That was the title of the message I shared a week ago and it is the title of our blog post today. What does this passage in Galatians have to say about these?
Paul states in verse 11 that he is writing this letter with his own hands and in bold print. Bold print: “See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!” Why was Paul using bold print? It may have been because of a sight problem that he had. He was blinded by the light on the road to Damascus at his conversion in Acts 9. There were scales that fell from his eyes when Ananias prayed for him. He speaks about a thorn in the flesh in II Corinthians 12:7 that God would not take away from him.
Boast: Paul uses the word boast twice in this passage. He said that he never wanted to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. He said that the Judizers wanted to boast but their desire was to boast in the flesh of the Gentiles. Paul says in Philippians 3:2-11 that he certainly has reason to boast but he choose to push all that he could boast about aside to win Christ. This reminds us of the heart of the book of Galatians. Paul did not want the Galatians to go back to Judaism. He wanted them to stay true to Jesus.
Cross: That takes us to our last thought today, the cross. My boasting will not be in myself nor in man but my boasting will only be in the cross. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:1-3, 1. When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
I don’t know if Paul was writing in bold print because of an eye problem or if it was for an emphasis because he wanted the Galatians to hear his heart. However I do not want to miss Paul’s heart, his message about the value and the importance of the cross. He was nailed to the cross for me. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross. Lord, Lead me to Calvary. I pray that you have a deep love, respect, and appreciation for the cross.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Sowing & Reaping 2, Galatians 6:9
The law of sowing and reaping is a very powerful law. Last time we talked about the seeds sown and the corresponding harvest. Let’s talk about Paul’s words in verse 9 of Galatians 6; “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. “
There are three individuals in the Bible that you and I are very familiar with who experienced the weary in well doing. They provide great examples for us. Think about them with me for a few moments.
Moses: He was called by God to do a very good work, the leading of Israel out of bondage in Egypt and into the promise land. It was a tremendously challenging task. Moses became weary in his well doing. At one point his father in law visited him and encouraged him to teach some of the people to carry some of the load. That worked well for Moses. However there reached a point where the weariness was too great for Moses. The people needed water and God instructed Moses to speak to the rock that was near by and there would be sufficient water for them all to drink. Moses was so weary and frustrated that he did not speak to the rock but he struck it with his rod. Numbers 20:6-12 Moses let his weariness get the best of him and he lost the privilege and honor of leading Israel into the promise land. Read about it in Deuteronomy 32:48-52. He could see the promise land from a distance but he could not enter it because he let his weariness take control of him.
Elijah: He was a great prophet of God. God did great things through him. We can read about some of them in I Kings 17 & 18. We read about the weariness setting in I Kings 18:22 “Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.” I Kings 19:10, “He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." Elijah did not let his weariness overtake him. Instead he threw himself into the hands of God. He gave up yes but he gave up into the hands of God. In I kings 19:1-5 we read about him falling down under a tree and just crying out to God to take his life. He didn’t do something stupid like Moses. We find God’s answer in I Kings 19:5-9 He was fed by an angel and given some much needed rest. Elijah went in the strength of that nourishment and rest for 40 days and 40 nights. He continued his great work under the power of the Lord and saw great things taking place. Let’s be like Elijah and when we become weary throw yourself into the hands of God.
Jesus: Our third example is Jesus. He was doing good to all, healing the sick, casting out demons, teaching the multitudes. He became weary. But amazingly his weariness really didn’t set in until it came time for Him to go to the cross. He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me, yet no as I will, but as you will. Read about this in Matthew 26:36-42. He overcame his weariness and went all the way to the cross. We are apart of the great harvest that has come from His life, death, and resurrection.
There are many reasons that we become weary. Not seeing any observable results in one. The lethargy of others can cause the faithful to become weary and discouraged as well. The criticism of others also can bring about weariness. Lastly let talk about how to fight this weariness. We must focus on our eternal reward which we will reap if we keep on sowing good work. We need to maintain focus on the Lord and doing His will. We must focus on the example of Jesus who endured in the face of great hardship “for the joy that was set before him.” Don’t give up victory may be just around the corner! How many times do we give up just as God is about to reveal His blessings to us. We quit and leave the harvest for the Lord, because we get tired, both physically, and often spiritually.
Let the words of the prophet Isaiah encourage us today. Isaiah 40:30-31 “0 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
There are three individuals in the Bible that you and I are very familiar with who experienced the weary in well doing. They provide great examples for us. Think about them with me for a few moments.
Moses: He was called by God to do a very good work, the leading of Israel out of bondage in Egypt and into the promise land. It was a tremendously challenging task. Moses became weary in his well doing. At one point his father in law visited him and encouraged him to teach some of the people to carry some of the load. That worked well for Moses. However there reached a point where the weariness was too great for Moses. The people needed water and God instructed Moses to speak to the rock that was near by and there would be sufficient water for them all to drink. Moses was so weary and frustrated that he did not speak to the rock but he struck it with his rod. Numbers 20:6-12 Moses let his weariness get the best of him and he lost the privilege and honor of leading Israel into the promise land. Read about it in Deuteronomy 32:48-52. He could see the promise land from a distance but he could not enter it because he let his weariness take control of him.
Elijah: He was a great prophet of God. God did great things through him. We can read about some of them in I Kings 17 & 18. We read about the weariness setting in I Kings 18:22 “Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.” I Kings 19:10, “He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." Elijah did not let his weariness overtake him. Instead he threw himself into the hands of God. He gave up yes but he gave up into the hands of God. In I kings 19:1-5 we read about him falling down under a tree and just crying out to God to take his life. He didn’t do something stupid like Moses. We find God’s answer in I Kings 19:5-9 He was fed by an angel and given some much needed rest. Elijah went in the strength of that nourishment and rest for 40 days and 40 nights. He continued his great work under the power of the Lord and saw great things taking place. Let’s be like Elijah and when we become weary throw yourself into the hands of God.
Jesus: Our third example is Jesus. He was doing good to all, healing the sick, casting out demons, teaching the multitudes. He became weary. But amazingly his weariness really didn’t set in until it came time for Him to go to the cross. He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me, yet no as I will, but as you will. Read about this in Matthew 26:36-42. He overcame his weariness and went all the way to the cross. We are apart of the great harvest that has come from His life, death, and resurrection.
There are many reasons that we become weary. Not seeing any observable results in one. The lethargy of others can cause the faithful to become weary and discouraged as well. The criticism of others also can bring about weariness. Lastly let talk about how to fight this weariness. We must focus on our eternal reward which we will reap if we keep on sowing good work. We need to maintain focus on the Lord and doing His will. We must focus on the example of Jesus who endured in the face of great hardship “for the joy that was set before him.” Don’t give up victory may be just around the corner! How many times do we give up just as God is about to reveal His blessings to us. We quit and leave the harvest for the Lord, because we get tired, both physically, and often spiritually.
Let the words of the prophet Isaiah encourage us today. Isaiah 40:30-31 “0 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
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