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The Harvest Principle, Part 2
Stand Firm in Your Freedom
The Harvest Principle, Part 2
Galatians 6:7-10 (AMP) – [7] Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. [8] For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. [10] So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].
I. Two Universal Spiritual Principles
A. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.
B. Do not be deceived: A man reaps what he sows.
1. The principle of sowing and reaping is a universal spiritual law that holds true in every context.
2. The principle of sowing and reaping can apply either in a positive or a negative way.
a. Sow to please the sinful nature and you will reap destruction.
b. Sow to please the Spirit and you will reap abundant life and eternal life.
II. Three Exhortations for Doing Good
A. Do not become WEARY in doing good.
1. Weary (ekkakeo) means “to be weak, to fail in heart; to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted; to lack courage, to lose heart, to be fainthearted.” (Ephesians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 4:1)
Ephesians 3:13 (NIV) – [13] I ask you, therefore, not to be DISCOURAGED because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
2 Corinthians 4:1 (NIV) – [1] Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not LOSE HEART.
2. Good (kalos) means “beautiful, magnificent; good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends; beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life; praiseworthy; morally good, noble, honorable.”
B. We will reap a HARVEST at the proper time if we do not give up.
1. The promise is that we will be rewarded for our faithfulness. (Matthew 25:21; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
Matthew 25:21 (NIV) – [21] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!’”
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NIV) – [11] For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, [13] his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. [14] If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. [15] If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
2. There are two qualifiers for reaping a harvest:
a. The first is that we will reap a harvest at the PROPER TIME.
b. The second is that we will reap a harvest if we DO NOT GIVE UP.
1) Give up (ekluo) means “to loose or unloose as a bowstring; to weaken, to relax, to exhaust; to have one’s strength relaxed, to become feeble through exhaustion; to grow weak, to grow weary, to be tired out; to become despondent.” (Matthew 15:32; Hebrews 12:3)
Matthew 15:32 (AMP) – [32] Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, I have pity and sympathy and am deeply moved for the crowd, because they have been with Me now three days and they have nothing [at all left] to eat; and I am not willing to send them away hungry, lest they FAINT or become EXHAUSTED on the way.
Hebrews 12:3 (AMP) – [3] Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow WEARY or EXHAUSTED, LOSING HEART and RELAXING and FAINTING in your minds.
2) We cannot give into the temptation to coast or to let down our guard or to become complacent and apathetic.
C. Therefore, let us take every OPPORTUNITY to good to all people, especially other Christians.
1. Because we know that all good that we do will be rewarded by God, then we should be encouraged to continue to take advantage of every opportunity to do good to all people.
2. A person is to provide for the needs of his own household first before he meets the needs of others. (1 Timothy 5:8)
1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV) – [8] If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
3. In the same way, while we are to be willing to help anyone in need, the priority must first be for those who are fellow believers. (Romans 12:13; 3 John 5-8)
Romans 12:13 (NIV) – [13] Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
3 John 5-8 (NIV) – [5] Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. [6] They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. [7] It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. [8] We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.
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By Bakersfield First Assembly
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Stand Firm in Your Freedom
The Harvest Principle, Part 2
Galatians 6:7-10 (AMP) – [7] Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. [8] For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. [10] So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].
I. Two Universal Spiritual Principles
A. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.
B. Do not be deceived: A man reaps what he sows.
1. The principle of sowing and reaping is a universal spiritual law that holds true in every context.
2. The principle of sowing and reaping can apply either in a positive or a negative way.
a. Sow to please the sinful nature and you will reap destruction.
b. Sow to please the Spirit and you will reap abundant life and eternal life.
II. Three Exhortations for Doing Good
A. Do not become WEARY in doing good.
1. Weary (ekkakeo) means “to be weak, to fail in heart; to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted; to lack courage, to lose heart, to be fainthearted.” (Ephesians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 4:1)
Ephesians 3:13 (NIV) – [13] I ask you, therefore, not to be DISCOURAGED because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
2 Corinthians 4:1 (NIV) – [1] Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not LOSE HEART.
2. Good (kalos) means “beautiful, magnificent; good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends; beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life; praiseworthy; morally good, noble, honorable.”
B. We will reap a HARVEST at the proper time if we do not give up.
1. The promise is that we will be rewarded for our faithfulness. (Matthew 25:21; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
Matthew 25:21 (NIV) – [21] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!’”
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NIV) – [11] For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, [13] his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. [14] If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. [15] If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
2. There are two qualifiers for reaping a harvest:
a. The first is that we will reap a harvest at the PROPER TIME.
b. The second is that we will reap a harvest if we DO NOT GIVE UP.
1) Give up (ekluo) means “to loose or unloose as a bowstring; to weaken, to relax, to exhaust; to have one’s strength relaxed, to become feeble through exhaustion; to grow weak, to grow weary, to be tired out; to become despondent.” (Matthew 15:32; Hebrews 12:3)
Matthew 15:32 (AMP) – [32] Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, I have pity and sympathy and am deeply moved for the crowd, because they have been with Me now three days and they have nothing [at all left] to eat; and I am not willing to send them away hungry, lest they FAINT or become EXHAUSTED on the way.
Hebrews 12:3 (AMP) – [3] Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow WEARY or EXHAUSTED, LOSING HEART and RELAXING and FAINTING in your minds.
2) We cannot give into the temptation to coast or to let down our guard or to become complacent and apathetic.
C. Therefore, let us take every OPPORTUNITY to good to all people, especially other Christians.
1. Because we know that all good that we do will be rewarded by God, then we should be encouraged to continue to take advantage of every opportunity to do good to all people.
2. A person is to provide for the needs of his own household first before he meets the needs of others. (1 Timothy 5:8)
1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV) – [8] If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
3. In the same way, while we are to be willing to help anyone in need, the priority must first be for those who are fellow believers. (Romans 12:13; 3 John 5-8)
Romans 12:13 (NIV) – [13] Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
3 John 5-8 (NIV) – [5] Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. [6] They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. [7] It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. [8] We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.