Seeking God's Grace: The Journey to Spiritual Maturity

 

Summary

In reflecting on the spiritual journey of our church and individual believers, we are reminded of the profound dependence we have on God's grace, much like the dependence of the land of Palestine on the former and latter rains. Just as the early and latter rains are essential for a fruitful harvest, so too is the grace of God essential for the spiritual growth and vitality of His people. The early rain represents the initial outpouring of grace that accompanies the beginning of a spiritual journey, while the latter rain signifies a deeper, more mature visitation of the Holy Spirit that prepares us for the ultimate harvest—eternal life with God.

Our church has experienced seasons of both early and latter rains. Years ago, we were few in number, but through persistent prayer and God's gracious response, we have seen growth and prosperity. This growth is not just in numbers but in the spiritual depth and unity of our congregation. However, we must guard against complacency. The danger lies in becoming self-sufficient, thinking that past blessings are enough to sustain us. We must continually seek the latter rain, the fresh outpouring of God's Spirit, to renew and invigorate our faith and mission.

Individually, many of us recall the joy and fervor of our initial conversion, a time when our faith was simple and our love for Christ was pure and strong. Yet, as we journey on, we may find ourselves in need of a second conversion, a deeper work of grace that strengthens and matures us. This latter rain is crucial for overcoming spiritual lethargy and routine, enabling us to live vibrant, impactful Christian lives.

The ultimate goal is the harvest, which begins here on earth as we detach from worldly ties and grow in spiritual maturity. This process prepares us for our eternal home, where we will be gathered as God's precious wheat, beyond the reach of earthly trials. Let us, therefore, pray earnestly for the latter rain, that we may be fully ripe and ready for the heavenly harvest.

Key Takeaways:

1. Dependence on Divine Grace: Just as the land relies on rain for a fruitful harvest, our spiritual lives depend on God's grace. Without His early and latter rains, our faith and works would wither. We must continually seek His presence to sustain and grow our spiritual lives. [04:08]

2. Guard Against Complacency: Past blessings should not lead to self-sufficiency. We must remain humble and reliant on God, seeking fresh outpourings of His Spirit to avoid spiritual stagnation and ensure ongoing growth and vitality. [09:15]

3. The Joy of Initial Conversion: The early days of faith are often marked by joy and fervor. Remembering these times can encourage us during spiritual droughts, reminding us of God's faithfulness and the reality of our salvation. [16:14]

4. The Need for a Second Conversion: As we mature, a deeper work of grace is often needed to prepare us for greater service and spiritual maturity. This latter rain strengthens us for the challenges ahead and deepens our relationship with God. [27:14]

5. Preparation for the Heavenly Harvest: Our journey towards heaven involves detaching from earthly ties and growing in spiritual maturity. This process, though sometimes painful, is necessary for us to be ready for our eternal home. [37:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Introduction to the Former and Latter Rain
- [01:20] - Dependence on Rain in Palestine
- [02:28] - Recognizing God's Provision
- [03:42] - Spiritual Application of Rain
- [04:37] - The Work of God Without Us
- [06:01] - The Church's Early Rain Experience
- [09:15] - The Danger of Complacency
- [11:20] - The Crown of Souls
- [13:13] - Perseverance in Christian Work
- [16:14] - The Joy of Conversion
- [19:46] - The Early Rain of Grace
- [23:04] - Faith in Past Experience
- [27:14] - The Latter Rain and Second Conversion
- [37:42] - Preparing for the Heavenly Harvest
- [42:44] - Closing Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 5:24

Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the "former and latter rain" in the context of Palestine's agriculture, and how does it relate to the spiritual journey of believers? [00:25]
2. How did the early rain impact the growth of the church mentioned in the sermon? [06:01]
3. What are the dangers of complacency in a church that has experienced past blessings? [09:15]
4. How does the sermon describe the initial joy and fervor of conversion? [16:14]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can guard against spiritual complacency and self-sufficiency? [09:15]
2. How does the concept of a "second conversion" or "latter rain" contribute to a believer's spiritual maturity and readiness for service? [27:14]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between spiritual growth and detachment from worldly ties? [37:42]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Have you experienced an "early rain" of grace? How did it impact your faith and actions? [16:14]
2. What steps can you take to ensure that past spiritual blessings do not lead to complacency in your faith journey? [09:15]
3. Consider a time when you felt spiritually stagnant. What actions or prayers helped you seek a "latter rain" of renewal? [27:14]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper dependence on God's grace in your daily life, similar to the land's dependence on rain? [04:08]
5. Identify one area in your life where you feel tied to worldly concerns. What practical steps can you take to detach and focus on spiritual growth? [37:42]
6. Think of a person in your life who might be experiencing a spiritual drought. How can you support them in seeking a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit? [10:53]
7. How can you prepare yourself for the "heavenly harvest" by growing in spiritual maturity and detaching from earthly ties? [37:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Dependence on God's Grace for Spiritual Growth
In our spiritual journey, just as the land of Palestine relies on the former and latter rains for a fruitful harvest, we too depend on God's grace for our spiritual growth and vitality. The early rain symbolizes the initial outpouring of grace at the beginning of our faith journey, while the latter rain represents a deeper, more mature visitation of the Holy Spirit that prepares us for eternal life with God. Without these divine interventions, our faith and works would wither. We must continually seek His presence to sustain and grow our spiritual lives. [04:08]

"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: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on God's grace rather than your own strength? How can you invite His presence into these areas today?


Day 2: Guarding Against Spiritual Complacency
Our church has experienced seasons of both early and latter rains, witnessing growth not just in numbers but in spiritual depth and unity. However, there is a danger in becoming complacent, thinking that past blessings are enough to sustain us. We must remain humble and reliant on God, continually seeking fresh outpourings of His Spirit to avoid spiritual stagnation and ensure ongoing growth and vitality. Complacency can lead to self-sufficiency, which is a barrier to experiencing the fullness of God's grace. [09:15]

"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a past blessing or success that you might be relying on too heavily. How can you shift your focus to seek a fresh encounter with God today?


Day 3: Rekindling the Joy of Initial Conversion
The early days of faith are often marked by joy and fervor, a time when our love for Christ is pure and strong. Remembering these times can encourage us during spiritual droughts, reminding us of God's faithfulness and the reality of our salvation. This joy is a powerful motivator that can reignite our passion for God and His work in our lives. Reflecting on our initial conversion can help us reconnect with the simplicity and purity of our faith. [16:14]

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you." (Psalm 51:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: Recall a moment from your early faith journey that brought you great joy. How can you bring that sense of joy and fervor into your current spiritual practices?


Day 4: Embracing the Need for a Second Conversion
As we mature in our faith, a deeper work of grace is often needed to prepare us for greater service and spiritual maturity. This latter rain strengthens us for the challenges ahead and deepens our relationship with God. It is a call to a second conversion, where we move beyond spiritual lethargy and routine, allowing God to transform us more fully into His likeness. This process is essential for living vibrant, impactful Christian lives. [27:14]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." (Ezekiel 36:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: What areas of your life feel stagnant or routine? How can you invite God to do a deeper work of grace in these areas today?


Day 5: Preparing for the Heavenly Harvest
Our journey towards heaven involves detaching from earthly ties and growing in spiritual maturity. This process, though sometimes painful, is necessary for us to be ready for our eternal home. The ultimate goal is the harvest, which begins here on earth as we grow in spiritual maturity and prepare for our eternal home with God. Let us pray earnestly for the latter rain, that we may be fully ripe and ready for the heavenly harvest. [37:42]

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV)

Reflection: What earthly ties or distractions are hindering your spiritual growth? How can you begin to detach from these and focus on preparing for your eternal home?

Quotes



The earth is dependent upon the rain shower from heaven and so are the souls of men, and so are their holy works dependent upon the grace shower which cometh from the great Father of light, the giver of every good and perfect gift. A famine would surely follow in the East if the rain were withheld, so would spiritual disasters of the worst kind be sure to ensue if the grace of God were restrained. [00:04:06]

It is needful whenever any holy enterprise is commenced, that it should be early watered by the helpful Spirit of God. Nothing beginneth well unless it beginneth in God. It cannot take root, it cannot spring up in hopefulness, except the Holy Spirit shall descend upon it. It will wither like the grass upon the housetops if the celestial dew of the morning fall not early upon it. [00:04:56]

Years ago, we were minished and brought low, dark was the hour and pale were the faces. The numbers who gathered for sacred worship in connection with this church might almost be counted upon the fingers. Our Zion was all but utterly forsaken, yet there was a living band of men whose hearts the Lord had touched who ceased not to pray day and night that He would be pleased to remember us. [00:06:05]

But my fear is, a fear which haunts me often, a fear which springs I trust out of zeal for God's glory, lest having had the early rain we should become contented to forego the latter rain. But ah, this must not be. Let any church dream that it is established by the lapse of years and can stand alone because of its acquired strength. [00:09:08]

The true labor lies in the perseverance which alone can win the victory. I address some Christians here who have now been for years occupied with the service which the Holy Ghost laid upon them. I would remind them of the early reign of their youthful labors, the moisture of which still lingereth on in their memories, although it has been succeeded by long years of drought. [00:13:30]

If you did not feel a need for more grace, it would be a reason for alarm, but to be conscious that all that God did by you in the past has not qualified you to do anything without Him now, to feel that you lean entirely upon His strength now as much as ever is to be in a condition in which it shall be right and proper for God to bless you abundantly. [00:14:29]

The joy of conversion, the early days of faith, are often marked by joy and fervor. Remembering these times can encourage us during spiritual droughts, reminding us of God's faithfulness and the reality of our salvation. If in those days we had to suffer anything for Jesus, we only regretted we could not suffer more. [00:19:21]

It is very usual in the life of grace for the soul to receive, in after years, a second very remarkable visitation of the Holy Spirit which may be compared to the latter rain. As I told you, the latter rain was sent to plump out the wheat and make it full and mature, ready for the after harvest ripening. [00:27:07]

There is a time of special grace granted to saints to prepare them for heaven, to make them completely meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. To some, this is given in the form of what has very commonly and I think correctly been called a second conversion. [00:27:36]

Consider well that the harvest begins in the field though it ends in the ghana. Going to heaven begins upon earth and as the texts tell us of weeks, so may I add that going to glory is often a long work. I believe God takes months and years in getting in His sheaves. [00:37:18]

The process of getting a soul to heaven, it must be detached from the earth whereon it grew. The sickle has cut many of our earth bonds already for some of us, and no doubt the gash at the time has been very deep and sharp, but how could we as God's wheat be carried into the ghana without first of all being separated from the earth? [00:38:09]

How happy is the state of a Christian when he is in the world but is not linked to it. His ripeness drops here and there a grain into the soil for he is still ready to do good, but he has no longer any vital connection with ought below. He is waiting to be in heaven. [00:40:21]

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Transcript
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