Preparing for Abundant Harvest Through Gratitude and Faithfulness
Summary
Starting a new series titled "Get Ready for Harvest," the focus is on igniting expectations for what God can do in our lives this year. The central message is that we already possess what we need to achieve our goals, but often fail to recognize and manage these resources effectively. Using the metaphor of a farmer, the importance of planting seeds—whether they be time, effort, or resources—is emphasized as a prerequisite for a bountiful harvest. The story of John Grisham, who dedicated just one hour a day to writing, serves as an illustration of how small, consistent efforts can lead to significant outcomes.
Reflecting on the past year, we celebrate the church's achievements, such as the salvation of 97 people and various community service initiatives. This reflection is not just to take pride in past accomplishments but to fuel our faith and expectations for even greater things in the future. The foundational scripture from Proverbs 3:9-10 teaches us to honor God with our wealth, which is not limited to financial resources but includes anything that helps us thrive, such as health and time.
Gratitude is highlighted as the first step towards a harvest. Recognizing what God has already done for us is crucial, as entitlement can hinder our ability to receive more from God. The act of tithing is presented as a tangible expression of gratitude, acknowledging that everything we have is by God's grace. Mismanagement of resources, whether financial or otherwise, is identified as a barrier to experiencing God's full blessings. Faithfulness in small things is necessary to be entrusted with more.
The sermon concludes with an invitation to choose Jesus as the leader of one's life, emphasizing that true fulfillment and success come from aligning with God's plan. Through prayer, individuals are encouraged to commit or recommit to a relationship with Jesus, acknowledging Him as the source of all blessings and the one who can fill the voids in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Recognize and Utilize Your Seeds: We often overlook the resources God has already given us, which are in seed form. By recognizing and effectively using these seeds, we can achieve our goals and experience a harvest in various areas of our lives. [03:26]
2. Gratitude as a Foundation for Harvest: Gratitude is essential for unlocking God's blessings. By acknowledging what God has already done, we position ourselves to receive more. Entitlement can block our ability to see and appreciate God's work in our lives. [12:52]
3. The True Meaning of Wealth: Wealth is not just financial; it encompasses everything we need to thrive, including health, time, and relationships. By broadening our understanding of wealth, we can better appreciate and manage what God has given us. [08:58]
4. Faithfulness in Small Things: Being faithful with what we currently have is a prerequisite for receiving more. Mismanagement of resources, whether time, money, or talents, hinders our ability to experience God's full blessings. [22:21]
5. Tithing as an Act of Gratitude: Tithing is a way to express gratitude for what God has done and to trust Him for future provision. It is not about the amount but the heart behind the act, acknowledging that everything we have comes from God. [26:37]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to the Series
- [01:45] - The Metaphor of the Farmer
- [03:26] - Recognizing Your Seeds
- [05:00] - Celebrating Church Achievements
- [06:16] - Expecting More from God
- [07:30] - Understanding True Wealth
- [08:58] - Building on What You Have
- [10:45] - The Role of Gratitude
- [12:52] - Gratitude and Entitlement
- [15:04] - Tithing as Gratitude
- [17:54] - Mismanagement and Its Consequences
- [20:36] - Faithfulness in Small Things
- [22:21] - The Purpose of Tithing
- [26:37] - God's Promise of Provision
- [30:19] - Illustration of Tithing
- [35:36] - God's Generosity
- [37:28] - Invitation to Choose Jesus
- [39:44] - Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Get Ready for Harvest"
Bible Reading:
- Proverbs 3:9-10
- Deuteronomy 8:18
- Malachi 3:10
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Proverbs 3:9-10, what are we instructed to do with our wealth, and what is the promised result?
2. How does the story of John Grisham illustrate the concept of planting seeds for a future harvest? [03:26]
3. What achievements did the church celebrate from the past year, and how do these accomplishments serve as motivation for future expectations? [06:16]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the first step towards experiencing a harvest in our lives? [12:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon redefine the concept of wealth beyond just financial terms, and why is this broader understanding important for experiencing God's blessings? [08:58]
2. In what ways can gratitude act as a foundation for unlocking God's blessings, according to the sermon? [12:52]
3. How does the act of tithing serve as an expression of gratitude and trust in God's provision, as discussed in the sermon? [15:04]
4. What role does faithfulness in small things play in preparing us for greater blessings, according to the sermon and Luke 16:10? [22:21]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the resources you currently have in your life. How can you better recognize and utilize these "seeds" to achieve your goals this year? [03:26]
2. Consider a time when you felt entitled to something. How did that mindset affect your ability to appreciate what you already had? How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude instead? [12:52]
3. In what areas of your life do you need to broaden your understanding of wealth to include health, time, and relationships? How can this shift in perspective change the way you manage these resources? [08:58]
4. Identify a small area in your life where you can demonstrate faithfulness. What specific steps can you take to manage this area better and prepare for greater blessings? [22:21]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of tithing into your financial management as an act of gratitude and trust in God's provision? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this? [15:04]
6. Reflect on a relationship or situation in your life that feels like a "shepherd state." How can you be faithful in this area, trusting that God has greater plans for you? [17:54]
7. If you have not yet chosen Jesus as the leader of your life, what is holding you back? How can you take a step towards making this decision today? [37:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognize and Cultivate Your God-Given Seeds
We often overlook the resources God has already given us, which are in seed form. By recognizing and effectively using these seeds, we can achieve our goals and experience a harvest in various areas of our lives. Just as a farmer plants seeds with the expectation of a future harvest, we too must identify and nurture the seeds of time, effort, and resources that God has entrusted to us. The story of John Grisham, who dedicated just one hour a day to writing, illustrates how small, consistent efforts can lead to significant outcomes. By being intentional with what we have, we can unlock the potential for growth and success. [03:26]
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one "seed" in your life that you have been neglecting? How can you begin to cultivate it today with the expectation of a future harvest?
Day 2: Gratitude Unlocks Divine Blessings
Gratitude is essential for unlocking God's blessings. By acknowledging what God has already done, we position ourselves to receive more. Entitlement can block our ability to see and appreciate God's work in our lives. When we focus on gratitude, we shift our perspective from what we lack to what we have, opening our hearts to the abundance God has in store for us. This mindset allows us to see God's hand in every aspect of our lives and prepares us to receive even greater blessings. [12:52]
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)
Reflection: Take a moment to list three things you are grateful for today. How can expressing gratitude in these areas change your perspective and open you to more of God's blessings?
Day 3: Redefining Wealth Beyond Finances
Wealth is not just financial; it encompasses everything we need to thrive, including health, time, and relationships. By broadening our understanding of wealth, we can better appreciate and manage what God has given us. True wealth is found in the abundance of life that God provides, which includes the intangible blessings that enrich our lives. When we recognize the full spectrum of wealth, we can steward it wisely and experience the fullness of God's provision. [08:58]
"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it." (Proverbs 15:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: In what non-financial areas of your life do you feel wealthy? How can you better steward these blessings to honor God and serve others?
Day 4: Faithfulness in Small Things Leads to Greater Trust
Being faithful with what we currently have is a prerequisite for receiving more. Mismanagement of resources, whether time, money, or talents, hinders our ability to experience God's full blessings. When we demonstrate faithfulness in small things, we show God that we can be trusted with greater responsibilities and blessings. This principle encourages us to be diligent and intentional with every resource, knowing that our faithfulness will lead to greater opportunities and growth. [22:21]
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." (Luke 16:10, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one small area in your life where you can be more faithful. What practical steps can you take today to demonstrate greater stewardship and trustworthiness?
Day 5: Tithing as a Heartfelt Expression of Gratitude
Tithing is a way to express gratitude for what God has done and to trust Him for future provision. It is not about the amount but the heart behind the act, acknowledging that everything we have comes from God. By giving back a portion of what we have received, we demonstrate our reliance on God's provision and our commitment to His kingdom. Tithing is a tangible expression of our faith and gratitude, aligning our hearts with God's purposes and opening the door to His continued blessings. [26:37]
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How does your current approach to giving reflect your gratitude and trust in God? What changes can you make to ensure your tithing is a true expression of your heart's gratitude?
Quotes
Well, we are starting a new series today entitled Get Ready for Harvest. And this series is an exciting series in my mind because it is to ignite your expectation for what you want to see God do this year in your life. And so my goal is over these next three weeks is to raise your level of expectation for what God can do in, for, and through you this year. [00:00:00]
There's financial stability and debt freedom for you. There is a healed marriage for you. There's health and fitness for you. Everything that you're putting on your list of goals is available to you already in seed form in your life. The only question is, what are you going to do about it? How do you get ready for harvest? How do you get ready for answered prayer? How do you get ready? How do you get ready to see your goals become a reality? [00:01:05]
What's holding you back is not that you don't have what you need, it's that you're not using effectively what God has given you. Amen. And so I want to shake you over the next three weeks to tell you that God has given you you've got what you need. You've got to recognize it, then you have to leverage it and use it so that God can get out of you what he's already put in you. Amen. [00:03:13]
So this year, somebody say this year, we are focused on getting ourselves to the next level in our health, in our fitness, in our finances, in our relationships, in every area, we're getting to the next level. And the seed of your success is already inside of you, and you have to recognize that so you can then move forward and receive exactly what God wants to do for you. [00:03:45]
Proverbs says, honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain and your vats will overflow with good wine. Now we hear that word wealth, and it offends us because we think that's prosperity gospel. We think of Rolls Royces and we think of gaudy jewelry and big houses and cars and all those other types of things. [00:06:42]
If you think wealth just means money and possessions, you really have an immature view. Of what wealth is. If you've ever been in a hospital bed, money was not on your mind. You ever been incarcerated? Money is not on your mind. You ever felt like you were abandoned and alone in life, wondering why nobody was reaching out to you, even though you reached out to everybody else. [00:07:25]
So what I want you to do when you see that word wealth, it does not exclude money, but I want you to think larger than just what money can do. Because God is a God who can do more than what money can provide. Now that was a good place to say amen. If we're really going to get the harvest that God wants for us, we have to recognize that wealth is whatever we need to thrive. Thrive. [00:08:06]
Harvest begins with gratitude. First thing you got to do is recognize what God has already done. That you have in seed form what you need to get to where you're going to go. But before you aspire to go, you've got to stop and say, God, I'm grateful. I'm grateful for what you've done. Because the truth is, we're not entitled to anything. [00:12:12]
And if you don't have that as your understanding, it's going to be hard for you to walk in the harvest that God has for you. Because you will think that you're the one who's going to bring the harvest. And a good farmer understands that there's a part that we play, but there's a greater part that God plays. [00:13:07]
And the tithe simply represents gratitude for what God has already done, for the past harvest that he has already given. Amen. Now, let me say this, because we're made in God's image and likeness, and we all have people like this in our family. When somebody comes to you and they says, can you lend me $100? No, I'm going to pay you back next paycheck. [00:14:32]
Luke 16 verse 10 says this, if you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large things. So if you want more, you show God that you are ready for more by how you handle it. You have to handle what you have today. See, we want more. Lord, just give me more. Lord, if you bless me with the latest Powerball, I promise you I'm going to start tithing. [00:23:32]
The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives. That's what tithing does. Tithing is not the only thing that's going to change the world for us and that's why we need to do this an assessment to say god i wouldn't have any of this and i've managed and re -managed my affairs financially so that i can make sure that the first expense i have is to thank you for all you've done for me ten percent why god need ten percent well he gave you a hundred percent he could have asked for 50. [00:24:29]
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