#125 – THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL (12/6/20)

If you missed Sunday's broadcast, please catch up by following the link below. (For the foreseeable future, we be running our Sunday morning services digitally. Please go to our website on Sundays at 10:30 to join in)

‘But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.’ (Genesis 45:7)

'When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:36-38)

Jesus likens those who need to come to know Him as a harvest. It’s a plentiful harvest because many do not know Him. It’s a plentiful harvest because He has chosen many to be saved.

Joseph’s obedience led to a great harvest and ‘a great deliverance’. Our obedience, will lead to the deliverance of many.

For Joseph, this simply meant that he made the most of every opportunity that God put him into. Likewise, will we make the most of each opportunity to help to bring people to Jesus?

RESPONSE

It begins with prayer. Let’s pray for the ‘Lord of the harvest to send out workers…’

We must be prepared to be the answer to our prayers and make the most of each opportunity that comes along.

Please be praying for and inviting people to our online alpha course which begins on Monday 15th June. For details go to:

https://www.communitychurchputney.com/alpha

FINAL WORD

This is the last devotional in this Joseph series. I do hope that you’ve been helped and inspired through this series. Most importantly, know that God wants to give you ‘dreams’ - He wants to speak and lead you in His will. Please fight against becoming a formal Christian. Be a child of God who feeds on God’s word, hears his voice and makes a difference in the world.

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY – GOD'S DREAMS GIVE THE 'BREAD' AWAY

Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News

Particularly, talk about our upcoming online Alpha Course.

Suggested opener/Ice-breaker

What is the most memorable meal you've ever had and what made it so special?

Introduction - please share in your group

Please read Genesis 42:1-2 and 45:7-9

God has given Pharaoh dreams that mean that after seven years of plenty, there will be seven years of famine. God has given this dream so people can be saved from famine. God has also given a dream to Joseph of his becoming a ruler in Egypt. Why? So that he can save people from the famine that is coming. Joseph’s dreams led to him giving literal grain (for bread) away.

Please read John 6:30-35

The dreams that the Father gives to us are centred on His mission of salvation through Jesus. Every Christian has access to a never-ending store of salvation for people and themselves - Jesus.

There are three responses:

i) Align your dreams - Do our 'dreams' (vision for life) include sharing Jesus with people?

ii) Enjoy and be satisfied with the true bread – Are we coming to Jesus each day?

iii) Eat the bread of life for the first time - Maybe you have not truly received Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

You may want to share your thoughts on these in your small groups.

Discuss/share/pray in smaller groups:

1. What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about (maybe from Sunday's message or your bible reading this week)?

2. What will you do in response?

3. How can we pray for you?

4. Do you plan to invite anyone to our Alpha Course beginning Monday 15th June 7:30pm?

5. Let's pray for our upcoming Alpha course and that we would make the invitation. For more details go to: https://www.communitychurchputney.com/alpha