Lord Of The Harvest

T Ernest Wilson50 minMatthew 9:35-38Sep 4, 1965

Overview

The spiritual harvest is vast, and the laborers are few, as Jesus commissions his disciples in Matthew 9. Jesus demonstrates compassion for the multitudes, likening them to sheep without a shepherd, and instructs them to pray for more workers. The sermon outlines principles for carrying out God's work: the sovereign choice of laborers, compatibility and simplicity in ministry, courtesy and practical wisdom, and fidelity to Christ above all. It concludes by highlighting the gracious hospitality shown to those who serve God and the Lord of the Harvest's promise of reward for faithful service.

Restored with Diffio

Audio restored with Diffio. Diffio processed the original archive recording to reduce noise and produce a cleaner listening version; the original stays available.

Speech quality score (model-estimated, SCOREQ): before 2.65 → restored 3.99

Use the player's Original switch to compare.How Diffio restores old speech recordings

We shall read together in the Gospel by Matthew chapter nine. The Gospel according to Matthew chapter nine. We'll read from verse thirty-five. Matthew chapter nine, verse thirty-five. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and hitting every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted and were scattered

and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted and were scattered abroad, a sheep having no shepherd. Then said he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labors are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth Leopards into his harvest. What you do not is that title of the Lord here, the Lord of the harvest. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth Leopards into his harvest.

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against all

that he will send forth Leopards into his harvest. And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against all clean spirits to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother. James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother. Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew, the publican. James, the son of Alphaeus, and Glebius, whose surname was Thaddeus.

Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth

surname was Thaddeus. Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans, enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Now further down the chapter. Verse thirty-seven. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

He that findeth his life

is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it. And he that loses his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me. And he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, for I say

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, for I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. We have been looking at various passages in the New Testament that deal with the Lordship of Christ. The first passage we were looking at is in John chapter thirteen, the teaching of the Lord himself to the disciples how they should address him. In John chapter thirteen he told them, he said, ye call me master and Lord, and ye say, well, for so I am.

If I then, your Lord and master, have washed your feet, ye

he said, ye call me master and Lord, and ye say, well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. We were speaking there about the individual in his relation to the Lord and the way he should address him. There are many things about this that I would love to have taken time to speak about, but again I want to emphasize the fact that this was a lesson that the Apostles never, they never forgot. There was only one man among the Apostles who never called him Lord, and that was Judas.

If you take the trouble to examine the Word of God and how Judas addressed the Lord, he never called him Lord.

who never called him Lord, and that was Judas. If you take the trouble to examine the Word of God and how Judas addressed the Lord, he never called him Lord. You remember in the Garden of Gethsemane, he called him rabbi. And he called him that term twice, rabbi, rabbi. And it was a term that he called him rabbi too, while he sat at the Passover table. But he never, never at any time did he call him Lord. I think that that is very significant. He called him master, but he never took that term upon his lips.

The significant thing in the teaching of the New Testament concerning the demons. These agents of Satan that are so working

his lips. The significant thing in the teaching of the New Testament concerning the demons. These agents of Satan that are so working today in every part of the world, they never called him Lord. On two occasions we'll read about them calling him the Son of God. They knew who he was and they called him the Son of God. And on another occasion they called him the Holy One of God. But the demons, on the devil himself, they never called him Lord. It was a term they never took upon their lips.

You remember in Acts chapter nineteen read about certain exorcists, vagabond Jews. And you remember when Paul was doing that mighty work done at Ephesus, you remember

read about certain exorcists, vagabond Jews. And you remember when Paul was doing that mighty work done at Ephesus, you remember that they attempted to do what the Apostle Paul had been doing, that is casting out demons. But the demons, and speaking to these exorcists, they said this, Jesus we know, and Paul we know, but who are you? They call them the term Jesus, but they never call them the Lord. Now again, beloved friends, this afternoon I do want to emphasize the fact that in our personal relationships to the Lord, we should take that position and we should give him his title of Lord.

This is our personal relationship with him. Now yesterday evening we were speaking about the Lordship

should take that position and we should give him his title of Lord. This is our personal relationship with him. Now yesterday evening we were speaking about the Lordship of Christ in our collective capacity as churches of God. There are many things there again I'd love to have spoken about, but for the take of time we just had to prepare. But again, I want to point out that anyone who wants to carry out New Testament principles, the very first thing that he needs to recognize in relationship to the Lord in our church testimony is what position do we give him.

He's preeminent, we gather in his name. That little verse in Matthew eighteen

testimony is what position do we give him. He's preeminent, we gather in his name. That little verse in Matthew eighteen has been quoted a number of times at our conference, for for two or three are gathered together, in my name there am I in the midst of them. I believe that that word is the Magna Carta of the local church. It's the definition of the Lord Jesus himself of the local church. In Matthew chapter sixteen it is the universal church, the church which is his body, the invisible church.

But in Matthew chapter eighteen twice again we get the ecclesia, and in both cases it is the local visible outward testimony. to

But in Matthew chapter eighteen twice again we get the ecclesia, and in both cases it is the local visible outward testimony. to the universal church. There we get the local church. Now the first thing that we need to recognize is, where do we place him? Is he Lord in our local assembly testimony? Do we gather in his name or do we gather in some other name? We must give Christ his position as Lord in the midst of the golden candlestick. What I want to do this afternoon is to speak about him as the Lord of the harvest.

and I want to speak about him in this relation to the work of God. That is, the relationship

is to speak about him as the Lord of the harvest. and I want to speak about him in this relation to the work of God. That is, the relationship of the servant to his Lord in carrying on the work of God today. Now, I'm perfectly aware of the fact that immediately one would read a passage like Matthew chapter ten, somebody will raise their eyebrows and say, does that man not know anything at all about dispensational truth? And there are some people who would want to rule out completely the application of Matthew chapter ten to the present time.

Now do let me say that I do recognize that there is such a thing as dispensational truth. I believe that any careful student of the

time. Now do let me say that I do recognize that there is such a thing as dispensational truth. I believe that any careful student of the Word of God has to take that into account under certain passages of the New Testament and the Old Testament too that deal with the people of Israel, the deal with the Jew. And I think that we have to recognize that. I believe with all my heart that the God's chosen people the man who is chosen by God in Genesis chapter twelve, that is Abraham.

On the promises and covenants that were made to him, and then to David, I believe that those covenants and promises will be completely fulfilled. I believe that God has a glorious future for

to him, and then to David, I believe that those covenants and promises will be completely fulfilled. I believe that God has a glorious future for the people of Israel. I was brought up with a Presbyterian background. My grandmother and my grandfather... and all my ancestors for generations banked were covenanting Presbyterians. Now I honor their memory. I can think of my early days when I was a child being taken on my grandmother's knee and being taught the Twenty-third Psalm.

I revere the memory of those godly people. But you know they didn't believe in any future for Israel at all. They believed in what they called covenant theology.

I revere the memory of those godly people. But you know they didn't believe in any future for Israel at all. They believed in what they called covenant theology. And I believe that all the promises and covenants in the Old Testament scriptures that they're completely fulfilled in the church today, and we are the legal heir of all the covenants and promises that were made to the people of Israel in the Old Testament. Some of the old Bibles that we used to use, and certainly the Bible that I used when I was a boy, in turning over to the Old Testament, wherever there was a curse, it was applied to the Jews.

But wherever there was a blessing, it was applied to the church, applied to the people of God. Now that is a perfectly illegitimate way of treating God's word.

But wherever there was a blessing, it was applied to the church, applied to the people of God. Now that is a perfectly illegitimate way of treating God's word. When promises and covenants were made to the people of Israel in the Old Testament, they will be fulfilled. And I think that anyone who would read intelligently, Romans chapters nine and ten and eleven, have God cast away his people whom he foreknew? God forbade. They will be fulfilled in the coming day, and we must recognize the dispensational application of the Word of God.

God has a future for the people of Israel and they will be completely fulfilled. We do recognize the dispensational application of the Word of God. Now, while that

a future for the people of Israel and they will be completely fulfilled. We do recognize the dispensational application of the Word of God. Now, while that is true, at the same time, when we look at these passages of the Word of God, I believe they have a primary and maybe a secondary and maybe a third application. And certainly the passages that we have read together, anyone who would read it carefully would notice that immediately it has an application to the apostles that the Lord sent out.

Now, that's obvious. It has an application to them. And I believe that, secondly, it will have application to kingdom preachers in the coming days. Our brother McGee has pointed out the fact

And I believe that, secondly, it will have application to kingdom preachers in the coming days. Our brother McGee has pointed out the fact that after the church is gone, God will take up the people of Israel again. And the one hundred and forty-four thousand will go out preaching the gospel of the kingdom. There are certain people in Christians today who claim to be the hundred and forty-four thousand. Anytime any of them come to my door and knock the door and they want to hand in some literature, they put their door on the door and they want to hand in some literature, I generally say, who are you?

And I make them declare themselves right away. Who do you belong to? Who are you? And they say, well, you know, we're

I generally say, who are you? And I make them declare themselves right away. Who do you belong to? Who are you? And they say, well, you know, we're Jehovah Witnesses and I say, are you one of the hundred and forty-four thousand? Well, I hope to be. And I said, well, what tribe do you belong to? Do you belong to the tribe of Benjamin or the tribe of Judah or the tribe of Nestle? What tribe do you belong to? And I looked at me as if I were crazy. The word of God, it tells me that the hundred and forty-four thousand in the book of Revelation, in Revelation chapter seven and Revelation chapter fourteen, every single one of them is a Jew.

And it's the stamp of God upon him. It's the seal of God upon him.

in Revelation chapter seven and Revelation chapter fourteen, every single one of them is a Jew. And it's the stamp of God upon him. It's the seal of God upon him. and it will forth preaching the gospel of the kingdom. And these poor, silly people today that are wandering around with their little sleeves, they have it off by heart, trying to claim to be the one hundred and forty-four thousand, they're just all confused and they're all completely mixed up. We find them everywhere today, but God will have a testimony, and that day these kingdom preachers will go forth preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and as it has already been pointed out, they will be able to speak in tongues, and they'll take the gospel to earth's remotest bonds, and there will be a

the gospel of the kingdom, and as it has already been pointed out, they will be able to speak in tongues, and they'll take the gospel to earth's remotest bonds, and there will be a mighty end-gathering at that time. But remember this, it only will be those that have never heard the gospel today. Don't go away with the idea that we would want to teach or want to try to bring out from the Word of God that those that hear the gospel today will have a second chance after the church is gone.

The Word of God tells me in Second Thessalonians chapter two, that those who have heard the gospel today, that understand it, and have refused it, that have neglected the gospel of the grace of God today, when the church is gone, they will be sent

today, that understand it, and have refused it, that have neglected the gospel of the grace of God today, when the church is gone, they will be sent with strong delusion, and they will believe the lie, that they all might be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Don't go away with the idea that there will be any second chance of salvation for those that have heard the gospel today. So that Matthew chapter ten, I believe, primarily has an application to the Apostle.

That's obvious. I believe it has a secondary application to those kingdom preachers in the coming day that will go forth preaching the gospel of the kingdom. But their general principles here,

it has a secondary application to those kingdom preachers in the coming day that will go forth preaching the gospel of the kingdom. But their general principles here, I believe, that refer to you and to me. And I want to speak about them here this afternoon. The one I want to speak about more particularly is the Lord of the harvest. on how he taught his disciples how the work of God should be carried on, on whether it was an apostolic day, or whether it was in future kingdom days, or in the present day the principles remain the same, and we get them right on the surface of the passage that we have read together.

Now I want you to notice a lovely little introduction here to the passage. The Lord Jesus here, he sees

that we have read together. Now I want you to notice a lovely little introduction here to the passage. The Lord Jesus here, he sees a vision of tremendous need. We get, first of all, a vision of need. And then secondly, we get a burden of prayer. And then thirdly, we get an enabling call. And the little introduction to the passage, we get these three things right at the commencement. Now, often in missionary meetings, these things have been pointed out. I'm not going to labor them.

I'm not going to dwell upon them. Although any man who has been a missionary all his life would love to do that and to emphasize them and to labor them. But I just want to point them out. The first thing is the vision of me.

Although any man who has been a missionary all his life would love to do that and to emphasize them and to labor them. But I just want to point them out. The first thing is the vision of me. You know, beloved friends, here this afternoon, the world in which we live today is a needy world. Right here in this land, right here in Minnesota, the place of the open Bible. And by the way, I was delighted with the atmosphere that I found when I came here at the Minnesota the other day.

We turned on the radio in the car. The first thing we heard were some beautiful, beautiful gospel hymns. a clear presentation of the gospel over the radio here in this land. I was absolutely delighted. We come from a part of the country where we don't hear that kind of

a clear presentation of the gospel over the radio here in this land. I was absolutely delighted. We come from a part of the country where we don't hear that kind of thing. There are other things that are proclaimed over the radio, but it's not God's gospel. All kinds of heretical teaching. And we do thank God for the atmosphere that there is in this section of the country. But I believe that right here, and in every part of the United States today, there's a tremendous need for the gospel of the grace of God.

Don't think for one minute you have to go to the middle of Africa or have to go out to the Pacific or go down to those dark lands in South America today to find peace. You'll find it right at your own doorstep. And I haven't got any sympathy at all with

or go down to those dark lands in South America today to find peace. You'll find it right at your own doorstep. And I haven't got any sympathy at all with men who would get up upon a platform and give excited appeals for people to go six thousand miles away that have never given the gospel to the people at their own door. I remember when I was a boy, exercise about going out to Central Africa with the gospel. I got down upon my knees and asked God to open my way to go out to Africa.

And it just hit me right between the eyes. I believe it was a message from God. I was sitting on my knees beside my bed with my two elbows on the coverlet and it hit me right between the eyes. What

from God. I was sitting on my knees beside my bed with my two elbows on the coverlet and it hit me right between the eyes. What about the old woman next door? What about her? We had an old woman there that was just well she was just as heathen as any hot and hot in the middle of Africa she had a tongue like a razor and you know I hated it going facing but every time I got down on my knees to pray I had seen the vision of need but when I got down to pray I felt I couldn't go any further if I couldn't go and take the gospel to the woman next door and one day very trembling I got up on my knee and I went down opened

the gospel to the woman next door and one day very trembling I got up on my knee and I went down opened the door went round a little garden and I knocked the door and I must confess that when I heard her feet coming down the hall I could feel my heart thumping against my ribs. I've met lions in Africa and we've met wild men over there in Africa with spears in their hand but I don't think I ever was more frightened in my life that when I was standing there at that old lady's door waiting for her to come.

And finally she opened the door and she looked at me and says, What do you want? Well I said, Mrs. so-and-so. I think that the Lord has sent me out to preach the gospel to the healer. I feel I would just be a

door and she looked at me and says, What do you want? Well I said, Mrs. so-and-so. I think that the Lord has sent me out to preach the gospel to the healer. I feel I would just be a hypocrite unless I could start right at my own door. And she started a laugh. And you could see her face melting. And finally she said, well, if it gives you any satisfaction, just go ahead. I haven't the slightest idea of what I said. It certainly wasn't a very connected sermon. And it wasn't any deep theology about it at all.

But I just stood with my heart thumping against my ribs. and I told her how God had saved me and how he could save her. You know, God, he gives us a vision of need, but I think that it must start right at our own fire sign, right at our own

saved me and how he could save her. You know, God, he gives us a vision of need, but I think that it must start right at our own fire sign, right at our own front door. And if we start there, then the Lord will take us a little further on. The first thing we get here is a vision of need. When he saw the multitude, he was moved with compassion. And then he said this, pray ye the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. First of all, there's a vision, the vision of need.

And then secondly, there's a burden of prayer. Mind you, when a person prays about the need that he sees, it's rather a dangerous thing. Because generally the man who begins to pray is

Mind you, when a person prays about the need that he sees, it's rather a dangerous thing. Because generally the man who begins to pray is he is the man that the Lord lays his hands upon. But this is the introduction to the chapter. Now I want to speak about half a dozen principles that we find in the chapter itself. concerning the great harvest seed. The principles that the Lord lays down here in sending out his disciples, I do believe, apply to the present time. Did you ever notice the three signs that the Lord commissioned his disciples and instructed them before them went out to do his work in the harvest seed?

Here he sends forth twelve men, the twelve apostles. And then

before them went out to do his work in the harvest seed? Here he sends forth twelve men, the twelve apostles. And then a little later on, after he had completed the Galilean ministry, he went over to Periyah. There were about two and a half years of ministry in Galilee with the center of Capernaum. Capernaum was the center, and from that center he evangelized. And then, for about six months, he crossed the border of the Jordan into Transjordania, into Periyah, and there he evangelized.

And before he went into Periyah, again he called seventy men. First of all twelve men. were associated with Christ in his Galilean

And before he went into Periyah, again he called seventy men. First of all twelve men. were associated with Christ in his Galilean ministry, and before he went into Perea, during that last six months of his testimony, of his public service here below, he called seventy men, and he sent them over there into every place and city and village where he himself would come. It was the second time that the Lord sent and commissioned and instructed his disciples. If you care to read Luke chapter ten, you'll get the instructions that were given to the seventy, and to practically repeat the instructions that we get here.

And then, thirdly, at the end of his life, after the Lord Jesus had died upon the cross, upon the mountaintop

repeat the instructions that we get here. And then, thirdly, at the end of his life, after the Lord Jesus had died upon the cross, upon the mountaintop in Galilee, with his band of disciples around them, and just before the ascension, before he went back to heaven, again he commissioned them. And he said, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them. into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

And, lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the age." There's a threefold commissioning of disciples. And when we look at them and compare them, we get a tremendous body of teaching of how we should conduct the work of God today.

commissioning of disciples. And when we look at them and compare them, we get a tremendous body of teaching of how we should conduct the work of God today. Now, the reason why this has been led upon my heart is this. In recent days, one after another of God's honored servants here in North America has been taken home to heaven. This one brother that I had very intimate fellowship with over a period of years, living over in Ontario, I'm referring to her beloved brother, Tom Wilkes.

I knew him intimately and well, a beloved brother. I never was in his company, but I didn't receive a blessing from him. And quite recently God has taken his home. The other

a beloved brother. I never was in his company, but I didn't receive a blessing from him. And quite recently God has taken his home. The other night we mentioned another brother that ministered the word here in North America for many years. Our dear brother, Leonard Sheldra and he's gone home too. When I was a boy and younger in life even moving around in this country, there were men at that time who ministered the Word of God. I remember being at the Detroit Conference in nineteen thirty and sitting up on the platform there were some old patriarchs and their very memories of benediction.

Remember Mr. W. J. McClure and Mr. George Gould, Mr.

and their very memories of benediction. Remember Mr. W. J. McClure and Mr. George Gould, Mr. T. D. W. Muir. and alongside of him was Mr. C.W. Ross. Those were the four men that sat on the front of the platform at that time, and they're very memory on their ministry as a benediction today. They've gone home to heaven. And then there are other men. I don't want to take time mentioning their names. Honored servants of God here in this country, they have fulfilled their course, and God has taken them home.

And sometimes we wonder, where are the men coming from? to fill their shoes, to minister the word and to preach the gospel in this land. Beloved

has taken them home. And sometimes we wonder, where are the men coming from? to fill their shoes, to minister the word and to preach the gospel in this land. Beloved friends, we're completely dependent upon God. We have to get down upon our needs before God and be exercised about this matter of a needy harvest field and the principles connected with it. We get it right here in this passage. The vision of need and then the burden of prayer and then the enabling call. Now there's one thing I would like to say about a call.

It's it. To some people today, I've heard missionary enthusiasts, and by the way, I'm one of them. I'm a missionary enthusiast, but I've heard some of my good friends standing up on a platform

today, I've heard missionary enthusiasts, and by the way, I'm one of them. I'm a missionary enthusiast, but I've heard some of my good friends standing up on a platform and pleading with young people to go out to the mission field. And I've heard it said publicly a number of times that the only call that you need is the call that we get in Matthew chapter twenty eight. Now do let me say, beloved friend, without wanting to be contradictory or controversial, I do not believe that.

I don't believe it at all. As far as I'm concerned, the time that God laid his hand upon me and saved me, it was a wonderful, wonderful experience that I'll never forget. I never forget the night that God awakened me about my sins and led me to it himself.

saved me, it was a wonderful, wonderful experience that I'll never forget. I never forget the night that God awakened me about my sins and led me to it himself. It was an experience that will remain with me, I believe, throughout eternity. And I can also look back to the time when God laid his hand upon me and spoke to me about what I should do with my life. It was just an experience that was just as real as conversion. And I believe that it will remain with me through eternity too.

I don't believe that any man should go six thousand miles away or to a foreign country to preach the gospel or even out into the work of the Lord here at home unless he has definite experiences with God. Unless God lays his hand upon him

to a foreign country to preach the gospel or even out into the work of the Lord here at home unless he has definite experiences with God. Unless God lays his hand upon him individually and takes him into the secret place and calls him to do a specific work. He's far, far better just staying right where he is until that happens. I believe that this is a definite experience. It's an individual experience. On the individual call to a specific work, it's only God himself can do it.

Many a time in moving around among the assemblies, we have seen intelligent young men and young women, and our heart goes out through them. As far as business is concerned, well, they have everything. Sometimes with a college education.

young women, and our heart goes out through them. As far as business is concerned, well, they have everything. Sometimes with a college education. and degrees after their name, intelligent and spiritual, they know the word of God. They have a wonderful background. And many a time I would feel like sitting down beside them and putting my armor around their shoulders and say, Brother, you're the very man to go to Ethiopia. You're the very man to go over to Zambia. You're the very man to go down to Brazil to preach the gospel.

I would love to do that. But you know, it's a dangerous thing to do. I never would do anything of the kind. It's only God himself can call a man and fit him and send him and sustain him over a lifetime of

thing to do. I never would do anything of the kind. It's only God himself can call a man and fit him and send him and sustain him over a lifetime of service for himself. It's a very solemn business. And I do want to say to you young people here in the meeting this afternoon, oh, do we exercise before the Lord. We want to see God raising up gifts. We want to see God raising up men for the needy harvest field, but it's only God can do it. And it's only the exercise though that's in the position himself.

that God can speak to and fit and call and send into his work. Now, we've already mentioned there are half a dozen principles here, and I want to mention them very briefly right on the surface of the passage, the instructions

call and send into his work. Now, we've already mentioned there are half a dozen principles here, and I want to mention them very briefly right on the surface of the passage, the instructions of the Lord Jesus concerning his work. The first one is the principle of sovereign death. Now, we have already mentioned the fact that it's only God can do it. The Lord Jesus, he took the disciples to the mountain top, and from among them he chose twelve men. He was the one who chose them.

And here we get the principle of sovereignty in the man that God takes. When we turn over to the Old Testament, we find exactly the same thing. We look at the principles of the New Testament, and again, we find that God is completely

When we turn over to the Old Testament, we find exactly the same thing. We look at the principles of the New Testament, and again, we find that God is completely sovereign in the man that he picks to do his work. Sometimes the most unpromising material. You know, if you think of the man in the Old Testament that God laid his hand upon, every man was absolutely different. You think of Moses, a man who had his foot on the throne of a world empire at that time. He was probably the heir to the throne.

God picked him. A man who was thoroughly educated in the schools of Egypt. The word of God fell to that and God picked him. But you take Amos. Brother was talking

A man who was thoroughly educated in the schools of Egypt. The word of God fell to that and God picked him. But you take Amos. Brother was talking about him the other day. Amos a man who was a farmer. a man who probably had no education at all, and God laid his hand upon him and picked him too. And we find exactly the same principle in the men that the Lord Jesus picked. You know, the Muslims were working men, and I suppose men with hardly any education at all. I was talking with a man the other day who has a PhD degree.

He's a man whose name is a household word here in the United States. I wouldn't for the world tell you his name. He might feel embarrassed if he thought

He's a man whose name is a household word here in the United States. I wouldn't for the world tell you his name. He might feel embarrassed if he thought I was even talking about it. He took me out to the woods, and he was asking me about the missionary work done by assemblies in different parts of the world. And again, I want to emphasize that he's a man that's known on every part of the United States in the religious world. He said, what kind of men do you send out to the mission field?

He said, what education do they have? Well, I said, some of them have a college education. Some of them have a long string of degrees after their name. Men who are educated in every sense of the word. But I said, they have men over there that didn't even finish grade school. And I said, as a matter of fact,

name. Men who are educated in every sense of the word. But I said, they have men over there that didn't even finish grade school. And I said, as a matter of fact, some of the men that I know on the mission field today who are outstanding missionaries who have done a magnificent work for God, they never even finished grade school, never being in a high school. I could mention some of their names. Now, I'm not saying that in any disparaging way, but what I'm pointing out is that God is sovereign in the men that he takes.

He fits his man, and while a good education can be very valuable on the mission field, that is not the prime necessity. What is necessary is to be called by God, unfitted by God, and the man who's

very valuable on the mission field, that is not the prime necessity. What is necessary is to be called by God, unfitted by God, and the man who's called by him, he will be a success on the mission field. And no matter what our background is, if we're not called by him and chosen by him, it will be a complete mistake. The most of the men that the Lord Jesus picked were fishermen. Good old horny hand at Peter, a fisherman. And the most of them were men of that caliber, men of that type.

We know that the Apostle Paul was a man of a different type, a man with his education, a university graduate, a man who spoke various languages, and a man who had a wonderful background, but you can put him

type, a man with his education, a university graduate, a man who spoke various languages, and a man who had a wonderful background, but you can put him alongside of Peter and James and John, men who earned their living in a fishing boat. And yet all of them were servants of God that God very widely used. But the point is this, that God is sovereign, absolutely sovereign in the men that he picked. Now the second thing that we find here is the principle of compatibility. He sent them forth two by two.

He first of all, he chose them, and then he sent them forth two by two to do his work. You know, I don't think there's a Bible and instructions in the Bible concerning the

he chose them, and then he sent them forth two by two to do his work. You know, I don't think there's a Bible and instructions in the Bible concerning the harvest field gives any encouragement at all, what you might call a free lance or a lone wolf or a person who's not able to work in perfect harmony with other people. I have known people who have been given a commendation and sent out to the mission field and at home. There were cantankerous and there were controversial. and they were continually in trouble with their brethren, and yet they were given a commendation to go out through the mission field.

You know, I believe that any man who is not able to work

continually in trouble with their brethren, and yet they were given a commendation to go out through the mission field. You know, I believe that any man who is not able to work in harmony with his brethren here at home would be a complete misfit in the work of God. The Word of God tells me that the principle is that a man is able to work harmoniously in fellowship with his brethren. The Lord, he sent them forth two by two. If you look at the Old Testament again, it was Moses and Joshua.

It was Elijah and Elisha. And again it was Jeremiah and Baruch, two by two. On the New Testament it was Peter and

Elisha. And again it was Jeremiah and Baruch, two by two. On the New Testament it was Peter and John. It was Barnabas and Saul. And then it was Paul and Timothy. He sent them forth two by two. You know, we don't all together agree with some of the things that the mission boards do. As a matter of fact, there's some people that I know who have been a tremendous success on the mission field, that they had to go before a mission board that had been turned down flat. Quite a number where, as a matter of fact, that was what happened to them.

You know that C.H. Spurgeon, right at the commencement of his career, he went

Quite a number where, as a matter of fact, that was what happened to them. You know that C.H. Spurgeon, right at the commencement of his career, he went before a mission board to become a minister, and they turned them down. And I said, well, that's it. I never go before people like that again. And you know that Dr. Campbell Morgan, who too was a tremendous success and an outstanding minister of the word, he was turned on by a denominational mission board to be a minister and again, he walked out of the place and he determined he never would go before a board like that again.

But you know, sometimes these people have something. And today, anyone who wants to go out to the mission field and goes before a mission board,

like that again. But you know, sometimes these people have something. And today, anyone who wants to go out to the mission field and goes before a mission board, they first of all have to take a physical test, whether they're in good health. And the second thing they do, they send them to a psychiatrist to find out whether they're able to work in harmony with other people. People that are cantankerous and are not able to work harmoniously with their brethren here at home would generally be a misfit in the great harvest field.

The Lord Jesus, He sent them forth to... by who? And the principle is that the older man, he takes a younger man with him in the work. The younger man, he works in obedience

And the principle is that the older man, he takes a younger man with him in the work. The younger man, he works in obedience and in submission to the older man, and he learns from them. This is the principle that we find in God's work. Compatibility. First of all, sovereignty, and secondly, compatibility. Now there's a third, very vital, important principle here connected with the disciples, and that is simplicity. silver, brass, and then Norse script. Is it possible to carry out this today?

Generally, when a person goes out into the work of God, the thing that comes before them, first of all, is the thing of most importance of their finances

to carry out this today? Generally, when a person goes out into the work of God, the thing that comes before them, first of all, is the thing of most importance of their finances and their support. I was talking to a young man just quite a short time ago out in California. He wanted to give himself to the work of God. And he said, I'm having a good deal of trouble with my wife. He said, maybe you go and talk to her. And I went to talk to this girl. There were quite a young couple, delightful couple.

And I spoke to her. I said, just what is your trouble? Or she said, the food is in plain blunt language. He said, it's security. He said, what's going to happen to me? What's going to happen to our little family if we step out without

the food is in plain blunt language. He said, it's security. He said, what's going to happen to me? What's going to happen to our little family if we step out without any promise of anything from anybody? What's going to happen to us? She said, that's my problem. You know, the word of God is very simple and very plain about these things. On things that are a great problem and difficulty to many of the people of God today is the simplest thing of all. Simple faith and trust in God is the principle that's laid down on the work of God concerning support and concerning finances on the person who's willing to take that step will never be led down.

Now, I can say this honestly and sincerely. Forty-three years ago. I read a book called The

willing to take that step will never be led down. Now, I can say this honestly and sincerely. Forty-three years ago. I read a book called The Life, the autobiography of George Mueller of Bristol. I was quite a young man at the time, and after reading that book, it left an indelible impression upon my man. Here was a man who kept two thousand orphans for fifty years in orphan homes over there in Bristol, and they never asked anybody for a penny. He never wrote a form letter. He never did any propaganda whatsoever concerning his work.

He took his needs to God, and he stepped out in simple faith and trust in God, and God never let him down. Many a time he didn't know

whatsoever concerning his work. He took his needs to God, and he stepped out in simple faith and trust in God, and God never let him down. Many a time he didn't know where the breakfast was coming from for the children the next morning. But always, always, God fulfilled his word, and he never let him down. Now that made a tremendous impression upon my mind. And forty-three years ago, I left home with a letter of commendation in my pocket, on a little handbag in my hand, without a promise of a penny from anybody to go to Central Africa to evangelize places where the gospel never has been.

My forty-three years have passed since that time, and I can say here this afternoon

Central Africa to evangelize places where the gospel never has been. My forty-three years have passed since that time, and I can say here this afternoon to God's honor and glory, without any bragging or boasting or anything of the kind. God knows there's been plenty of weakness and failure on our part, but never during these forty-three years has God ever led us on. many times over in the middle of Africa in complete isolation God has supplied our need in a marvelous way and in case you might think I'm doing this by way of propaganda let me say this for twenty years past I have had more money than I needed and I have had the joy again and again of taking funds that we didn't need

this for twenty years past I have had more money than I needed and I have had the joy again and again of taking funds that we didn't need ourselves and passing it on to honored servants of God that were more need than we were thank God God is a God who hears and who answers prayer, and we don't need to write begging letters. We don't need to go around with our cap and our hand to anybody, and bow and scrape to anybody here below. We take a God in prayer, and we carry out the simple principles that we find here without purse or script, on an utter simplicity in himself, and anyone who does that the Lord will never let him down.

I may be speaking to some young person,

without purse or script, on an utter simplicity in himself, and anyone who does that the Lord will never let him down. I may be speaking to some young person, maybe some young man or some young woman here this afternoon. And beloved brother, do let me say, don't be afraid to trust God. The important point is this, has God called you? If he has called you and he has sent you and laid his hand upon you, he'll take care of you. Give God a good day's work and he'll give you a good day's pay.

Thank God he'll never let you down on the simple principle that we find here you'll find. that God is as good as his word. The Lord of the harvest will never, never allow his servants to lack any good thing, and he will

that we find here you'll find. that God is as good as his word. The Lord of the harvest will never, never allow his servants to lack any good thing, and he will supply all their need, and he'll do it abundantly, and he'll do it with a cup running over. So the next principle we get here is the principle of simplicity. Now another one is courtesy. The Lord Jesus in sending his disciples forth, he said, when you come to a place, salute it. And if you're at peace, remain there, stay with them, eating and drinking whatever they have.

You know, one lesson that we all need to learn is ordinary common courtesy and politeness and etiquette in carrying on God's Word. Some people get the idea

lesson that we all need to learn is ordinary common courtesy and politeness and etiquette in carrying on God's Word. Some people get the idea that to be faithful to the Word of God, you need to be blunt, and you need to be brusque, and you need to say hard on kind things to people. You know, I think a lesson that we all need to learn, whether at home or abroad is always to be polite, and all this to exercise gentle courtesay in connection with the people with whom will come in contact.

We don't need to cut off people's ears. I believe, and I'm speaking reverently here, very reverently, the Lord Jesus here upon earth was the perfect example of a gentleman. And I use that word in its true sense, a gentleman.

very reverently, the Lord Jesus here upon earth was the perfect example of a gentleman. And I use that word in its true sense, a gentleman. And his gentle courtesay, as he moved in and out among people, oh, that lovely moral glory, about the person of the Lord Jesus. And I believe that the man who was with him for three years here below, at least some of it rubbed off on that. And I believe it should rub off on us too. And as we move in and out, not only of people in the world, but also among God's beloved people, let's be gentle, let's be courteous, let's be polite and kind.

I'll never say anything that would unnecessarily cut off people's ears or chase them away.

let's be gentle, let's be courteous, let's be polite and kind. I'll never say anything that would unnecessarily cut off people's ears or chase them away. You know, when we go over to the mission field, the people over there, they eat differently from what we do. I spent the most of last year in Africa, and I wouldn't like to tell you here this afternoon some of the things that were placed before me. All kinds of food. And people that are not able to eat right, or corn mush, or even mandiak mush, they're far better stay at home.

If you can't get on without your tea, and you can't get on without your ice cream, and you can't get on without your refrigerator, and you can't

at home. If you can't get on without your tea, and you can't get on without your ice cream, and you can't get on without your refrigerator, and you can't get on without this or that or the other thing, it's far, far better just to stay right where you are. And I believe that when you go to a foreign country, and for instance, they put you down at a table in Portugal, as they did to me last year, I spent six weeks with a beloved brother in Portugal, Viriatus Obrow. We went into some of the little country homes there in Portugal.

and some of the meals we had was absolutely swimming in olive oil. And if you don't like olive oil, well, you far better stay at home. As a matter of fact, I appreciate it. Although I wasn't brought up that way. But if you sit down at a table

if you don't like olive oil, well, you far better stay at home. As a matter of fact, I appreciate it. Although I wasn't brought up that way. But if you sit down at a table and say, well, you know, we don't have that in the United States, that's not what we have in our country, far, far better stay at home. You must be polite, and you must be courteous, and you must be kind, and you must observe the etiquette of the people among whom you work, or else. far, far better just stay in the environment where you are.

And the Lord Jesus said, just eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience sake, and if you do, you'll find that you'll make friends. But if you're always turning up your nose at the food that people set on the table, and always saying, well, I have never done this, and I've never done that,

if you do, you'll find that you'll make friends. But if you're always turning up your nose at the food that people set on the table, and always saying, well, I have never done this, and I've never done that, or never done the other thing, it's far, far better just to stay where you are rather than go out to the mission field. So here is this principle of gentle courtesy. And there's another thing here I want to be brief. The next thing here is practical wisdom. The Lord Jesus said, Be as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove.

Did you ever hear a believer compared to a serpent? You know, we're told that we're sheep. And there are other things that we're compared to in the Bible. We're here, we're told to be as wise as a serpent and as harmless

You know, we're told that we're sheep. And there are other things that we're compared to in the Bible. We're here, we're told to be as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove. There's an old preacher in the north of Ireland where I was born. And when I left home the first time, he gave me a bit of advice. I was twenty-one years of age. And on advising me, when I was leaving home the first time, he said that, he said, on the work of God, you'll need three things. The first thing you'll need is a head like a wise father.

And the second thing you'll need is a heart like a loving mother. And the third thing you'll need is a hide like a rhinoceros. And you'll need all three. You need the head. And you need the heart. and you need

mother. And the third thing you'll need is a hide like a rhinoceros. And you'll need all three. You need the head. And you need the heart. and you need to hide. And people that have a rather sensitive disposition, and if anybody looks at you the wrong way or maybe says something, but you think that they're trying to disparage you or say something unkind about you, and if you go home at night and toss around and not able to sleep, and think of what the person has said, a person of a sensitive disposition, again, is no person to go into full-time service in the work of God.

That's why the service and yet at the same time as harmless as a dove. May the Lord give us the wise head and also the loving,

work of God. That's why the service and yet at the same time as harmless as a dove. May the Lord give us the wise head and also the loving, kind heart of the mother, and we also need the hide of our rhinoceros. Now there's just one little principle I want to mention in closing. There are actually two here, the principle of fidelity. He that loves father and mother more than me is not worthy of me. He that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Now, there are some parents here this afternoon, and I wonder how you would feel if your daughter, maybe you only have one.

If your daughter or your son were to come to you tonight after the meetings

and I wonder how you would feel if your daughter, maybe you only have one. If your daughter or your son were to come to you tonight after the meetings are over and say, Dad, Mom, I would very much like to go out to the mission field. I want to give my life to the Lord for his service. How would you feel about it? There was an outstanding missionary that I know. He only had one girl, and he absolutely doted on that girl. And he got up in a meeting like this, and he made a fervent appeal for reinforcements for the work out in the R.E.

And after the meeting was over, his own daughter came to him and she said, Dad, I feel I should give myself to the Lord for his work. You know, it nearly broke his heart. It

And after the meeting was over, his own daughter came to him and she said, Dad, I feel I should give myself to the Lord for his work. You know, it nearly broke his heart. It was appealing for somebody else's daughter or somebody else's son, but when it came to his own child, he just simply could not take that. Now, I can say this honestly and sincerely. if it was my child, God knows my heart, if it was my child, and they came to me and said, Dad, I would like to give my life to the work of God.

I would feel it was the greatest honor under him. And I hope that all of us feel exactly like that. He that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. He that loveth father or mother

And I hope that all of us feel exactly like that. He that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And then finally, is the lovely principle at the end of the chapter, the principle of gracious hospitality. He that receiveth you receiveth me. He that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a righteous man, and the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

He that receiveth a prophet, and the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And then it's brought right on to the simplest term, on even a cup of cold water. given only in the name of the disciple,

reward. And then it's brought right on to the simplest term, on even a cup of cold water. given only in the name of the disciple, it shall by no means lose its reward. You know the greatest miracle in the Lord's work. And again, I can speak about this with a good deal of emotion in my heart. You know the greatest miracle in the Lord's work today. It's this gracious miracle right here at the end of the chapter of the loving, loving hospitality of God's dear people. I was over in particular last year, spent six weeks with Viriatis Abra.

I'll never forget it. A man who has planted thirty-three assemblies in twenty-five years. I felt it was an honor and

with Viriatis Abra. I'll never forget it. A man who has planted thirty-three assemblies in twenty-five years. I felt it was an honor and a privilege to be with a dear soul over there in Portugal, in spite of all his persecution. A wonderful man of God. There's nothing that I could save was too high for a beloved brother, Viriatta, over there in Portugal. I went into the little homes there in the center of Portugal last year, and everywhere it was the same. It brought me in, and they gave me the best in the hearts.

And while I was there, I had an invitation to go back home. I was commended to the work of God forty-three years ago from Belfast, Ireland, and the brethren invited me to go over to their Easter conference

I was commended to the work of God forty-three years ago from Belfast, Ireland, and the brethren invited me to go over to their Easter conference last year. I went over and spent six weeks among them. There's only one man left today who signed my letter of commendation. I was a little bit afraid, a little bit reticent just how they would treat me. I wonder what would happen. You know, sometimes people write letters. and sometimes wicked stories are circulated even about God's servants.

And I wonder just how my own beloved brother, who commended me to the work of God, how they were treating me. I didn't have had any fears. I'm back again, and if I had been the King of England, I couldn't have been treated nicely. Literally hundreds

how they were treating me. I didn't have had any fears. I'm back again, and if I had been the King of England, I couldn't have been treated nicely. Literally hundreds of homes around the country, they took me in, and they gave me the very best of the hearts. After that, I went over to Africa. And some of my beloved brethren, right around Africa, both missionaries and our African brethren, in many of the countries there I received exactly the same treatment. And then we come back to the United States.

I don't think that there's any country in the world where there's more gracious, loving, overflowing, abounding hospitality than right here in this land. And right from the Atlantic to the Pacific, we know of thousands of homes.

loving, overflowing, abounding hospitality than right here in this land. And right from the Atlantic to the Pacific, we know of thousands of homes. right across the United States and back again across Canada, where there's an open door for the servant of God. And to bring you in, and to give you the very best in the house, and to show you this gracious hospitality. You talk about a cup of cold water. It's not just a cup of cold water, but to give you the very best. So here we get this lovely, lovely tray of gracious, loving hospitality shown to the servant of God.

We take these principles and we put them together. And then right on the center we put the Lord of the Harvest. The Lord of the Harvest is the one who

shown to the servant of God. We take these principles and we put them together. And then right on the center we put the Lord of the Harvest. The Lord of the Harvest is the one who in a coming day will reward all that's done out of faithfulness and devotion to himself. And my prayer at the meetings here this afternoon before the conference closes is that God will graciously lay his hand on some of our young people here. It's my great prayer today. I would love to see young men and women.

raised up today to carry on the work of God in this awful, dark, bleak day in which we live to carry on His work. And all I want to say in closing, don't be afraid to trust the Lord of the heart.

dark, bleak day in which we live to carry on His work. And all I want to say in closing, don't be afraid to trust the Lord of the heart. He will reward you in that coming day for anything that you seek to do for Him.

Lord Of The Harvest

Overview

Transcript