Our Harvest

Title: Sowing to the Spirit: Trusting in God's Harvest

Sermon Summary: This Harvest Sunday sermon explores Paul's teaching in Galatians 6 about sowing and reaping, challenging listeners to examine what they are planting in their lives. The pastor clarifies that "sowing to the flesh" isn't about certain types of sin, but rather about defining ourselves by anything other than God's promises—whether through religious practices, church membership, or being "right." True faith means sowing to the Spirit by entrusting our whole lives to God's grace through Jesus Christ. The sermon celebrates God as the God of harvest who blesses generously, understands our weariness in doing good, and offers eternal life that begins now. We are called to serve not to earn salvation, but out of love for a gracious God who covers our gaps and uses us despite our brokenness. Even when we grow tired and don't see immediate results, we can trust that God is working through the seeds we plant.

Key Points:

-The central question for individuals and the church is "What are we sowing?" in terms of our efforts and ministries

-Sowing to the flesh means defining or defending ourselves by anything other than God's promises (law-keeping, church membership, being right)

-Sowing to the Spirit means putting our whole trust in what Christ has done and following where God leads daily

-We serve a God of grace, not works—God covers our gaps and forgives our shortcomings

-God is generous with blessings and understands when we grow weary in doing good

-We won't always see immediate results from our faithful service, but God is still at work

-Eternal life is both a future promise and a present reality we experience through the Holy Spirit

-Jesus modeled the need to retreat and refill when ministry becomes exhausting

-God walks with us through every season, including times when we feel tired and don't see fruit

Scripture Reference:

Galatians 6:7-10 (primary focus)

Stories:

-The context of first-century Christians struggling with circumcision and adherence to the law as a means of justification

-Reference to children identifying with the difficulty of being patient

-Jesus' practice of retreating to spend time with his heavenly Father when exhausted by ministry

-Implied references to the church's ongoing ministries: adult missions trips to Mexico, building ramps, and the three ministries highlighted during the service