Sowing Seeds of Spirit for Community Growth
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Redemption Church! Today, we delved into Galatians 6:1-10, focusing on the principle of sowing and reaping, and how it applies to our personal lives and our church community. We began by discussing the importance of sowing seeds of the Spirit rather than seeds of the flesh. What we invest in today will shape our future, both individually and as a church. This principle is not about material prosperity but about spiritual growth and community health.
Paul's message to the Galatians was clear: the church must be a place where we bear one another's burdens, restore each other with gentleness, and avoid self-deception. We are called to build each other up, not tear each other down. This involves practical steps like financial giving, which supports the church's mission and ministries. Paul emphasized that our generosity fuels the church's ability to serve and reach out to the community.
We also touched on the importance of relationships within the church. To bear one another's burdens effectively, we must be in close, authentic relationships where we can confess our struggles and support each other. This is how we fulfill the law of Christ, which is to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves.
In conclusion, the health and future of our church depend on what we sow into it today. Whether it's through financial giving, serving, or building relationships, each of us has a role to play. Let's not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
### Key Takeaways
1. Sowing and Reaping: The principle of sowing and reaping is foundational to our spiritual lives. What we invest in today, whether it's time, talents, or resources, will determine what we reap in the future. This is not about material gain but about spiritual growth and community health. [33:12]
2. Bearing One Another's Burdens: We are called to bear each other's burdens, which means coming alongside those who are struggling and helping to lighten their load. This is how we fulfill the law of Christ, which is to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. [29:08]
3. Restoration with Gentleness: When someone falls into sin, our role is to restore them gently, not to judge or condemn. This requires humility and a focus on our own walk with God to avoid falling into pride. [55:12]
4. Financial Generosity: Supporting the local church financially is a practical way to bear one another's burdens and ensure the church can continue its mission. This is an act of grace, self-denial, and joyful obedience. [01:15:34]
5. Authentic Relationships: To effectively bear one another's burdens, we must be in close, authentic relationships. This involves confessing our struggles and supporting each other, which leads to healing and spiritual growth. [01:14:25]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[17:09] - Worship Night Announcement
[18:10] - Strengths and Weaknesses
[18:41] - Testimony by Debbie Peterson
[23:50] - Study on Galatians
[24:45] - Paul's Journey and the Church in Galatia
[26:02] - Made Right with God Through Christ Alone
[27:36] - New Creations in the Holy Spirit
[29:08] - Building a Spirit-Filled Community
[33:12] - Principle of Sowing and Reaping
[38:46] - Wake-Up Call for the Church
[40:09] - Eternal Life: Quality and Quantity
[41:07] - Choices and Their Consequences
[44:21] - Doing Good Without Growing Weary
[45:55] - Vertical and Horizontal Relationships
[50:07] - Sowing and Reaping in Church Ministries
[55:12] - Restoring with Gentleness
[01:00:16] - Bearing One Another's Burdens
[01:09:07] - Denying Self-Deception
[01:15:34] - Financial Generosity in the Church
[01:25:08] - Invitation to Sow into the Church
[01:27:36] - Communion
[01:30:27] - Closing Worship
[01:36:49] - Announcements and Doxology
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Galatians 6:1-10
- Matthew 22:37-39
- James 5:16
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by "sowing to the Spirit" and "sowing to the flesh" in Galatians 6:8?
2. According to Galatians 6:2, how do we fulfill the law of Christ?
3. What practical examples of bearing one another's burdens were mentioned in the sermon?
4. How does Paul suggest we should restore someone who has fallen into sin, according to Galatians 6:1?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the principle of sowing and reaping in the context of a church community?
2. How does bearing one another's burdens relate to loving our neighbors as ourselves, as stated in Matthew 22:37-39?
3. What are the potential dangers of self-deception mentioned in Galatians 6:3-5, and how can we guard against them?
4. How does the act of financial generosity support the mission and health of the church, as discussed in the sermon?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual investments. Are you sowing more to the Spirit or to the flesh? What changes can you make to sow more to the Spirit?
2. Think of someone in your church community who is struggling. What practical steps can you take this week to help bear their burden?
3. When was the last time you gently restored someone who had fallen into sin? How did you approach the situation, and what was the outcome?
4. How can you build more authentic relationships within your church to effectively bear one another's burdens?
5. Financially supporting the church is an act of grace and obedience. How can you evaluate and possibly increase your financial giving to support your church's mission?
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you might be self-deceived. How can you seek accountability and confession to overcome this deception?
7. What specific actions can you take to ensure you do not grow weary in doing good, as Paul advises in Galatians 6:9? How can you encourage others in your small group to do the same?
Devotional
### Day 1: Sowing Seeds of the Spirit
The principle of sowing and reaping is foundational to our spiritual lives. What we invest in today, whether it's time, talents, or resources, will determine what we reap in the future. This is not about material gain but about spiritual growth and community health. Paul emphasizes that sowing to the Spirit leads to eternal life, while sowing to the flesh leads to corruption. This principle encourages us to focus on spiritual investments that will yield a harvest of righteousness and peace.
In our daily lives, this means making choices that align with God's will and purpose. It involves dedicating time to prayer, studying the Word, and serving others. These actions may not yield immediate results, but over time, they will produce a harvest of spiritual maturity and community well-being. Let us be mindful of what we are sowing today, as it will shape our future both individually and as a church community. [33:12]
Galatians 6:8 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to sow seeds of the Spirit in your life and community?
### Day 2: Bearing One Another's Burdens
We are called to bear each other's burdens, which means coming alongside those who are struggling and helping to lighten their load. This is how we fulfill the law of Christ, which is to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. Bearing burdens involves empathy, compassion, and practical support. It requires us to be attentive to the needs of others and willing to step in and help, even when it is inconvenient.
In a church community, this can look like offering a listening ear, providing financial assistance, or simply being present for someone in their time of need. By bearing one another's burdens, we create a supportive and loving environment where everyone feels valued and cared for. This mutual support strengthens the church and reflects the love of Christ to the world. [29:08]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Who in your life is currently carrying a heavy burden? How can you practically help lighten their load today?
### Day 3: Restoration with Gentleness
When someone falls into sin, our role is to restore them gently, not to judge or condemn. This requires humility and a focus on our own walk with God to avoid falling into pride. Restoration with gentleness means approaching the person with love and understanding, seeking to help them return to a right relationship with God and the community. It involves speaking the truth in love and offering support and accountability.
Gentle restoration is crucial for maintaining unity and fostering a culture of grace within the church. It helps individuals feel safe to confess their struggles and seek help without fear of judgment. By restoring others gently, we reflect the character of Christ and promote healing and reconciliation. [55:12]
Galatians 6:1 (ESV): "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."
Reflection: Is there someone you know who has fallen into sin? How can you approach them with gentleness and help restore them?
### Day 4: Financial Generosity
Supporting the local church financially is a practical way to bear one another's burdens and ensure the church can continue its mission. This is an act of grace, self-denial, and joyful obedience. Financial generosity enables the church to fund its ministries, support its staff, and reach out to the community. It is a tangible expression of our commitment to the church and its mission.
Generosity is not just about giving out of abundance but also about sacrificial giving. It reflects our trust in God's provision and our desire to invest in His kingdom. By giving generously, we contribute to the health and growth of the church and help create a community that can effectively serve and minister to others. [01:15:34]
2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: How can you practice financial generosity today to support your local church and its mission?
### Day 5: Authentic Relationships
To effectively bear one another's burdens, we must be in close, authentic relationships. This involves confessing our struggles and supporting each other, which leads to healing and spiritual growth. Authentic relationships are built on trust, transparency, and mutual support. They require us to be vulnerable and open with one another, sharing both our joys and our struggles.
In a church community, authentic relationships create a safe space for individuals to grow and thrive. They foster a sense of belonging and accountability, helping us to stay on track in our spiritual journey. By investing in authentic relationships, we build a strong and supportive community that reflects the love and grace of Christ. [01:14:25]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Who are the people in your life with whom you can build authentic relationships? How can you take a step towards deeper connection with them today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Every strength, and every single one of us have strengths and gifts and abilities, but every strength can also be a weakness. And so one of my strengths, I think, is I'm a pretty forward-facing person. I don't spend a lot of time looking in the rearview mirror. I'm always kind of looking, what next, what is God calling us to? What's the next project we're gonna work on? What's the next hill we need to climb? Like, how can we just be faithful to what God's calling us to do? Which also can be a weakness that I often don't take time to pause and to celebrate, right? Because I'm just looking at what's next, and God's been kind of working on that in my own life of just like, hey, sometimes we gotta pause and we gotta celebrate, and then we can get back to work." [18:10] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So if we kind of like boil this down or try to reduce it to the simplest truths, in chapters one to three, what Paul argues is that you and I are made right with God through God. Through Christ alone, right? He's gonna use this way, it's by grace, through faith in Christ alone that if we add anything to the Gospel, if it's Jesus plus, it's worthless. It's Jesus only. Like Jesus is the way, he is the truth, he is the life and nobody gets to the Father except through him. So when Jesus goes to the cross in our place for our sin as the perfect sacrifice, when Jesus says, it is finished, he means, finished. It's not Jesus plus, it's Jesus and that's enough." [26:02] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What we sow into our lives, we eventually will reap. Okay, now, one of the things, we'll get this, right, because of the area we live in. One of the things I love about Belvedere and Boone County is that we're kind of wedged. We're this dynamic, weird thing, right? We're wedged between rural and between kind of an urban city environment. Here's what I mean. In Belvedere, you can get Starbucks. Walmart. Okay, you can go, you can grab, like, Panera out at the Overpass, if that's your thing. You can grab a cab here. Like, you can get on city transportation here. I can be at an Ice Hogs game or catch a concert within 15 minutes, right? But I can also be in the middle of nowhere in 10." [35:19] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What Paul is saying here is that when we sow in the spirit in this life, we get eternal life. Not the length of time, but the quality of time. That we can actually experience the life that Jesus wants for us today. That we don't have to wait till heaven than to experience some things. We can actually begin to experience Jesus. We can experience the kingdom. We can experience the Holy Spirit now." [40:09] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The church is still a place where lives are changed by Jesus and disciples are made. The church is people that scatter, but they come together where Jesus is worshiped, the Holy Spirit is present, the hope of the world is found, and we still are, as a local church, God's plan A to reach our community and the world with the good news of the gospel. And what we do individually and corporately transcends death. You ever thought about that? What we do matters for eternity." [01:22:01] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "What Paul does as we get into chapter six is he almost changes the subject completely. Like last week we were talking about the fruit of the Spirit that if you follow the flesh what you get is the flesh but if you follow the Spirit what you get is the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, these things, there is no law, right? You've never met anybody and said, man, this guy is just so nice, somebody should do something about it. This person is just so good and so kind and so faithful. What a jerk. I mean, no, you've never had that conversation because it's the law of Jesus. We're becoming like Jesus, that Jesus is these things and he became these things and now he gives us these things so that we can become more like him." [28:15] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What you sow continually and purposefully and over and over again in our lives, we will one day reap. And that's what Paul's going to say. That's what we're going to do. day reap those things. Now, Paul goes with this theme that he's been talking about, and he goes, hey, church, here's the deal. If you sow the flesh, you will one day harvest the flesh. And he's like, don't think you can outsmart God on this. Like, I know you're smart, I know you're tricky, but here's the thing, like, you can't fool God. Like, you can't sow into the flesh and then one day go, aha, God, I'm going to get the Spirit. He goes, God can't be mocked. What you sow, you reap. He goes, oh, by the way, if you sow with the Spirit, what you will eventually harvest is the fruit of the Spirit." [37:19] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "How do we build a spirit-filled community? And here's where he starts. Don't get tired. Like, don't get weary. Because it's gonna cost you something. Like, there's gonna be times you're like, man, it's work, and it is work. And here's his encouragement, but you're sowing and you're reaping, and in due season, when's due season? When God wills, he also guarantees that there will be a harvest. And whenever you, whenever I, when we use our lives to sow into the kingdom of God, we are guaranteed that the God who is the God of the harvest guarantees a harvest. Which means this, the things that you and I give up, because it will require sacrifice, are not nearly as good as the reward that we will receive from Jesus." [52:27] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The next thing he says is this, is like, stop what you're doing. Don't deceive yourself any longer. Like, one of the things we need to sow into our personal lives and sow into our church is denying self-deception. Galatians 6, verse three to five. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each person test his own work and then his reasonings. The reason to boast will be himself alone and not his neighbor, for each will have to bear his own load. Paul's like, listen, the Holy Spirit will always call you to be a servant, not a judge." [01:09:07] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So here's the invitation. Don't just go to church here, be the church. Like, just don't attend here. Sow into the life of the body these things so that together we can see the harvest. Now, listen, some of you are here. You're checking it out. You're new. You're getting a feel. Some of you are even just trying to get a feel. Is this a right fit? Some of you, I know, are recovering from church here, but here's the thing. You're all welcome here, and we love you to do that for a season, but if you really want to call redemption home, I would invite you to join in the work of making and keeping Redemption Church a great church. A spirit-filled church that honors Jesus. A place where people feel loved and cared for." [01:23:33] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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