Sowing and Reaping, Part I

Ever hear of something called “jogging in a jug”? “Jogging in a Jug” is a concoction of 4 parts grape juice, 4 parts apple juice, and 1 part apple cider vinegar. Yum, yum! It’s a folk remedy for high cholesterol; a kind of “Drano” for your arteries. Supposedly, two ounces a day of this stuff and your insides will be as slick and clean as a whistle. Now, I don’t know if it works. It’s never been scientifically proven to do anything except cause you to make an awful face when you drink it. But wouldn’t it be great if it did? Just the name sounds appealing: “Jogging in a jug.” Wouldn’t it be great if you could gain all the benefits of jogging without actually having to exercise! If you could lower your cholesterol and improve your health without having to strap on your Nikes and “just do it”. If instead, you could “just drink it”? No getting up before dawn to drive to the gym; no hours of pain on the StairMaster. Just a shot glass of vinegar and it’s “please pass the jelly doughnuts!”

Take another example. It used to be that if you ate junk food, you got fat. Now, we have Olestra, a fat substitute, so we can eat greasy potato chips and ice cream to our heart’s content without raising our cholesterol. Over the years, we’ve developed a multitude of artificial sweeteners – cyclamates, saccharin, aspartame – so we can drink all the sodas we want without rotting our teeth and expanding our middles. And if you do happen to eat something with actual fat or calories, you don’t need to go to the gym to lose weight. All that sweating and huffing and puffing is so 80’s. Now, you just make an appointment with your friendly local liposuctionist, and for a couple of thousand dollars, he’ll suck that fat right out.

In short, what we’re constantly trying to do is repeal the law of sowing and reaping, sever the connection between action and consequence. Not just with eating and drinking, but in every area of life. It’s a universal human urge: people to want to enjoy the benefits without paying the price. Take money. Why is the lottery so popular? It’s an opportunity to become wealthy without labor. There are other ways to acquire wealth, but they’re not nearly as appealing, because they all involve work. That’s whey we love game shows like “Who wants to be a millionaire?” Just answer a dozen trivia questions, and you’re rich. No years of medical school, no years of working late at the office, no years of sacrificing and saving and investing. Just ten minutes sitting across from Regis and – boom! – instant wealth. Now I’m not knocking game shows or saying that Regis is evil [although he does sort of resemble the devil in those dark, monochrome suits]. But we should ask ourselves why these shows are so popular. It’s the appeal of having wealth without having to earn it. It’s the appeal of breaking that link between work and reward [John Houseman commercial: “At Smith Barney, we make money the old-fashioned way. We earn it.” They don’t run that commercial anymore. Why? People don’t want to invest for the long term. They don’t want to “earn” a good return on their money. They want to take a flyer on some “dot-com” stock that’s going to quadruple their money in two weeks.]

Now, while you may be able to acquire wealth without labor, or reverse the consequences of overeating, there’s at least one area of life where the law of sowing and reaping always applies. And that’s in our spiritual life. Our character, our relationship with God, our relationships with one another, these are ruled by the law of sowing and reaping. It’s part of the moral fabric of the universe. This law can’t be overturned by drinking vinegar; it can’t be repealed by a winning lottery ticket. It holds fast. And so the way of wisdom is not to war against it, but to understand it and live by it and benefit from it. Ignoring the law of sowing and reaping only leads to sorrow and regret. What we need to do is respond to it in a way that’s spiritually healthy and pleasing to God.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:7-9 (NIV)

What’s Paul’s first point? “Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked.” Some people today are mocking God. Not explicitly – they’re not glaring up at the sky, laughing at God, taunting Him, daring Him to strike them down. But they are mocking Him implicitly, by the way they’re living; by disregarding His claims on their life. Ignoring God, ignoring His law, ignoring His Son Jesus Christ. Living however they please, with no thought or concern about God. They think they’re beating the system. They think they’re “getting away with it.” They think that as long as they’re clever enough to cover their tracks, as long as they can avoid discovery and exposure, as long as no one finds out, then they can do whatever they want.

But what Paul is telling us here is that they’re not getting away with it. It’s corroding their soul. It’s destroying their integrity. It’s eroding the foundation of their relationships, and placing a barrier between them and God. And sooner or later, it is going to come out. Sooner or later, they will reap what they’ve been sowing.

[World Magazine, June 12 1999]. “When Harvard Divinity School dean Ronald F. Thiemann, a Lutheran theologian, suddenly stepped down from his post , he said it was for "personal and professional reasons." Last month, the Boston Globe filled in the blanks. It said he had been forced to resign after technicians at the school told Harvard officials they had found thousands of pornographic images on his university-owned home computer. Mr. Thiemann had summoned the workers to install a larger hard disk and to transfer the contents of the old disk to it.”

Did Mr. Thiemann expect to be exposed? Certainly not. But in the sovereignty of God, it did come to light. And the result was a stained career and reputation.

But – What if you don’t get caught? Sometimes the coverup works, doesn’t it? What if you’re never exposed? What then? Well, at the very least, hidden sin weakens our relationship with God. When Christians try to conceal their sin, it distances them from their Lord. It erects a barrier to prayer; it destroys fellowship with Christ. And at worst, concealed sin shows that there was never really a relationship with God to begin with. You see, people who think they’re “getting away with it” may be able to con everyone around them, every day of their lives, until the day of their death. But they can’t con God. There will be a judgment, and all of their deeds, good and bad, will be exposed.

“The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.” – 1 Timothy 5:24-25 (NIV)

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)

Everything we sow eventually bears fruit. It’s the law of sowing and reaping. If what we’re sowing is bad, then the harvest will be bad, whether our deeds come to fruition in this life or whether they are exposed at God’s judgment seat on the last day.

“As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” – Job 4:8 (NIV)

“He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.” – Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love . . .” –Hosea 10:12 (NIV)

“Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” – James 3:18 (NIV)

[CONTINUED TOMORROW...]

Sunday Wrap Up

Someone named Anonymous responded to Friday's blog. He or she wrote, "Sorry, but this didn't come from the President of Australia last week. These statements are from an article originally written in 2002 by Air Force veteran Barry Loudermilk, titled "This is America. Like It Or Leave It." You can view the original article here: http://web.archive.org/web/20020213210735/http://vietnow"

I appreciate this correction. However, it does make me feel a little better that the speech came from an American leader.

Great services today! We had at least one lady, Cathy, received Christ as her Lord and Savior today. God did some wonderful things in our altars today. It was great to be in the house of God today.

Please keep Brian in your prayers. He is doing better and resting in the hospital tonight. Also, remember Chris McBeath and his family in your prayers. They are in Kentucky attending the funeral of his grandmother this week. And finally continue to remember our missionary, Arlene Miller, in your prayers.

Have a great week!

-Pastor Randy

Friday Coundown...Kudos to the President of Australia

This week the President of Australia issued the statement below. I know that in America we take great pride in our religous tolerance and we welcome all religions to America exercising their freedom to worship their god. But when you look at Islam and what happens to nations who let them come in and get a foothold in that nation's communities, businesses, and government...it's more than frightening, it threatens the very fabric and core of those nations and often brings an end to their freedoms and human rights.

I encourage you to open your eyes. Look at around the globe. Look at nations in southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle east, and even in Europe right now. You don't think it can happen here? It can and it is. Give the Australian President credit. He's trying to do what he can to stop it now before its too late. The Australian President understands Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people." [NASU] Islam is a false religion. Allah is a false god, an idol, which is a sin against the one and only true God.Righteousness only comes through confession in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

May God give America this kind of leadership!

-Pastor

__________________________


Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..


Separately, Rudd angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:




'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. '

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God.. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'


'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

The Seeds of Apostasy

A very good word. Have a great day!

- Pastor

THE SEEDS of APOSTASY
-by Paul Holdren.

John Wesley recounted that within every revival were the seeds
of apostasy. By this he meant that with revival came righteousness,
with righteousness came favor, with favor came prosperity, and with
prosperity came the temptation to self-reliance. The temptation of
self-reliance is the first step away from God. It is sad that people
are willing to serve the illusion of prosperity by means of self-reliance.

As Americans we can definitely see how this insight fits our country.
Our land was birthed with the ideal that a nation should have the
freedom to worship the true and living God according to one’s
conscience. The Almighty had blessed our nation with righteousness.
With righteousness came national favor, with favor came prosperity,
and now we, as a nation, bear the burdens of decline resulting from
our own self-reliance. As American Christians we can see how the
Spirit of the Lord could speak of a church that sees itself as
“increased of goods and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17).

When idolatry’s seed of self-reliance yields its crop of perversion,
poverty, and struggle—many who claim to be worshippers of
Almighty God will turn to other gods. These gods are the gods
which originate in the satanically manipulated carnal heart. These
gods are conceived in the human imagination and constructed by
human hands. These gods of imagery are bombarding Americans
now, seducing us in a downward spiral of the media’s ongoing
promotion of abomination against God.

Our present “it’s the economy” or “it’s health care” politicians have
replaced Jeremiah’s prosperity prophets, giving us a false sense of
security by proclaiming blessing and peace upon the land. Our
“soft-sell” preachers are proclaiming health and wealth, while the
glory is preparing to depart from our places of worship. “Change
that makes a difference” will not come by the hands of men.
“Change that will make a difference” will only come when we cast
our idols down at the foot of the cross.

Where are the believers like Ezekiel today? Where are the watchmen
on the wall of a nation’s destiny—crying out that the enemy is
coming, that the glory is lifting, and that God is turning His back?
Political correctness tells us not to speak in such a manner.
Religious convenience tells us not to prophecy such, for the people
have ears that need to be tickled (II Tim 4:3). As passionate believers,
we cannot help but speak a word of warning. As passionate oracles
of the truth, we must speak the promise of restoration grace in
order that many may be given the opportunity to cast down their
idols and return to the God of our fathers.

Money, Barrels, and Bob Evans

Today was Sonya Money's last staff meeting with us and this is her last official week as Treasurer of KP. What a wonderful job she has done. We will miss her and Amos too. They are KP giants in my estimation. Even before they moved back from Florida, I heard so much about them from the KP congregation members...nothing but good things of course. And I have to say, it is all true. Amos and Sonya have worked untiringly at the church. They love KP and I know its very hard for them to leave. This coming Sunday evening we will take some time after service and honor them. I think it would be very appropriate if you would like to express your love and appreciation with a card and/or a gift inside. Of course, if you cannot afford it, don't worry about it. Hugs, pats on the back, and kind words will do just fine.

Well, we our getting our barrels out now. If you can help us to place a barrel somewhere where there is public traffic, please come by and pick one up. We have about ten left and we need to get them all out this week. If not, you can at least bring your old shoes to the church and help us fill barrels. We have about two weeks to try to get a semi-truck full of old shoes. It could mean as much as $25,000 for missions.

Wow, we had a great men's cell this morning at Bob Evans. This morning they sat a big group of store managers by us as we went through our lesson and prayed. I love when they do that. About every week, we have someone sitting near us that is listening and watching, including waitresses. It gives our cell an opportunity to shine the light of Christ both in word and in our actions.

Hey, have a great Wednesday!

-Pastor

Sunday Wrap Up

Man, it feels great to get a little rest. It was a wonderful weekend, but a busy one. The worship service last night was wonderful. Six months ago, I first talk to Natalie about putting together a Saturday evening praise & worship service. We had wanted to do it this summer and had scheduled Ed Cloninger and his Middletown church worship band to come and lead it. But we had to cancel, due to the Tommie Zito ministries coming in that particular week. The original plan was to provide a service that would include not only KP people but also worship leaders from churches in the area. We just don't want this to be a Kings Point thing, but a service where the body of Christ can gather and have some quality time in praise, worship, prayer, and prophetic ministry.

This morning's service was awesome. Sister Lola, Mike, and Ken, all did an awesome job giving us an inspiring view of Kings Point over the last thirty years. We are all blessed to be a part of a body of Christ that has been used of God to shine the light of Christ brightly throughout the tri-state area and beyond. I think we have a tendency as fallen beings to look at God's church through gray colored glasses. We often see the faults and not the fruit. We see the problems and not the potential. But one day Jesus is coming back after a His church. It will be spotless, pure, and undefiled church. Not because its perfect and without problems, but because the precious blood of Jesus has cleansed His church and made it pure and holy.

On a final note, the breakfast and dinner today was great! Thanks to Gerry and Wilma for providing a delicious breakfast...biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage, and fried apples. If you missed it...you missed a free breakfast that was better than Cracker Barrel's. Thanks to everyone who brought food to the dinner and pitched in and helped prepare and clean-up. A great team effort!

It's time to take a nap. Everyone have a great week!

-Pastor

Friday Countdown...

I arrived back safely from Michigan about an hour ago. For you that heard, my mom is doing fine. She is home from the hospital. They still don't know if it was an heart attack or what. But she is resting and doing fine. Thanks everyone for your prayers.

The pastors encounter was good. We had to leave early to make it back to Indy for little Faith's surgery (Tim was riding with me). Tim just e-mailed us and said she come through surgery well. A pastor's encounter is much different the kind of encounters we do. Pastor's encounters are done mainly around a round table of pastors. Pastors are encouraged to open up after the sessions with other pastors. The cross session is really about the only session other than the vision session where there is ministry around the altar. Pastor's encounters are done in a little over a day. [I like our encounters much better!]

Please come out and join us this weekend as we celebrate thirty years of ministry together at Kings Point. I am looking forward to our praise and worship service Saturday night. I'm ready to get into the presence of the Lord and just rest after a long week of running. Then, Sunday ought to be a great time. Breakfast and dinner under the tent. And the worship service will be unique but I believe everything we do will bring glory to God.

Well, I've been fighting a cold and can barely hold my head up. See ya Sunday!

-Pastor