The Law of the Harvest
Seven Principles to Consider
Galantines 6:6-10
Intro: Laws, not many people spend their day thinking about the many laws that govern our lives each day, laws of gravity, laws of motion, laws of energy and even the law of the harvest. Now, just because we go about our day without giving regard to the laws that govern our lives doesn’t by any means exclude them from existence; and all of God’s children would say, “Amen”.
The law of the harvest is our focal point this morning, and for the reader of this message take a moment and consider the bag of seed in which you thrust you hand each day; what “type” of seed do you pull from that bag and broadcast on the fertile fields of the heart of man?
I. Principle # 1, “Indebtedness to the Godly seed sower” 6:6
1. The KJV uses the word “communicate” but a literal translation would read, “To return withal due benevolence”
1 Corinthians 9:7-14
7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
A. The Minister of the Gospel receives according to that which he has sown
a. If he sows the seed of the word of God he will have a healthy flock
b. If he sows the seed of the gospel through evangelism he will reap many souls for God’s kingdom
c. If the seed he has sown matures and bears fruit that leads to growth within the church he should reap from the church accordingly
II. Principle # 2, You can only reap what you have sown (6:7-8)
1. Two fields – one harvest (8)
Ecclesiastes 3:1
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A. Sowing seed of self destruction to the flesh
a. The seed of lust brings forth a harvest of destruction
No where in scripture is this principle anymore profound than in 2 Samuel chapter 11, were king David plants a seed of lust in the filed of his heart and takes another mans wife, Bathsheba the wife of Uriah. When the king’s plot was finished Uriah lay dead, the son born out of wedlock died as a young child. Misery and death is the fruit of the seed of lust.
b. The fruits of sin, Galatians 5:19-21
B. Sowing the seed of righteousness
Note: If asked, anyone would say, “I want a blessing” yet they have never sown the seed or seeds of blessings; dear friend you must sow the seed of blessings so as to reap the fruit thereof.
Galatians 5:22-23
a. To receive the harvest you must first plant the seed.
III. Principle # 3, the harvest will be an abundance of the seed sown
2 Corinthians 9:6
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Quote: Sow a thought, reap an action, sow an action reap a habit, sow a habit reap a character, sow a character reap a destiny.
Dr. Ray Pritchard
1. Plant the small turnip seed and reap a harvest of turnips and greens
2. Plant the seed of discord and reap a harvest of anger and bitterness
IV. Principle # 4, It takes time for the harvest to come in (6:9)
Note: Any farmer knows that you can’t plant a seed today and harvest the field tomorrow, but with much patience and persistence the time will come.
Yet it’s during this time we must work to ensure a bumper crop, you can’t just plant it and forget it, it must be worked.
1. A time to cultivate that which has been planted
2. A time to water and fertilize
3. A time to see the blooms that promise a bumper crop
This principle at work in the flesh
1. The seed of anger is planted
2. The plant springs forth with vigor
3. The plant is watered by hatred
4. The plant is fertilized by bitterness and all the weeds of Godliness has been cultivated out by Satan.
5. The plant matures and brings forth death
This principle at work in the spirit
1. The seed of love is planted
2. The plant is watered by God’s spirit
3. The plant is fertilized by God’s word
4. Love in an abundance if the harvest thereof
V. Principle # 5, the planting season is short (6:10)
Note: The window of opportunity is rather small in which to plant seed, in the natural world the farmer must wait for the winter rainwater to subside and work the soil, then he has only a few weeks in which to plant the seed.
1. We must seize every opportunity given us
2. We must respond with zeal
VI. Principle # 6 Indebtedness to the whole world (6:10)
Romans 1:14-15
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
1. We owe the world our efforts in planting spiritual seed
At no time are God’s children called to set idly by while the world goes to hell in a hand basket.
2. We can water the seed that others have previously planted
1 Corinthians 3:6
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
3. God will give an abundant harvest
VII. Principle # 7, Start in the fields closest to you
1. Prepare the soil for planting
Note: The actual task of planting the seed is rather easy compared to preparing the soil to receive the seed and the daunting task of cultivating to keep the weeds out.
2. Plant only good spiritual seed
Note: Most seed suppliers have their bags marked 99.9 % weed free, well we must shoot for 100% weed free, because that 1/0 of % can come back to haunt us.
3. Cultivate the plant with friendship
4. Water that plant with God’s spirit
5. Fertilize it with God’s Holy Word
6. Reap a harvest of Souls that will fill the kingdom of God
Psalm 126:5-6
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
