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Dr.  Ronald Powell

This Week's Message:  

Sowing to the Spirit

Our Text:

6 No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains [a]in communion with and in obedience to Him-deliberately, knowingly, and [b]habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him].

7 [c]Boys (lads), let no one deceive and lead you astray. He who practices righteousness [who is upright, conforming to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action, living a consistently conscientious life] is righteous, even as He is righteous.

8 [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].

I. Every choice has a consequence.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

a. If we make wise, godly decisions, we can expect God to reward us for our faithfulness. If we make rash or sinful choices, we can anticipate negative consequences

II. God's Warning

Galatians 6:7(KJV) 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

A. Living as though rebellion against God has no consequences-in this life or the next-is humankind's most common delusion

B. Mocking the Lord includes laughing or sneering at His laws and being arrogant toward Him. Some people think that if they don't believe in God, it doesn't matter what the Bible says. But whether spiritual principles are accepted or denied, they apply to everyone (Num. 32:23; Ezek. 18:20).

Numbers 32:23 (KJV) 23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.

 Ezekiel 18:20 The Message (MSG)

19-20 "Do you need to ask, 'So why does the child not share the guilt of the parent?' "Isn't it plain? It's because the child did what is fair and right. Since the child was careful to do what is lawful and right, the child will live truly and well. The soul that sins is the soul that dies. The child does not share the guilt of the parent, nor the parent the guilt of the child. If you live upright and well, you get the credit; if you live a wicked life, you're guilty as charged.

III. Let's define a few terms from Galatians 6:7-8: 

Flesh-The part of us that wants independence from God. Although the Spirit dwells within each believer, a part of every person still wants to live independently from God.

We call that the flesh (See Below: Gal. 5:17, 19-21), which the Lord heals and sanctifies as we follow Him.

Galatians 5:17 (KJV) 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

 Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV) 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

B. Sow to the flesh-Yielding to harmful cravings and sinful desires. For instance, people might overemphasize their appearance, focus on becoming rich, or watch immoral movies.

C. Corruption-Decay, ruin, and destruction. Ultimately, sin leads to death (Rom. 6:23).Over time, rebellion against God destroys a person, just as a fatal disease slowly takes a life.

D. Sow to the Spirit-To do things that please the Lord. Obeying God increases the Spirit's influence in your life.

E. Eternal-Long-lasting; high quality. When we plant godly seeds, we will reap quality things-such as peace, integrity, and healthy relationships-that have permanent value.

IV. God's Promise

A. Those who continue sowing to the Spirit can expect God to reward them (Gal. 6:9). Paul encouraged believers to "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).

B. God doesn't necessarily reward us materially here on earth. Despite his faithfulness, Paul experienced intense persecution and eventually was beheaded (2 Cor. 4:9-10, 11:23-28). However, in heaven, his reward will be greater than we can imagine.

C. The promise in Galatians 6:9 reminds me of those who faithfully serve God with little or no earthly recognition.

1. Imagine a pastor who leads a small church, earning a small salary and little appreciation. Yet, year after year, he continues to pastor his congregation faithfully.

2. Think about godly people who read the Bible, faithfully attend church, pray diligently, and always tithe their income. They might not be able to point to any great accomplishments in life, but they will be rewarded in heaven.

V. Our Opportunity

A. Sowing to the Spirit is an act of faith, and as such, it is possible only during our time on earth. We must take advantage of the opportunity we have to serve God (Gal. 6:10).

B. All of us have the chance to sow into the lives of other people.  

1. Seeds can be small acts, like telling someone God loves them, offering to pray for a sick person, or showing kindness to a stranger.

2. Sowing to the Spirit includes things such as talking to people about Jesus, giving books, or encouraging others to listen to Christian radio or television broadcasts.

Closing & Prayer

7-15 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean,
    scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
    set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don't look too close for blemishes,
    give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
    shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don't throw me out with the trash,
    or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
    put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
    so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
    and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
    I'll let loose with your praise.

I pray that you will make a decision today to sow seeds of love, patience, and truth. My friend, you will reap what you sow-there is no escaping this eternal principle. People need you to make an eternal difference in their lives. Take the time to plant seeds of righteousness, and you will reap a harvest of eternal rewards.