Tradition plays a major role in many Black churches. One such tradition includes celebrating the end of harvest time. Rasberry Baptist Church hosted harvest program on Sunday. The program was centered on the concept of the harvest and laborers.During her explanation of harvest time, Gloria Moore referenced Matthew 9: 35-38. “Pray to God that He will send forth laborers,” she said.
The sermon was given by Minister Michael Mims, who is a member of New Living Word Ministries in Ruston. He used Jeremiah 8:20 as the basis of his sermon, which was entitled “Kingdom Harvest.”
He said that the time to plant ended. “Harvest means to reap, a time of gathering. The harvest lasted seven weeks. Then there was a celebration.”
“Before we can reap the harvest, we have to tear down some things. As believers, we have to change our ways of doing business. Our minds and mentality have to be changed,” Mims said.
Mims said before harvest, there has to be some planters and waterers and the planting must be done in a certain manner.
“I can’t plant seeds on this wood or in the road and expect to reap anything. I can’t plant watermelon out of season. There is a time and a season for everything. Some of you don’t know your season,” he said.
“Everything is based on planting seeds. I can’t keep praying for corn if I did not plant any. I cannot expect a financial harvest and have not paid my tithes.”
In addition to the harvest, he spoke about the kingdom of God.
He said there is a different culture in the kingdom.
He said such people need to change their language and many of us speak death on ourselves.
“Life and death is in the power of the tongue. You can speak life unto your situation, or you can speak death,” said Mims.
Another problem he addressed is people being too caught up in material things. Mims said, “The Bible says, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and everything else will be added unto you.'”
He said Jesus came to restore God’s kingdom back to mankind, the kingdom that Adam lost.
Many are saved, but do not know about the kingdom or how to operate. The kingdom is by faith.
“The problem is sometimes we want to play God. Just plant and water, and let God do the harvest. He will separate at the time of harvest, for harvest means ‘separate,’ too. I am planting seeds right now, sharing the word. Somebody else will come and water it,” said Mims.
“Keep planting patience, perseverance and long-suffering. We shall reap a harvest if we faint not. You cannot reap a harvest if you faint. You will reap a harvest if you do not quit. There is no quitting in the kingdom,” he said.
Mims said the main purpose of the harvest is to bring people to Christ: “The people of Christ are the planters and waterers, but God gives the increase.”
After the church service, people gathered in the fellowship hall to enjoy a feast. Like their ancestors, they dined on foods like fresh greens, field peas, corn, yams, pig feet, beef roast, friend chicken and ham, and enjoyed peach cobbler with homemade cakes and pies for dessert.
Mattie Williams who was reared in this church, her family’s church said she thought message was extremely good. “It had a whole lot of information that people could benefit from, especially the part about not judging people because you do not know what the Lord has in store.”
Also, Williams liked when Mims said, “You have given a piece of your mind so much, that you have none left.”
Williams said that they host this program annually.