Introduction

Good morning, cherished family of God. As we gather in this sacred space, let's take a moment to pause, to breathe, to be still and know that He is God. In the hustle and bustle of life, it's so easy to lose sight of the peace and rest that our Father so generously offers us. We are often caught up in the whirlwind of tasks and responsibilities, forgetting that our Lord invites us to lay our burdens at His feet and find rest in Him.

Our Scripture today is drawn from the second letter of Paul to Timothy, chapter 2, verse 6. It reads,

"The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops."

At first glance, this verse might seem to be explicitly about farming, but Paul, in his divine wisdom, is using this simple truth of the natural world to illuminate a profound spiritual principle.

J.I. Packer once said, "We never move on from the gospel. We move on in the gospel." Our faith is not a static entity, but a dynamic, living relationship with God that grows and deepens over time. As we grow in our understanding of the gospel, we also grow in our understanding of the rest that it offers.

Today, we will be looking at this Scripture through three main points: Reaping Rest, the Relevance of Rest, and Rest as a Responsibility. As we meditate on these truths, may we be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance and instruction, allowing Him to shape our hearts and minds according to His will.

Let's open in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today with humble hearts, eager to hear from you. As we open Your Word, we ask that you would open our hearts and minds to receive the truths you have for us. We pray that your Holy Spirit would guide us into a deeper understanding of your rest, and how it applies to our lives. Help us to not only hear your Word, but to live it out in our daily lives. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Reaping Rest

In the world of agriculture, the principle of sowing and reaping is a fundamental truth. A farmer cannot expect to harvest crops without first planting seeds. In the same way, we cannot expect to experience the rest that God offers without first sowing into our relationship with Him. This is not a passive rest, but an active one, a rest that requires effort and diligence on our part.

Like a farmer: Just as the farmer must till the soil, plant the seeds, and tend to the crops, we too must cultivate our relationship with God. This involves spending time in His Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with other believers. It involves surrendering our own desires and plans to His will, trusting that His plans are far better than our own.

Patience and trust: The farmer knows that the work he puts in now will yield a harvest in the future. He may not see the fruits of his labor immediately, but he trusts that they will come in due time. Similarly, the rest that we reap from our relationship with God may not be immediate. It may not come in the form we expect. But we can trust that it will come, in God's perfect timing.

Not a one-time event, a continual process: Just as the farmer must continually tend to his crops, we must continually tend to our relationship with God. This involves daily surrender, daily time spent in His Word, daily prayer. It's not always easy, and there may be times when we feel like giving up. But just as the farmer perseveres through the hard times, knowing that the harvest is worth the effort, we too must persevere in our faith, knowing that the rest we reap is worth the effort.

For others: This rest is not just for us, but for those around us as well. Just as the farmer's crops provide sustenance for others, the rest we reap from our relationship with God can provide spiritual sustenance for those around us. When we are at rest in God, we are better able to love and serve others. We are better able to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.

Relevance of Rest

In the rhythm of life, rest often seems like a luxury we can't afford ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO