Sowing to the Spirit: Living for Christ in Every Area of Life

1. Galatians6:11–13

2. Patience, Goodness, Faithfulness “If men could be persuaded of this, that the time of this life is the seed time; that the last judgment is the harvest; and that as certainly as the husbandman which sows his seed looks for increase, so we for our good works, a recompence to the full; O how fruitful should we be, how plentiful, how full of good works?” ------------------- • “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness . . . • Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” 2 Peter 3:11, 14.

3. Discouraged? Tired? • Fighting: • Farming: • Faith: • Not grabbing:

4. Which unbelievers? • “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” • “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.” • “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” • “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”Mathew 8:20, 22; Luke 9:60, 62.

5. Working together w/ God • “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. • And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— • for He says, ‘At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.’ • Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation—” 2 Corinthians 5:21-6:2.

6. Amanuensis – ‘Scribe’ • “I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord” 1 Peter 5:22. • “Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!” Romans 16:12.

7. 4 letters • “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write.” • “The greeting is in my own hand—Paul.” • “See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.” • “I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it.” 2 Thessalonians 3:17 ; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Galatians 6:11; Philemon 19.

9. Counterfeits & Emphasis • “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Himthat you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the Day of the LORD has come” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. ------------- • “See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand” Galatians 6:11.

10. Fleshly ReligionPride, power, prestige • Pride: “Desire to look good” • Power: “Compel you” • Prestige: “not be persecuted” Galatians 6:12

11. Compel – strong! • “Immediately, He made the disciples get into the boat” Matthew 14:22. • “Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in” Luke 14:23. • “I tried for force them to blaspheme” Acts 26:11. • “I was forced to appeal to Caesar” Acts 28:19. • “How is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?” Galatians 2:14.

12. Sin is Offensive • “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil” John 7:7. • “So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach” Hebrews 13:13.

13. Insult to injury – hypocrisy! • “For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves” Galatians 6:13. • “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them” Galatians 4:16-17. • “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” Galatians 1:10. • “I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves” Galatians 5:12.

14. William Perkins (1558-1602) “There are two sorts of seeds which men sow in this life, good and evil. Two kinds of sowers, spiritual men, and carnal men. Two sorts of ground, in which this seed is sown; the flesh and the spirit. Two sorts of harvests, which men are to reap according to the seed; corruption, and life.”

15. Sowing to the Spirit “Sowing to the Spirit means living for God’s pleasure instead of our own pleasure. So, for example, a young couple sows to the Spirit when they preserve the purity of their marriage bed. A man sows to the Spirit when he denies his own ambition in order to serve others. A woman sows to the Spirit when she is reconciled to her sister in Christ. A husband and wife sow to the Spirit when they repent of their selfishness and begin to work together in true spiritual partnership. In short, sowing to the Spirit means living for Christ in every area of life. Every time we think a thought, speak a word, or perform a deed, we plant a seed. Every time we think, say, or do anything for the glory of God, we are sowing to his Spirit” Philip Graham Ryken.

16. Exalt the Name of Christ! Majesty worship His Majesty Unto Jesus, be all glory,Power and praise Majesty, Kingdom authority Flow from His throne, Unto his own, His anthem raise. So exalt, lift up on highThe Name of JesusMagnify, come glorify,Christ Jesus the KingMajesty, worship His Majesty Jesus who died, now glorified,King of all Kings.

17. my Jesus, I Love You My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now. I love thee because thou hast first loved meand purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow;if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now. I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

18. Soli Deo Gloria!!!