WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.259 Well, if you've just joined us today, it's really great that you're here. We've been spending quite a while looking in the letter to the Galatians. 00:00:10.620 --> 00:00:22.059 And this is our last session in the Galatians, at least for a while. This is our 11th week. It's gone on slightly longer than I'd planned, but it's been really good, hasn't it? 00:00:22.059 --> 00:00:34.200 It's really been encouraging to hear how Paul has explained to us what is it that makes a human being right with the God who made us. 00:00:35.219 --> 00:00:46.519 What is it that can make the impossible possible, a relationship with an infinitely good, infinitely powerful, infinitely holy God. 00:00:46.520 --> 00:00:58.240 And he's told us, hasn't he, time and time again, it is not down to my works. It's not project me, what I can do to impress God. 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:07.820 But it's faith in Jesus Christ and what he has done, who he has, that God the Father has sent to bring me to himself. 00:01:07.820 --> 00:01:13.240 And I hope we've kind of understood that, and that's in the DNA of our thinking by now. 00:01:13.239 --> 00:01:25.079 But you know, it is possible today that all the work we've done and all the time that we've spent in Galatians over these weeks could go to complete waste. 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:32.399 Paul closes the letter with a warning in verse 7, if you look there. 00:01:33.340 --> 00:01:36.799 Don't be deceived, God is not mocked. 00:01:37.579 --> 00:01:41.099 What you sow, you will reap. 00:01:41.099 --> 00:01:51.099 As if to say, as he closes up, listen, you've heard the message of grace from the Lord Jesus, but beware. 00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:56.000 Because what you do with that message has consequences. 00:01:57.139 --> 00:02:03.679 And he says, doesn't he, it's as if you're a father, and you're depending, and depending on what you do with this message, 00:02:03.679 --> 00:02:08.259 the crops of your life will bear fruit in one way or another. 00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:11.239 He talks about sowing and reaping. 00:02:11.379 --> 00:02:15.560 And in this illustration, I just want us to see three things this afternoon. 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:20.899 First of all, he says, don't be deceived because you are all sowing seed. 00:02:22.079 --> 00:02:25.239 Don't be deceived because you are all sowing seed. 00:02:25.240 --> 00:02:39.719 He wants to say here, it is impossible to go through life and not be in the business of planting things that you are going to reap later in the future. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:44.640 Notice, he doesn't say, does he, if you sow, you will reap. 00:02:45.560 --> 00:02:48.760 No, he says, what you sow, you will reap. 00:02:48.759 --> 00:02:59.299 In other words, each of us, without even thinking about it, really, are all the time, in everything that we do, planting little seeds. 00:02:59.479 --> 00:03:08.819 Placing investments in something or another and hoping for a return, hoping for a crop, hoping for fruit for our lives. 00:03:08.819 --> 00:03:14.379 The whole of this earthly life that we are living is about sowing. 00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:23.900 This mortal coil is the time to plough the fields and scatter for all eternity in our lives. 00:03:23.900 --> 00:03:34.080 Everyone, every single person with everything they do, is part of the form of this action of planting seeds. 00:03:35.259 --> 00:03:39.040 Seeds that one day will grow up into something in your life. 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:45.240 And so he's saying it matters how you respond to the gospel of grace that we've heard about. 00:03:46.700 --> 00:03:48.860 Now, maybe that sounds like a bit of a contradiction. 00:03:48.860 --> 00:04:02.880 Because Paul has shown us that the definition of grace is that God blesses me contrary to what I do and what I deserve. 00:04:03.020 --> 00:04:06.960 He treats me better than I deserve by sending the Lord Jesus. 00:04:08.720 --> 00:04:15.040 And if knowing God and being right with him were dependent on what we do, then we would all be lost. 00:04:15.220 --> 00:04:16.439 None of us would know God. 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:24.240 No, he blesses me in Jesus Christ, despite my bad decision, despite my poor seed sowing. 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:27.779 It's faith alone, right? 00:04:28.839 --> 00:04:31.060 It's not what I do, but what Jesus has done. 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:39.879 But Paul is saying here we mustn't confuse faith alone with a faith that is alone. 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:50.540 In other words, faith in Jesus and his gospel shows itself in the way we hear and respond to that gospel. 00:04:51.980 --> 00:05:00.500 A faith that trusts wholly in Jesus' works can never be apart from some practical change in your life. 00:05:00.500 --> 00:05:08.060 It can't be a faith that is alone, you see, without a change in attitude and affections and lifestyle. 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:12.720 So he wants you to hear this message and respond in the right way. 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:15.720 He wants you to do the right thing with it. 00:05:15.720 --> 00:05:25.600 And so actually it is not a question of whether you'll do anything with the gospel or whether you'll respond at all or whether you're sowing at all. 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:36.380 It is a question of how you're doing that and what you're doing with your seed, whether you're going to invest, where you're going to invest, and which field you're hoping to get fruit from. 00:05:36.379 --> 00:05:44.860 And our response to the message that Jesus Christ brings will sow a seed in time that will bring a result. 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:49.939 And we'll reap what we sow in response to God's grace. 00:05:52.079 --> 00:05:57.060 Many of you are very kind and often come up to me at the end and say thank you. 00:05:57.399 --> 00:05:59.379 And some of you might say thank you. 00:05:59.500 --> 00:06:01.500 It was a really interesting talk. 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:06.019 And you never quite know how to take the word interesting, do you? 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:09.399 When people say that, that can mean anything. 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:13.740 And if you've said that to me, I don't mean any disrespect here. 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:14.920 I know what you're saying. 00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:26.540 But actually I want to say that neither I nor the Apostle Paul and definitely the Lord Jesus Christ are not speaking to you merely to interest you. 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:32.339 The gospel of Jesus Christ is clearly interesting. 00:06:32.339 --> 00:06:35.319 The Lord Jesus Christ himself is fascinating. 00:06:35.319 --> 00:06:37.040 He is a compelling figure. 00:06:38.420 --> 00:06:42.180 But what Jesus Christ wants from you is the right response. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:48.360 And if you don't do that, your interest in him is somewhat immaterial. 00:06:50.540 --> 00:06:51.639 So don't be deceived. 00:06:51.780 --> 00:07:01.220 Every week you leave this room, you leave it having heard the message of salvation through the work of Jesus Christ. 00:07:01.319 --> 00:07:02.860 You're given a bag of seed. 00:07:02.860 --> 00:07:06.819 And you've got to ask, where am I going to scatter that seed? 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:08.560 What am I going to invest in? 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:14.840 How am I responding to the message of the gospel really in my life? 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:18.520 So don't be deceived because we're all sowing seed. 00:07:19.139 --> 00:07:21.920 Secondly, don't be deceived as you choose the soil. 00:07:23.400 --> 00:07:24.759 As you choose the soil. 00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:26.860 We live in West Sealing. 00:07:27.019 --> 00:07:31.219 We've got a little, our family, we've got a little patch of garden. 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:34.159 And it's not even real grass, it's fake grass. 00:07:34.579 --> 00:07:36.379 But we're really grateful for it in London. 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:39.240 I'm way off being green fingered. 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:41.939 But we've just kind of started to buy a few pots. 00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:44.899 And try to grow a few flowers and stuff like that. 00:07:44.980 --> 00:07:46.659 But I'm a total novice. 00:07:46.660 --> 00:07:51.120 So I went to Homebase a month or two ago and bought a bag. 00:07:51.260 --> 00:07:54.280 And it said on the front, multi-purpose compost. 00:07:54.820 --> 00:07:55.720 And I thought, that'll do. 00:07:55.880 --> 00:07:57.640 Whatever I do, that'll do. 00:07:58.180 --> 00:07:59.920 It's general use compost. 00:08:00.180 --> 00:08:07.480 And my philosophy is just buy whatever seeds look nice and just throw it in general purpose compost and hope for the best. 00:08:08.020 --> 00:08:10.320 But I'm sowing in total ignorance, really. 00:08:11.220 --> 00:08:14.540 I'm just hoping everything will work out and something will grow from it. 00:08:16.660 --> 00:08:20.900 And you know, so many people go through life like that. 00:08:22.520 --> 00:08:29.300 As sowers, as people who invest in things and look to different things for hope and for fruit. 00:08:30.320 --> 00:08:32.399 We don't want to get too specialised. 00:08:32.660 --> 00:08:36.680 We don't want to get into the different soils and all of that. 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:40.740 We don't want to get into Christian things too deeply. 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:43.740 We might have a passing admiration for Jesus Christ. 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:46.519 But I don't want to get into all the technicalities. 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:55.219 I'm happy to use general compost to throw my seed out without really thinking about what I'm going to harvest. 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:57.399 And what it's going to look like. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:59.600 Just hope everything works out in the end. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:03.399 Just accept all expressions of God. 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:05.740 Just be spiritual in a vague sense. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:07.539 And hopefully all my bases are covered. 00:09:07.719 --> 00:09:08.779 It'll work out. 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:18.120 But Paul goes on to explain here that as we sow seed in our life, it just doesn't work like that. 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:22.439 There's no general purpose compost. 00:09:22.440 --> 00:09:31.260 Really, there are only two very specialist soils that we can sow in. 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:32.960 And we've got to choose one or the other. 00:09:33.320 --> 00:09:34.920 If you look at verse 8, there they are. 00:09:35.880 --> 00:09:40.260 There's the one who sows to what he calls the flesh. 00:09:40.259 --> 00:09:43.580 And the one who sows to the spirit. 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:48.059 It's very black and white, isn't it? 00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:51.059 Saying, don't be deceived. 00:09:51.179 --> 00:09:52.620 There's no multi-use. 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:54.539 Everything will work out in the end. 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:58.439 Compost for ignorant sowing for life. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:00.179 There are only two soils. 00:10:01.459 --> 00:10:03.059 And we've got to choose them wisely. 00:10:04.439 --> 00:10:07.839 And as we look at these soils, we see that they are very different. 00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:14.500 Because one is a native, indigenous soil. 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:20.439 And the other is a non-native, imported, foreign soil. 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:26.080 And as we've gone through the letter, we've seen the first soil already, haven't we? 00:10:26.140 --> 00:10:27.360 The native soil. 00:10:27.700 --> 00:10:29.960 The soil that he calls the flesh. 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:34.820 It's the native soil to every human being. 00:10:35.760 --> 00:10:38.580 It's the field that we naturally sow in. 00:10:39.260 --> 00:10:41.940 The field that we naturally look to and invest in. 00:10:42.400 --> 00:10:43.080 And hope in. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:47.620 It's the field, isn't it, of self. 00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:51.820 And of avoiding trusting in the Lord Jesus. 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:53.960 It's the soil of human effort. 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:55.639 And human confidence. 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:56.700 And human achievement. 00:10:57.779 --> 00:10:58.940 Human deduction. 00:11:00.100 --> 00:11:00.960 Human glory. 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:01.840 Human boasting. 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:05.580 And that soil is one of a kind. 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:07.419 One kind only. 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:09.960 It's the native, natural soil of our lives. 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:13.060 Before we trust in Jesus. 00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:15.100 It's the natural choice for everybody. 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:18.360 And then there's the second soil. 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:19.519 It's the foreign soil. 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:21.040 The non-native soil. 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:23.700 That he calls the spirit. 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:27.300 The spirit of God. 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:32.440 Who indwells in his people. 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:36.639 The spirit who opposes the flesh. 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:37.860 We saw a couple of weeks ago. 00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:40.740 He is the alkaline. 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:43.800 To the acidity of the flesh. 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:48.279 And he is a different type of soil altogether. 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:52.399 And your response to the gospel. 00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:54.000 Is to queue up. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:56.440 For either of those two soils. 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:57.600 Just two of them. 00:11:57.680 --> 00:11:58.860 There's no field in the middle. 00:11:58.980 --> 00:12:01.139 There's no neutral pH field. 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:02.120 That you can go to. 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:03.220 And just hope for the best. 00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:06.139 As you live your life. 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:07.600 And as you invest in things. 00:12:07.680 --> 00:12:08.620 And hope in things. 00:12:08.800 --> 00:12:09.840 It's one or the other. 00:12:11.420 --> 00:12:12.800 And you will reap. 00:12:12.920 --> 00:12:13.820 Whatever you sow. 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:15.040 Wherever you sow it. 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:18.200 So don't be deceived. 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:19.200 Because you are sowing. 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:20.500 And you've got to choose your soil. 00:12:20.820 --> 00:12:21.980 And connected with that. 00:12:22.040 --> 00:12:23.519 Is the third and last point. 00:12:23.680 --> 00:12:24.300 This afternoon. 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:25.899 And don't be deceived. 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:27.139 As you wait for the harvest. 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:28.960 Don't be deceived. 00:12:29.060 --> 00:12:30.080 As you wait for the harvest. 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:34.240 Because as you choose your soil. 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:37.360 The harvest you reap. 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.420 Will be different. 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:40.600 Depending on the soil. 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:41.660 That you live for. 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:42.460 And you choose. 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:46.100 Being a novice in gardening. 00:12:46.280 --> 00:12:47.259 I'm realising now. 00:12:47.420 --> 00:12:48.740 That certain plants. 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:50.800 Will only grow in certain kinds of soil. 00:12:52.040 --> 00:12:54.500 Some plants will only grow in sandy soil. 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:57.600 Some plants will only grow in peaty soil. 00:12:58.020 --> 00:12:58.660 Limey soil. 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.340 And so on. 00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:02.920 So the choice of soil matters. 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:06.020 Because what you produce. 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.460 Depends on the soil. 00:13:08.280 --> 00:13:09.420 That's why you never see. 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:11.720 Wild coconut trees in Ealing. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:12.180 Isn't it? 00:13:12.540 --> 00:13:13.639 It's the wrong soil. 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:14.620 It's the wrong climate. 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:16.700 So. 00:13:17.160 --> 00:13:19.600 Let me help you choose the right soil. 00:13:20.160 --> 00:13:21.440 To invest your life in. 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:23.580 Look at what they produce here. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:26.379 And see which fruit you would prefer. 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:27.180 For your life. 00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:29.120 Let me try and sell them both to you. 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:31.899 Let's look at this soil called the flesh. 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:35.379 Kind of living for yourself. 00:13:35.560 --> 00:13:38.279 Trying to be right with God by yourself. 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:42.459 You could invest your whole life in that. 00:13:43.459 --> 00:13:44.539 In your own efforts. 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:45.539 And you know what? 00:13:45.579 --> 00:13:47.360 There are some short term benefits. 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:49.100 There is some short term fruit. 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:55.559 First thing you'll get from it is you'll be able to avoid persecution. 00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:57.559 As a Christian. 00:13:57.559 --> 00:13:58.119 As a Christian. 00:13:58.419 --> 00:14:00.159 Just have a look at verse 12 there. 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:04.179 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh. 00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:07.259 Who would force you to be circumcised. 00:14:07.979 --> 00:14:11.019 And only in order that they may not be persecuted. 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:13.279 For the cross of Christ. 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:17.899 Paul is talking about his opponents here. 00:14:19.319 --> 00:14:20.799 The Judaizers. 00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:22.519 As we've seen them in the letter. 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.879 And Paul's opponents. 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:28.500 They understand that the short term benefits. 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:31.279 Of sowing to the flesh. 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:35.000 Of religious outward efforts. 00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:37.899 They've seen that. 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:39.259 We've seen it already. 00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:42.720 If you don't like it when people dislike you. 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:44.039 And the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:45.740 Then all you have to do is modify. 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:47.399 Jesus Christ. 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:49.199 And the Judaizers did that. 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:52.339 By adding things to the work of Jesus. 00:14:52.459 --> 00:14:54.379 They added circumcision. 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:58.059 And why did they do that? 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:01.379 Was it just a misunderstanding. 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:04.639 About how to use the Old Testament law? 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:07.679 Was it a misunderstanding. 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:09.879 About which age they were. 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:11.240 In God's timeline? 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:13.240 Well maybe it was. 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:15.659 But Paul is pretty clear here. 00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:17.580 Actually it really wasn't those things. 00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:18.460 They did that. 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:21.720 Because they desired to get the short term fruit. 00:15:22.700 --> 00:15:24.259 Of avoiding. 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:25.259 Persecution. 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:28.919 If you don't have to say to somebody. 00:15:30.460 --> 00:15:31.899 Look without the Lord Jesus. 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:33.019 You have no hope. 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:35.240 You are lost. 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:38.539 You are dead in your sins. 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:41.279 Jesus Christ is the only way. 00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:42.500 The truth and the life. 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:45.899 If you don't have to say that. 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:47.679 Then you're alright aren't you? 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:49.019 The offence is removed. 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:51.799 If you can say to someone. 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:53.820 Look Jesus Christ did this stuff. 00:15:53.820 --> 00:15:56.040 But if you can do something as well. 00:15:56.140 --> 00:15:57.740 You can add on your own stuff. 00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.180 Circumcision. 00:15:59.400 --> 00:16:02.640 Then the offence of the cross is removed. 00:16:04.520 --> 00:16:07.560 You see that is one attractive thing about sowing to the flesh. 00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:09.820 And you can do that in a really religious way. 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:12.480 It's what the Judaizers were doing. 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:16.420 They invested in fleshy religious human effort. 00:16:16.420 --> 00:16:18.100 Because in the short term. 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:20.820 It made them popular. 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:23.560 They could remove the offence of the cross. 00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:24.740 And they could avoid persecution. 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:26.379 That's the first benefit. 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:29.379 Another short term benefit of sowing in the flesh. 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:33.279 Is that you'll have a good chance of the praise of other people. 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:35.059 So not just avoiding persecution. 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:36.019 You'll be praised. 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:40.100 There's a really good chance that you'll be thought of highly. 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:44.399 That you can be seen as a holy person. 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.539 As a good person. 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:46.960 As a righteous person. 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:49.299 It's like Paul says about them. 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:51.980 They seek to make a good show. 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:53.500 In the flesh. 00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:55.620 If you can. 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.440 Concentrate on. 00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:59.440 On outward works. 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.720 And forms. 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:04.420 And if you can look really good. 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:07.140 There are benefits aren't there to that. 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.360 Real benefits. 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:13.319 Rewards to reap in sowing to flesh. 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:16.420 Jesus says about the Pharisees of his day. 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:18.480 That they pray on the street corners. 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:21.360 Making a show of their religion. 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.480 And he says doesn't he. 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.839 That they've received. 00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:26.259 Their reward. 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.680 The praise of others. 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.880 So you can avoid persecution. 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:33.059 And you can be praised. 00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:34.920 In the short term. 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:38.579 But of course the problem with that. 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:38.940 Isn't it. 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:41.500 Is that we're not just thinking about the short term. 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.860 That's the temptation. 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:44.339 As we choose our soil. 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:47.360 That's why he says in verse 9. 00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:50.360 Let's not grow weary in doing good. 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:52.139 In due season. 00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:53.339 We will reap. 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:56.899 The implication here isn't it. 00:17:56.959 --> 00:17:58.159 That the season. 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.759 For reaping the fruit. 00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:02.519 That comes from these two soils. 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:03.319 Is actually. 00:18:03.899 --> 00:18:04.859 Far away. 00:18:06.139 --> 00:18:08.059 We look at the short term benefits. 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.500 We choose our soil. 00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:11.899 Based on what we think we can get from it now. 00:18:12.719 --> 00:18:14.299 But the real harvest. 00:18:14.439 --> 00:18:16.179 And the real fruit of these soils. 00:18:16.399 --> 00:18:17.779 Is going to come later. 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:21.700 And sowing to the flesh. 00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:23.960 Doing things in my. 00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:25.119 My own strength. 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.059 Living for myself. 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:28.420 Produces that. 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.079 That fruit. 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:29.680 Have you heard of it? 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.539 It's like the. 00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:32.319 Burien fruit. 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.619 If I've said that right. 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.839 It's a fruit. 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:36.940 It produces beautiful flowers. 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.899 With a fragrance. 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.639 But then. 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:40.079 The fruit appears. 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:41.920 And it ripens. 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.539 And it comes. 00:18:42.639 --> 00:18:43.359 And this fruit. 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:45.160 It absolutely stinks. 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.279 I don't know if you've heard of it. 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.820 It reeks. 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.740 And living for the self. 00:18:50.820 --> 00:18:51.460 Is like that. 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.920 It might look great. 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:54.820 To start off with. 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:55.759 But in the end. 00:18:55.860 --> 00:18:56.540 Look at what he says. 00:18:56.600 --> 00:18:57.279 In verse 8. 00:18:58.080 --> 00:19:00.540 The one who sows to the flesh. 00:19:01.540 --> 00:19:03.340 Will reap corruption. 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:06.019 It will stink. 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:07.019 In the end. 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:09.740 Corruption. 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.320 What does that mean? 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:13.319 It doesn't mean. 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:15.460 That you will cease to exist. 00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:19.339 You won't. 00:19:19.939 --> 00:19:21.279 Your soul. 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:23.740 Will not be annihilated. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.299 Sort of just disappear. 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.179 Out of existence. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:29.339 But corruption here. 00:19:29.419 --> 00:19:30.659 Means the addition. 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:33.159 To your eternal soul. 00:19:33.159 --> 00:19:34.579 Of grief. 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.279 And woe. 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.399 Forever. 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:38.560 Forever. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.680 And despite the. 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:43.400 Outward benefits. 00:19:43.560 --> 00:19:43.860 Now. 00:19:44.040 --> 00:19:44.460 Actually. 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.420 The saplings. 00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:46.540 Of that fruit. 00:19:47.300 --> 00:19:48.720 Will already start. 00:19:48.800 --> 00:19:49.259 To appear. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:49.900 In the soil. 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.580 Of the flesh. 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.600 In a life. 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.080 Lived. 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:53.280 Without hope in Jesus. 00:19:53.600 --> 00:19:54.480 Hoping in yourself. 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:57.220 Paul's dealt with those things. 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:57.900 Envy. 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:58.759 And pride. 00:19:58.880 --> 00:19:59.560 And conceit. 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:01.640 And so. 00:20:01.780 --> 00:20:02.360 Even with. 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.240 The praise of others. 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:03.980 The flesh. 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:04.880 Is really. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.660 A miserable. 00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:06.140 Field. 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:06.880 To sow in. 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:09.560 You'll be tired. 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.900 Of keeping up appearances. 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:13.260 You'll see. 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:13.520 That. 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.480 The saplings. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.480 Of woe. 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:16.740 In. 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.340 Trying to deal. 00:20:18.340 --> 00:20:19.140 With your own. 00:20:19.360 --> 00:20:19.740 Guilt. 00:20:20.820 --> 00:20:21.600 And shame. 00:20:22.540 --> 00:20:23.820 And the ungratified. 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:24.560 Efforts. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:27.000 The ceaselessness. 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:28.100 The ceaselessness. 00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:28.800 Of striving. 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.620 That the fruit. 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.800 Of corruption. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:30.940 In. 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:33.579 I read. 00:20:33.659 --> 00:20:34.000 The story. 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.519 Of a farmer. 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:35.480 Who had a crop. 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.200 Of melons. 00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:37.740 In the United States. 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:38.839 But he'd been having. 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:39.259 A problem. 00:20:39.379 --> 00:20:39.940 With thieves. 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.639 So cleverly. 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.200 He decided. 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:43.740 To put a sign up. 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:44.139 Saying. 00:20:44.419 --> 00:20:44.819 Thieves. 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.419 Beware. 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.779 One of these melons. 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.559 Is poisoned. 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.899 Pretty clever. 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.299 Isn't it? 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:50.579 So he thought. 00:20:50.659 --> 00:20:50.799 You know. 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:51.639 The thieves will come. 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.299 They won't know. 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:53.200 Which one of the. 00:20:53.399 --> 00:20:54.180 Melons is poisoned. 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.299 So they won't steal any. 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.299 But he came back. 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:57.859 The next day. 00:20:57.899 --> 00:20:58.639 To find the thieves. 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:00.079 Had put a response note. 00:21:00.159 --> 00:21:01.139 Underneath his note. 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.440 Saying. 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.099 Dear farmer. 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:03.079 Please beware. 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:05.059 Now two of the melons. 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:05.759 Have been poisoned. 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:07.859 Touche. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.680 See. 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:11.960 If you. 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.919 Hear the gospel. 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.740 And. 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:16.000 You don't do anything. 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:16.480 With it. 00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:18.839 And you carry on. 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.200 Living for yourself. 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:21.940 Trusting in your own efforts. 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:23.180 Sowing to the flesh. 00:21:24.399 --> 00:21:24.740 Whatever you do. 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.619 And however you do that. 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:28.220 However clever you think. 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.919 You're doing that. 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.899 If you think you can. 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:32.119 Outsmart yourself. 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:34.379 And just be a better person. 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:36.180 You will always end up. 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:36.819 With a field. 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.299 Of. 00:21:37.919 --> 00:21:38.740 Poisonous fruit. 00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:41.759 A field that you cannot. 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:43.059 Feed from. 00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:44.919 And bear fruit from. 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.940 You can't. 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:48.299 Deceive the great deceiver. 00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:48.759 Can you? 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:49.460 The flesh. 00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:51.440 If you keep. 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.359 Living for yourself. 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.419 And for this world. 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:53.859 If you keep. 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:55.279 Trusting in your own works. 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:58.139 You'll always reap corruption. 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:58.859 Now. 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.259 And forever. 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.500 Whatever your technique. 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:04.000 It's a miserable field. 00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:04.720 To sow in. 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:06.980 So what. 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.859 What you need. 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:09.240 Is not to sort of. 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:10.379 Be better at sowing. 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:10.960 To the flesh. 00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:12.660 It is a different field. 00:22:12.879 --> 00:22:13.359 Altogether. 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:13.920 Isn't it? 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.339 You need to move out. 00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:17.079 Of the flesh. 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:17.619 And to. 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.460 To sowing. 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.139 To the spirit. 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:22.000 Paul says. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.539 Elsewhere. 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.859 To set the mind. 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.680 On the flesh. 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.220 Is death. 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:28.319 But to set the mind. 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:28.960 On the spirit. 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:29.619 Is life. 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.259 And peace. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.079 And he says. 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:32.519 Doesn't he. 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:34.079 To sow to the spirit. 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:35.859 Is to reap. 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:37.140 Eternal life. 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:39.960 Despite. 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:41.080 The outward. 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.720 Bodily decay. 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.660 There is. 00:22:44.280 --> 00:22:45.000 For the Christian. 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.560 Who. 00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:46.880 Walks in step. 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.580 With the spirit. 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:49.400 And obeys him. 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:51.940 An internal. 00:22:52.300 --> 00:22:53.500 Principle of life. 00:22:54.540 --> 00:22:55.860 Planted in that person. 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.940 By the Holy Spirit. 00:22:58.060 --> 00:22:59.180 That bears. 00:22:59.500 --> 00:22:59.900 Fruit. 00:23:00.080 --> 00:23:01.480 For the glorified. 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:02.740 Enjoyment. 00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:04.519 Of fellowship. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.360 With God. 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.940 In his new creation. 00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:07.540 Forever. 00:23:09.560 --> 00:23:10.180 To set. 00:23:10.320 --> 00:23:10.680 The mind. 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.140 On the flesh. 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:11.519 Is death. 00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.180 But to set. 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:12.460 The mind. 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:12.920 On the spirit. 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.519 Is life. 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.840 And peace. 00:23:16.300 --> 00:23:17.140 To set. 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:17.900 The mind. 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.220 On. 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:18.800 The finished. 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.280 Works. 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.619 Of Jesus Christ. 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.519 And every day. 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:23.519 Refuse. 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:24.359 To sow. 00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:25.420 To the self. 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.420 And to walk. 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:27.960 In step. 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:28.680 With the spirit. 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.119 To be led. 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:30.779 By the spirit. 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.539 To the work. 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.079 Of Christ. 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:34.839 So. 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.599 As we close. 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:35.980 Don't. 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.960 Don't be deceived. 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.019 Because. 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:39.639 Faith. 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:40.799 In Jesus Christ. 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:42.440 Is never. 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:42.899 Faith. 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.680 That is alone. 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.059 Faith. 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:45.460 In Christ. 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:45.839 Alone. 00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:47.500 And. 00:23:47.879 --> 00:23:48.240 You've. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:48.420 Got. 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.180 The seeds. 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:49.640 Now. 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.220 So. 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:51.539 Which. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.140 Soil. 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:52.840 Are you. 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:53.400 Going to invest. 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:53.700 In. 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.200 In. 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.860 Everything. 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.400 You do. 00:23:58.080 --> 00:23:58.519 Because. 00:23:59.200 --> 00:23:59.680 Whatever. 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.160 One. 00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:00.700 Sows. 00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:01.160 That. 00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:01.700 Will he. 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.019 Also. 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:02.440 Reap. 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.140 One. 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:04.600 Who sows. 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.080 To his own. 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.460 Flesh. 00:24:05.580 --> 00:24:05.759 Will. 00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:06.539 From the flesh. 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:06.820 Reap. 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.240 Corruption. 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.799 But the one. 00:24:08.840 --> 00:24:09.220 Who sows. 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:09.799 To the spirit. 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:10.080 Will. 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:10.840 From the spirit. 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.240 Reap. 00:24:11.600 --> 00:24:12.519 Eternal life. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.480 Shall we pray. 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.059 To the spirit. 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.059 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.980 To the spirit. 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:15.980 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.599 To the spirit. 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:16.599 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:16.599 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.000 To the spirit. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.000 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.000 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.000 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.720 To the spirit. 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:17.720 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:17.720 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.240 To the spirit. 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.400 To the spirit. 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.400 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.400 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.400 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.400 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.400 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.400 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.140 ! 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:21.099 To the spirit. 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:21.099 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:21.099