All food given will be donated to the food bank, while gifts of money will go to the Baptist Missionary Society “wonderfully made” project helping children with disabilities in Thailand. Please make use of the envelopes provided
In the realm of the agricultural if a farmer sows wheat in his field then he will harvest wheat; in the realm of the moral if a person “sows wild oats” (Hosea 8 v 7) or for that matter good deeds then that is what will be reaped. It is one of the great Biblical principles of life – “a man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6 v 7.) We should not deceive ourselves into thinking that such a principle can be violated without consequences, because the divine author cannot be mocked. The principle is then applied to three spheres of Christian experience:-
1 – Payment (v 6.)
Those who are being taught the word of God, be that as individuals, in a small group, or even as a whole church, are to financially support the teacher; for the one who sows the seed of God’s word in the hearts and lives of his people ought to be able to reap a livelihood from such a ministry (Luke 10 v 17 & 1 Corinthians 9 v 11.)
2 – Purity (v 8.)
Here two fields are presented offering a couple of very different types of sowing:-
A – Sowing in the flesh.
If we sow in the field of our fallen nature with all its passions and desires we will reap – “the acts of the sinful nature” (Galatians 5 v 19 – 21) with the result s being moral decay and corruption.
B – Sowing in the Spirit.
If we sow in the field of the Spiritual nature (Romans 8 v 6 & Galatians 5 v 16 & 25) then we will reap – “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5 v 22 – 23) with the results being spiritual growth and a harvest of holiness.
3 – Philanthropy (v 9 – 10.)
Just like a farmer should not tire and give up having only sown half a field; so the Christian must not become weary and give up on good works. Opportunities for such good works are promised in two locations:-
A – The Community.
To – “all people” as we bring comfort and relief; hold back decay (Matthew 5 v 13 – 16); as well as share the Gospel through works as well as words.
B – The Church.
There will also be opportunity to serve – “the family of believers” who have first claim on our loyalty, precisely because they are family.
Challenge – “A man reaps what he sows.” What are you sowing and reaping in these three spheres?
Service Details
Theme: “You reap what you sow!”
Reading: Galatians 6 v 6 – 10
Preacher: Chris Hughes
Led by: Richard Sills
