Doing the Best I Can
Copyright: South Bay Community Church
Sermon Preamble
Our scripture for this message is: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). As we follow the example of our ancestors, hard outward circumstances may cause us to grow tired and weary, but as the people of God, we do not give up. In due time, we will reap a harvest for what we do. Sometimes, if you just keep living, you might see some of the difference your life has made. Sometimes, you may not see in this life the difference your life has made; you will see your harvest in the heavenly realm. Accordingly, we proceed in doing the best that we can.
The World System may assert that our good deeds are a waste of our time
Whenever we try to do something good, others may have a negative opinion. They may ask us why we are wasting our time doing good things, because nothing will change. However, the Holy Spirit informs us to just keep living the life directed by God. Since people are watching, in time we may see the impact we have made on others. We should know better than to act like a fool inside or outside the church.
As we mature in Christ, we realize that others are watching our actions. We come to realize that others want to do better in their Christian walk. Sometimes our doing well is enough for someone watching to do better. You never know the harvest you reap could possibly be another person receiving salvation or maturing because of your faithfulness. As we are doing our best, God is blessing someone else.
In the Galatians scripture, Paul is writing to those in the household of faith
“If a man is taken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. You look to yourself, lest you to be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). In the 6th chapter of Galatians Paul is dealing with someone that has stumbled or sinned in the household of faith. We should not be quick to condemn those who stumble. This quick condemnation has arisen today in some churches that mistakenly prohibit dancing. However, the body movements from dancing are practices enhancing our physical health.
Before spreading gossip, stop, drop it, and pray; do well to restore a fallen person
Unjust condemnation can be directed against leadership in the church. A church pastor was doing great in his leadership office in a church, and we find out that he has been committing adultery. A member saw the pastor out with a female who was not his wife. For some of us, that is all we need to know; we call on the pastoral search committee because we have to find another pastor quickly. Only a few people knew that the pastor had been separated from his wife, and he had been going through some very challenging times. He wasn’t going out partying looking for someone to get entangled with, but that is what happened. He wasn’t looking for trouble, but trouble did find him. In his weakness, he fell. This is not an excuse, but it is what happened.
How does the church deal with this? Those who are spiritual should restore in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1). Paul says in Galatians the 6th chapter that those who are spiritual or living by the spirit, go to God before we speak. The Deacons prayed with the Pastor and succeeded in restoring him in meekness. Those who are spiritual should restore such a person with meekness, considering yourself, lest you be tempted. It is not easy being the spiritual person that you are. Be the best that you can be.
Receiving forgiveness is extraordinarily precious; it is unique. As we experience forgiveness, the gospel brings a new reality to our lives. The pastor experienced the forgiveness of Jesus. He also experienced love and forgiveness from fellow members of his church. The pastor did not get weary in doing well as the pastoral leader of the church congregation. In due time, the church and the pastor will reap a harvest. Those of us who are spirit-led, mature Christians need to restore with meekness those who have fallen. You may hear others in the church saying, “I don’t want him to be my pastor, not after what he has done.” But Paul implores us to not stop doing well, for in due season we will reap the rewards God has for us.
Another example of a fallen leader in the church is a young married deacon who taught bible study for young adults. He was dogmatic and hard on the single Christians. He would continue to say he could not understand how they could sin against God by fornicating; he lacked understanding or compassion. Then his wife was diagnosed with cancer and died. He was then a single Christian. He started an affair with a married woman in the church, and then he confessed the affair to the woman’s husband. Can you imagine the pain in his heart as his actions destroyed another person’s marriage and family? He received restitution and restoration as he and the church did well.
Doing well for any Godly reason is worth not growing weary and finishing the mission
In pursuing things to better our lives, we must remember Paul’s exhortation to us not to grow weary in well doing, for in due time we will reap the harvest. Sometimes, doing well requires a large commitment of time in addition to our responsibilities in the church. We may pray to God, “Lord, if you take care of my extra responsibilities, I’ll be faithful to take care of my responsibilities in the church.” Later, we can see that the mustard seed faith moved the mountain of extra time commitments. When God takes care of the additional responsibilities while we continue to serve in the church, many times the only appropriate response is to say, “Thank you Jesus.” Others see our good conduct. When the added responsibilities are successfully taken care of, others join in our praise of God. Others also then declare, “Thank you Jesus.”
Prayer is a spiritual practice used by God to bless us as the people of God. In our life journey, God is worthy of all our praise.
Biblical Example: Caleb in due time reaped a harvest
Caleb was one of the twelve elders God had Moses send as spies to the Canaan Promise Land. Despite the objections from the other spies, Caleb declared that the people should overcome the people in the Promise Land. The Lord said to Moses, “None of the men who have seen my glory and my signs which I wrought in Egypt and in the wilderness…shall see the land. But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring Caleb into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it” (Numbers 14:22-24). Caleb’s ultimate justification came forty-five years later when Caleb received the Hebron land (Joshua 14:10). Caleb did what God told him to do. Caleb did the best he could in ministry as an appointed elder. Caleb’s actions worked out well, as he entered the Promised Land forty-five years later.
Biblical Example: Rahab of Canaanite descent did well and hid the spies of Israel in Jericho
Doing well as directed by God, Rahab, a harlot, hid the spies of Israel in Jericho. She helped them escape. She reaped a harvest beyond her life span on earth; her descendants include David, King of Israel and Jesus.
Biblical Example: Solomon received from God wisdom and knowledge to lead God’s people
Solomon, a son of King David and Bathsheba of African descent, is in the lineage of Jesus Christ. God promised Solomon to give him whatever he asked. Solomon responded by asking God for wisdom to lead well God’s people. Solomon followed the Spirit of God by doing the best that he could. Solomon did not make a selfish request just for wealth, power, or death to his enemies. With selfish requests, we easily get tired and fed up. God gave Solomon knowledge, wealth, possessions, and honor.
For us today, what can we remember when we are getting tired and fed up?
“Let us not become weary in doing well, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). It is all right to get tired; just do not give up.
“In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Yes, we are truly more than conquerors. We serve as a role model for others. We are an example to others in speech, in conduct, in love towards others, in faith, and in maturing towards purity before God.
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” (Genesis 18:14). There is nothing that is too hard for God.
“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26). With God, all things are possible.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). You are blessed to do immeasurably more than you could ask or think.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FOR USE IN FAMILY GROUP
Sermon Preamble
-How important is the spiritual practice of prayer when serving others well? Proclaiming the message? Acting towards others with love?
The World System may assert that our good deeds are a waste of our time
-What negative comments have you heard that doing well towards others as we are led by the Spirit of God is a waste of our time?
-How important is it to model Spirit-led actions because others are watching us do better? What are examples from your life of doing well impacting the lives of others?
In the Galatians scripture, Paul is writing to those in the household of faith
-In what circumstances have you seen the church quickly condemn a leader caught in a fault?
Before spreading gossip, stop, drop it, and pray; do well to restore a fallen person
-When a leader serving God in the church is caught in a fault, how can the members of the church do well to restore the leader or member in a spirit of meekness?
-How would you react if a pastor serving your church is caught in a fault?
Doing well for any Godly reason is worth not growing weary and finishing the mission
-In what ways can we not be weary and tired when other responsibilities for our life are added to our service in the body of Christ?
-What circumstances have you faced where you continued to do well in service to the body of Christ in the midst of other time consuming, demanding obligations?
Biblical Example: Caleb in due time reaped a harvest
-In what circumstances have you in speech and in conduct, followed the Spirit-led instructions from God despite opposition from others?
-Caleb reaped the harvest of his Spirit-led speech and conduct 45 years later. Have you also had circumstances where the harvest of your good actions is delayed and not immediately realized?
Biblical Example: Rahab of Canaanite descent did well and hid the spies of Israel in Jericho
-Are you aware of circumstances where the reaping of the harvest of actions well done is not realized until after one’s life on earth when one is in the heavenly realm?
Biblical Example: Solomon received from God wisdom and knowledge to lead God’s people
-In your requests to God, how important are requests not based on greed, personal gain, power over people, but instead based on shepherding and serving the people of God with tenderness, nurture, love, and caring for the flock of God?
For us today, what can we remember when we are getting tired and fed up?
-What scriptures highlighted above most resonate with you when you are growing weary from well doing?
Sermon Preamble
Our scripture for this message is: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). As we follow the example of our ancestors, hard outward circumstances may cause us to grow tired and weary, but as the people of God, we do not give up. In due time, we will reap a harvest for what we do. Sometimes, if you just keep living, you might see some of the difference your life has made. Sometimes, you may not see in this life the difference your life has made; you will see your harvest in the heavenly realm. Accordingly, we proceed in doing the best that we can.
The World System may assert that our good deeds are a waste of our time
Whenever we try to do something good, others may have a negative opinion. They may ask us why we are wasting our time doing good things, because nothing will change. However, the Holy Spirit informs us to just keep living the life directed by God. Since people are watching, in time we may see the impact we have made on others. We should know better than to act like a fool inside or outside the church.
As we mature in Christ, we realize that others are watching our actions. We come to realize that others want to do better in their Christian walk. Sometimes our doing well is enough for someone watching to do better. You never know the harvest you reap could possibly be another person receiving salvation or maturing because of your faithfulness. As we are doing our best, God is blessing someone else.
In the Galatians scripture, Paul is writing to those in the household of faith
“If a man is taken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. You look to yourself, lest you to be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). In the 6th chapter of Galatians Paul is dealing with someone that has stumbled or sinned in the household of faith. We should not be quick to condemn those who stumble. This quick condemnation has arisen today in some churches that mistakenly prohibit dancing. However, the body movements from dancing are practices enhancing our physical health.
Before spreading gossip, stop, drop it, and pray; do well to restore a fallen person
Unjust condemnation can be directed against leadership in the church. A church pastor was doing great in his leadership office in a church, and we find out that he has been committing adultery. A member saw the pastor out with a female who was not his wife. For some of us, that is all we need to know; we call on the pastoral search committee because we have to find another pastor quickly. Only a few people knew that the pastor had been separated from his wife, and he had been going through some very challenging times. He wasn’t going out partying looking for someone to get entangled with, but that is what happened. He wasn’t looking for trouble, but trouble did find him. In his weakness, he fell. This is not an excuse, but it is what happened.
How does the church deal with this? Those who are spiritual should restore in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1). Paul says in Galatians the 6th chapter that those who are spiritual or living by the spirit, go to God before we speak. The Deacons prayed with the Pastor and succeeded in restoring him in meekness. Those who are spiritual should restore such a person with meekness, considering yourself, lest you be tempted. It is not easy being the spiritual person that you are. Be the best that you can be.
Receiving forgiveness is extraordinarily precious; it is unique. As we experience forgiveness, the gospel brings a new reality to our lives. The pastor experienced the forgiveness of Jesus. He also experienced love and forgiveness from fellow members of his church. The pastor did not get weary in doing well as the pastoral leader of the church congregation. In due time, the church and the pastor will reap a harvest. Those of us who are spirit-led, mature Christians need to restore with meekness those who have fallen. You may hear others in the church saying, “I don’t want him to be my pastor, not after what he has done.” But Paul implores us to not stop doing well, for in due season we will reap the rewards God has for us.
Another example of a fallen leader in the church is a young married deacon who taught bible study for young adults. He was dogmatic and hard on the single Christians. He would continue to say he could not understand how they could sin against God by fornicating; he lacked understanding or compassion. Then his wife was diagnosed with cancer and died. He was then a single Christian. He started an affair with a married woman in the church, and then he confessed the affair to the woman’s husband. Can you imagine the pain in his heart as his actions destroyed another person’s marriage and family? He received restitution and restoration as he and the church did well.
Doing well for any Godly reason is worth not growing weary and finishing the mission
In pursuing things to better our lives, we must remember Paul’s exhortation to us not to grow weary in well doing, for in due time we will reap the harvest. Sometimes, doing well requires a large commitment of time in addition to our responsibilities in the church. We may pray to God, “Lord, if you take care of my extra responsibilities, I’ll be faithful to take care of my responsibilities in the church.” Later, we can see that the mustard seed faith moved the mountain of extra time commitments. When God takes care of the additional responsibilities while we continue to serve in the church, many times the only appropriate response is to say, “Thank you Jesus.” Others see our good conduct. When the added responsibilities are successfully taken care of, others join in our praise of God. Others also then declare, “Thank you Jesus.”
Prayer is a spiritual practice used by God to bless us as the people of God. In our life journey, God is worthy of all our praise.
Biblical Example: Caleb in due time reaped a harvest
Caleb was one of the twelve elders God had Moses send as spies to the Canaan Promise Land. Despite the objections from the other spies, Caleb declared that the people should overcome the people in the Promise Land. The Lord said to Moses, “None of the men who have seen my glory and my signs which I wrought in Egypt and in the wilderness…shall see the land. But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring Caleb into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it” (Numbers 14:22-24). Caleb’s ultimate justification came forty-five years later when Caleb received the Hebron land (Joshua 14:10). Caleb did what God told him to do. Caleb did the best he could in ministry as an appointed elder. Caleb’s actions worked out well, as he entered the Promised Land forty-five years later.
Biblical Example: Rahab of Canaanite descent did well and hid the spies of Israel in Jericho
Doing well as directed by God, Rahab, a harlot, hid the spies of Israel in Jericho. She helped them escape. She reaped a harvest beyond her life span on earth; her descendants include David, King of Israel and Jesus.
Biblical Example: Solomon received from God wisdom and knowledge to lead God’s people
Solomon, a son of King David and Bathsheba of African descent, is in the lineage of Jesus Christ. God promised Solomon to give him whatever he asked. Solomon responded by asking God for wisdom to lead well God’s people. Solomon followed the Spirit of God by doing the best that he could. Solomon did not make a selfish request just for wealth, power, or death to his enemies. With selfish requests, we easily get tired and fed up. God gave Solomon knowledge, wealth, possessions, and honor.
For us today, what can we remember when we are getting tired and fed up?
“Let us not become weary in doing well, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). It is all right to get tired; just do not give up.
“In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Yes, we are truly more than conquerors. We serve as a role model for others. We are an example to others in speech, in conduct, in love towards others, in faith, and in maturing towards purity before God.
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” (Genesis 18:14). There is nothing that is too hard for God.
“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26). With God, all things are possible.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). You are blessed to do immeasurably more than you could ask or think.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FOR USE IN FAMILY GROUP
Sermon Preamble
-How important is the spiritual practice of prayer when serving others well? Proclaiming the message? Acting towards others with love?
The World System may assert that our good deeds are a waste of our time
-What negative comments have you heard that doing well towards others as we are led by the Spirit of God is a waste of our time?
-How important is it to model Spirit-led actions because others are watching us do better? What are examples from your life of doing well impacting the lives of others?
In the Galatians scripture, Paul is writing to those in the household of faith
-In what circumstances have you seen the church quickly condemn a leader caught in a fault?
Before spreading gossip, stop, drop it, and pray; do well to restore a fallen person
-When a leader serving God in the church is caught in a fault, how can the members of the church do well to restore the leader or member in a spirit of meekness?
-How would you react if a pastor serving your church is caught in a fault?
Doing well for any Godly reason is worth not growing weary and finishing the mission
-In what ways can we not be weary and tired when other responsibilities for our life are added to our service in the body of Christ?
-What circumstances have you faced where you continued to do well in service to the body of Christ in the midst of other time consuming, demanding obligations?
Biblical Example: Caleb in due time reaped a harvest
-In what circumstances have you in speech and in conduct, followed the Spirit-led instructions from God despite opposition from others?
-Caleb reaped the harvest of his Spirit-led speech and conduct 45 years later. Have you also had circumstances where the harvest of your good actions is delayed and not immediately realized?
Biblical Example: Rahab of Canaanite descent did well and hid the spies of Israel in Jericho
-Are you aware of circumstances where the reaping of the harvest of actions well done is not realized until after one’s life on earth when one is in the heavenly realm?
Biblical Example: Solomon received from God wisdom and knowledge to lead God’s people
-In your requests to God, how important are requests not based on greed, personal gain, power over people, but instead based on shepherding and serving the people of God with tenderness, nurture, love, and caring for the flock of God?
For us today, what can we remember when we are getting tired and fed up?
-What scriptures highlighted above most resonate with you when you are growing weary from well doing?
Posted in Stand Alone Sermon
Posted in Galatians 6, Good deeds, Condemn, dancing, restore, gentle, meek, adultery, prayer, forgive, fornicate, Caleb, Rahab, Soloman, Solomon, Romans 8, Genesis 18, Matthew 19, Ephesians 3
Posted in Galatians 6, Good deeds, Condemn, dancing, restore, gentle, meek, adultery, prayer, forgive, fornicate, Caleb, Rahab, Soloman, Solomon, Romans 8, Genesis 18, Matthew 19, Ephesians 3
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