Sowing Kindness: The Harvest of Generosity and Faith

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound and universal principle of sowing and reaping, as outlined in Galatians 6:7-10. This principle is not just a spiritual axiom but a life truth: we inevitably harvest what we plant. Whether it's in the realm of agriculture, personal habits, or spiritual disciplines, the outcome is determined by the seeds we sow.

We began with the story of Molina Salazar, a waitress who served a difficult customer with kindness and ultimately received an unexpected inheritance from him. This story illustrates the principle that our actions, especially those done in goodness and without expectation of reward, can lead to unforeseen blessings.

The scripture from Galatians warns us not to be deceived; God's laws are not to be mocked. Whatever we sow, that we will also reap. If we sow to please our sinful nature, we will reap destruction. Conversely, if we sow to please the Spirit, we will reap eternal life. This is not a matter of earning salvation, which is a gift through Jesus Christ, but rather living out our faith through actions that align with the Spirit.

We discussed the importance of doing good to all people, especially our fellow believers. This is not contingent on the response we receive; we are called to love and serve regardless of the outcome. The paradoxical commandments by Kent Keith, often attributed to Mother Teresa, encapsulate this idea beautifully, encouraging us to do good, be honest, and give our best even when it seems futile.

The sermon emphasized that the harvest may not be immediate. We must persevere in doing good, trusting that in due time, we will reap if we do not give up. The story of Michael Phelps giving up his spot in a race to a teammate, who then won gold, served as a modern example of this principle. Phelps' act of generosity in 2004 was followed by his own historic success in 2008, illustrating that our harvest can come in ways we cannot predict.

Key Takeaways:

- The principle of sowing and reaping applies to every aspect of life, including our spiritual walk. When we sow acts of kindness, forgiveness, and mercy, we create a pattern that not only pleases God but also cultivates a life rich in the fruits of the Spirit. This is not a transactional relationship with God but a transformational one that changes us from the inside out. [11:05]

- Our actions have consequences, and while they may not be immediate, they are inevitable. Living with the awareness that we cannot mock God's principles without facing the repercussions can guide us to make choices that sow to the Spirit rather than to the flesh. This understanding should lead us to live with integrity and purpose. [06:06]

- Doing good to all people, especially to those in the family of faith, is a command that transcends circumstances. Our call to serve and love others is not based on their response or gratitude but on our obedience to Christ's example and teachings. This selfless love is a powerful testimony of our faith. [14:38]

- We must not grow weary in doing good, for the harvest we hope for will come at the proper time. Our perseverance in sowing to the Spirit, even when the results are not immediately visible, is a testament to our faith in God's promises and timing. This endurance is a spiritual discipline that strengthens our character and deepens our reliance on God. [21:16]

- The story of Michael Phelps and his teammate Ian Crocker serves as a reminder that our acts of generosity and sacrifice can have a ripple effect, leading to blessings both for others and ourselves. When we sow opportunities for others to succeed, we often find that our own lives are enriched in ways we could not have anticipated. [19:41]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV): "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Galatians 6:7-10 say about the principle of sowing and reaping?
2. How did the story of Molina Salazar illustrate the principle of sowing and reaping? ([00:48])
3. What are the consequences of sowing to please the sinful nature versus sowing to please the Spirit according to Galatians 6:8?
4. What example from the sermon shows the importance of perseverance in doing good? ([19:41])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the principle of sowing and reaping apply to both positive and negative actions in our lives? ([06:54])
2. Why might people believe they can escape the consequences of their actions, and how does this relate to the concept of God's judgment? ([05:18])
3. What does it mean to sow to the Spirit, and how does this differ from merely performing good deeds? ([11:05])
4. How does the story of Michael Phelps and Ian Crocker illustrate the long-term benefits of selfless actions? ([19:41])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you sowed kindness or generosity without expecting anything in return. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your faith? ([00:48])
2. Identify an area in your life where you might be sowing to please the sinful nature. What steps can you take to start sowing to please the Spirit instead? ([06:54])
3. Think of someone in your life who is difficult to love or serve. How can you apply the principle of doing good to all people, especially fellow believers, in your interactions with them this week? ([14:38])
4. What are some practical ways you can persevere in doing good, even when the results are not immediately visible? ([21:16])
5. How can you create opportunities for others to succeed, similar to how Michael Phelps gave his spot to Ian Crocker? What might be the long-term benefits of such actions? ([19:41])
6. Consider the paradoxical commandments mentioned in the sermon. Which one resonates most with you, and how can you apply it in your daily life? ([15:20])
7. Reflect on a specific spiritual discipline (e.g., prayer, study, generosity) that you want to cultivate. What is one concrete step you can take this week to sow in that area? ([13:51])

Devotional

Day 1: Cultivating a Transformational Life
The principle of sowing and reaping is a transformative force that shapes our lives from the inside out. When we intentionally sow acts of kindness, forgiveness, and mercy, we are not engaging in a transactional relationship with God, but rather entering into a transformational journey. This process changes our hearts and minds, aligning them more closely with the fruits of the Spirit. It's about creating a pattern of behavior that reflects our faith and pleases God, which in turn cultivates a life that is rich and fulfilling. The seeds we plant in our spiritual walk determine the kind of life we will live, one that is either barren or bountiful. [11:05]

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." - Galatians 6:7 ESV

Reflection: How can you plant seeds of kindness in your life today, and what might be the first step in transforming a specific relationship or situation with this approach?

Day 2: Integrity and Purpose in Our Choices
Our actions carry weight and consequences that extend beyond the immediate moment. Understanding that we cannot mock God's principles without facing repercussions is a sobering thought that can guide us to make choices that sow to the Spirit rather than to the flesh. Living with this awareness encourages us to approach life with integrity and purpose, making decisions that reflect our commitment to God's laws. It's a call to live a life that is honest and true, even when the results of our actions are not immediately visible. [06:06]

"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:11 ESV

Reflection: What is one decision you are facing where you can apply the principle of sowing to the Spirit, and how can you ensure your choice aligns with God's wisdom?

Day 3: Selfless Love as a Testimony of Faith
Serving and loving others, particularly those within the family of faith, is a command that transcends our circumstances and the responses we receive. This selfless love is a powerful testimony of our faith and obedience to Christ's example and teachings. It's about doing good to all people, not because they are grateful or because it benefits us, but because it is the right thing to do. This kind of love is radical and countercultural, often going against our natural inclinations, but it is what we are called to as followers of Christ. [14:38]

"Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." - 1 John 3:18 ESV

Reflection: Can you identify someone in your life who is difficult to love, and what is one tangible way you can show them love this week without expecting anything in return?

Day 4: Perseverance in Doing Good
The harvest we hope for from our good deeds may not be immediate, but it is promised to come at the proper time. This requires us to persevere in doing good, trusting in God's promises and timing. It's a spiritual discipline that involves sowing to the Spirit even when we can't see the growth. This endurance not only strengthens our character but also deepens our reliance on God. It's about not growing weary in well-doing, holding onto the faith that our efforts will bear fruit in due season. [21:16]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 ESV

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel like giving up on doing good, and how can you renew your commitment to persevere in this area today?

Day 5: Generosity's Ripple Effect
Acts of generosity and sacrifice can have a profound impact, creating a ripple effect that leads to blessings for both ourselves and others. When we sow opportunities for others to succeed, we often find that our own lives are enriched in unexpected ways. The story of Michael Phelps and his teammate is a testament to this truth. Our willingness to put others first can lead to a harvest of success and fulfillment that we could not have anticipated. [19:41]

"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." - Proverbs 11:25 ESV

Reflection: What is one act of generosity you can commit to this week that might provide an opportunity for someone else, and how can you make this a reality?

Quotes

1) "There is a universal Divine principle that decrees we reap what we sow and everyone knows that it would seem. Why then do we so often think that we can sow one thing and reap another?" [03:57] ( | | )

2) "Don't be deceived or don't deceive yourselves. Don't think that just because you're you, you can get away with something that no one else gets away with." [04:36] ( | | )

3) "If you want to reap it, sow it. This principle can work for you rather than against you. And the Bible says along those lines to do good in verses 9 and 10." [13:51] ( | | )

4) "If you don't go out at sewing time, there's not going to be anything there at reaping time. If you want a particular crop to come up, you've got to go out and sow that crop." [12:26] ( | | )

5) "We Christians could benefit from that advice because too many of God's people expect and even demand the products of righteousness without giving much attention at all to the process of righteousness necessary to sow what we want to reap." [13:07] ( | | )

6) "I promise you there will be a harvest because the Bible says don't be deceived, God is Not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap." [21:16] ( | | )

7) "We have an opportunity as his followers to sow goodness and mercy and kindness and Grace and reap those things in abundance in return." [22:01] ( | | )

8) "We might sow goodness to all people, especially our Brothers and Sisters in Christ right here in this room and Beyond, and God we will trust you to bring the Harvest in due course." [22:45] ( | | )

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Transcript
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