Reap the Harvest

Galatians 6:1–10 NIV84

1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load. 6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Election season is the worst season, for me! It’s not the worse just because I don’t like politics—which I don’t. It is the worse because my entertainment during this season is to watch sports. Unfortunately, Every live telecast of any sport we watch has a million and one political ads. Most of the ads are what is considered to be a “negative ad”—that means that a group of people pay big money to run a 30-60 second ad to tell the viewer how awful the other person. Rarely do you hear actual policies and plans—when we do hear those, most are lies. Politicians lie to get votes. Another reason I don’t like election season is because they send out a million and one emails and text messages to ask for money. Many, I suppose, answer those messages with a small gift. When I get those messages sometimes I reply, “just send me a tenth of what you receive and my life will be transformed.” So, those who sow or give to these politicians are in essence sowing into that ground and expect God to bring a good harvest. Let’s talk about Reaping the Harvest—Let’s “Reap the Harvest.”

1. Understanding the Principles of Spiritual Harvest

A. The Law of the Harvest

Galatians 6:7 “7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Often, we sow more into doctors, mortgage companies, banks, credit card companies, auto companies, grocery stores, coffee shops, games, clothing, and so much more. Then, we remember to give God a tip.

B. The Importance of Intentional Sowing

2 Corinthians 9:6 “6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

Galatians 6:9 “9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

C. The Importance of Patience

The Long-Term Perspective of Spiritual Farming

James 5:7–8 “7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

Be patient and stand firm until the Lord's coming Spirit

2. Sow Seeds of Righteousness

A. Pursue a Spirit-Led Life

Galatians 5:16 “16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

B. Grow in the Fruits of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

C. Support Spiritual Leaders

Galatians 6:6 “6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.”

3. Recognize the Signs of Harvest

A. Discern the Seasons

Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 “1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,”

There is a time for everything

B. The Responsibility of Spiritual Leaders

Ephesians 4:11–16 “11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

C. Open your eyes to the Opportunities

John 4:35 “35 Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

Open your eyes and look at the fields

4. Reap the Harvest

A. Work Diligently

Proverbs 10:5 “5 He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”

The importance of gathering crops at the proper time

B. Collaborate with one another

1 Corinthians 3:9 “9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

We are God's co-workers

C. Celebrate the Harvest

Psalm 126:5–6 “5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”