THIS SUNDAY SERMON: THE JOY OF HARVEST - DELIVERED ON THE 17TH SUNDAY IN TRINITY

Tagged: English Congregation Harvest & Victorian Circle Anniversary

Held on Sunday 23rd September, 2018 at 10:00 AM

Theme: The joy of harvest

Preacher: Our Amiable Vicar, Venerable Remi Afosi

Text: Gen 8, Act 8, psalms 126:5&6, Isaiah 9:3

When talking about the "Joy of Harvest" we are simply referring to the pleasurable feelings we have as a result of achievement. Before going further let's take a look at some important terms definition;

What is joy?
Joy is been glad with positive feelings that all is well or all will be well. Joy comes from within and it also emanates to happiness which has to do with what we have now, what we can see now. Joy is of the lord not in materials things.
Joy comes after achievement or after having a positive conclusion in mind about issue or plan to be accomplished or achieved .
What is harvest ?
Harvest simply means Fruitfulness i.e a function of seed that is sown. Israelites major occupation then was farming which God delight in so much. God encouraged and commanded Israelite to acknowledge him first by bringing to him first fruit of their farm produce. I.e to consider God first in whatever they were doing even the yield of their farm.
The farmers side of responsibility is to plan and plant, all that remains till harvest time is of GOD. He gives rain in due time, sunlight and other factors that can make the seed in the ground yield bountifully. It is very important to know that God cherish and honor harvest that is been fruitful.

Victorious Choirs having their wonderful ministeration

Joy of Harvest

The joy of harvest comes after having things at the Right time on right places with feelings of outstanding success and the plan materialized.
To have the Joy of Harvest, you need a seed and not just a seed, but planting and growing good seed. Harvest can be thought of generally based on human factors, and conditions of nature. There are many ways in which people harvest (ikore) at different stages or levels of life, this include career, spiritual, business etc. It doesn't matter your age, job, position, place and culture/background all that matters is if you sow it right you will surely harvest it right.

For instance;

In the case of Retired Civil Servant, your harvest as retiree maybe pension or gratuity. Also as business man or woman, it is the estimated income and gain in a month or a year. Salary earners too have their harvest, so the children and grandparents.
Genesis 8: 15-20. Noah went into the ark with his family 7people and animals of different kinds into Gods haven. The rain fell and wiped all the living creature on surface of the earth. After some days, the water subsided and Noah and others came out thereafter to see the whole living creature wiped away. Noah being after considering Gods faithfulness and mercy, he thought, it was very important to Thank God for safety and keeping HIS word and Noah made an acceptable sacrifice unto God. Noah sort God first and used what he had for sacrifice. In any activities, Christian must always seek to satisfy God and sacrifice unto HIM as the giver of success in harvest. God himself waiting for harvest and our disposition about it.  The joy of the LORD is to see HIS people enjoying the dividend of their work as they sincerely gives thanks to God through sacrificial giving, tithe and offering. When you give, you are sure of more blessing and greater harvest.
In verse 21 &22, after Noah had made sacrifice unto God, he blessed him, made a new covenant unto generations and acknowledged his sacrifice as act of giving thanks and glory to God.  What you have and give determines your blessing and favor of God .
It must not be difficult for Christians to give to God especially when they have harvest of any kind. some put their mind only on earthly things that can be destroyed any time. Instead seek things above and store your treasure through your giving to Gods work and kingdom in heaven.

English Congregation harvest thanksgiving during the service

Important Things to Note

1. If you have no treasure in heaven and all you seek is earthly things, you are living a miserable life. because you can't have joy, and without joy no matter what you have on earth, you will lack peace .
2.No harvest without seed. give sacrificial seed and be faithful, then the joy of harvest is yours now and after
3. Always endeavor to sow in Gods work/business.
4. Give your time, money, body and all to God as sacrifice unto God, then harvest awaits you bountifully. Fellowship well in church and personally with God. Don't be Sunday - Sunday Christian.
5. Soul harvest is Paramount to God even your soul at the last day.

Still in the mood of thanksgiving

In Conclusion

When people bring harvest Into church, church will be empowered financially to go out and make soul harvest. then there will be joy in the city for everyone. ( As we timely have Jesus rally and others). The church in Act also gave unto God faithfully, the apostles were also glad to preach gospel to silent the darkness in the land. good news prevailed and joy of salvation (soul harvest) filled the city.

Psalms 126:5&6 says, you will return with increase, bountiful harvest though, you sow in tears now.
Never mind the pain of sowing especially in God's work for weeping may endures for the night but joy comes in the morning.

May You have plenty of reasons to celebrate the Joy of harvest. Amen

Join us next Sunday for another impactful moment with God. May you be richly blessed and endued to serve God in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen

Your Vicar & Pastor

Ven. Remi Afosi

(08055533416)

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