Sowing Good Before the Final Harvest
November 15, 2020 · 2:54:35 · Watch on YouTube ↗
These notes - summary, key points, and highlighted thoughts - were generated by AI from the recording and are not the preacher’s exact words.
Summary
On Thanksgiving (Harvest) Sunday the preacher opens with Genesis 8:22 and Revelation 14:14-16 to frame all of life as a season of sowing that ends in a harvest. Just as seedtime and harvest never cease, the day is coming when Christ reaps the whole earth at the end of the age. Each of us must be ready, because our own harvest could arrive at any moment.
He asks searching questions: is there more good or evil in the world, and what kind of seed are we scattering? Evil may win temporary victories, but Christ already defeated it at Calvary, so those who bear His name are called to sow goodness everywhere. We reap what we actually sow, not what we merely wish for (Galatians 6:7), and godliness joined with contentment is true gain (1 Timothy 6:6). The call is to be remarkable people who notice others' needs, build bridges instead of walls, and never grow weary in doing good.
The most important seed of all is sincere repentance. For anyone weighed down by a lifetime of bad sowing, the cross is where the sickle already fell on every sin. Coming to Jesus, sowing righteousness, and seeking the Lord (Hosea 10:12) leads to a harvest of mercy. Whatever we do in word or deed, doing it in Jesus' name keeps it from ever turning out evil (Colossians 3:17).
Key Points
- All of life is seedtime that ends in a harvest, so be ready - the end of the age can come at any time.
- Evil may have brief success, but Christ defeated it at the cross, and believers are called to sow good.
- We reap what we truly sow, not what we wish, so scatter kindness, mercy, and gratitude.
- Godliness with contentment is great gain - be thankful and content in family, church, and work.
- Do not grow weary in doing good to everyone; build bridges, not walls, and sow flowers, not ashes.
- The greatest sowing is sincere repentance - bring your sins to the cross where the sickle already fell.
- Do everything in word and deed in the name of Jesus, and it will never become evil.
Devotional
Today's harvest began with seeds you planted long ago, and tomorrow's harvest is being sown right now. Pause and ask what you are scattering into the lives around you - words that heal or words that wound, gratitude or complaint. Remember that Christ has already faced the harvest of judgment for your sin at the cross, so you can sow in freedom and hope. Choose to plant goodness, mercy, and thanksgiving, and let every word and deed be offered in His name.
You can sow whatever you like, but you will reap what you planted, not what you wish.
Light a candle instead of cursing the darkness - sow flowers, not ashes.
The cross is where the sickle fell on every sin; bring yours there while you still have time.
