You Reap What You Sow

Galatians 6:1-10 You Reap What You Sow Introduction: As Paul is closing his letter to the Galatians exhorting them to live lives that are worthy of the Gospel, lives that properly display grateful love to God’s work in Christ, Paul drops this all-pervasive principle that is woven into the fabric of the universe - “Whatever you sow, you will reap.” Right before Paul says those words he reminds us that - “God is not mocked’ - This doesn’t mean that God will take arbitrary vengeance on those who turn their noses up at him, who pretend that they can do whatever they want and get away with it. It means, more specifically that behavior functions like farming: God has decreed that if you sow barely, barely is what will come up. This is, as we say, 'the way the world is’, the way God’s good creation works. God has likewise decreed that those who sow behavior which relates to the flesh will reap the appropriate result, which is ultimately death; and those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal life." Paul wants these Galatians to sow to the Spirit. He wants them to invest their lives in what has ultimate value and significance. Remember how we began this epistle, we talked about how in Christ work of death and resurrection the life of the new age is already broken in, and will one day be complete. “Thus in the wider moral life, as well as the financial, it holds true that those who persevere with patience in laboring for the kingdom of Christ, not growing tired or losing their enthusiasm for living the life of the Spirit, will reap the true harvest.” -Wright If this is the way that God has set up both the physical and the spiritual realm - within the law of reaping and sowing, Christians should always be thinking in these terms- in both the positive and the negative sense. But how does Paul specifically tie this into what he is saying here? 1. The Practical Stuff 1. Paul has appealed to these Galatians that in light of the Gospel of God’s salvation and love they are to pursue a life marked by fulfilling the law of Christ - by bearing one another’s burdens. 1. Bearing one another’s burden’s. 2. Provision for the those who labor in teaching the Gospel 1. “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.” 2. This is taught all throughout the N.T. and I think in the greater context of what Paul is saying the point is not to minimize the importance of growing in the Spirit through the teaching of the Word… 3. So then as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. 1. It seems that these were particular issues going on in the church of Galatia but Paul doesn't say so explicitly, so we can’t be sure. But it seems clear that these things that Paul list out should never be minimized or negated by the Church. 2. Paul want’s these three things to be a priority - and they actually all fit well together. He wants the congregation to be taken care of physically and spiritually by us bearing each other’s burdens. He asks that those who teach/lead would be provided for - monetarily, since they are the ones who are equipping the saints to do the work of the ministry, and he asks that people would take every opportunity to do good to all… 2. I want to talk about this third point and then tie all of this together at the end. 1. Let us do good to everyone - The Christian life is a life that should be marked out by good doing. Christian living is not marked primarily by Bible studies, meetings, programs or conversions - But a life of doing good. As Jesus said the first and great Commandment -Loving God and loving others. Doing good to the person i front of you, giving her or him what is best for them. 2. Think about how many people Jesus did good for, people who never acknowledged his authority, or thanked him, or followed him. Peter describes Jesus in the Book of Acts saying, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him." - Therefore Christians, those who follow Jesus, are to be marked by this same love, compassion and goodness. 3. Here at Refuge we think that biblically speaking there are three things that we practically aim for as a church and those are: Gospel, Community, and Mission 1. Gospel 2. We want to be a people who are radically shaped by the message and power of the Gospel. That we take the whole of our lives and shape them in light of who Jesus is and and what he has done in his life, death, resurrection, ascension and his coming again. 3. We want to faithfully proclaim the gospel, love the gospel, believe the gospel, and practice the gospel. 2. Community 2. We aim to be a community that is marked by the love of the triune God. We desire that the mercy, and compassion that God has shown us through the gospel, would work out in our personal relationships with one another. We bear one another’s burdens. We treat one another as loved and accepted brothers and sisters. We want to be, as we said, a humble people, because we are all sinners - this brings, graciousness, transparency, mutual care and consideration; But also a bold people because we know that we are equally loved by God as his dear children - so we affirm one another, exhort one another and keep watch out for each other to see that we walk in that love. 1. And God is doing these things here! It is so awesome to see us working out our salvation, rooting our identities and lives in the gospel, loving and serving one another... 3. Mission 1. But an area where we still lack is mission -proclaiming the gospel and the kingdom of Christ by our good works and deeds of mercy in the community (co-workers, neighbors, family, and friends) in both word and action. 2. I was reminded recently, how in the book of Acts, virtually everyone evangelizes - that doesn’t mean that they are all street preachers, or apologist, or anything like that, but it does mean that these people talk about who Jesus is and what he has done everywhere they go. 3. British Apologist and Theologian Michael Green, says, the explosive growth of the early church, “was in reality accomplished by means of informal missionaries.” That is, Christian laypeople - not trained preachers and evangelists - carried on the mission of the church not through formal preaching but informal conversation - “in homes and wine shops, on walks, and around market stalls..they did it naturally and enthusiastically.” 4. You know, sometimes people ask me about what are we doing to reach Santa Rosa, and Sonoma county. You know what I tell people… I tell them, the leaders of Refuge - Elders and Deacons are equipping the saints to do the work of the ministry. (Ephesians 4:11-13) 5. The job or calling of your church leadership is not to reach Santa Rosa or the city, per se. God has called us to equip you with the teaching of his word, his eternal truth, particularly as seen in the gospel - God’s great announcement of salvation and restoration through Jesus. But God has called YOU to take this into every nook and cranny of our city, and county. That isn’t to say that the leadership at our church doesn’t do evangelism and mission, we do, but that God has particularly called our main focus to be equipping the church to do evangelism and mission. 6. So How is God calling you to do this? Here are some examples I thought were helpful: 7. Jerry is asked by his work colleague Bill how his weekend went. Jerry relates that he went on a men’s retreat that provided spiritual resources for forgiving people who have wronged us over the years. When Bill raises his eyebrows and says, “that’s interesting,” Jerry takes a small plunge and mentions that the thing that helped him most was the idea that even though he has not given God his due, God offers him forgiveness through Jesus.” 8. Jenny begins coming to a small group in the church. She was raised in the church but has so many doubts and questions that her group leader, Beth, begins meeting with her one-on-one. They study Bible passages and read books that address each of her questions one after the other. 9. Ted is a young single lawyer. He knows several other lawyers who go to church with him, though they don’t work for his firm. He decides to have a super-bowl party for several of his non-christian colleagues and invites two christian lawyers from church and a couple of other believers as well. The men and women from hi workplace hit it off with the lawyers from church. About three months later, one of them shows up in church with one of Ted’s friends. 10. Catherine prays for her friend Megan for months. Megan responds well to two short books on Christian subjects that Catherine has given her. She then invites Megan to an evangelistic event in which Christian truth is presented. On the way home, she fields Megan’s questions. 11. Joe has a longtime friend from college days named Pete, who is a musician. Pete’s performance anxiety is harming his career. Joe has been a sympathetic listener for some time, but finally he bluntly asks petite explore the Christian faith with him. “I think it is the only thing that will help you overcome your problem.” Pete is taken aback, but after a while, he expresses interest, mainly out of desperation. Joe warns him, “if Christianity is going to be any help, it will only be if you come to the belief that it is not just helpful but true.” Pete doesn’t want to go to any Christian gatherings so they start studying the Bible together and listening to sermons and lectures and discussing them. 12. Kerrie and two other Christian friends are moms who have young kids. They decide to start a daytime mom’s group and invite non-christian friends. For about a year, the group grows to include a similar number of Christians and non-believers. The conversations are general and freewheeling - covering spiritual, social, marriage, parenting, and personal issues. As time goes on, several of the non-believers begin to go to church with the believers and cross over into faith. After three years, the group is a christian bible study but still open and inclusive toward a few non-believers who come regularly. 3. Where do I start? 1. I think it starts simply - Let others know of your Christian faith by simply mentioning church attendance or Christian beliefs in casual conversation. 2. Ask questions about other people’s beliefs and experiences with faith and the church and simply listen appreciatively and sympathetically. 3. Listen sympathetically to someone’s story or personal challenges and mention that will pray regularly for them. 4. Share a difficult personal issue that you have and be sure to mention that you faith helps you by giving you strength and granting you forgiveness, peace, hope, love, etc. 5. Share your spiritual narrative - a brief testimony of your Christian experience…. 1. From there see what God will do with the seeds that you plant… 4. Here are some practical ideas as well. But honestly, the question is, how is God burdening you? What are the opportunities that God has placed in front of you? Who are the people that God has placed in your life? Paul does say right before this - “As we have opportunity”, so it’s not so much about what you could do in an idealistic situation as it is what you should do, the opportunities that are right in front of you now… what are the needs and opportunities to do good, to make Christ known through your words and actions? 1. Engage your neighbors - 1. Take regular walks in your neighborhood to meet others who are out and about. Smile, say hello. Keep a regular schedule. Go to the same places at the same time for groceries, haircuts, coffee, shopping. This is one of the main ways you get to know those who live geographically near you. 2. Find ways to get to know others in your building or neighborhood - through a common laundry area, at resident meetings, and in numerous other ways. 3. Find a recreational activity or hobby you can do with others in the city. Example: don’t start a christian hiking or cycling club - join an already existing one. 4. Look for ways to play organized amateur sports in your city. 5. Volunteer alongside other neighborhood residents at nonprofits and with other programs. 6. If you have children, be involved at the school and get to know other parents. 7. Participate in city events - fundraisers, festivals, cleanups, summer shows, concerts, etc 8. Visit community board meetings. get involved in neighborhood associations. find out needs of individual neighbors (especially elderly) and find ways to serve them. 9. Be hospitable to neighbors -when and where appropriate, invite them over for a meal or a movie. 2. Engaging Colleagues, Coworkers and Friends 1. Do recreational activities with them - watch sports; go to a theatre or concert together, etc. 2. Invite them to workout with you at the gym 3. Put together a movie night 4. Go out of your way to eat with them as often as possible 5. Plan trips or outings 6. If a person has a skill or interest, ask them to educate you 7. Organize a discussion group or something - politics, books, etc, mainly inviting non-christians. 8. We often use the word missional as christians and basically what we mean is that we’re hip, and not back hills fundamentalist or at least that we’re trying to be- But to to be truly missional means to be real people that engage others with a real, true and relevant to life gospel. Tim Keller uses these 4 points to show what characterize a missional church’s community ministries: 1. Organic - it happens spontaneously, outside of the Church’s organized programs (even though it occasionally makes use of formal programs). 2. Relational - it is done in the context of informal personal relationships. 3. Word deploying - it prayerfully brings the Bible and gospel into connection with people’s lives. 4. Active, not passive - Each person assumes personal responsibility for being a producer rather than just a consumer of ministry. 3. In all of this we are looking for opportunities to get to know people that we might love on them with the love of God and that we might share the greatest news in the history of the world with them… 2. This is one of the areas that Paul does not want the Christians in Galatia to give up or to lose heart - in their mission to the community, their doing good to all. 1. In our day and age with the way things are going in society it’s easy to keep our relationship with Christ private.. and many around us would say that we should. This is where it comes back to being humbled and emboldened with the gospel - God is asking you to put yourself out there- to take a plunge in your relationship with non-believers and share Christ, or do kind deeds that show Christ. You need to have your identity secured in Christ to do this effectively. 1. First - humbled by the gospel - since the gospel is by grace alone - we know that there is no such thing as a typical christian. No person is more promising material for christianity than another. salvation is by grace- it is an undeserved gift. So there is hope for anyone, no matter how far from God they seem to be. The attitude of our hearts should be surprised that even we are Christians - that someone like you and me with all our sin and baggage and wrong ideas about God could be saved. It’s a wonder and a miracle… 2. Secondly - we need the affirmation and the security that the gospel gives us to be bold in declaring Jesus as savior and Lord. That’s not easy to do, often times we don’t want to identify as religious or a certain type of Christian for fear of being written off. But we should not let these fears control us - the only one who’s opinion ultimately matter has given you his love and approval… And again the Gospel is for the glory of God and the good of others. If you aren’t secured in that truth - you’ll fear people’s opinion or rejection. But if you are secure in God’s truth and love you will be able to share with boldness knowing that the gospel working in someone’s life is the best thing that could ever happen to them. Conclusion: We can take the Law of reaping and sowing negatively and Paul does mention that -If you sow to the flesh - if you live a life of selfishness - a life of trying to be your own savior and lord, whether through moral effort or licentious living, you will reap decay, break down, corruption death. It will not satisfy, it will not ultimately deliver you or save you. It will fail. God has guaranteed it. The only crop that that the flesh produces is a dead corpse. Don’t let the appeal of self focus and selfish living deceive you, don’t let the instant gratification of the flesh fool you. Don’t be deceived Paul says, God, the creator, who has woven this principle into the fabric of the universe will not be mocked. You will reap what you sow. But I think Paul wants us, and I definitely want us this morning to think of this as a promise from God, in regard to our labors for his kingdom, for his Church, in this city and county. As Paul says, “let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” If you sow to the Spirit - living in light of the Gospel, loving and serving God and others out of grateful love - that life will reap everlasting life. There is reward, there is a great pay off coming. Living by the Spirit seems like it’s such hard work, the flesh comes so much easier - the flesh is the path of least resistance.. Again these seemingly insignificant acts of grateful love are not insignificant but are like a small seed which is put into the ground and it might sit there for a long time but God has promised what you sow you will also reap. The mustard seed parable - the smallest of all seeds The sheep and the goats. acts of love done in the name of a prophet The works of the flesh will not be remembered. They will whither up and die. They will come to nothing… But the way of the righteous, those who walk in the spirit - The one who gave a cold cup of water in the name of Jesus, will be celebrated will be sung and praised for all eternity.. The sheep who visited the sick and imprisoned, who fed the poor, who did anything in Christ name and for his sake will not just be remembered but will live forever in new heavens and a new earth…. My Brothers and sisters, Be steadfast immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain. In due season, we shall reap, if we do not give up. Lord strengthen us.