Reading | Bob Revnell
Jesus has a short period of ministry, about three years. The first year is recorded only in the book of John. It is the year of obscurity when He calls His Disciples. The second year is the year of popularity, with many miracles and teachings. The third year is a year of increasing rejection.
Matthew 5-7 is in the second year. It can be called the Authoritative Message of the Messiah. It’s about Kingdom life for the follwers of Jesus, also known as the Sermon on the Mount.
Generally, Jesus teaches the crowds with many parables, but when the Disciples are gathered around, He explains the parables in depth and with insight. His words are like a light shining in darkness, a light that we need now in our world.
The Gathering
Family of God
i. This is a Scripture I love about The Gathering
Galatians 6.6: Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. (NLT)
I have not been asked to read this. As many of you know, I see the big picture of our Church finances. No one has told me anything about the details and individuals who give.
I do know that we don’t have online giving, so mail in your giving if you like. Also, if you are facing a time of need, please reach out to us.
Galatians 6.7-8: Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
ii. Let’s lay the judgment of this Passage aside for now
To be honest, I have been involved in a couple studies like that this week, but I really don’t think it’s the job of the Church to make a judgment call. It’s our job to pray, and we are.
Take a look at our Facebook posts or go to Unite714.com, the prayer movement we’ve joined.
Facebook @longlakefriends
iii. Let’s consider the harvest that can be made now
Galatians 6.8-9: Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Paul wraps this verse in an important thought. DON’T GIVE UP! The first and last phrases are similar in English and the Greek.
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good . . . if we don’t give up
The word “tired” or “weary” means to be utterly spiritless, to be wore out, or exhausted.
The verb “give up” or “faint” is like tired. It’s from the same root word, but it’s only more tired. It can almost lead to a form of apathy.
The words “tired” and “give up” are terms for laborers who are exhausted form work in Paul’s time. So Paul says we can become tired and weary in the work of the Lord. We can give up and faint, almost pass out spiritually, and give in to apathy
On the other hand, we have to pay attention to what Paul is not saying, to what he’s implying. Have you ever done work you absolutely love? It may be more difficult than other work you’re doing, but it is work that you love, so it’s really not that hard after all.
We can remain energized in the work of the Lord, because we love it . . . and that’s when we have the strength to keep from giving up . . . and that’s when we see a harvest for all we’re doing.
iv. I don’t use long quotes, but I want you to consider an Early Church Bishop
St. John Chrysostom writes about the sinful sowing and reaping. Then he beautifully and poetically contrasts it with sowing to the Spirit.
“As in the case of seeds, one who sows pulse cannot reap corn, for what is sown and what is reaped must both be of one kind, so is it in actions, he that plants in the flesh, wantonness, drunkenness, or inordinate desire, shall reap the fruits of these things. And what are these fruits? Punishment, retribution, shame, derision, destruction. For of sumptuous tables and viands the end is no other than destruction; for they both perish themselves, and destroy the body too. But the fruit of the Spirit is of a nature not similar but contrary in all respects to these. For consider; hast thou sown alms-giving? the treasures of heaven and eternal glory await thee: hast thou sown temperance? honor and reward, and the applause of Angels, and a crown from the Judge await thee.”*
v. What’s the best way we can sow and reap?
Galatians 6.10: Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
Now some are going to take me to task on this, because we sow anywhere. I believe we sow, give, minister, and share however God leads. Yet Paul says “Therefore” and Paul says “especially.” With these two words, he narrows in on the “family of faith.”
Let me just back up from that for a moment, because there is a lot in this passage about how we use time. Maybe I’ll teach on it more at some future date. However, we can do good or give with our time.
To break down the two views of time quickly, let me briefly illustrate
1) Some of you have cabin fever because you really can’t wait until this is all over and life can get back to normal.
2) But maybe the real reason you have cabin fever is because you’re at home . . . and now you cannot outrun yourself . . . or your family.
That’s an example of the two views of time. Is this just a moment that will pass so we can get back to the daily grind . . . or is it a divine appointment to help us all reprioritize?
Paul says seize the moment to “do good to everyone” . . . all people. The verb “do” is almost always translated as work. We’re laboring to do good, striving to do good, and possibly making a habit of doing good.
Then Paul adds “especially to those in the family of faith”
The word “especially” can be translated most of all. The word “family” can literally be translated as household.
The King James Version says: As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
The beauty of Paul’s words cannot be overlooked.
What are we doing for our Family of Faith?
We don’t have a lot of other paid workers, but we have a lot of amazing volunteers.
I’ve been picking up the phone and calling people, but I’m finding that they’ve already been calling others on the list. They’re reporting to me about how others in our church are doing.
We’re recording these sermons, which takes a little extra time than normal with our limited tech supplies, but it’s one way we can minister to you all.
Other churches are checking up on us, pastors and staff in our region.
We’re taking care of the Family of Faith.
What can you do?
Pick up the phone, call someone, and commit to pray for some of their needs.
Take a look at our Facebook page Long Lake Friends Church or @longlakefriends.
Facebook @longlakefriends
Look at the prayer movement we’re part of, with global prayers and local prayers. Go to the main website at Unite714.com.
Let the Body of Christ around the world bear the burdens of this time with you. We are doing good, doing the good work, with the Body of Christ, the larger Family of Faith.
Palm Sunday Reading & Message | Family of Faith
Bob Revnell, Head Trustee and Elder
Pastor Jared Ingle
longlakefriendschurch@gmail.com
JC Ingle, Inc.
note:
* John Crysostom, “Commentary on Galatians: Galatians 6.1,” in Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, vol. 13 of The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, ed. Philip Schaff (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans), http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.html (accessed December 27, 2011).
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