Jeremiah 8:13 - 22 The Loss of the Harvest
20 the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
Jeremiah's Warning - their fields would be ruined - v. 13
their cities would be destroyed - v.16
the people would be either killed or taken captive -
17 For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.
Judah's Wandering - Judah formed an alliance with Egypt,
but babylon laid seige to Jerusalem and the harvest perished
1. The Reality of the Loss - The harvest is passing:-
(a) Globally - 95 gospel invitations, 87 to claiming to be christian
7.7 to already evangelized, only .3 to those who have never heard
(b) Nationally (c) Individually Eccl. 12:1 Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not.
(d) Unconsciously Prov 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
D. L.Moody - man at mission - the harvest is past
God's opportunity is:- (a) a limited opportunity - the harvest is past
"my spirit shall not always strive" soon will the season of rescue...
(b) a lost opportunity -"the summer is ended"
I have only one life on this earth, like vapour its passing away
(c) a lamented opportunity - "we are not saved"
2. The Reason for the Loss - the summer is ending
(a) The Saint Dies - No More Soul - Winning - 2 Tim 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Just as there is a season for harvesting grain, there is also a season
for harvesting souls, and when that season is over the harvest is past.
Robert Moffat“We shall have all eternity in which to celebrate our victories, but we have only one swift hour before the sunset in which to win them.”
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
(b) The Sinner Dies - No More Saving
Son - where can I go to avoid these cursed gospel tracts? Hell
Luke 16 - Neither Rich man or his brethren saved.
3. The Result with the Loss - and we are not saved
I. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HARVEST “The harvest …, Only One
II. THE SHORTNESS OF THE HARVEST “The harvest is past,
III. SOVEREIGNTY OF THE HARVEST summer is ended - God's Time
IV. THE SOLEMNITY OF THE HARVEST and we are not saved
V. THE SENTENCE OF THE HARVEST - not saved!”
(a) Harvest is Passing, (b) Summer is Ending, (c) Salvation is Wanting
Belshazzar watched, weighed, & wanting.
26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
4. The Regret at the Loss - we are not saved
Ps 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion
When the choir has sung its last anthem, And the preacher has voiced his last prayer,
When the people have heard their last sermon, And the sound has died out on the air,
When the Bible lies closed on the altar, And the pews are all empty of men,
When each one stands facing his record, And the great book is opened—WHAT THEN?
When the actors have played their last drama, And the mimic has made his last fun,
When the movie has flashed its last picture, And the billboard displayed its last run,
When the crowd seeking pleasure has vanished, And gone out in the darkness again,
When the trumpet of ages has sounded, And we stand before HIM—WHAT THEN?
