He says, whatever you sow, that's what you're going to reap. Don't think you're going to be able to sow one set of things and then reap a different harvest. And he, of course, in the context, he's making the point: don't think you're going to live in sin and end up in righteousness. Hello, and thanks for stopping by for today's Destined for Victory, where we feature the preaching and teaching ministry of Pastor Paul Shepard.
Well, sometimes God will let you off the hook. You make a bad decision or a mistake, and God covers you in grace. But don't mistake his mercy for apathy. He cares deeply. He's watching intently.
And he has set certain spiritual laws in place, for example, the law of sowing and reaping. If you sow seeds of continual willful disobedience, you will no doubt reap consequences. But as you'll see today, God has a better way to live.
Now remember, you're always invited to come see us at pastorpaul.net, where you can listen to any recent message on demand, including today's. That's pastorpaul.net. Subscribe to the podcast at Spotify or wherever you enjoy your podcasts.
Now, let's listen closely to Pastor Paul's Destined for Victory message: For Christ's sake, do good. As Paul wraps up. His words To the churches in Galatia, and by way of divine inspiration to all of us. We have seen that he's talking about how to Walk in step and keep in step With what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives. And in our Previous message we saw That there were some keys, if you will, or some indicators that we were indeed keeping in step with the Spirit.
Here in chapter 6 of Galatians. The first is: we know we're keeping in step with the Spirit when we restore those who have fallen. And we looked. In the last message, at the importance of the church being redemptive and the church rather than exploiting people's weakness or rejoice in their failures, the church must be a place where when someone falls, we are able to restore them to the place God intends for them. And he talked in verse 1 about if a person is overtaken in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.
Secondly, he said, if you're keeping in step with the Spirit, you respond to the needs among God's people. And he went on to say that we must learn to carry each other's burdens, and in that way we fulfill the law of Christ. Then third, he said, we refuse to grade ourselves on the curve. And he talked about the fact that if you think you are something when you are nothing, you deceive yourself. And he was talking about people in the church who love to compare themselves with the weakest people among them, and that's the way they build themselves up.
And he said, if you think you're something, but you're really nothing, you're just deceiving yourself. He said, What you really want to do is test your own actions. Make sure you're walking according to the word of God. The word is the standard to judge your life by, not what somebody else does. And so he said we must refuse to grade ourselves on the curve.
Fourth, we are to resolve to take personal responsibility before God. And he said this: He said, Each one should carry his own load. They're in verse 5. What he means by that is, while we carry each other's burdens to the extent that God enables us to do that, you never ask somebody to carry your burden to the point where you don't take personal responsibility for your life. Because when it's all said and done, you've got to answer to God for yourself.
Your growth group can't answer to God for you. Your spiritual best friends can't answer to God for you. You have got to walk in spiritual responsibility before God and make sure that you are personally living the life He has called you to live. And so he says we must resolve to take personal responsibility. And then the fifth indicator that we're keeping in step with the Spirit is we are open to rewarding those who instruct and lead us in the faith.
He said those who are receiving instruction, verse 6 in the word, must share all good things with his instructor. He's talking about that biblical pattern of making sure that when God uses people in your life, that you bless them as they're blessing you. And that's just a principle that runs throughout Scripture: that you seek to be a blessing to those who are being a blessing to you. And he says you want to be open to allowing the Lord to use you in that way.
Now, as we come down to verses 7 through 10, we will see him say also that if we are truly living the way God wants us to live, we must keep in mind the laws of reciprocity and kindness. And that's where I want to make sure. That we are thorough in examining these verses before we wrap up this series.
Now, the first thing I want you to note here is what Paul says in verse 7. He says, Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Paul is saying, I want you to understand that people have a way of being able to get over on each other.
Not you, but people I know. Have real deceptive tendencies. You're able to deceive others. You're able to mislead others. You're able to trick people.
You're able to get over on people. Have you ever met folk who are just experts at getting over? People who are just experts at being deceptive. But the Bible here, Paul is saying, don't get it twisted. God cannot be deceived.
Meaning, you can deceive a whole lot of people, but you will never deceive God. And what is he getting at? He says, whatever you sow, that's what you're going to reap. Don't think you're going to be able to sow one set of things and then reap a different harvest. And he, of course, in the context, he's making the point, don't think you're going to live in sin and end up in righteousness.
The only way to be in the will of God is to live in the will of God, he is saying. Because you are going to reap the harvest that you are sowing. And he goes on to say, be sure you understand that this is a principle. God cannot be mocked. You are going to reap.
Why are we going to reap? Because he is our judge. See, Jesus is Lord. I made this point as I wrapped up the last message. Jesus is Lord.
He's not campaigning to be Lord. We live in a democracy and we think everything is up for vote. That's why our country is so messed up now. Because everybody thinks what they think counts. That's why we're so messed up because we are impressed with our own importance.
But in a kingdom, It's what the king thinks that counts. And what you think is in the category of oh well. Or build a bridge and get over it. The king is the one who declares and decrees. in a kingdom.
And the Lord is Lord of all. The Bible is clear. Philippians chapter 2. Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee is going to bow and every tongue is going to confess that he is Lord.
That's not up for debate.
Well, that might be for you religious people. No, no, every tongue. Do you have a tongue? Do you have a knee?
Well, I'm an amputee.
Well, you're gonna get down the best way you can. And you are going to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. Because he's not talking about body parts, he's talking about our acknowledgement that he's Lord.
Now, here is the glory of the gospel: since he is Lord, the gospel says, Come to him and live in his kingdom of love and redemption and salvation. He is not a king who desires to strike you down, he is a king who desires to lift you up. That's why he wrapped himself up in flesh, came into the world, lived among us, and died for our sins. What king do you know will die so you can live? It is the king of kings and the lord of lords.
And he came to redeem us. And so we get to bow to a loving, righteous king now and enjoy life in his kingdom, both for time and for eternity. That's a wonderful deal. That I get to yield to the king now and I get to enjoy him. But Paul is saying now, don't get it twisted.
If you don't bow now, you will bow later. You will bow later. It's not a matter of if you're going to bow. The only question is: when are you going to bow? You can bow now and enjoy his presence in your life for time and for all eternity.
But if you refuse, and he goes on to say, if you live according to your sinful nature, you will from that nature reap destruction. Destruction is the only end of those who refuse to acknowledge his lordship. There is no other alternative. You refuse the love of God. You refuse the grace of God.
You are in rebellion and going to stay in rebellion. He says, please understand that destruction is your end. He said, from that nature you will reap destruction. Did you notice that phrase? He said, Whoever sows to the sinful nature will from that nature reap destruction.
What does he mean by that? He means don't blame it on God if you rebel against him and then you reap the harvest of rebellion. Don't get mad at God. Because he didn't bring it on you. You brought it on yourself.
Still ahead, the second half of today's Destined for Victory message featuring the teaching ministry of Pastor Paul Shepard. As always, you can hear any of our recent messages on demand at pastorpaul.net. That's pastorpaul.net. Or listen and subscribe to the podcast at Spotify, at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You know, fulfilling the great commission takes all of us working together.
It always has, and God has commissioned pastors and teachers and missionaries to do their part, but He also encourages listening friends and partners like you to do yours. And we're so grateful for what you've done in His name. Your prayers and donations reach people all over the world with the love of Jesus Christ. Let's keep that momentum going and let's do it together. To make a safe and secure donation online, go to pastorpaul.net or call 855-339-5500.
God not only helps you sow seeds of righteousness, He blesses you for it in ways you could never imagine.
Now, let's get you back to the rest of today's message. For Christ's sake, do good.
Some of you have heard my Mrs. Gadlock story. But others haven't heard it. Plus, I want to hear it again. Let me tell it real quick.
Friend of mine is 11 years my senior. He graduated from the same high school I did in Philadelphia, but 11 years earlier.
So I went through high school in the early 70s, he went through in the early 60s. He said as he was approaching the time when he was going to high school, From junior high, he said people in the neighborhood said to him: listen, when you get to Germantown, you better hope that when you get your roster, you don't see that one of your teachers is Mrs. Gadlock. He said, I had heard about her reputation before I ever laid eyes on her. They said this sister was bad.
And he said, I had heard all kinds of rumors, never knew if all of them were true. He said, but the rumors were something. He said, for instance, I had heard that she had decked a couple of brothers. He said, I never found out whether that was true. But in his mind it was possible because back in those days In public school Not only was corporal punishment understood and what have you among families, but school teachers and principals could get with you in the 60s.
Some of y'all don't know it. You're shocked. I see the look on your face. I know you think it's just the most horrible thing, but please understand it happened in our day. And they could get with you.
I was in a gym class. I'll never forget in junior high school. I didn't even do something wrong, but the gym teacher said: if anybody acts up, your whole class is gonna get it. He was trying to hit us to check each other. And we had one clown.
Who refused to be checked. And I'll never forget, I can picture Mr. Wood blowing his whistle now. Calling all of us to line up on that line right over there. And I said, no, no, no, he did not.
And I won't even tell you what happened. Y'all will be so traumatized you won't be able to hear the rest of the message. Check with me later. I'll hook you up.
So my friend had heard these stories. That she had decked a couple of folk, and he had also heard that she has flung more people than you could name. And so, as he went to high school that first day, he was in fear and trepidation. Said, I got my roster. Took a look at it and lo and behold.
Next to one of the courses was the name Gadlock. And he said the moment came when that particular period came around in the course of the day, and the bell rung, people left one class going to the other. He went into the room assigned to her, and he said she was in the hallway doing monitoring, and so he didn't see her at first. They all went in, and then the second bell rang, and she walked in and shut the door behind her. And he said she was something to behold.
Said this sister stood a little over six feet tall, weighed 200 pounds. And she stood in front of them and said, This is such and such a course. And if you're in the wrong room, please go to your assigned room and what have you. Everybody was in the right place. And so he said, She opened by saying, Now you've probably heard a lot of things about me.
She said, you probably heard I don't take anything off of anybody. She said, I want to let you know that part of my reputation is absolutely true. If you start it, I will finish it. And he said she looked like she could back it up. And then, secondly, she said: Now, you've probably also heard that I have flunked more people than you can name.
He said the various heads were nodding in affirmation. And she said, I want to let you know that that part of my reputation is untrue. In fact, she said, I have never flunked anyone in all the years I've been teaching. And he said they were in disbelief. Cause they all knew people who she had flunked.
And just while they're trying to work this puzzle out in their mind, she said, now if you flunk. You will have flung yourself. She said, I am a good teacher. I work hard to make these concepts easy to understand and embrace. She said, not only that, but I make myself available at different times during the week so that if you haven't grasped something during the class time, you can come in during your study period or what have you, and I will work with you one-on-one.
And if you want to learn, I'm committed to teaching you. She said, so if you flunk, do not blame it on me. You will have flunked yourself. Listen, when people tell you, how would a loving God send people to hell? Let them know, no, He doesn't send anybody.
From their own rebellion, from their own sinfulness that they refuse to surrender to God, they are reaping the harvest of their own sowing. He doesn't send anybody, we send ourselves. When we reject, Jesus came so you wouldn't have to go. Jesus said, I have not come into the world to condemn the world. I have come to be the Savior.
of the world. And so Paul says. You are going to reap. The harvest you've sown. If you sow to the sinful nature, from that nature you're going to reap destruction.
He says, But if you sow to please the Spirit, You are going to reap eternal life. That's a word of encouragement for those who say, What is the payoff for living right?
Sometimes I go through trials when I'm living right.
Sometimes my life goes through hard seasons when I'm living right. It seems to me at times I could have an easier journey if I would just bend the rules and do things my own way. Paul says, Don't get it twisted. Those who sow to please God are never going to end up disappointed in the end. Oh, you'll go through seasons of trial, but even when you go through trials, He says, I'm here with you.
I'm going to walk with you. Just hold on to me and let me see how I will get you through this. And he said, and when it's all over, You're going to reap eternal life. Listen, folks, I know we are faith-walking people. We love to claim the promises of God, and it's right to do that.
I am a faith-walking brother myself, but let me tell you something: don't get so caught up in claiming the promises of here and now that you don't rejoice in the hope that we have in Christ. There is a hope beyond the grave that I am looking forward to. There are a lot of people, unfortunately, in today's church who just mock those who are waiting to go to heaven. Y'all just sitting around waiting for pie in the sky by and by. I want my pie now.
Well, you can't have all your pie now. You can get some of the promises, some of the pie right now, but this is not heaven. This will never be heaven. Jesus said, I'm going to prepare a place for you. I'm going to get you out of that crazy world.
And I'm telling you, when you look at the world around us, you ought to be glad that you got somewhere to go when we leave here. Don't get so earthbound that you don't rejoice in the hope of heaven. I'm telling you, there is a day coming when we are going to cast off this mortal and put on immortality. We're going to cast off the here and now and put on the everlasting. We are going to live in the presence of God.
We'll be ushered out of the presence of sin and unrighteousness. No more rape, no more drugs, no more violence, no more hatred, no more of those things. We will be ushered away from here and we're going to live in the presence of God, in whose presence is joy. And I'm telling you something. You ought to rejoice in the hope of heaven.
You ought to rejoice that if this house be dissolved, I know you don't want to die right now, but you got to rejoice in the hope of what's going to happen when you die. Because you are going to check out of here.
Sooner or later, you're leaving. And Paul said, and we know that if this earthly house be dissolved, we have another building. A house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. I grew up around saints who were looking forward to heaven. They would sing those songs and put their hand up in affirmation.
We would sing hymns like, I have a home prepared where the saints abide, just over in the glory land. And I long to be by my Savior's side, just over in the glory land.
Some glad morning when this life is over, I'll fly away. When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing. It will be when we all see Jesus. We'll sing and shout. The victory.
You gotta know you got somewhere to go when you leave here. Don't get so earthbound that you can't rejoice in heaven. We're going to enjoy the fullness and the glory and the blessings of God. That is part of what you get. When you sow to please the Spirit.
Such encouraging words, and consider these as well. From Isaiah 25, verse 8. He will swallow up death forever, the death. The sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces. He will remove his people's disgrace from all the earth.
Thanks so much for being here with us for today's Destined for Victory message. For Christ's sake, do good.
Always glad to have you with us. I'm pleased now to welcome in Pastor Paul's daughter and the executive director of Destiny for Victory, Alicia Greer. Alicia, welcome. Here we are in day one of a four-day series of messages called For Christ's Sake, Do Good. It's a great reminder that anything good we do is for the glory of Jesus.
But if you would, talk for a moment about how we can discover what doing good should look like in our day-to-day lives. I love that in this series, there's such a practical breakdown of what it means to do good. We know that the Bible says that we should let our light shine so that men can see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. But you know, what are those good works?
Sometimes we have to take it back to the basics and break down what is it that the Lord expects of us? Because we can have our own definition of good, but sometimes when we compare it to scripture line for line, we can see, oh, there are areas where I need to grow here in order to really express the goodness of the Spirit of God. And so in this series, Pastor Paul makes it very practical what goodness looks like both in our homes, because we have to start there and out in the world. And I think we'll all all be encouraged and challenged by this important series. Yeah, that's really what our Christian lives come down to: doing good to others in a way that brings glory and honor to Jesus Christ.
Thank you, Alicia. Speaking of doing good, the Word of God tells us that giving good gifts is more than generosity or kindness. It's a lifestyle that honors God. In our latest booklet, Give, Bless, Repeat, you'll be challenged to make doing good a regular part of your life. And you'll discover how to give wisely and how to bless others without enabling them.
Again, that's give, bless, repeat, and it's our gift to you today for your generous donation to Destined for Victory. You can give by phone by calling 855-339-5500. 855-339-5500. or visit pastorpaul.net to make a safe and secure donation online. You can also mail your gift to Destined for Victory, post office box 1767, Fremont, California, 94538.
What you have to do is believe God that after I've worshiped God and taken care of my responsibilities with my family, the Lord will see to it that he gives me opportunity and resources where I can be a blessing to other people. When you live according to his plan, he'll see to it that you have enough resources to be a blessing. But you got to have your priorities in order. That's next time, and our continuing message for Christ's sake, do good. I hope you'll join us.
Until then, remember, he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. In Christ, you are destined for victory.
