03.12.17 - Just Don't Quit!

Today I approach this preaching moment with a message that has been heavy on my heart for some time now. If there is one message I could send today to believers all over the world, it would be this simple, yet direct admonition that comes from the mind of the Apostle Paul not to be weary in executing “good works.” I believe that this is a God-Sent message for the church in general, and a custom, tailor-made message for Christ The King Church in particular.

Why, you might ask? Anyone with spiritual eyes can sense that God has ordered a season of advance for the church, a season of forward movement for the people of God. However, Satan is doing all he can to successfully discourage the people of God from continuing in “well doing.” Whether we are aware of it or not, the church and its’ leadership is constantly under attack by the enemy. I am not overstating the fact, nor being a sensationalist when I tell you today that the adversary is working overtime to discourage, deject, dishearten, depress and dampen the spirits of those who would do good in a season where evil is on every hand.

Therefore, it is crucial to remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against dark and powerful enemies that are masters of discouragement and depression seeking to achieve mass detachment from the Body of Christ. Their goal is to deceive and discourage us to the point where we will lose our passion and zeal for kingdom building and kingdom advancement.

There are two different scriptural areas where Paul delivers this admonition of not being weary in well doing. The second location is found in Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians in chapter 3, verse 13. In this verse, Paul shares with them the different example that he and the other teachers have set before the Thessalonians concerning their work ethic and how their teaching was directly opposed to the actions of the “busybodies” that were sticking their noses in the affairs of other people.

Moreover, these so-called “busybodies” were in direct violation of a rule that Paul taught them; “Those who do not work, do not eat.” He points out a clear contrast between the disciples who labored and suffered with him and those individuals in the Thessalonian fellowship who were into everybody’s business, but yet not taking care of their own issues.\

In an effort to be sure that this spirit of “busybody-ness” did not take root in the rest of the fellowship, Paul exhorts the violators to “Settle down” and earn the bread that they eat by working. He knew that an idle mind truly is the devil’s workshop. Therefore, to the rest of the believers in this new fellowship in Thessalonica, Paul instructed them not to be weary in well-doing. In other words, don’t become affected by how the others are living, yet they are not working for their keep. You continue working and don’t become weary while doing good to the others around you.

However, a major difference that is found here in Paul’s communication to the believers in Galatia is that Paul includes and addresses himself in the appeal to not be weary in well-doing. I believe that Paul was at a point in his public ministry where he was feeling worn, weak and weary as he considered the hard work he was involved in, as well as his suffering hardships on behalf of the churches in Galatia who seemed not to care one iota about his work on their behalf. I truly believe that Paul was at a breaking point of physical exhaustion and mental frustration because he was working to bless a group of thankless ingrates who never understood his sacrifice in their behalf.

This is a dangerous position to be in. When you we find ourselves at this point, it becomes easy for the enemy to suggest that you ought to give up and give in because it seems that nobody cares that you have given out of energy and resources. Small issues can get the best of you when you are at this point. All the other ministries in the church look better than the one you’re involved with, when you are at this point. All the other grass seems greener than your grass when you are at this point. As I said, this is a dangerous place to find yourself in.

I believe that this is the place that Paul found himself and he was struggling to maintain his spiritual determination and motivation in the midst of his frustration.

Well, Paul’s admonition to the Galatians is our own and there is much we can learn from this 6th chapter of Galatians and the words of Paul. Consider this...

A. The Precept

1. Paul’s Precept: Galatians 6:6

Galatians 6:6 NKJV

Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Paul did not want money to become a stumbling block to those that did not believe, however he knew the importance of money. He recognized that the use of money is an indicator of a person’s priorities. Consequently, Paul teaches that when we receive the Word, we should respond with our material blessings. Why? Warren Wiersbe states:

“We must remember that what we do with material things is an evidence of how we value spiritual things.”

Matthew 6:21 tells us;

Matthew 6:21 NKJV

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

However, the spiritual principle is this; We give so that givers might receive a greater blessing!

B. Paul’s Principle of Sowing and Reaping

a. This is a clear principle that we see around us everyday. We are taught here to be careful where we sow. We should sow in Kingdom concerns, knowing that those investments will always reap positive results. Paul looks at our material possessions as seed, and he sees two distinct possible kinds of soil to sow in: the flesh, and the Spirit. However, once we’ve chosen to sow, we cannot change the harvest! In verse 6, Paul teaches this in terms of our finances. He gives us a principle in Galatians 6:7

Galatians 6:7 NKJV

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Money that is sown to the flesh and fleshly desires will yield a harvest of corruption. That money is wasted and can never be reclaimed. However, money that is sown to the Spirit, such as Paul discusses in verse 6, sharing with those who teach the Word of God, that money will produce life and in that harvest will be seeds that can be planted again for another harvest, and on into eternity! Warren Wiesbe says this:

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: The Liberty of Love (Galatians 6:1–10)

If every believer only looked on his material wealth as seed, and planted it properly, there would be no lack in the work of the Lord. Sad to say, much seed is wasted on carnal things and can never bring glory to God.

b. Paul instructed this community in Galatia not to be misled in such a dangerous way as deceit. Why? Because Paul writes; “Make no mistake, God is not about to be mocked. In other words, God will not allow you to turn up your noses at Him. Those that seek to mock God find themselves being mocked by God. Proverbs 1:26-27 says this:

Proverbs 1:26–27 NKJV

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.

Paul’s point was this: God cannot be mocked! There will be a payday someday because “a man will reap what he sows.” A person cannot outwit God. The crop you plant in the soil in the spring will inevitably sprout forth into the harvest of the fall. Paul is saying that this is a law that will stand as well as a warning for every person to heed. Therefore in verse 8, Paul applies this truth to the actions of the Galatians. He states clearly that the person that sows to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. The word that is used for corruption conveys the idea of a putrid corpse in the process of decomposition.

Not only shall we reap where we have sown, but we will reap in proportion as we have sown. Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 9:6;

2 Corinthians 9:6 NKJV

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

The believer that walks in the Spirit and sows in the Spirit is sure to reap a spiritual harvest. The false teachers of that day did not display this attitude towards giving and receiving. However, the believers knew the importance of that lesson.

C. Paul’s Peril: Verse 9a

1. What Causes Wearying and Fainting?

a. Lack of devotion, b. Lack of Prayer However, I believe it is Perspective And Lack of Patience.

Having our eyes on the wrong person(s)!

Illustration: Dog walking beside the stream with a bone.

D. Paul’s Promise: We Shall Reap

E. Our Protection: Hebrews 12:3

Hebrews 12:3 NKJV

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Jesus is Our Protection!

Philippians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:5–11 NKJV

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Related Media

See more ❯

Related Sermons