Sowing and Reaping Gal 6:6-10; Prov 3:5-12 Sermon Sowing and Reaping Gal 6:6-10; Prov 3:5-12

Let’s begin with the end in mind.   Let’s begin with the end in mind.

6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 

8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

WHATEVER you sow you will reap.

“What are you sowing?”

To ignore the topic, from the pulpit or in personal / small group conversations, is spiritual malpractice

19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also….

24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth…. 33But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

C. S. Lewis – Screwtape Letters: “Prosperity knits a man to the world C.S. Lewis – Screwtape Letters: “Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is finding his place in it, while really it is finding its place in him.”

2 Cor 9:6-11 6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

9 as it is written, "He scattered abroad, He gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever."

10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

5 Biblical Laws of the Harvest … Law 1: The harvest is limited to the planting.

“Generosity is an invitation for God to infuse blessing into your finances.”

  Law 2: The harvest comes later than the planting.

Law 3: The harvest is greater than the planting.

Law 4: The harvest is proportional to the planting.

Prov 3:9–10… 9 Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.

LUKE 21:1-4 1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3 And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; 4 for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on."

Law 5: We can’t do anything about last year’s harvest, but we can change this year’s.

-We had 65 regular attending family or single giving units in 2017. Our General Fund giving for 2017 was $196,175.00. - If the giving of 32 of the 65 giving units reflects a true tithe (10%), it would indicate that the 32 units are single individuals living at, or below, the poverty level.

- Our 11 officer families gave 34% of the income for 2017.

LET’S CONSIDER what our church ministries would be able to do as a result of greater participation in regular faithful giving to the church. We want to be a church where ALL the parts are working together in terms of Time, Talent, and Treasure.

For some that may mean becoming a regular giver. For some that may mean becoming a first-time giver. For some that may mean becoming a regular giver. For some that may mean becoming a PERCENT priority giver. For some that may mean increasing that percentage toward a tithe or beyond.

The real need for 2018 is a heart of repentant faith and that comes as we SOW TO THE SPIRIT.

HOW TO SOW TO THE SPIRIT

1. Put your heart’s deepest trust in God and his grace.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Prov 3:3-5a)

2. Submit your whole mind to the Scripture 2. Submit your whole mind to the Scripture. Don’t think you know better than God’s word. Bring it to bear on every area of life. Become a person under authority.

And do not lean on your own understanding And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5b-6)

3. Be humble and teachable toward others 3. Be humble and teachable toward others. Be forgiving and understanding when you want to be critical of them; be ready to learn from others when they come to be critical of you.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Prov 3:7-8)

4. Be generous with all your possessions, and passionate about justice 4. Be generous with all your possessions, and passionate about justice. Share your time, talent, and treasure according to Biblical principles.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (Prov 3:9-10)

5. Accept and learn from difficulties and suffering 5. Accept and learn from difficulties and suffering. Through the gospel, recognize them as not punishment, but a way of refining you.

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Prov 3:11-12)

6. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5

Is there an area in your life where you need to sow to the Spirit by giving thanks – even, or especially, when you don’t FEEL thankful?

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

FIRST COMMANDMENT AND ROOTS, BRANCHES, FRUIT  

The ABC’s of coming to faith – A - Admit that you’re weak and need grace and strength – That means there is GOOD NEWS FOR YOU   B- Believe that Jesus is the only savior who can heal your heart. C- confess to God that you want to trust Jesus as your savior and Lord.