A. Taking Spiritual Ground.

1. Looking at the Old Testament principles.
a. God instructed Adam. (Genesis 1:28)
(1) He was to subdue the earth.
(2) He was to have dominion over the earth.
b. Joshua was instructed to take the land of Canaan.
(1) He was to possess the land wherever his feet trod. (Joshua 1:3).
(2) He was to see that God had given him Jericho. (Joshua 6:1-3).
c. The principle: We must first fight the War before we can plant the crops.
Joshua led the people into battle to rid the enemy from the land before they were permitted to plant their crops.
2. Looking at the New Testament Teachings.
a. The violent are to take the kingdom of God.
"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12).
(We are to be the aggressors here in taking the kingdom).
b. The gates of hell are not to prevail against the church.
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).
c. We are to be the aggressor and bind the strong man (the devil).
"But it I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into the strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house" (Matthew 12:28-29).  We must not sit on our hands or we will hinder the work.  "He that is not with me is against me; and the that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" (Matthew 12:30).
d. The principle: We must first fight the War before we can plant the crops.
3. Jesus gave us some examples.
a.  Jesus took the initiative to cross the sea of the the country of the Gadarenes.
(Mark 4:35-5:20).
(1). He was attacked by a violent storm on the way over to the other side.
(2). He was met by two demon possessed men.
(3). He set them free.
(4). He sent the one man back to Decapolis (a ten city area) to witness.
b. The early church cried out for God because they were under spiritual attack.
(Acts 4:29-31).
(1). The church ask God to perform miracles and give the people boldness.
(2). The results was that many believed and gave to the church.
c. The early church was accused of turning the world upside down. (Acts 17:6).
d. The principle: We must first fight the War before we can plant the crops.
4. We must understand that we are solders in God's army.
a. II Corinthians 5:20-21.
b. II Timothy 2:1.
c. I Timothy 6:12.
d. The principle: We must first fight the War before we can plant the crops.
5. We must understand that we must enter into battle.
a. We are to put on the spiritual armor. (Ephesians 6:10-20).
(1). Note: the sword is considered a dagger for use in close combat.
(2). Note: once we put the armor on, we are to pray.
b. We are to tear down spiritual strongholds. (II Corinthians 10:4-5).
c. We are to call for signs, wonders, and miracles. (Mark 16:17-20).
d. We are to overcome the enemy.  (Revelation 12:11).
e. The principle: We must first fight the War before we can plant the crops.

B. Witnessing

1. God provides the seed for sowing. (II Corinthians 9:8-10).
a. Seed is precious.  Psalm 126:5-6.
b. The seed is the Word of God.   Mark 4:14.
c. The seed is everlasting.  I Peter 1:25.
d. The seed has power within itself.  Romans 1:16.
e. There are different types of seed.
(1). The written Word.
(2). The spoken Word.
(3). The lived word.
(a). Our own.
(b) The testimony of others.

2. It is our responsibility to sow the seed.
a. We must go into the field.
(1). Matthew 28:19-20.
(2). Luke 14:23.
(3). Acts 1:8.
b. We must sow the seed.  Matthew 10:8.
c. We are to sow on different types of soil.  Mark 4:3-20.
d. We are to sow continually.  Ecclesiastes 11:1-6.
e. We are to be generous in our sowing.  II Corinthians 9:6.

3. How are we to sow the seed?
a. There are two basic approaches.  Jude 1:22-23.
(1). Sow in compassion.
(2). Sow in fear.
b. There are three ways to sow.
(1). We are to use the Law.  Galatians 3:24.
(2). We are to use the truth found in nature.  John 3:1-8.
(3). We are to use spiritual truth.  Acts 17:22-31.
c. We are to sow in the power of the Holy Spirit.
(1). Acts 1:8.
(2). Mark 16:20.
(3). I Corinthians 2:4.

4. It is our responsibility to work toward the harvest.
a. We are to persuade.  Acts 19:26.
b. We are to dispute.  Acts 19:8-9.

5. It is God's responsibility to produce the harvest.  II Corinthians 9:10,
        Galatians 6:7.
a. We can't save anyone!
b. The Word enlightens.  Psalm 119:130, II Peter 1:19.
c. The Holy Spirit convinces.  John 16:8-11.
d. The Father draws. John 6:44.
e. The Spirit gives life.  John 6:63.

6. We are to bring in the harvest.
a. We are to reap the harvest.  Luke 14:23.
b. We are to win souls.  Proverbs 11:30.
c. The harvest is sure.  Mark 4:8, John 15:16

7. We are to rejoice in the harvest.
a. Psalm 126:5-6.
b. Philippians 4:1.