John 4:35-38 Say not you, There are yet four months, and then comes harvest? behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields… I. THE SICKLES. 1. Preaching the gospel. The sickle may have a handle of rosewood, and be adorned with precious stones, but it is worth nothing if it does not bring down the grain. We might preach the sciences from our pulpits, but Agassiz would beat us at that. We might philosophize, but Emerson would beat us at that. But he who with faith and prayer takes hold of the gospel sickle, however weak his natural arm, shall gather deep swarths of golden grain. 2. Singing the gospel. This scythe has been long neglected, much abused, but has been sharpened anew. 3. Prayer. By this John Knox reaped Scotland. II. THE REAPERS. 1. Tract distributors. 2. Sunday-school teachers, ministers. III. THOSE READY TO BE REAPED. 1. Those who feel too bad to be saved. You are ripe because you feel that. Christ came to save the worst. 2. The religiously educated. (T. De Witt Talmage.) Parallel Verses 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. |
    |