Harvest Time (Nursing Home)

About Me:

Josiah

Pastor of GC—OVERLOOK/SHAMOKIN...

HUSBAND—FATHER (3 GIRLS)

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II. Opening Prayer

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III. Songs: (F) — Play in “G”

Tis So Sweet — F (p. 8)

Leaning on Everlasting Arms— F (p. 27)

Oh How I Love— F (p. 35)

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Introduction: Faith Versus Sight

CHRISTIAN LIFE BEGINS BY FAITH… CONTINUES BY FAITH.

Biblically Faith & Sight = Contrasted:

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Takeaway: Faith & Sight = Opposites…

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LOT EASIER to WALK—WHEN YOU CAN SEE WHERE YOU’RE GOING…

Christian life:

KNOW the END—

CAN TRUST the PROMISER—

BUT the JOURNEY of FAITH = HARD…

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Focus: THE END WILL BE WORTH IT—I PRAY THIS TEXT ENCOURAGES YOU ALONG the WAY…

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Transition ➡ LOOK W/ ME @ PASSAGE… (V-7-10)

Galatians 6:7–10 ESV

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he 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 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Background:

LETTER of GALATIANS = FOCUSED on GOSPEL of GRACE

-> SALVATION COMES THROUGH CHRIST—NOT PERSONAL WORKS or RIGHTEOUSNESS…

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Ch. 6: SALVATION BY GRACE,,, DOESN’T ENTIRELY OVERTURN PRINCIPLE of SOWING & REAPING

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Sowing & Reaping:

Natural principle & Spiritual principle.

Corn - Corn

Zucchini - Zucchini

CREATOR ISN’T MOCKED—CREATION FOLLOWS HIS INSTRUCTIONS...

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Passage Reveals: GOD is NOT MOCKED…

IN YOUR LIFE—YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

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Transition ➡ WE’LL SEE THIS IDEA UNFOLDING in V.8…

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Thought 2 — Flesh vs. Spirit (v.8)

Galatians 6:8 ESV

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.

PRIMARILY 2 CATEGORIES of PEOPLE…

Paul’s Argument:

GOD = NOT MOCKED

“FOR” — YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

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Sowing to Flesh:

Sow to flesh → works of flesh → corruption.

“NOT INHERIT KINGDOM” (5:21)

Sow to Spirit → eternal life.

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Clarification: FRUIT = PROOF of ROOT…

Not salvation by works.

Simple truth: FRUIT REVEALS the ROOT SEED…

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Exhortation: Come, Don’t Stay As You Are

IF JESUS CHRIST COMES INTO YOUR LIFE—YOU WILL NOT REMAIN the SAME

Invitation to Sinners: Come as You Are

No One = Invited to Stay as You Are…

Jesus’ Example:

MET SINNERS WHERE THEY WERE

“GO & SIN NO MORE”

Problem: MODERN WORLD—LOVE ME = ACCEPT ME

TRUTH — LOVE ME = DESIRE WHAT’S truly BEST for ME…

Illustration: BRIDGE OUT,, “STOP!!”

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Gospel

DELAYED JUDGMENT DOESN’T MEAN GOD’S OKAY WITH EVERYTHING WE DO.

God is Not Mocked

Challenge: GOD = SELDOM GOD of LIGHTNING BOLT…

IT’S GOD’S MERCY YOU ARE HERE AGAIN TODAY…

Quote, L. Ravenhill, “Isn't it amazing that God gives breath to a man who is going to blaspheme Him all day!”

Judgment Delayed is NOT Judgment Denied!

Ecclesiastes 8:11 ESV

11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.

IT’S SIMPLY GOD’S MERCY to GIVE YOU...

ANOTHER DAY,

ANOTHER CHANCE,

ANOTHER BREATH…

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

THE DELAY in CHRIST’S RETURN,, ISN’T DIVINE NEGLIGENCE, BUT DIVINE MERCY!

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Invitation:

Opportunity remains—until it doesn't.

WE WILL DIE

CHRIST WILL COME

TODAY: MERCY is AVAILABLE @ the CROSS… WHERE JESUS TOOK on the HARVEST of OUR SINS—DIVINE JUDGMENT

TO SPARE US from JUDGMENT to COME

Invitation: YOU CAN BE SAVED...FILLED W/ GOD’S SPIRIT— CHANGED… TODAY...

SOW DIFFERENT TODAY…

REAP DIFFERENT in the END…

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Transition ➡ SOWING to FLESH BRINGS CORRUPTION

BLESSING to ONE SOWING to the SPIRIT…

LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 9

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Thought 3 — The Harvest (v.9)

Galatians 6:9 ESV

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Future reaping should motivate present sowing.

Background: FUTURE TENSE...NOT “PERHAPS”

Takeaway: GOD is NOT MOCKED = GOOD NEWS for the ONE SOWING to the SPIRIT!

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Exhortation: Faith

Difficulty: WE HAVE to WAIT

Problem: WE LIVE in the DAY of MICROWAVES, INSTANT POTS, FAST FOOD, & SAME-DAY SHIPPING…

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Illustration: Plants Take Time

MANY HAVE PROBABLY GARDENED??

SOW SEED...

SEED GERMINATES

ROOTS GO DOWN

SHOOT COMES UP

PLANT GROWS

FRUIT.

Exhort: YOU HAVE to TRUST the PROCESS!

Problem: ALL I SEE is DIRT! — BUT WHAT’S HAPPENING UNDERGROUND??

**YOU CAN’T BE DIGGING UP the SEED**

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SAME W/ GOD… YOU HAVE to TRUST PROCESS & the PROMISER… WHEN LOOKING @ DIRT.

Encourage: SOME… SERVING GOD for MANY YEARS— WEARY… DISCOURAGED… READY to QUIT…

TIRED of LOOKING @ DIRT.

Challenge: CAN YOU TRUST GOD… IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT??

WE WILL REAP…

Transition: RECENTLY… BOTH DAUGHTERS PLANTED APPLE SEEDS…

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Apple Tree Illustration

STORE BOUGHT APPLES

SEED in 2 SQ” of POTTING SOIL

GIRLS CALL THEM “MY APPLE TREE”

Skeptical Adults: KIDS—NO TREE GROWING THERE...

KIDS—NOT BEAT DOWN BY LIFE—TRUST

JESUS SAID—BECOME as a CHILD—

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LET US BE DILIGENT to SOW GOOD THINGS…

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Transition ➡ WE’LL SEE THIS in V.10

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Thought 4 — Conclusion: The Work (v.10)

Galatians 6:10 ESV

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

Paul’s Argument Closes:

(V7-8) GOD is NOT MOCKED

(V9) WE WILL REAP…

(V10) SO THEN/THEREFORE...IN LIGHT of THIS… LET US DO GOOD.

AGAIN...FUTURE REAPING MOTIVATES PRESENT SOWING…

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AS WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY = “TIME” (GK)

Scholar, T. Schreiner: OPPORTUNITY = EARTHLY LIFE…

IF YOU HAVE LIFE… YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITY

IF YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITY… YOU SHOULD DO GOOD.

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Conclusion: IF YOU’RE LIVING—YOU’RE HERE for a REASON

YOUR LIFE MATTERS

YOU CAN HAVE an ETERNAL IMPACT

GOD SEES YOUR FAITHFULNESS… KEEP GOING!!

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PAUL SAYS: DO GOOD to ALL…

BUT ESPECIALLY the CHURCH

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Conclusion:

Sow good things while you can, trusting that you will reap at harvest time.

A LIFE LIVED for GOD is a LIVE NOT LIVED in VAIN.

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V. Closing Prayer

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VI. Closing Song:

I Need Thee— F (p. 55)

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VII. Prayer Requests