INTRODUCTION:
“Reader's Digest told a story about a company that glued a tiny seed to a brochure that was advertising their product. The brochure said,
"If you have the faith as a mustard seed in our product, it will produce profound results for you."
Several months later, a customer wrote back saying, "You will be very interested to know that I planted your
mustard seed and now I have a beautiful plant covered with tomatoes!"
Obviously, it was a tomato seed, not a mustard seed.”
Galatians 6:7 says, "Don't be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap."
If a farmer plants corn, he‘s not going to reap okra. If you plant watermelon seeds, you will reap watermelons, not asparagus. I can look at a field of wheat and tell you exactly what kind of seed was sown, even though I
wasn't there to watch the farmer plant it.
We will always reap the kind of seed we plant.
So why does the Scripture say, "Don't be deceived"? It's because so many people have deceived themselves, thinking they can make incredibly dumb decisions and not suffer the consequences.
Then, after they become adults, they regret the wild oats they sowed when they were teenagers.
So take a close look at the kind of seeds you're planting. If you're wise, you'll foresee the future harvest you want to enjoy, and then you'll start planting good seeds to make it happen.
http://www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com/
THREE P’s IN SOWING:
I. Preparations: 6:1-6
II. Principles: 6:7-9
III. Persevere: 6:10
I. Preparation
Preparation # 1: Always be gentle > 6:1, 2
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
It is a very important qualification for those who would recover others from sin, that they should not be guilty of the same sin themselves. Reformers should be holy men. Men who exercise discipline in the church should be "spiritual" men--men in whom implicit confidence may be properly reposed. No man should attempt to rebuke or admonish another who cannot do it in the spirit of meekness; no man should engage in any way in the work of reform who has not such a temper of mind. Remember how liable we ourselves to err; and how much kindness and indulgence should therefore be shown to others. We are to act as if we felt it possible that we might also be overtaken with a fault; and we should act as we would wish that others should do towards us. Burdens here represent difficulties or problems someone has trouble dealing with. We can help them to carry it by means of the law of Christ which is the law of love.
Rom. 15:1, 2
1We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.
Preparation # 2: Always be humble > 6:3, 4
3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
BE HUMBLE: A Bible student went to a wise man and said, "Will you teach me what you've learned about God?" The man invited him into his house and replied, "I'll be glad to, but first let me pour you a cup of coffee." The young man held out his cup as the man poured it until it was full, but kept pouring until it was overflowing.
The student said, "Stop! The coffee is spilling out. The cup can't hold any more." The wise man said, "This is your first lesson. When you are full of yourself, there is no room for God. If you want God to fill you up, you must first empty yourself."
How do you know if you're full of yourself? Here are a few signs: You frequently argue with others. You get offended when you don't get your way. You disrespect your boss. You're unwilling to do the things God has asked you to do. You pray about everything you want but forget to pray for others.
We empty ourselves by becoming humble and submissive. First Peter 2:13 says, "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake" to earthly authorities. No one can make you submit. The only one who can make you submit is "yourself." First Peter 5:6 says, "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you at the proper time." The only one who can make you humble is "yourself." We make a decision to empty ourselves. We get out of the way so God can fill us up. We trust God to take care of our situations rather than trying to control and manipulate them ourselves. When we humble ourselves, we will find favor with God and He will exalt us at the proper time. http://www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com/
Self-conceit, the chief hindrance to forbearance and sympathy towards our fellow men must be laid aside. The only true glorying is in the testimony of a good conscience, glorifying in the cross of Christ. The better we know our own hearts and ways, the less shall we despise others, and the more be disposed to help them under infirmities and afflictions. Paul explained that these people’s lack of love for others revealed both their worthlessness to the body of Christ and also their bankrupt spiritual state. This person may think he is important, but he is really a no body.
Believers must be sure their lives are right with God before sharing the Words of God and give spiritual help to others. If believers want to boast they should boast in the Lord and not by themselves for the things that God has accomplished to their lives.
James 4:10 > Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Preparation # 3: Be responsible > 6:5-6
5 For each one shall bear his own load.
6Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
This verse does not contradict Gal. 6:2. (“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”) In Gal. 6:2, Paul tells them to bear with others' "burdens" of infirmity in sympathy; while here in Gal. 6:5, Paul explain that self-examination will make a man to feel he has enough to do with "his own load" of sin, without comparing himself boastfully with his neighbor. Instead of "thinking himself to be something," he shall feel the "load" of his own sin: and this will lead him to bear sympathetically with his neighbor's burden of infirmity. God requires faithfulness in meeting those responsibilities to our fellow men, especially to those who are still unbelievers.
II. Principles
Principle # 1: The quality of seeds > 6:7
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sow, that he will also reap.
While people can deceive one another, and even themselves, about their motives and attitudes for giving and sowing, they cannot deceive God. Paul said that these believers themselves must not be misled. While believers received God’s special blessings and promises; God does not change the positive and negative of the natural law of sowing and reaping. From farming to finances, this saying holds true. A farmer plants corn and grows corn; he should not expect nor desire anything else. Believers must decide what crop they want and plant accordingly, for what they get back will be directly related to what they put in. Whatsoever kind of grain a man sows in his field, of that shall he reap; for no other species of grain can proceed from that which is sown. These agricultural principles applied to the moral and spiritual realm which is universally true.
Principle # 2: The way to sow > 6:8
8 For he who sow to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sow in Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
In like manner, he that sows to the flesh - who indulges his sensual and animal appetites, shall have corruption as the crop: we cannot expect to lead a bad life and go to heaven at last. According as our present life is; so will be our eternal life whether we are sowing is to the flesh or to the Spirit, so will our eternal reaping be. To sow, here, means transacting the concerns of a man's natural life. When we sow to the flesh, we bring seeds of destruction into our life. Believers who sow their resources and invest their lives to please the Spirit have a far different harvest. They will reap everlasting life.
Principle # 3: Be patient > 6:9
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
While good works will never earn salvation, Paul did encourage believers to persist in doing good. To continue the analogy of sowing and reaping, a farmer will have no harvest to reap if he becomes too weary to labor in the fields or if he gives up sowing. The harvest will not reap itself. Every aspect of farming, planting, maintaining, and finally the harvesting takes hard work. So, believers must not become discouraged and give up when they follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, grow spiritually, and do good for God’s Kingdom.
James 5:6, 7 > Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and later rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
III. Persevere: To Do Good > 6:10
10 Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
While it is the time of sowing let us sow the good seed; and let our love be, as the love of Christ is, free, manifested to all. Let us help all who need help according to the uttermost of our power; but let the first objects of our regards be those who are of the household of faith-the members of the Church of Christ, who form one family, of which Jesus Christ is the head. Those have the first claims on our attention, but all others have their claims also, and therefore we should do good unto all.
The Christian family extends far beyond the walls of a particular church or the limits of a particular denomination, to include all true believers. The church is not meant to become merely a social agency, but individual believers can work together in meeting social needs, giving time and resources as God calls and enables them. Sowing seeds of kindness to those in need expresses Christ’s love and prepares hearts to receive the gospel.
The believer’s entire life provides the unique privilege by which we can serve others in Christ name. Our love for fellow Christians and non Christians is the primary test of our love for God.
Prov. 3: 27 >”Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.
28Do not say to your neighbor, Go and come back, and tomorrow I will give it, when you have it with you.”
CONCLUSION: Keep on sowing good seeds.
KEEP SOWING GOOD SEEDS: Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary."
What does "in due time" mean? It means that God has the day circled on His calendar as to when He will bring our harvest.
When we make our house payment, the billing statement will specify a "due date." Our mortgage company doesn't say, "Oh, just pay it whenever you want." No, they tell us the exact date so that there's no question in our mind about it.
When UPS delivers a Next Day Air package, they promise to deliver it "in due time." It is scheduled to arrive by 10:30 the next morning or the shipper doesn't have to pay the shipping costs.
In the same way, our harvest has a specific arrival time on God's schedule.
Even though we might not know when it's coming, we can place our confidence in God's promise to bring the harvest in His perfect timing.
God has never been late on His deliveries! If we will keep that fact in mind, we will not get discouraged in doing good knowing that the Lord has promised to reward us for our labor.
The harvest IS coming!
Keep sowing good seeds,
No comments:
Post a Comment