Sowing to the Spirit: A Call to Action

Devotional

Day 1: The Subtlety of Mocking God

When we think of mocking God, we often imagine overt acts of blasphemy or public displays of irreverence. However, mocking God can be much more subtle and insidious. It occurs when we turn our noses up at His assignments, thinking we are too good for them. This sneering attitude is a form of contempt and is just as grievous in God's eyes as any public act of blasphemy. We must be vigilant in recognizing these attitudes within ourselves and strive to honor God in all that we do, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant the task.

Paul's warning in Galatians 6:7-8 is a sobering reminder that God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. This principle applies to our daily lives and the attitudes we harbor in our hearts. When we dismiss God's assignments or think we are above them, we are sowing seeds of pride and contempt. These seeds will eventually bear fruit, and the consequences can be severe. Let us be mindful of our attitudes and actions, ensuring that we honor God in all that we do. [33:03]

Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV): "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 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: Think of a recent task or assignment from God that you felt was beneath you. How can you change your attitude and approach it with humility and a desire to honor God?

Day 2: The Consequences of Sowing to the Flesh

Paul's message in Galatians 6:7-8 emphasizes the importance of what we choose to sow in our lives. Sowing to the flesh leads to corruption, while sowing to the Spirit leads to everlasting life. The works of the flesh include hatred, jealousy, and selfish ambitions, while the fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, and peace. These contrasting outcomes highlight the significance of our choices and the impact they have on our spiritual well-being.

When we sow to the flesh, we indulge in behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to God's will. These actions may provide temporary satisfaction, but they ultimately lead to corruption and spiritual decay. On the other hand, sowing to the Spirit involves cultivating qualities that reflect God's character and bring about lasting spiritual growth. By choosing to sow to the Spirit, we align ourselves with God's purposes and experience the abundant life He promises. [45:53]

Romans 8:13 (ESV): "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you have been sowing to the flesh. What steps can you take today to start sowing to the Spirit instead?

Day 3: The Importance of Self-Reflection and Repentance

Before we condemn others for their actions, it is crucial to look in the mirror and examine our own hearts. Are we guilty of the same sins in a different form? God calls us to personal reflection and repentance, ensuring our hearts are right before Him. This process of self-examination helps us recognize our own shortcomings and seek God's forgiveness and transformation.

Self-reflection and repentance are essential components of a healthy spiritual life. They allow us to identify areas where we have strayed from God's will and make the necessary changes to realign ourselves with His purposes. By humbling ourselves and seeking God's guidance, we can experience His grace and grow in our relationship with Him. Let us be diligent in examining our hearts and seeking repentance, knowing that God is faithful to forgive and restore us. [55:04]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your recent thoughts and actions. Are there any areas where you need to seek God's forgiveness and make a change? How can you begin this process today?

Day 4: Embracing God's Call to Serve

When God calls us to serve, we must be willing to follow, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones. Whether it's helping the homeless, visiting prisoners, or caring for the sick, we must not make excuses. Our willingness to serve reflects our obedience and love for God. By embracing His call, we demonstrate our commitment to His purposes and our desire to be His hands and feet in the world.

Serving others is a tangible expression of our faith and a way to honor God. It requires us to put aside our own desires and prioritize the needs of others. This selfless attitude mirrors the example set by Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. As we step out in faith and embrace God's call to serve, we experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living out our faith in practical ways. [37:01]

Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV): "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."

Reflection: Think of a specific way you can serve someone in need this week. How can you step out of your comfort zone to show God's love and compassion to them?

Day 5: Seeing Others as God's Creation

We must see our fellow man as a special creation of God, deserving of love and compassion. Our actions should reflect Christ's love, and we should be willing to serve others, regardless of their status or circumstances. This perspective helps us honor God and sow to the Spirit, as we treat others with the dignity and respect they deserve as His creation.

Seeing others as God's creation requires us to look beyond external appearances and recognize the inherent value and worth of every individual. It challenges us to extend grace and compassion, even to those who may be difficult to love. By doing so, we reflect the heart of God and demonstrate the transformative power of His love. Let us strive to see others through God's eyes and respond with love and kindness in all our interactions. [01:01:02]

1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

Reflection: Think of someone you find difficult to love. How can you begin to see them as God's creation and show them love and compassion this week?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to worship our King and Lord, and I am grateful for each of you being here. We began with some announcements, including choir practice, the upcoming Serve NC event, and updates on our elevator and men's ministry projects. We then turned our focus to Galatians 6:7-8, where Paul warns us not to be deceived, for God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. This message has deeply challenged my heart, and I hope it will do the same for you.

We discussed the recent blasphemous event at the Paris Olympics, where drag queens recreated Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper." This event stirred a righteous indignation within me, but God used it to turn my focus inward. He reminded me that we, too, mock Him when we turn our noses up at His assignments, thinking we are too good for them. This is a form of sneering at God, and it is just as grievous as the public blasphemy we condemn.

Paul's message in Galatians is clear: we have a choice to sow to the flesh or to the Spirit. Sowing to the flesh leads to corruption, while sowing to the Spirit leads to everlasting life. The works of the flesh include hatred, jealousy, selfish ambitions, and more, while the fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, and kindness. We must examine our lives and ensure we are sowing to the Spirit, not the flesh.

As we reflect on this, let us remember that our actions, no matter how small or private, are seen by God. We must not mock Him by turning our noses up at His call. Instead, let us be willing to follow His example, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones. Let us see our fellow man as a special creation of God and serve them with the love and compassion that Christ has shown us.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Reflection and Repentance**: Before we condemn others for their actions, we must look in the mirror and examine our own hearts. Are we guilty of the same sins in a different form? God calls us to personal reflection and repentance, ensuring our hearts are right before Him. [55:04]
4. Following God's Call: When God calls us to serve, we must be willing to follow, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones. Whether it's helping the homeless, visiting prisoners, or caring for the sick, we must not make excuses. Our willingness to serve reflects our obedience and love for God.

5. Seeing Others as God's Creation: We must see our fellow man as a special creation of God, deserving of love and compassion. Our actions should reflect Christ's love, and we should be willing to serve others, regardless of their status or circumstances. This is how we truly honor God and sow to the Spirit.

### [55:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:57] - Serve NC Event Details
[09:13] - Men's Ministry Meeting
[10:22] - Opening Prayer
[24:34] - Worship and Hymns
[26:01] - Introduction to Galatians 6:7-8
[27:30] - The Pastor's Personal Reflection
[28:19] - Eric's Illness and Change of Plans
[29:49] - Outrage Over Paris Olympics
[31:45] - God's Whisper and Personal Conviction
[33:03] - Understanding Mocking God
[34:08] - Explanation of Galatians 6:7-8
[37:01] - Following Jesus' Example
[40:04] - Sheep and Goats: A Lesson in Obedience
[45:53] - Works of the Flesh vs. Fruit of the Spirit
[51:27] - Sowing to the Spirit
[55:04] - Self-Reflection and Repentance
[56:29] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
[61:58] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul mean when he says, "God is not mocked" in Galatians 6:7? How does this relate to the concept of sowing and reaping? [34:08]
According to Galatians 5:19-21, what are the works of the flesh? How do these contrast with the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23? [45:53]
In Matthew 25:31-46, what actions distinguish the sheep from the goats? How do these actions reflect the principle of sowing to the Spirit versus sowing to the flesh? [40:04]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of mocking God extend beyond overt blasphemy to our daily attitudes and actions, as discussed in the sermon? [33:03]
Why is it important to examine our own hearts and actions before condemning others, as highlighted by the pastor's reflection on the Paris Olympics event? [55:04]
What does it mean to sow to the Spirit in practical terms? How can the fruit of the Spirit be cultivated in our daily lives? [51:27]
How does seeing others as God's special creation influence our willingness to serve and follow God's call, even when it is uncomfortable? [01:01:02]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you may have turned your nose up at an assignment from God. How did this attitude mock God, and what can you do differently next time? [37:01]
Identify one work of the flesh (e.g., jealousy, selfish ambition) that you struggle with. What steps can you take this week to sow to the Spirit instead? [45:53]
Think of a specific person or group in your community who might be marginalized or overlooked. How can you serve them this week in a way that reflects Christ's love and compassion? [39:19]
The pastor mentioned the importance of self-reflection and repentance. What is one area of your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness and make a change? [55:04]
How can you step out of your comfort zone to follow God's call, even if it means doing something you feel unqualified or uncomfortable doing? Share a specific example and plan. [37:01]
Consider the pastor's challenge about turning the church into a homeless shelter. How can your small group or church community better serve the needs of the homeless or needy in your area? [42:47]
Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) to focus on this month. What specific action can you take to cultivate this fruit in your interactions with others? [51:27]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "What a joy it is father to be your child what a blessing it is to know Christ as our savior and Lord we pray this morning as we come into this worship service that God you would have your willing way in everything that's done." [10:22] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus thank you for dying on the cross for our sins thank you for leaving that beautiful home in heaven to come here and live as one of us to take the death that we deserved to give us the hope and the promise of a home in heaven with you for all eternity." [26:01] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. That word deceived is better translated as misled or to err. E-R-R. To err. So Paul says, don't be misled. Don't err. God is not mocked. God is not mocked." [34:08] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The fruit of the spirit is love. Joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Paul says you do these things, there's nothing they can convict you of. Why? Because those are the attributes and the characters of God." [51:27] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God loves you. Christ died for you. You lay all of it at His feet. He'll forgive you and He's still going to love you. Because He's a God of second and third and fourth and fifth and sixth and ad infinitum chances. Because He's long suffering. He wants all to be saved." [59:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Understand that what we're going to talk about for the next few minutes has already been condemning my heart and bringing me to some deep conversations with God. That's quite an opening, isn't it? Y'all are sitting back going, I have no idea what to expect next." [27:30] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When God calls you to do something, and you turn your nose up at it because you think it's not good enough for you or you're too good for whatever God's calling you to, guess what? What you just did. Any guess? You just mocked God. Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. But yet, we do that all the time." [37:01] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When we don't go we mock God because we don't see people as creations of God we judge them and decide on that judgment whether they're worthy of our help or not it's not about being worthy of my help I wasn't worthy of Jesus's help I wasn't worthy of the Savior's help I wasn't worthy of anything God has ever done for me." [41:24] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We have a choice of what we will sow and where we will sow it. We need to choose the spirit and not the flesh. Because the spirit provides fruit that leads to eternal life. Flesh only leads to corruption. So while we condemn them and while we will condemn them for what they did." [55:04] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Father, forgive us. Help us to turn from those ways. And to have a heart that's tender for You. That seeks Your will and not just seeks it but follows it no matter where it goes. And God, let us put all our worth in You. Because God, we're not worth anything. It's all You and all Your Son." [01:01:02] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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