The message was brought by Rev. Eddie Foster on August 27, 2023.
Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
I believe Paul is saying “don’t get discouraged.” The number one thing that happens to ministers is discouragement. I realize there is a falling away but we don’t have to do it too. Why are people discouraged? Paul gives at least three reasons. Let’s go back to the parable of the sower. The problem is we misunderstand the soils. There are four kinds: wayside, thorny, weedy, and good. Three-fourths of these produced no fruit. It wasn’t the seed for that was the Word of God. There was nothing wrong with the sower. It refers to Jesus Christ and there is nothing whatsoever wrong with him. So the problem is the soil. All soils are not the same. Why doesn’t everybody get saved? The gospel is still the good news of Jesus Christ. It still tells of a heaven we can gain and a hell we need to shun. Why don’t people accept it? The reality is more don’t than do. Some places Paul preached received the gospel and others didn’t. We live in a spiritually illiterate time. There is very little knowledge of the Word of God. In years past people got saved because their hearts were ready. With the spirituality of people today, hearts are not ready.
We get discouraged because we misinterpret the seasons. A hibiscus blooms once a year. What if you didn’t know that’s how this particular plant works. You try everything to get it to bloom all year and nothing works. God has programmed that flower. Our method of witness many times is to go talk to a person about Christ and try to win them right then. They may not be ready because their heart isn’t prepared. Friendship evangelism works best. Befriend a person first; then try to win them. It gets their hearts ready. Take the gospel to people and once they accept it we are to teach them the Word and help them grow as a believer. Disciple them.
We misjudge success. We’re told: let us not be weary in well doing. He didn’t say don’t be weary in doing well. There is a difference in well doing and doing well. Well doing is keeping the faith and hanging in there when the chips are down. We look at the outward appearance; God looks on the heart. What we might see as success really isn’t. That’s why Paul says it like he does. There is nothing that says we can’t serve God even in our discouragement. If we waited for a better time, many times we wouldn’t be serving. Discouragement doesn’t mean quit. Fainting renders one useless. That’s what the devil wants. Paul said for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Hang in there.
Remember this. You’re probably doing more than you think you are. The devil wants us to look at others and compare; he won’t give you credit for what you may be doing. Keep working. Every servant stands before his Lord. Do what God has gifted you to do. On your jobs you don’t get paid a year in advance. You work. Then you get paid. God says we work now and get paid later. But he doesn’t forget us. He blesses us abundantly now. Ain’t God good! There may not be a fanfare here for what we do for the Lord, but we’re not home yet. The reward will come then, so don’t be discouraged.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 