Different Seasons: Part 3 - 'A Season To Reap'

This Sunday, Rob Lea brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC Online services. Once you have watched the video, we encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.

To listen to the talk click here.

Readings:

Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verses 1-8

A time for everything
3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
²         a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

Luke chapter 10 verses 1 to 3

‘After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go, on your way!’




Prayer & Reflection

Lord God, thank you that we can be involved with you in building your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus told us to pray for more people to get involved in kingdom building activities, and we do that now. Please send more labourers to help us to share the good news of Jesus Christ and please help us to be effective members of the harvest labour force.

Lord forgive us for those times when we stop sharing the good news because we assume that a person can’t be reached and transformed by Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

We know that whether we are involved in preparing the ground sowing or reaping, that will depend on what you are doing in an individual’s life, and our willingness to be used by you. So, Lord, we pray for a willing spirit to enable us to serve your purpose, and we ask this in Jesus name.

AMEN




Questions to Consider:

1. Do you agree that all spiritual renewal begins and ends with God?
2. What is your reaction when you hear someone preaching ‘on the streets’? Do you feel embarrassed, or uncomfortable, or perhaps you think they’re wasting their time? If you do, why do you feel that way?
3. In Luke’s account of Jesus’ life (10:2) we are told that “The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go.’ Why do you think that Jesus sent people to where he intended to go?
4. What specific examples can you think of that could be described as reaping?
5. Can you think of any examples that clearly illustrate God’s perfect timing? In particular, any personal examples?
6. What is your response to the challenge to pray regularly and intentionally for more ‘harvest labourers? 
7. Have you started a conversation recently about your faith, EBC activities, Jesus, God? What stops you from starting a conversation? Will you take up the challenge?