Sunday Words of Encouragement Sunday February 6, 2022

I enjoyed another Sunday School on Revelation. Our teacher does such a good job preparing and then we get him stuck on the first two pages of his seven pages of notes.

We enjoyed nice worship and the introduction and receiving of four new people to our congregation membership. Our interim pastor reminded us to continue in prayer for the pastoral search process.
Pastor then shared his message titled: “Weary or Waiting?”
The underlying scripture verses are Galatians 6:6-10. This is the passage that speaks to ‘what a man sows, he will reap.’

Pastor noted that often those serving may get worn out. At the encouragement of our interim pastor, we had scheduled to have a full church lunch today to honor those who had volunteered in the church during 2021. Some of our usual hospitality members had suggested postponing it because they had done a rush full church luncheon the first Sunday of January (to say goodbye to our outgoing pastor and his family); a lunch for the family of our previous pastor whose mother passed mid-January; and a small lunch for prospective members on January 30. Because he recognized the overload, our interim pastor and his wife chose to host this morning’s lunch with no congregational input. They, along with our youth pastor, his wife and the interim pastor’s office assistant and her husband, handled everything. He noted that during the week he had to decline the offers of help from many because they have the hearts of servants!

Pastor stated that deception has been around since beginning of time, but it is increasing today. (This was part of our Sunday School lesson too.) The word of God, the Bible cannot be changed. We learn when we study that ‘what a man does he will reap’. What you plant you will produce.

If you sow to the flesh, at its core is Selfishness.
Satan appealed to self of Adam and Eve and their disobedience caused a separation in their relationship with God. Selfishness produces disobedience to God. It produces corruption.

If you sow to the spirit, at its core is Selflessness.
Jesus set aside His divine nature and became human. Christ’s life was always about others
Selflessness produces obedience to God.

Our world is showing more and more corruption. In James we are told that faith without works is dead. James 2:14-17; James 1:22-25. If we fail to work (serve) God, we risk being told “Depart from me, I never knew you. Matthew 7:21-23. Faith will produce works.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan tells how the priest and Levite walked past the injured man, but the good Samaritan stopped and helped him.

We need to step into the field and work. God’s separation of sheep and goats is based on ‘deeds’. ‘When I was hungry, thirsty, cold, you fed me, clothed me, etc.’ Matthew 25:31-46.

The harvest is plentiful, but laborers are few. There are too many watchers on the sidelines. Too many consumers of church instead of servers.
The Church (believers) should be pouring into the lives of those who are hurting.
Pastor reminded us:
20 percent of workers do 80 percent of work 100 percent of time.
If you want something done, give it to a busy person.
Let us not be weary in well doing.
Jesus was moved with compassion.
Come along side other servers.
We all have a ministry - first to God, then to others.
We can and should work through God's strength but rest and enjoy the sabbath and sabbatical when needed.

God calls you to give up self and He will strengthen you ...in due season there will be a harvest.
Reap- what you have sown – a harvest of souls
Reward- for those who serve.
Let us do good to all men, especially to those in household of faith.

There are two steps to serving:

Make yourself available to God. Surrender to serve God.
Make yourself available to the church.

Where is your heart?

This isn’t exactly a song on serving others but I see God’s hands in the “help” portions.

Verses for Today:
Galatians 6:6-10 NIV
6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 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. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Lord, I pray that You will continue to use me to Love You and Love Others by serving in Your name.