Week 12 Sowing Reaping Galatians 6 6 18

Week 12 Sowing & Reaping (Galatians 6: 6 -18)

Galatians 6: 6 “The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. ” This establishes a principle of support for ministers of the gospel.

Galatians 6: 7 a “ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; “ | God’s laws and principles remain true, and cannot be altered. |Many men have thought they could fool God, or work some kind of deal with God.

Galatians 6: 7 b-10 For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 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. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Natural Law Gen 1: 11 -12 Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.

When we sow, we reap “in kind” The seed produces fruit “after its kind” You can’t get pomegranates from a fig tree! We can expect to harvest the same blessings or curses as we sow. Sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind.

In proportion and in Faith 2 Cor 9: 6 -10 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever. ” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;

Isaac Gen 26: 12 -13 Now Isaac sowed in that land reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the Lord blessed him, and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy;

Tied to Obedience Leviticus 26 - God tells Israel if they disobey they will sow their seed uselessly, and their enemies will eat it up Micah 6: 15 - You will sow but you will not reap. You will tread the olive but will not anoint yourself with oil; And the grapes, but you will not drink wine.

What seeds are we sowing? • • Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Gentleness • • Strife Discontentment Discord Confusion Rebellion Hatred Prejudice

Multiplication We reap a multiple factor of what we sow. Example: Corn 1 kernel of corn grows into a stalk, with 2 -3 ears of corn on it Each ear of corn can have average 800 kernels A multiplication factor of 1600 - 2400

Sowing & Reaping Reinforces two theological ideas: • Human Responsibility – We must sow the seed, tend the field, and harvest the crop – We are responsible for the consequences of our actions • God’s Sovereignty – It is God who provides the seed, the rain, the sunlight, and ultimately who gives the increase

Harvest & Gleaning Leviticus 19: 9 -10 Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the Lord your God.

An Eternal Perspective • There is a significant gap of time, between sowing the seed and reaping the harvest • The period of waiting can be a time of anxiety and restlessness; not knowing the precise time that the harvest will come • Fighting off pests and diseases represent the trials of life • He promises we WILL REAP, IF WE DO NOT FAINT

An Eternal Perspective In Galatians 6: 9 -10 He promises, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.