Megas | Suffering to struggling to strength
Message Recap
[Galatians 6:7-10]
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Paul says, “Don’t fool yourself. Do not be deceived. You will reap what you sow.”
There are some things being revealed right now in you that you sowed in your last season.
What you sow now, will be revealed in your next season.
I’m not talking about your 401k, I’m not talking about your job security. I’m talking about your character. I’m talking about your faith muscle…your frame of mind.
If you don’t like what you’re reaping right now. Starting sowing right now so you can reap something new in the future.
What you sow in the shut down you will reap in the comeback.
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[Galatians 6:7-10]
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
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[Galatians 5:16-23]
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.
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[Galatians 5:25]
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
The deeds of the flesh are more of a temptation than ever before.
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[Galatians 6:9]
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
There's value in difficulty:
It’s the difficult student that teaches you how to become a great teacher
It’s through difficult people that you learn people skills
It’s when you have no clues that you become a great detective
It’s when nobody is buying that you become a great saleswoman
It’s when your resources are depleted that you become an innovator
It’s when you have no answers that you ask great questions
It’s in crucible of difficulty that your faith grows strong
I’ll bet if you wrote down the 50 greatest lessons you’ve learned in your life…probably 45 of them you learned in difficulty. Maybe all 50.
I can’t always choose my situation but I can always choose my stance.
What position are you in right now? Are you in the fetal position of a fighting position?
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[James 1:2-4]
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Suffering vs. Struggling
If you’ll turn your suffering into struggling. God will turn your struggle into strength.
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[Philippians 4:11-13]
I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
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[Galatians 6:10]
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
We're not trying to be entertaining, we're trying to win a fight.
Discussion Questions
What can you begin sowing right now to reap a greater harvest later?
What do you need to change right now to come out the other side stronger?
What can you do get into a fighting stance?
What has been the hardest thing for you during this time?
How have you grown during this current season?
What has the weariness been like for you?
When you hear that there is a difference between suffering and struggling, what does that bring to your mind?