“You Never Know”

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A Presbyterian elder from Mississippi had an experience in Eastern Europe. Every year he traveled to Ukraine for street preaching and door-to-door evangelism. Some people responded to the gospel, and some didn’t, but even the ones who prayed to receive Christ sometimes failed to follow through in Christian discipleship.
Yet there are also times when we catch a glimpse of what God is doing, when we see something we did for Jesus make a difference in someone’s life. A Presbyterian elder from Mississippi had this experience in Eastern Europe. Every year he traveled to Ukraine for street preaching and door-to-door evangelism. Some people responded to the gospel, and some didn’t, but even the ones who prayed to receive Christ sometimes failed to follow through in Christian discipleship.
One day the elder was out with friends and asked a stranger to take their picture. Afterward the man who took the photo had something he wanted to say: You probably don’t remember me, but four years ago you came to my apartment and shared the good news of Jesus Christ, how He died for sinners like me. I prayed that prayer, but I was just going through the motions to please my mother. I was in a very bad condition for about two years after that. I completely lost hope. I was drugging and drinking intending just to kill myself, but in God’s mercy I remembered what you told me, that Christ died for sinners and His blood was for my sins. I prayed again and this time I meant it. He really did come into my heart. I have been delivered. You probably wonder, sometimes, if what you are doing really does any good. For me God used it to save my life and my soul.
You probably don’t remember me, but four years ago you came to my apartment and shared the good news of Jesus Christ, how He died for sinners like me. I prayed that prayer, but I was just going through the motions to please my mother. I was in a very bad condition for about two years after that. I completely lost hope. I was drugging and drinking intending just to kill myself, but in God’s mercy I remembered what you told me, that Christ died for sinners and His blood was for my sins. I prayed again and this time I meant it. He really did come into my heart. I have been delivered. You probably wonder, sometimes, if what you are doing really does any good. For me God used it to save my life and my soul.
Sometimes I bet we spend a lot of time wondering if anything we do for God actually matters. We pray earnestly, but does our prayer ever get answered? We give money, but does it really change or help anything or anyone? We share the gospel, but do people ever really get saved? Well you never know.
Even when we do not know what what the Lord will do, we should continue to pray, to give, to serve, and of course hope in His promise that in Christ our labor will not be in vain. Solomon reminds us of this truth today.
Even when we do not know how God will use our work to advance his kingdom, we should continue to pray, continue to serve, and continue to hope, “knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (). The Preacher takes this perspective in , where he tells us to live boldly, not letting the uncertainties of life hold us back from taking risks by faith for the glory of God. The better part of spiritual wisdom is not caution but courage through Christ.
Ecclesiastes 11:1–6 NLT
Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you. But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead. When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls. Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest. Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 254). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
The grass withers the flower fades but the word of our God stands forever.
Sometimes it is tempting to wonder whether anything we do for God really matters. We pray for a friend, but does our prayer ever get answered? We give money to help the poor, but does it really change their lives? We share the gospel, but does anyone get saved? You never know, or at least sometimes it feels that way.
Spiritual Business
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 253). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Here Comes the Sun
Mysterious Ways
Reaping What You Sow
The first thing we will look at today is how wise principles in investing sheds light on how we should invest in the kingdom of God. Second, the preacher shows us what will happen to us if we do not put these principles into practice. Finally, we will see again how God works in mysterious ways, and none more than the gospel.
Thesis: Though sin and the patten of this world cause us to believe that much of the work we do for the kingdom is all in vain, it is the power of the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Gospel that will remind us that Christ the Lord invested His life to bring us life and life more abundant.
I. Spiritual Business
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 255). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
A. Now what in the world do these poetic images mean?
Ecclesiastes 11:1–2 ESV
Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
B. For many years I have struggled with these verses as to what they mean. I was never really convinced of how they are normally interpreted. They do not fit the context well and often times it has been abused by televangelists to manipulate people into giving. Seriously. Why in the world would we want to eat bread that was cast into the water. Ever fished with bread?
C. These verses are commonly said to be verses of Philanthropy. Be generous in giving to the poor. Casting bread upon the waters is figurative of giving to the poor. If we are generous to those who are in need, then we will get help when we are in need.
D. Portions to 7 and 8 are also said to be the poor. In Biblical times it was customary for a family to share a feast with neighbors in need.
In Biblical times it was customary for a family to share a feast with neighbors in need. For example, when Ezra read the Law of God in Jerusalem, and the people celebrated, Nehemiah told them
Neheimiah 8:10
Nehemiah 8:10 ESV
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (pp. 254–255). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
E. To give a portion, then, is to share the good things of this life. To share seven portions would be very generous. To share eight is to do even more: it is to do everything we can to help others.
To give a portion, then, is to share the good things of this life. To share seven portions would be the height of generosity. To share eight is to do even more: it is to do everything we can to help others, not using the fear of some coming disaster as an excuse to be stingy, but giving and giving and giving some more. Martin Luther said, “Be generous to everyone while you
F. Some commentators say that this is about prudent industry. Casting bread upon the waters is the same as sowing seed. Thus the farmer gets a good return for sowing his seed.
Thus the farmer gets a good return for sowing his seed, although it is a little difficult to understand why the Preacher would describe this as “casting bread” rather than casting seed.
G. A better way... To “cast [one’s] bread upon the waters” is to engage in international trade, sending one’s grain or other produce out to sea and then waiting for the ships to return with fine goods from foreign lands. To “find it after many days,” therefore, is to receive the reward that eventually comes after taking the risk of a wise investment. Kind of like … “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 255). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
To “cast [one’s] bread upon the waters” is to engage in international trade, sending one’s grain or other produce out to sea and then waiting for the ships to return with fine goods from foreign lands. To “find it after many days,” therefore, is to receive the reward that eventually comes after taking the risk of a wise investment. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
H. The Preacher invites us to handle our spiritual business the same way. What we invest in the kingdom of God—our time, our talent, our treasure—is never wasted.
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 255). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
The Preacher invites us to handle our spiritual business the same way. What we invest in the kingdom of God—our time, our talent, our treasure—is never wasted. But if we want the blessings that God loves to give, we need to exercise our faith:
I. Michael Eaton - Ships on commercial voyages might be long delayed before any profit resulted. Yet one’s goods had to be committed to them. Solomon’s fleet which brought back “gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks” () sailed once in three years. Similarly the preacher has called his readers to take life as from the hand of God, and to enjoy it despite its trials and perplexities. Such a life contains within it the elements of trust and adventure (Cast), demands total commitment (for your bread is used in the sense of “goods, livelihood,” as in , ), and has a forward look to it (you will find), a reward which requires patience (after many days).
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 255). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 255). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
J. Verse 2 makes a similar but slightly different point. To “give a portion to seven, or even to eight” is like we say today, “do not put all your eggs in one basket.” In business this would be called “diversifying investments.” Rather than focusing narrowly on a single product or service, many companies try to widen their interests. Like Mutual Funds.
Verse 2 makes a similar but slightly different point. To “give a portion to seven, or even to eight” is a way of saying, “do not put all your eggs in one basket.” In business this would be called “diversifying investments.” Rather than focusing narrowly on a single product or service, many companies try to widen their interests.
K. Why should we do this?... “you know not what disaster may happen on earth.” Once again Solomon reminds us of the mysteries of the future and the many misfortunes of life—war, pestilence, famine, and financial collapse. We are not to just take our chances, we will plan for an uncertain and possibly unfortunate future. So you see, if one investment doesn’t do well then it will be counterbalanced by another source that is doing somewhat better.
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 256). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 256). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
L. There are ways to apply this sound financial advice to the spiritual business of God’s kingdom. Michael Eaton writes, “that the wise man will invest everything he has in the life of faith.” Rather than holding on to what we have, hoarding it all for ourselves—God invites us to be venture capitalists for the kingdom of God. This is not primarily about money. It is about having the boldness to do seven (or even eight) things to spread the gospel and then waiting for God’s ship to come in.
M. Some of the things that we attempt may fail (or at least seem to fail at the time)—some of the ministries we start, for example, or the churches we plant, or the efforts we make to share the good news of the cross and the empty tomb. But we should never stop investing with the gospel in as many places as we can. Whenever we engage in kingdom enterprises, we offer the Holy Spirit something he can and often will use to save people’s souls.
There are ways to apply this sound financial advice to the spiritual business of God’s kingdom. Qoheleth’s concern, writes Michael Eaton, is “that the wise man will invest everything he has in the life of faith.” Rather than holding on to what we have, hoarding it all for ourselves—which is the error that the man with one talent made in a parable that Jesus told ()—God invites us to be venture capitalists for the kingdom of God. This is not exclusively or even primarily about money. It is about having the holy boldness to do seven (or even eight) things to spread the gospel and then waiting for God’s ship to come in. Some of the things that we attempt may fail (or at least seem to fail at the time)—some of the ministries we start, for example, or the churches we plant, or the efforts we make to share the good news of the cross and the empty tomb. But we should never stop investing with the gospel in as many places as we can. Whenever we engage in kingdom enterprises, we offer the Holy Spirit something he can and often will use to save people’s souls.
II. Here Comes the Sun
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 256). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
- Are we waiting forever?
A. Some people—including many Christians—have a completely different attitude toward spiritual business. They are so scared to risk that they keep waiting until conditions are perfect before they do the work that God is calling them to do. Sometimes they end up waiting forever.
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 256). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Ecclesiastes 11:3–4 NLT
When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls. Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.
B. These two verses warn us what will happen if we do not obey the commands in verses 1–2. If we fail to invest wisely and give generously, we will never do any productive spiritual work that will yield a kingdom harvest. To show this, the Preacher pictures a farmer standing out in his field. The clouds are heavy with rain—part of a familiar cycle in nature. Nearby a tree has fallen to the ground, possibly as the result of a storm. There is nothing the farmer can do about either the rain or the tree; these natural and seemingly random events are far outside his personal control.
These two verses warn us what will happen if we do not obey the commands in verses 1–2. If we fail to invest wisely and give generously, we will never do any productive spiritual work that will yield a kingdom harvest. To show this, the Preacher pictures a farmer standing out in his field. The clouds are heavy with rain—part of a familiar cycle in nature. Nearby a tree has fallen to the ground, possibly as the result of a storm. There is nothing the farmer can do about either the rain or the tree; these natural and seemingly random events are far outside his personal control.
C. The one thing that the farmer can control is when he will sow his seed and harvest his crops. But this particular farmer is just standing there—watching the wind and the clouds, but not farming his field. The implication is that he is trying to guess when he can safely cast his seed or harvest his grain. Although there is “a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted” (), apparently this man is not sure what time it is! Back in chapter 10, the Preacher introduced us to a foolish homeowner who was too lazy to fix his roof (v. 18). The farmer in chapter 11 also refuses to work, but he is a different kind of fool. He keeps watching and waiting, but never sowing or reaping. Why not? Because rather than getting on with his work, he keeps hoping for better conditions.
D. By showing us this farmer, the Preacher is giving us a practical warning that we can apply to many situations in life. How do you respond when things seem out of your control or when you have reason to fear that something bad might happen? Some people get paralyzed with fear. Or they procrastinate. Instead of doing what they know they ought to be doing, they keep putting things off. There is always some plausible excuse for delay. Maybe the weather will be better tomorrow!
E. As long as we keep thinking this way, we will never accomplish anything in life. At planting time there is always a chance that the weather will stay dry, in which case the seed we sow will shrivel and die. At harvesttime, there is always a chance that a storm will strike before we get all the grain safely into the barn. There are no guarantees in life. “Time and chance happen to [us] all” (). You never know. Nevertheless, the Preacher says, you will never reap if you never sow!
As long as we keep thinking this way, we will never accomplish anything in life. At planting time there is always a chance that the weather will stay dry, in which case the seed we sow will shrivel and die. At harvesttime, there is always a chance that a storm will strike before we get all the grain safely into the barn. There are no guarantees in life. “Time and chance happen to [us] all” (). You never know. Nevertheless, the Preacher says, you will never reap if you never sow!
F. Rather than watching the wind and the clouds, imagining all the difficulties and waiting for better circumstances, we should try and do what we can with whatever God has given us in life. Pursue the dream you believe that God has given for your calling in life. Get involved in ministry. Show mercy to someone in need. Start a friendship with a neighbor, and pray that God will use that relationship to lead your neighbor to Christ.
G. Do not hold back because of fear, but step out by faith—not faith that your own efforts will succeed, necessarily, but faith that God will take what you offer and use it in some way for his glory. But whatever you do, do not use the sovereignty of God or the uncertain difficulties of life as an excuse for not doing anything at all. “If there are risks in everything,” Derek Kidner writes, “it is better to fail in launching out than in hugging one’s resources to oneself.” When it comes to kingdom work, we should always be venture capitalists, willing to take risks for the glory of God (cf. ).
Do not hold back because of fear, but step out by faith—not faith that your own efforts will succeed, necessarily, but faith that God will take what you offer and use it in some way for his glory. But whatever you do, do not use the sovereignty of God or the uncertain difficulties of life as an excuse for not doing anything at all. “If there are risks in everything,” Derek Kidner writes, “it is better to fail in launching out than in hugging one’s resources to oneself.” When it comes to kingdom work, we should always be venture capitalists, willing to take risks for the glory of God (cf. ).
III. Mysterious Ways
H.
- The Gospel is a Great Mystery.
A. Chapter 11 began by commanding us to “cast” and to “give,” even if we do not know what blessings or disasters may lie in the future (). Then the Preacher warned us what will happen if we refuse to act, like the farmer who watches the weather but never does any farming ().
Chapter 11 began by commanding us to “cast” and to “give,” even if we do not know what blessings or disasters may lie in the future (). Then the Preacher warned us what will happen if we refuse to act, like the farmer who watches the weather but never does any farming ().
B. Now in verse 5 he uses an analogy to remind us how little knowledge we have compared to God, and this will set up his concluding command, which basically repeats what he said in verses 1–2. Here, then, is the Preacher’s analogy: “As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.”
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 258). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Now in verse 5 he uses an analogy to remind us how little knowledge we have compared to God, and this will set up his concluding command, which basically repeats what he said in verses 1–2. Here, then, is the Preacher’s analogy: “As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.”
C. The word “spirit” (ruach) might just as well be translated “wind,” as in verse 4. In that case the Preacher really draws two analogies. The first analogy points to the wind as an analogy for the mysterious purposes of God: we do not know which way the wind will blow. Jesus used the same analogy when he was teaching Nicodemus about the born-again mystery of regeneration: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” ().
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 258). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
The word “spirit” (ruach) might just as well be translated “wind,” as in verse 4. In that case the Preacher really draws two analogies. The first analogy points to the wind as an analogy for the mysterious purposes of God: we do not know which way the wind will blow. Jesus used the same analogy when he was teaching Nicodemus about the born-again mystery of regeneration: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” ().
D. Yet it is just as likely, if not more so, that the Preacher is talking about the human spirit and the way it animates the human body. What divine mysteries unfold when a child grows in his mother’s womb! We know more, perhaps, than Solomon did about the growth of a child from conception to birth, but this knowledge does not diminish our sense of wonder. In fact, the more we know about life in the womb, the more amazing it seems. One whole new person (sometimes more than one) grows inside the body of another person. I say “person” because the Preacher clearly states that the child in the womb is not merely a body but also a living spirit. Who can possibly explain the mystery of how the life of a soul animates flesh and blood and bone? We are indeed “fearfully and wonderfully made” ().
E. This is not the only work of God that goes beyond our understanding, however. The Preacher uses the mysteries of the womb as an analogy for all the other wonders that are beyond human thought—the mysteries of creation and the providence of God.
This is not the only work of God that goes beyond our understanding, however. The Preacher uses the mysteries of the womb as an analogy for all the other wonders that are beyond human thought—the mysteries of creation and the providence of God.
F. Consider God’s work in creation. In 2004 the Hubble Space Telescope photographed a tiny sliver of space through prolonged exposures that lasted for more than eleven days. Then astronomers counted the number of galaxies in the photograph. In that one little subsection of the universe, there were ten thousand galaxies, each containing one hundred billion stars. Who can explain how all those stars came into being? Or go to the other end of the scale, where scientists are trying to discover tangible evidence for the “last” atomic particle, the Higgs boson. Yet as soon as they observe it—if they ever do—they will wonder if there is something even smaller. Truly, God “does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number” (). The whole universe is full of mysteries, from inside the atom to the farthest star in space and everything in between.
G. What God does in our own lives is no less mysterious. Why did he take something away that we were hoping to keep or give us something that we never wanted to have? Why did our prayers go unanswered and our dreams go unfulfilled? But there are also happier mysteries, including the mystery of our own salvation. What made the Son of God willing to suffer and to die for our sins, bearing our guilt and shame on the cross where he died naked and totally alone? Why did God choose us, of all people, to believe in Jesus and to receive life in his name? How did the Holy Spirit enable us to believe that the Bible really is the Word of God?
What God does in our own lives is no less mysterious. Why did he take something away that we were hoping to keep or give us something that we never wanted to have? Why did our prayers go unanswered and our dreams go unfulfilled? But there are also happier mysteries, including the mystery of our own salvation. What made the Son of God willing to suffer and to die for our sins, bearing our guilt and shame on the cross where he died naked and totally alone? Why did God choose us, of all people, to believe in Jesus and to receive life in his name? How did the Holy Spirit enable us to believe that the Bible really is the Word of God?
H. Then there are the mysteries that surround the work of the church. Why does the gospel spread faster in one place than another? What is God’s plan for vast nations of people that are lost in sin? Why does the suffering church seem to produce more spiritual fruit? What on earth is God doing? As we consider such questions, we find ourselves agreeing with the Preacher’s testimony that we “do not know the work of God who makes everything” ().
1 Peter 1:12 NLT
They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.
Then there are the mysteries that surround the work of the church. Why does the gospel spread faster in one place than another? What is God’s plan for vast nations of people that are lost in sin? Why does the suffering church seem to produce more spiritual fruit? What on earth is God doing? As we consider such questions, we find ourselves agreeing with the Preacher’s testimony that we “do not know the work of God who makes everything” ().
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A. These great mysteries are a call to humility. Every time we encounter something that only God knows, we are reminded that he is God and we are not. These mysteries are also a call to faith. When we do not know what God is doing, we may still trust that he does know what he is doing. But the Preacher uses the mysteries of God as a call to faithful obedience. Here is his concluding command: “In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good” ().
B. Some people use the mysterious ways of God as an excuse for giving up on their work or holding back in their witness. If God is sovereign over everything in the universe, including what will happen in the future, then why bother to do anything?
Some people use the mysterious ways of God as an excuse for giving up on their work or holding back in their witness. If God is sovereign over everything in the universe, including what will happen in the future, then why bother to do anything?
C. Ecclesiastes teaches us to take the opposite approach. It may be true that, to paraphrase this passage, “you never know,” but it is equally true that “you will never reap if you never sow.” So work hard for the kingdom of God. Live boldly and creatively. Try something new! Be a spiritual entrepreneur. Even if you are not completely sure what will work, try everything you can to serve Christ in a world that desperately needs the gospel. Work hard from morning till night, making the most of your time by offering God a full day’s work. Then leave the results to him, knowing that he will use your work in whatever way he sees fit.
Ecclesiastes teaches us to take the opposite approach. It may be true that, to paraphrase this passage, “you never know,” but it is equally true that “you will never reap if you never sow.” So work hard for the kingdom of God. Live boldly and creatively. Try something new! Be a spiritual entrepreneur. Even if you are not completely sure what will work, try everything you can to serve Christ in a world that desperately needs the gospel. Work hard from morning till night, making the most of your time by offering God a full day’s work. Then leave the results to him, knowing that he will use your work in whatever way he sees fit.
D. The Preacher’s practical exhortation to sow good seed is not just for farmers, of course. It applies to many areas of life. But the Bible most frequently uses the imagery of sowing and reaping to talk about what we do with the Word of God. Jesus told a famous parable about a farmer who sowed his seed on four different types of soil. When he explained this parable to his disciples, he told them that “the sower sows the word” (). Of all the things that we ought to be sowing, therefore, the most important is the living Word of God.
E. We sow the Word when we read it, study it, and memorize it for ourselves, listening to the voice of God. We sow the Word when we teach it to our children at bedtime or around the family dinner table. We sow the Word when we give someone a Bible or use a simple verse from Scripture with a friend who needs to know Jesus. We sow the Word when we take it to the prison, the nursing home, and the college or university campus. We sow the Word when we support sound Biblical preaching in our own local congregation, as well as through missions and ministries that broadcast the gospel around the world. There is no one single way to share the gospel; the best way to do it is every way we can.
F. From time to time we may wonder whether any gospel ministry ever accomplishes anything. But the Bible encourages us with many wonderful promises about the work that the Holy Spirit will do with the Word of God:
From time to time we may wonder whether any gospel ministry ever accomplishes anything. But the Bible encourages us with many wonderful promises about the work that the Holy Spirit will do with the Word of God:
Isaiah 55:10–11 NLT
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
Isaiah
2 Corinthians 9:6 NLT
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
Galatians 6:9
Galatians 6:9 NLT
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
G. Jesus Christ is the Lord of the harvest, which will come at the proper time. This was true in his own life and ministry. Jesus said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (). Jesus was talking about his own death on the cross and burial in the ground, as well as the resurrection that followed. It was not just words that Jesus sowed but his very life itself, when he offered his blood on the cross for our sins. The gospel harvest of his saving work is forgiveness and eternal life for everyone who believes in him. Jesus does not offer this grace in portions to seven, or even to eight, but to millions and millions of sinners who turn to him in faith and repentance.
Jesus Christ is the Lord of the harvest, which will come at the proper time. This was true in his own life and ministry. Jesus said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (). Jesus was talking about his own death on the cross and burial in the ground, as well as the resurrection that followed. It was not just words that Jesus sowed but his very life itself, when he offered his blood on the cross for our sins. The gospel harvest of his saving work is forgiveness and eternal life for everyone who believes in him. Jesus does not offer this grace in portions to seven, or even to eight, but to millions and millions of sinners who turn to him in faith and repentance.
H. Now Jesus sends us out to do a little sowing of our own. He is the Lord of the surprising harvest (surprising to us, not to him). We do not always know what God will do with what we sow. But if we keep sowing, the day will come when God will reap a harvest of salvation.
I. One of my favorite examples of God’s surprising harvest is the conversion of Luke Short at the tender age of 103. Short was sitting under a hedge in Virginia when he happened to remember a sermon he had once heard preached by the famous Puritan John Flavel. As he recalled the sermon, Short asked God to forgive his sins right then and there, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He lived for three more years, and when he died, the following words were inscribed on his tombstone: “Here lies a babe in grace, aged three years, who died according to nature, aged 106.” But here is the remarkable part of the story: the sermon that old Mr. Short remembered had been preached eighty-five years earlier, back in England! Nearly a century had passed between Flavel’s sermon and Short’s conversion, between the sowing and the reaping.
One of my favorite examples of God’s surprising harvest is the conversion of Luke Short at the tender age of 103. Short was sitting under a hedge in Virginia when he happened to remember a sermon he had once heard preached by the famous Puritan John Flavel. As he recalled the sermon, Short asked God to forgive his sins right then and there, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He lived for three more years, and when he died, the following words were inscribed on his tombstone: “Here lies a babe in grace, aged three years, who died according to nature, aged 106.” But here is the remarkable part of the story: the sermon that old Mr. Short remembered had been preached eighty-five years earlier, back in England! Nearly a century had passed between Flavel’s sermon and Short’s conversion, between the sowing and the reaping.
J. So cast your bread upon the waters. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand. What God will do, you never know; but you will never reap if you never sow!
Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 261). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
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