RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-05-26	Sowing and Reaping
		There are five principles or spiritual laws concerning the idea of sowing and reaping. Sowing and reaping goes in both a positive and a negative direction. Here are the five spiritual laws of sowing and reaping: 1. Everything Begins as a Seed (Jn.12:24) 2. We Only Reap the Same Kind as We Sow (Ga.6:7-8) 3. We Reap in Proportion to What We Sow (2Co.9:6) 4. I Am Not the Only Sower (Jn.4:35-38; 1Co.3:7-8) 5. We Must be Patient to Reap (1Co.15:58; Ga.6:9) 1. Everything Begins as a Seed (Jn.12:24) Joh 12:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. • In the Law of sowing and reaping everything starts as a seed. • In creation God has designed built-in consequences to the actions of His creatures • Why does God want us to plant seed? Because planting is an act of faith. • When you sow into people's lives the things of God, and the qualities of Jesus, you are feeding their spirits. 2. We Only Reap the Same Kind as We Sow (Ga.6:7-8) Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Gal 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. • As in the natural world if you sow an apple seed, you will reap an apple tree. You will not get a cherry tree. • Take for example David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. • The sins of David: murder (v.15); adultery (v.4); thievery (v.4); baring false witness (v.8); coveting (v.2-3) • When you follow the story you find the same sins reaped within David's family. 3. We Reap in Proportion to What We Sow (2Co.9:6; Pr.22:9) 2Co 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Pro 22:9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor. • Nothing happens until the seed is planted. • Good intentions is not planting the seed. • In the parable of the sower (Mk.4:1-20), the seed is the Word of God, and the soil is our hearts. Is our heart open to hear God's Word? • I can increase my harvest by planting more seed. Your harvest is not for personal use, but for the cause of Christ. 4. I Am Not the Only Sower (Jn.4:35-38; 1Co.3:7-8) Mar 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 1Co 3:7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 1Co 3:8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. • God has given us different gifts and tasks. • The great commission includes two co-equal tasks (Mt.28:19-20). > Evangelism (including church planting) > Discipleship (watering the church with the Word) • Both are crucial and inseparable! • Some plant new seed (sow), some water (sow), and some receive harvest (reap). But God alone gives the increase. 5. We Must be Patient to Reap (1Co.15:58; Ga.6:9) 1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Gal 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. • Some of you have loved ones who are not believers. Do not stop praying for them. • Many times we do not see the fruit of our efforts in this life. • John Wycliffe is largely responsible for giving to us the Word in God in English. • He was burned at the stake, and his ashes scattered. • He did not see the fruit of his labors in this life. There are two days we should not worry about: > YESTERDAY (mistakes, cares, and faults). Yesterday is passed forever beyond our control > TOMORROW (its possible adversities; fear of unknown). Tomorrow is beyond our immediate control TODAY (This leaves only TODAY). We should journey one day at a time. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

23304 E Wellesley Ave. Otis Orchards, WA 99027 Church Office: 509.926.9552 Church Cell: 509.342.9145 Pastor Cell: 509.828.8843 tomelseroad@gmail.com