλλ’ ἢ διαμερισμόν..

So, I am going to be honest with you all, I have a problem when I hear someone talking about how a person is weak in their faith if they don’t spread the gospel. I am here today, to correct those people with brotherly/sisterly love. Also, asking these people to quit judging and tearing down the people who God has called for other roles. See, the Bible teaches that all Believers are called to live as witnesses and make disciples, but not all are given the some ministry role, spiritual gifts, or public responsibility in proclaiming the gospel. See Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:28-30, Ephesians 4:7-13, James 3:1, and 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. These verses are just a few to mention.

This session is coming from the Book of John chapter 4 when Jesus had met a Samaritan woman at a well. So, I am going over some of the stuff what Jesus had spoken to her.

I. The Fields Are Ready

(John 4:35) [KJV] Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. [NASB] Do you not say, ‘There are still four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields, that they are white for harvest. [NKJV] Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! ** [SBL] οὐχ ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι Ἔτι τετράμηνός ἐστιν καὶ ὁ θερισμὸς ἔρχεται; ἰδοὺ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐπάρατε τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ὑμῶν καὶ θεάσασθε τὰς χώρας ὅτι λευκαί εἰσιν πρὸς θερισμόν· ἤδη

There are always people searching for hope, truth, forgiveness, and salvation. We must look beyond the appearance, background, and prejudice. There are those who seem to always be searching to judge a person character before they even get to know the person. However, here we see a harvest (a gathering of believers). We see all throughout the Scriptures that God mentions about separating sheep from the goats (believers from the unbelievers),

Application for our Lives to Consider

1. See people as souls, not interruptions.

2. Pray for discernment to recognize opportunities

3. Do not assume that someone is unreachable

II. The Sower Must Work Faithfully

Sowing involves proclaiming God’s Word and sharing the gospel. For examples, pastors and teachers.

The Sower is responsible for faithfulness, not for controlling the results. The Sower might sometimes feel that the efforts seem to be worthless because of the negative responses. However, they have to continually remind themselves that through Jesus, the message you give will most likely plant a seed in the person who is receiving, and that Jesus, Himself only, can take that seed and make it grow quickly or sometimes over a period of time. It is not in the control of the Sower who accepts the message they proclaim. Some seeds may appear forgotten, but God can use them later. Every act of obedience matters.

(1Cor 3:7) [KJV] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [NKJV] So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. [SBL] ὥστε οὔτε ὁ φυτεύων ἐστίν τι οὔτε ὁ ποτίζων, ἀλλ’ ὁ αὐξάνων θεός.

Now we all know that Jesus Christ is the head Sower of them all. He uses His people to plant seeds throughout the world. We also see in Scriptures that one day they will be a time when the largest harvest that have never been seen before at the end of the age . At this time that is when to God tells His angels to gather the harvest (His people) to be with Him in the clouds. We see this throughout several Books of the Bible, but I probably say that most likely you probably hear it the most from people talking or even your own study of the Book of Revelation.

Application for our Lives to Consider

1. Sow through preaching, teaching, testimony, kindness, and prayer.

2. Speak the truth with love.

3. Do not become discourage when results are not immediate.

III. The Reaper Shares in Another’s Labor

(John 4:37) [KJV] And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. [NKJV] For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ [SBL] ἐν γὰρ τούτῳ ὁ λόγος ἐστὶν ἀληθινὸς ὅτι Ἄλλος ἐστὶν ὁ σπείρων καὶ ἄλλος ὁ θερίζων·

See, no servant of God accomplishes God’s work alone. One person may pray, another may teach, and another may lead someone to faith. Their are people who are called just as prayer warriors while others are teachers or leaders who bring a person to the faith.

Now, even though the reaper being the one who isn’t the main person bringing others to the faith, they must remain humble because the harvest (gathering of believers) often rests on seeds that are planted by the Sowers (Spiritual leaders, Pastors, or even some Teachers for examples).

**Reaps/reapeth meaning in Greek

θεριζω ther-id'-zo

1) to reap, harvest

2) proverbial expression for sowing and reaping

3) cut off, destroy

3a) as crops are cut down with a sickle

Origin: from 2330 (in the sense of the crop); to harvest: – reap. G2330

Use: Verb

Application for our Lives to Consider

1. Give thanks for those who influenced your faith.

2. Cooperate rather than compete in ministry.

3. Celebrate every genuine spiritual victory, even when someone else receives recognition.

IV. God Rewards Faithful Labor

(John 4:36) [KJV] And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. [NKJV] And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. [SBL] ὁ θερίζων μισθὸν λαμβάνει καὶ συνάγει καρπὸν εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον, ἵνα ὁ σπείρων ὁμοῦ χαίρῃ καὶ ὁ θερίζων.

God sees labor that people overlook all the time. Now the reward is not merely an earthly success but it is an eternal fruit. Souls brought to Christ are of lasting value. Faithfulness will be honored, even when the results are visibly small.

(Gal 6:9) [KJV] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. [NKJV] And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. [SBL] τὸ δὲ καλὸν ποιοῦντες μὴ ἐγκακῶμεν, καιρῷ γὰρ ἰδίῳ θερίσομεν μὴ ἐκλυόμενοι.

V. The Time to Work is Now

Jesus warned us against waiting for a more convenient season in our lives. I remind myself daily of the verse (Prov 24:33) [KJV] Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: ** [NKJV] A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest. Now I am going to use the Message bible translation because to me it dumb it down so perfectly. [MSG] “A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?”

Opportunities may be temporary. The church must not become distracted while people are spiritually searching. The gospel is urgent because life is uncertain and eternity is real.

Application for our Lives to Consider

1. Share Christ while the opportunity is present.

2. Reconcile with the purpose God has given you.

3. Begin with the people and circumstances (experiences you have been through) that is already around you.



Conclusion

The Sower teaches us faithfulness.

The reaper teaches us gratitude and humility.

The harvest teaches us urgency.

God alone gives the increase, but He calls us to labor with Him.



Finally, I would like to ask everyone to participate in a challenge I have for us. Ask ourselves these 4 questions.

1. Am I sowing the Word of God?

2. Am I recognizing the spiritual needs around me?

3. Am I willing to reap where others have sown?

4. Am I trusting God with the results?



Final thought of the day: We may not always see the harvest, but every faithful seed placed in God’s hands has eternal potential.