Paul writes, “and let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Not many have died the moment they were raised up from the waters of baptism. Most of us arise to live the life of the Christian. We are honored to live for Christ for years. But time can be a difficult component for us. It is one thing to do what is right for an hour, but to continue in well-doing year after year is a challenge. Paul exhorts Christians to continue in well-doing and not grow weary. The spiritual harvest of eternal life awaits those who consistently day after day engage themselves in well-doing. What does well-doing involve? 

     Since Paul relates such activity to reaping, we examine the immediate context regarding sowing to see one aspect of well doing. Sowing to the spirit, as we are led by the Holy Spirit, thus producing the fruit of the Spirit is well-doing (Galatians 6:8, 5:16, 22-23). Over time, we might become lax in studying and applying the Spirit revealed Word. We might tire from always having to manifest love, joy, peace and meekness. We might grow weary in continual kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. During our time on earth we must continue to make sure these spiritual qualities flourish as our spirit sows in the Spirit’s field.

     Serving others is well-doing. Paul exhorts the Christian to use the freedom enjoyed in Christ to not selfishly serve the flesh, but “one another” (Galatians 5:13). He encourages the Christian to manifest the Spirit’s fruit of “gentleness” in “restoring” those who are suddenly overtaken in sin (Galatians 6:1-4). Those who teach us the word are not to be overlooked either. We should share our physical means or “communicate” with those who share with us the spiritual truths of God’s word (Galatians 6:6). As we have opportunity, we are to “do good” or meet the current need of all men, but especially those who are faithful Christians (Galatians 6:10). Over time we might become weary in always being aware of the needs of others, and grow tired in expending our energy and physical blessings to help others. But this is the life of the servant. Grow not weary in such well-doing. Not compromising with error is well-doing.  Paul led by example and did not give in to false teaching, “no not for an hour” (Galatians 2:5). He withstood his fellow apostle face to face pointing out Peter’s hypocrisy in “not walking according to the truth of the Gospel” (Galatians 2:14). He did this not to promote himself, but to make sure “the truth of the Gospel might remain” before all (Galatians 2:5).  

     You may be courageous and take a stand for revealed truth momentarily. You may have many follow your example and stand with you for truth. But you may be tempted to grow weary when few stand to preserve truth. You may even want to give up, especially when those who compromise hurl disparaging remarks against you. Standing for truth is sowing to the Spirit. We must not become weary in such well-doing. Reaping eternal life is at stake! Are you continuing in well-doing?

Glad Tidings (Dec. 11, 2011)

 

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

1. Two prevailing principles that identify our affections and affiliations, Matt. 6:24; Rom. 6:16.
2. We are not to love the world, for by doing so we are God’s enemy, 1 Jno. 2:15; Jas. 4:4.

I. WE LOVE THE WORLD WHEN WE BEAR ITS TRAITS, 1 Jno. 2:15-16.

  A. Lust of the Flesh. The indulgence of animal desires, cf. 1 Pet. 2:11; Gal. 5:16-21.
  B. Lust of the Eyes. Prov. 23:24-28; 4:25
  C. Pride of Life, cf. Jas. 4:16 (10).

II. WE LOVE THE WORLD WHEN WE COMPROMISE WITH IT.

  A. Moral Compromise, 2 Cor. 6:17-7:1.
    1. Social drinking, Prov. 20:1; 23:31-32.
    2. Dishonesty, Eph. 4:25.
    3. Profanity, Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6.
    4. Immodest clothing, 1 Tim. 2:9-10.
  B. Doctrinal Defiance, Gal. 1:6-10. Col. 2:8, 20-22; cf. 2 Cor. 4:1-4; 1 Jno. 4:1, 5-6.

III. WE LOVE THE WORLD WHEN WE HAVE AND HOLD ITS VALUES, Matt. 16: 24-27.

  A. “Might makes right.” 1 Cor. 1:26-29, 31
  B. “The one with the most toys, wins.” Eccl. 5:13-14; Lk. 12:19-21 (1 Tim. 6:6-8)
  C. “You only live once.” Jas. 4:13-17
  D. “Money is power.” 1 Tim. 6:9-10

IV. WE LOVE THE WORLD WHEN WE WILL NOT TURN AWAY FROM IT, Rev. 9:20-21; Acts 26:20.

  A. How Do We Turn Away from the World? 1 Jno. 4:4; Rom. 6:17-18 (5-14)
  B. Do not Give the World any Place in Your Hearts, Eph. 4:27; cf. Lk. 11:24-26.

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Celebrating Sin

1. We live in a sin-soaked world (2 Pet. 3:7).
2. Christ calls us out, 1 Pet. 2:9; 2 Cor. 5:7.
3. While this world celebrates sin we must be saints – holy and separate – this is the calling of the gospel and the challenge of our faith, Eph. 4:1; 1 Pet. 2:11-12.

I. THE WORLD'S CELEBRATION OF SIN. Heb. 11:25

   A. “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” (Could be any city) Num. 32:23; Heb. 4:13; Gal. 6:7
  B. “There are no rules here!” 2 Cor. 5:10
  C. “It feels good, so it must be right.” Prov. 14:12; Jer. 17:9 (Acts 23:1); 1 Tim. 4:1-2; Jno. 8:31-32.
  D. “Those Christians are extremists and hypocrites; do what you want, not what they say.” Rom. 1:16; Col. 3:17; Matt. 5:13-16.
  E. “Christians must be opposed.” Jno. 16:1-4; 15:18-21; Rev. 2:8-11.

Conclusion

1. When David was surrounded by enemies and the outcome appeared in doubt, he continued to trust in the Lord, Psa. 11:1.
2. When his advisers cast doubt upon trusting God saying “the foundations are destroyed”, he did not waver, Psa. 11:2-7.
3. Like David, we must not waver or doubt when the world all around us celebrates sin. The Lord will not allow wickedness to prevail. He will judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous. 2 Ths. 1:6-10

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The U.S. Pentagon officially announced the end of the Iraq War on Thursday after almost nine years of U.S. military presence in that country. As the last soldiers come home and are reassigned we are both thankful for their service and cautious of new enemies of freedom still on the horizon.

     Christians must remember that our enemy Satan never rests. We must always be vigilant against his incursions into our lives (1 Pet. 5:8). Only with the “whole armor of God” will we stand in the day of peril (Eph. 6:13).

     Christians fight this battle every day. Fighting the good fight of faith lasts a lifetime (1 Tim. 6:12). We have victory in Christ, yet we can never declare the end of these wars:

     1. The war against the flesh. “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). Our victory comes as we “walk in the Spirit” and reject the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:16-17). We will be victorious when we walk in the truth (be led by the Spirit) and bear the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:18-26).

     2. The war against false teaching. “…I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). The battle line against error is clearly defined in the word of God; going beyond the doctrine of Christ puts one inside the enemy’s camp (2 Jno. 9-11). We will be victorious when we conform ourselves to the truth of God (Gal. 1:6-12).

     3. The war against apathy and compromise. “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:3-4). Victory is assured; don’t be distracted! (1 Cor. 15:57-58)

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