7/1/13

From Gary... Sight is more than seeing


Originally, this was a color photo, but I made it black and white to show the contrast and emphasize the line of demarcation of snow/no snow. Notice how the snow is melted by the heat of the sun.  Sometimes things have to "heat up" in our lives before we realize what truth really is.  I remember a chapter from the New Testament that seems to fit and its from the book of John...

John, Chapter 9

  1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.  2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 

  3  Jesus answered, “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.   4  I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.   5  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”   6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud, 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.  8 The neighbors therefore, and those who saw that he was blind before, said, “Isn’t this he who sat and begged?”  9 Others were saying, “It is he.” Still others were saying, “He looks like him.” 

He said, “I am he.”  10 They therefore were asking him, “How were your eyes opened?” 

  11  He answered, “A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.’ So I went away and washed, and I received sight.” 

  12  Then they asked him, “Where is he?” 

He said, “I don’t know.” 

  13  They brought him who had been blind to the Pharisees.  14 It was a Sabbath when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.  15 Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and I see.” 

  16  Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was division among them.  17 Therefore they asked the blind man again, “What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?” 

He said, “He is a prophet.” 

  18  The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight,  19 and asked them, “Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 

  20  His parents answered them, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;  21 but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself.”  22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.  23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age. Ask him.” 

  24  So they called the man who was blind a second time, and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 

  25  He therefore answered, “I don’t know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see.” 

  26  They said to him again, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 

  27  He answered them, “I told you already, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don’t also want to become his disciples, do you?” 

  28  They insulted him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.  29 We know that God has spoken to Moses. But as for this man, we don’t know where he comes from.” 

  30  The man answered them, “How amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.  31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God, and does his will, he listens to him.  32 Since the world began it has never been heard of that anyone opened the eyes of someone born blind.  33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 

  34  They answered him, “You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?” They threw him out. 

  35  Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” 

  36  He answered, “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?” 

  37  Jesus said to him, “You have both seen him, and it is he who speaks with you.” 

  38  He said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped him. 

  39  Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, that those who don’t see may see; and that those who see may become blind.” 

  40  Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 

  41  Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains. 


In a way, the blind man had an easier path to the true light of the world than either his parents or the Pharisees.  When you are struck with a disability, it forces you to realize the harsh realities of life and re-think everything.  The blind man knew his future was dim indeed.  Without sight, he was limited in both mobility and career (if you call begging a career).  He was open to possibilities because he was at the  bottom of society.  Jesus gave him something he never had- sight.  But, the blind man's sight was more than just being able to use his eyes, it was the ability to understand who Jesus truly was.  I do not understand HOW Jesus did the healing, but I know that the blind man's heart was softened by Jesus' actions.  Like snow melted by the SUN (or perhaps SON in this case) appearances changed.  I hope it doesn't take a disaster in your life to come to grips with who Jesus really is, but if the worst should happen and your life seems to fall apart- then you just might be open to truth. Sometimes, a bit of suffering can be the best thing for a person to experience.  Without it, I never would have become a Christian.  God has a way of transforming even the worst possible situations into something wonderful.  I know, it happened to me!!!

From Bill and Laura Dayton... DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS!


DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS!

Perhaps “the hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.” David Russell We all face many decisions every day. Some of us have a difficult time deciding to decide! We sometimes fear the unknown, change, rejection, or failure. Many are paralyzed by the worry of making a wrong choice and so we continue in the land of “definite maybe,” a very unsettling place for sure.
As Christians, we have a wonderful resource to aid us in moving on the path God has chosen for our lives. Probably the greatest asset we possess, and seldom use, is the wisdom of God. God’s word is a continual feast of understanding, and provides guiding principles and commands that will guarantee success – if we take the time to learn and follow them.
Paul’s prayer for the Philippians expresses his desire that the church grow and gain spiritual depth and insight. “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in the knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.” Philippians 1:9-10. We can’t just read the Bible or listen to sermons and expect God’s wisdom to somehow magically answer our every situation and concern. Proverbs 2:3-6 teaches us that we have to ask for it with faith through prayer. James 1:5-6 reassures us that God desires to give us His wisdom. Let’s seek God’s way of handling our decisions and without doubting follow His perfect counsel.

From the Heart of a Servant

From Jim McGuiggan... That man Cornelius (3)

That man Cornelius (3)

We aren’t really taking the scriptures seriously enough if we aren’t looking for the author’s (human and divine) intention. It isn’t enough to say, “What lessons can I draw from this verse or section?” I’m sure everyone would agree that a prior question would be, “What is the point (or points) the Spirit is making in this verse or section?” 
It’s a mistake to treat Acts 10 and Cornelius’ conversion to Jesus Christ as though it were there to teach us how everyone becomes a Christian. To treat it like that completely ignores the character of the narrative and Luke’s purpose.
Everything about Acts 10 speaks of "surprise" or even "shock". It isn't "business as usual" we read there. Something new happened, something not believed up to that point so to treat it as if it were just another illustration of God saving a man by grace is to miss the whole tone of the events. 
It makes sense that we have a God-loving and righteous Gentile in this case for if he had been a decadent who rejoiced in his scandalous ways Peter would never have come near his house and the man wouldn’t have been concerned to hear what God had in mind for him (Acts 10:22, 33). We must have an uncircumcised Gentile for had he been circumcised he would have been classed as a part of the Jewish covenant people and legitimate heir of Messianic blessings. Had he been a fully-fledged proselyte going to his house would never have been a problem and there would have been no point to the Joppa vision. 
God’s bringing Cornelius into Christ was part of his dismantling of the notion that blessing and salvation in Christ was reserved to the physical descendants of Abraham through Jacob. The OT is filled with promises of Messianic blessing which would come to Israel through a Jewish/Davidic Messiah. The NT insists on the truth of those promises and the gospel goes to the Jews—to the Jews “first”. The OT indicated that all nations would find blessing in the Jewish Messiah (Isaiah 11:10 and 49:6 illustrate). What isn’t clear from the OT is that all nations would share in the blessings through Jesus Christ without becoming Jews. This is why we have the Acts 15 gathering and this is what Paul had in mind in Ephesians 3:1-6. 
Cornelius is a “test” case and the question is not, “Are righteous and God-fearing Gentiles accepted by God?” The question is, “Is fellowship and blessing and salvation in the Messiah available to non-Jews?”  
It isn’t a question about baptism! [“Do people need to be baptized to be forgiven?”] It isn’t a question about “earning salvation by righteousness! [“Do morally upright people still need forgiveness by grace?”]  
These are good questions but they aren’t points of debate in the NT. No one argues about “having” to be baptized—they simply did it because they were told it was to be done in finding forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Everyone taught salvation was by grace—even Jews who thought that that grace was confined to the Jewish connection. 
No, the issue that raged in those days was about election. Israel had been the elect of God and heirs of the New Covenant. The question now was, “Are ‘raw’ Gentiles to be included in the Messianic Community as equal heirs with Jews?” 
Everybody knew that decadent Gentiles were out, but what about God-fearing and righteous uncircumcised Gentiles? Cornelius was the case in point. This man had God’s heart’s approval (Peter now knew that more than ever) but could he be received in the elect community of Jesus Christ without becoming a Jew? The descent of the Spirit ended the debate for Peter and that’s when he looks around and wants to know, “Well, which of you would say he is not allowed baptism?” 

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Jim McGuiggan... That man Cornelius (2)


That man Cornelius (2)

 Acts 10:34-35:  
“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” (NIV) 
“I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (NRSV) 
The NIV is probably correct to add the “now” because of the entire context. If that’s so then we’re to recognise that if Peter knew that truth before Joppa he knows it now with a new depth. Peter’s “I truly understand” in the NRSV will allow for that, of course, but it isn’t as definitive as the NIV though it stays more closely to the Greek text itself. 
For example, should we take it that prior to the Joppa vision Peter believed God accepted “men from every nation who fear him and do what is right”? If he has gained a deeper understanding of that truth it implies he did formerly believe it to some degree. George Foot Moore in his Judaismin the First Centuries of the Christian Era, Volume 1:279 and Volume 2:385-6 tells us of the differing views of famous Sages on where Gentiles stood with God. It was always clear in the Jewish mind that Jews were the elect of God and that no other nation enjoyed that covenant status; this works well with Amos 3:2. But not everyone held that that meant only Jews could be accepted by God and Peter was one of those who thought—however uncertain he might have been at times—that righteous Gentiles were acceptable to God apart from Judaism.   Edward Sanders in Judaism: Practice and Belief, 63 BCE—66CE (page 270) says, “The existence of the category, ‘the righteous of the nations of the world’, shows generosity of spirit, but it also logically follows from the way the Jew thought about their own relation with God. They were in a covenant, and they had obligations. Their God, however, had created the world and had made a covenant with humanity. It must at least be theoretically possible for Gentiles to be in it.”  The evidence is that while you can quote a rabbi here and there who would say that Gentiles were made only to populate hell there is no reason to think that that sort of thing was the dominant view. The OT (unless you read it in hyper-Calvinistic fashion) makes it clear that God recognised righteousness and repentance in non-Jews.  Still, it’s important for a clear understanding of what happened in Acts 10 that we understand what Peter thought when he said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” (NIV)  This appears to say that Cornelius would have fitted into “the righteous Gentile” class that would share in the world to come. I think that that is what he meant, but that is not the same as being elect in Jesus the Messiah. Peter does not regard this man as “in Jesus”. He confesses a deeper understanding of what he formerly understood and that gets him into the house with a raw Gentile (Acts 10:28, and see 11:3) but he still wants to know why he has been sent for (10:29).   Taking this to be a correct assessment of things an important distinction is being made. While Peter is speaking to this wonderful man he thinks the man is accepted by God but he does not think the man is as yet a sharer in the Messiah. Modern Christians don’t think of drawing such distinctions since the prevailing evangelical view is that unless you have heard of Christ and turned to him in faith you are not accepted by God.  Now, I think that the prevailing evangelical view should be that no one is accepted by God apart from the work he has done in Jesus Christ but that is not the same as saying people have to have heard of Jesus Christ in order to be blessed in and through him. Jesus is the way to God but not everyone who is at peace with God has heard that their state of acceptance with God is grounded in Jesus Christ.  Peter stands before a man he believes is right with God but he stands before a man who has not yet been united by faith with Jesus Christ. He has not yet been united by faith in Jesus Christ because up to that time God had not offered the gospel to him; up to that time he hadn’t been offered Jesus Christ; up to that time he hadn’t become part of the “body of Jesus Christ”; up to that time he wouldn’t have known that the Spirit was to be given to all who took the name of Jesus upon them even if they were not circumcised and Torah-observant. He wouldn’t have known it because Peter didn’t know it (nor did his companions or the leaders back at Jerusalem).   Until events like Acts 10 and Paul’s mission work it appears that the prevailing view was that if someone wanted to share the blessings in the Messiah they would have to be circumcised and be Torah-observant (Acts 15:1 illustrates the tension, and see Galatians 5:3).  So, here’s what I think we have in Acts 10. We have a God-loving and righteous Gentile who is accepted by God. This man is now offered a relationship with Jesus Christ by faith. That God wants him to have a relationship with Jesus Christ is made clear since God sends on him the Spirit sent by Jesus Christ (Acts 2:33) which was proof of Christ’s Messiahship and exaltation.  Peter now wants to know who could deny the man baptism into the Christ (10:47) since he has shared in the Spirit given to the Jewish believers.  Was he “saved” apart from baptism? I believe he was “saved” before the Spirit fell on him and I believe he was saved before he was baptized. But that was before he heard the gospel. Once he heard and knew by the Spirit’s arrival that he was being called into Jesus Christ he could not have refused baptism and remained right with God.  Something new was happening between God and him (and he as a model of Gentile inclusion in the Christ). 



©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Jim McGuiggan... That man Cornelius (1)

That man Cornelius (1)

What are we to make of Cornelius? His love of and devotion to God were such that God admired and chose him as the first “raw” Gentile to be received into Messianic blessing in Jesus Christ. Read Acts 10 for yourself.
Yes, but was he right with God in the forgiveness of sins prior to receiving the gospel in the Acts 10 experience?
Let’s say no and we have a Gentile that has the things of the Torah written on his heart (compare Romans 2:12-14) and praying for more; but he’s condemned and hell-bound. And why is he condemned and hell-bound? Because he has rejected the gospel? Hmmm, we have no reason to believe he was ever offered the gospel. We’re dead certain that when he heard he was to be offered the gospel he was thrilled and anxious to obey (read Acts 10). So why would we say he was lost before Peter came? It wouldn’t be because he refused the gospel—he’d never done that. It wouldn’t be because he was a vile decadent—the opposite was the truth. In light of his trust in God and his willingness to be obedient to whatever God called for we’d be inclined to think he was right with God rather than under God’s condemnation. He certainly had God’s warm approval.
Yes, but he wasn’t yet in Christ. He hadn’t yet taken Christ’s name on him in baptism. This is true, but he had not yet been offered the privilege of union with Christ. He manifestly embraced God after the way of Jewish truth and now he was being called into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Until he “closed” with Jesus Christ he would have been lost and under God’s condemnation? Hmmm, I wonder.
Acts 11:14 would appear to clinch the matter when it says of Cornelius, Peter, “will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.”
But it doesn’t settle the matter! Certainly an experience called “saved” was yet future for the God-loving Cornelius but it doesn’t follow that he was presently unforgiven and under condemnation.
If we can believe that John the Baptist spoke to faithful and righteous Jews (people like Simeon, Anna, Mary and the like) when he came proclaiming repentance and baptism for the remission of sins in believing on the soon to be revealed Messiah (Mark 1:4 Acts 19:4) then we can believe that “saved” needs to be looked at carefully.
Faithful Jews were right with God. How then could they be baptized unto the remission of sins? With the arrival of Jesus God’s saving work took a peculiar and previously unknown twist. Jews who were right with God by faith were required now to commit to God who now manifested his redeeming work in Jesus Christ. If they did not submit to him they would be cut off from among “the people” (see Acts 3:22-23) because the elect of God were to be re-defined in terms of faith in Jesus Christ. So that while those that were “saved” prior to the coming of the gospel were truly saved, salvation as part of the New Covenant elect was a new development in the divine strategy.
What would have been true of righteous Jews would have been true of righteous Gentiles (compare Romans 2:6-16). “Salvation” has more than one face. People prior to the arrival of Jesus Christ were “saved” apart from faith in Jesus Christ (though never apart from Jesus Christ). People confronted by Jesus Christ and obedient to his gospel are presently saved. People who are presently saved are yet to be saved (eschatological salvation) in a coming day when the entire redeeming work is completed.
All this could mean (and I think does mean) that Cornelius was right with God prior to Peter’s arrival but was now invited by the God of the gospel to be part of the New Covenant elect and to proclaim the salvation that is in Jesus Christ.
Abraham was “saved” but he was not part of the New Covenant elect and for obvious reasons wasn't asked to commit to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Thessalonians were saved when Paul wrote to them but would be saved from the wrath of God at a future point (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Righteous Jews in the Baptist’s day were saved but were called to receive the remission of sins by faith in the soon-to-be-revealed Jesus. Cornelius (I judge) was saved prior to his Acts 10 vision and Peter’s visit but was privileged to experience salvation as part of the NT elect in Jesus Christ to whom he was called.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland.... All Should Honor The Son (Jn.5:16-30)


                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                   All Should Honor The Son (5:16-30)

INTRODUCTION

1. The ministry of Jesus was not without controversy...
   a. One reason was because He healed on the Sabbath - Jn 5:16
   b. Another reason was because He made Himself equal with God - Jn 5:17-18
   -- Prompting the Jews to seek to kill Him

2. Yet He they sought to kill, they should have honored - Jn 5:22-23
   a. Even as one should honor the Father
   b. For failing to honor the Son, they did not honor the Father who
      sent Him
   -- Indeed, all should honor the Son!

[Do we honor the Son today?  Truly honor the Son?  We certainly should,
and in our text we note several reasons why Jesus should be held high in
our estimation of Him...]

I. WHY WE SHOULD HONOR THE SON

   A. THE SON WILL RAISE THE DEAD...
      1. Among the "greater works" Jesus would do included raising the
         dead! - Jn 5:20-21
      2. We have record of Jesus raising three people from the dead
         a. The daughter of Jairus - Mk 5:21-43
         b. The son of the widow of Nain - Lk 7:11-17
         c. The brother of Mary and Martha, Lazarus - Jn 11:1-44
      3. One day, Jesus will raise all from the dead! - Jn 5:28-29
         a. Those who have done good, to the resurrection of life
         b. Those who have done evil, to the resurrection of
            condemnation
      -- Just as in Adam all die, so in Christ all shall be made alive!
         - cf. 1Co 15:22

   B. THE SON WILL JUDGE THE WORLD...
      1. The Father has committed judgment to His Son - Jn 5:22
         a. Jesus has authority to execute judgment, because He is the
            Son of Man - Jn 5:27
         b. Jesus will exercise righteous judgment, because He seeks the
            Father's will - Jn 5:30
      2. One day, Jesus will judge all mankind! - cf. Ac 10:42; 17:31
         a. His words will judge us in the Last Day - Jn 12:48
         b. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ - 
            Ro 14:10; 2Co 5:10
      -- Knowing we will one day stand before the Judge, should we not
         honor Him now?

   C. THE SON OFFERS EVERLASTING LIFE...
      1. To those who hear His Words, and believes in the Father who
         sent Him - Jn 5:24
         a. They shall not come into judgment (i.e., condemnation)
         b. They shall pass from death (spiritual) to life (eternal)
      2. The time for this offer is now ("the hour is coming, and now
         is") - Jn 5:25
         a. When those who are dead (spiritually) will hear the voice of
            the Son of God (via the gospel)
         b. Those who hear (obey) will live (be saved)
      3. The Son has power to give life - Jn 5:26
         a. Because the Father has life in Himself
         b. And the Father has granted the Son to have life in Himself
      -- That Jesus offers the gift of everlasting life is certainly
         reason to honor Him!

[Many other reasons to honor the Son could be given, but these certainly
suffice.  How should we honor Him?  From our text, we can glean at least
three ways...]

II. HOW WE SHOULD HONOR THE SON

   A. BY HEARING HIS VOICE NOW...
      1. One day, we will hear His voice - cf. Jn 5:28-29
         a. Whether alive or dead
         b. Whether we want to or not
         c. Either to a resurrection of life, or to a resurrection of
            condemnation
      2. How much better that day will be, if we hear His voice now
         - cf. Jn 5:24-25
         a. We can have everlasting life!
         b. We will not come into judgment (condemnation)!
         c. We can pass from death to life!
      -- Will we honor the Son by listening to His words of life?

   B. BY OBEYING HIS VOICE NOW...
      1. It is not enough to simply "hear" His Words
         a. We must be "doers" of His Words - Mt 7:24-27
         b. Otherwise, why bother to call Him "Lord"? - Lk 6:46
         c. Only by abiding in His word are we truly His disciples - Jn 8:31
      2. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all obey Him - cf.
         He 5:9
         a. Obeying His call to believe in Him - Jn 8:24
         b. Obeying His call to repent of sins - Lk 13:3
         c. Obeying His call to confess Him before others - Mt 10:32-33
         d. Obeying His call to be baptized - Mt 28:19; Mk 16:16
         e. Obeying His call to remain faithful - Re 2:10
      -- Will we honor the Son by heeding His voice now, today?

   C. BY SEEKING THE FATHER'S WILL NOW...
      1. Jesus sought His Father's will in all that He did - Jn 5:30
         a. His "food" was to do the Father's will - Jn 4:34
         b. He came down from heaven to do the Father's will - Jn 6:38
         c. He glorified the Father by doing the work He was given to do
            - Jn 17:4
      2. Jesus wants us to do His Father's will
         a. Otherwise we will not enter the kingdom of heaven - Mt 7:
            21-23
         b. Otherwise we will not be part of His family - Mt 12:46-50
      -- We can best honor the Son by emulating His example in doing the
         Father's will!

CONCLUSION

1. All should honor the Son today...
   a. He is certainly worthy of honor - cf. Re 5:12
   b. Just as the Father (He who sits on the throne) is worthy - cf. Re 5:13

2. All will honor the Son one day...
   a. By responding to His voice at the resurrection - Jn 5:28-29
   b. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess - Ro 14:10-11;
      Php 2:9-11

For those willing to honor Him today by heeding His voice, they will be
honored together with Him in That Day! - cf. 2Th 1:10-12


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Mark Copeland... One Sows And Another Reaps (Jn.4:35-38)



                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                  One Sows And Another Reaps (4:35-38)


INTRODUCTION

1. Jesus, the Master Teacher, has much to teach us about winning
   souls...
   a. By way of example, He teaches us the need for compassion - e.g.,
      Mt 9:35-36
   b. By way of instruction, He teaches the need for prayer - e.g., Mt 9:37-38
   -- Many other things regarding evangelism can be gleaned from our
      Lord's example and words

2. On one occasion, Jesus taught His disciples an important principle of
   sowing and reaping...
   a. In Samaria, following His discussion with the woman at the well
      - cf. Jn 4:28-29
   b. Apparently as people from the city were making their way to see
      Jesus - cf. Jn 4:30
   c. As the crowd was making their way, Jesus told His disciples:
      1) "Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the
         fields, for they are already white for harvest" - Jn 4:35
      2) "He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal
         life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice
         together." - Jn 4:36
      3) "For in this the saying is true:  'One sows and another
         reaps.'" - Jn 4:37
      4) "I have sent you to reap that for which you have not labored;
         others have labored, and you have entered into their labors."
         - Jn 4:38

3. In our study, I want to focus on the "true saying" Jesus referred
   to...
   a. I.e., "One sows and another reaps"
   b. Which provides valuable insight into the process of winning souls

[From Jesus we learn that...]

I. WINNING SOULS INVOLVES BOTH SOWING AND REAPING

   A. THE PROCESS OF SOWING...
      1. In agriculture, sowing involves preparing the soil and planting
         the seed
      2. In winning souls to Christ, sowing likewise involves
         preparation and planting
         a. In which hearts are being prepared to receive the gospel
         b. In which hearts are first introduced to the gospel
      -- A process involving time, teaching, influence, often with
         little visible results

   B. THE PROCESS OF REAPING...
      1. In agriculture, reaping is the harvesting of what has been sown
      2. In winning souls to Christ, reaping involves a similar harvest
         a. Involving souls who have already heard the Word
         b. Involving souls who decide to obey the Word
      -  A process involving conversion, with great joy and excitement
         over the results

[Both sowing and reaping are necessary to win souls.  Yet the "saying"
reveals that the two are not always done by the same person(s)...]

II. WE MAY REAP WHERE OTHERS HAVE SOWN

   A. THIS WAS THE CASE IN SAMARIA...
      1. Jesus sent His disciples to reap where others had labored - cf.
         Jn 4:38
      2. Who had done the sowing?
         a. Jesus, in conversing with the woman at the well - Jn 4:5-26
         b. The woman, in telling those in town about Jesus - Jn 4:28-30
      -- The disciples were to benefit from the sowing done by others

   B. THIS IS OFTEN THE CASE TODAY...
      1. There are times when people seem "ripe" (ready to be reaped)
         a. Ready to obey the gospel
         b. Requiring little effort on our part
      2. This is likely due to "sowing" that occurred some time earlier
         a. Perhaps the example or teaching by a friend, family member
            in the past
         b. To which they did not respond then, but are ready now
      -- We often benefit from the sowing done by others

   C. THIS CAN BE MISINTERPRETED...
      1. We might think that we have won souls by ourselves
      2. We might think that those who convert many are great soul
         winners in of themselves
      -- Reaping does not always reflect where the hardest work has been
         done

[We should be careful not to boast if we are privileged to reap where
others have sown.  Yet we can rejoice, for reaping even when others have
sown is an exciting time for the laborers!  Then again...]

III. WE MAY SOW WHERE OTHERS WILL REAP

   A. THIS WAS THE CASE IN SAMARIA...
      1. Jesus did the sowing, but the disciples would do the reaping
      2. The woman did some sowing, then Jesus and His disciples did the
         reaping - Jn 4:39-42
      -- In this case, the sowing and reaping, though separate, occurred
         close together

   B. THIS IS OFTEN THE CASE TODAY...
      1. There are times when a lot of sowing is being done
         a. Lives are influenced by the godly examples of other
            Christians
         b. Souls are taught the Word of God
      2. Yet the reaping is not enjoyed by those doing the sowing
         a. Few seem to respond to the efforts being made
         b. Much time and energy is expended, with little immediate
            results
      3. The reaping often comes later
         a. It might be years before the Word bears fruit
         b. It might be long after we are gone
         c. It might be done by others
      -- In such cases, the sowing and reaping occur far apart

   C. THIS CAN BE MISINTERPRETED...
      1. Those sowing with little visible reaping may think they have
         failed
         a. Causing them to become discouraged
         b. Tempting them to discontinue their efforts
      2. Others may think those who sow with little visible reaping are
         failures
         a. Presuming they must not be sowing the seed
         b. Presuming they must not be diligent in their efforts
      -- Failure to reap does not always reflect the hard work being
         done

[When the efforts to sow appear to produce little fruit, we should not
draw conclusions hastily.  It can only lead to discouragement and
possible misjudgment others.  Understanding the principle, "One Sows And
Another Reaps", then may I suggest that...]

IV. WE SHOULD BE DILIGENT TO SOW AND REAP

   A. DILIGENT IN SOWING...
      1. There will be times when we will be mostly sowing the seed
         a. Teaching souls the first principles of the gospel of Christ
            - cf. Mk 16:15-16
         b. Influencing souls by example - cf. 1Pe 3:1-2
      2. There may be times when we see little fruit from our efforts
         a. Jeremiah prophesied nearly fifty years with little success
         b. Jesus and His apostles had their periods when few would
            listen
      3. Yet we can take comfort in knowing that God's Word is never
         sown in vain
         a. It will accomplish its purpose - cf. Isa 55:10-11
         b. It has the power to save those who believe it - Ro 1:16; Ja
            1:21
         c. God only holds us responsible for sowing the seed - cf. Ez 3:17-19
      -- Even if we never reap, we can rejoice in the work of sowing,
         knowing that our labors for the Lord are not in vain - cf. 1Co 15:58

   B. DILIGENT IN REAPING...
      1. There may be times when we may reap where others have sown
         a. Souls who come to us, wanting to study, ready to obey
         b. Souls where others had sown, and we are privileged to reap
      2. There may be times when there is much reaping with little
         effort
         a. Souls seem quick to respond
         b. Numbers of members increase
      3. Yet we should be cautious not to boast
         a. The power is in the seed, not the sower or the reaper - He 4:12
         b. The providence of God is at work, He is the one who gives
            the increase - 1Co 3:5-7
      -- As we reap, be mindful of the contribution of others (including
         God), and rejoice together in the work of the Lord - cf. 
         1Co 3:8; Jn 4:36

CONCLUSION

1. Brothers and sisters in Christ, are we not laborers in the vineyard
   of the Lord...?
   a. Then let us not hesitate to reap where others have sown
   b. Then let us not hesitate to sow where others might reap

2. May the principle "One Sows And Another Reaps"...
   a. Encourage us when it seems we are sowing with little fruit to be
      seen
   b. Humble us when it seems we are reaping where we have not sown

Finally, if we are not reaping at the moment, then let us at least be
sowing...!




Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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