Confessions of a Church: Morning and Evening
The Psalm writer wrote: Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. As we come before a Holy God and hear his word, may we have eyes open to the wonderful and fearful things from his law. May it move us to repent and seek forgiveness, fear disobedience, and live in light of the grace we have received. This is the word of God. It is eternally true and applicable for all of life.
Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.
I once heard an aged member of a Church declare "I did all that when I was younger, it's time for someone else to do it now" in relation to some ministry work needing to be done within the church. They did their part, and now they were done doing their part. Let someone else take care of that.
The sentiment goes like this: "My desires, my decided upon level of commitment, my preferences, my perceived notion of what constitutes 'enough'" all serve to shape what our spiritual sacrifice unto the Lord looks like.
Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.
Granted there are different seasons of life, different times, in which different types and quantities of seeds are to be sown in ministry, but the sowing never stops for a Christian. We are told that some plant seeds, some water, and God gets the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). Not much middle ground in terms of whether or not a Christian ought to have a faith which is active.
Some say "Well, I just want to be a kid. I am too young. All I want to do is play. There will be plenty of time to serve the Lord by ministering to my brothers and sisters, later. Right now, I just want to have fun. Duties, responsibilities, and thinking of someone else: that is for older people." Children, honoring your father and mother, is one of the primary ministries you have which directly serves Christ and His Church. To be disobedient, slack, grumbling, and aloof, is to neglect the opportunity to sow good seeds in this season of your life, and you will give an account for this to God.
Others may declare "Well, I am so busy with my children and other duties at home, I don't have time to make an extra meal for a family in the church which has needs. The hour of extra food prep and delivering the food to the family in need would encroach upon my mindless scrolling on social media. I have the right to sit and be unfruitful, don't I?"
Men will work all day, come home to a frazzled wife, a dirty house, and undisciplined kids, and instead of taking ownership of the chaos, they'll take a nap. Rather than coming home and sowing seeds of love, patiently applying God's word to the situation in the home, he will sow a seed in his bank account by working 80 hrs a week so he doesn't have to deal with things in the home. Always busy, except in his primary calling.
Maybe you are the seasoned Christian who has served in all the ministries, you've raised your family, you've been there, done that, and now you just want to ride off peacefully into the sunset. You see the needs, you see areas where you can be a blessing, you know your gifting can help in a variety of areas, but alas, you've graduated, and "someone else needs to step up". Frankly, you've grown weary and just want some rest.
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
— Galatians 6:9-10
Brothers and sisters: we are a growing church, with growing families, with growing responsibilities and expectations in every area of our lives. With our growth, will come a growth in the demands placed upon us by the needs of our brothers and sisters. With our increasing numbers will come an increase in opportunities to serve, and to sin against one another.
Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her ways and be wise,
Proverbs 6:6
We must be diligent in our love for one another, diligent in our rooting out of sin, bitterness, resentments, and jealousies. We must go to the ant and observe her ways as she tirelessly prepares for what lay ahead.
Scripture is clear that as the Church, we are one body, yet consist of many members, all knit together by the blood of Christ. We are dependent upon one another. So the question is, what are you? A hand? A foot? An eye? (1 Corinthians 12)
How do you fit into this body of believers called Sovereign King Church? How has God gifted you to serve in your homes, this Church, and out there? Are you using your time, gifts, and talents to satisfy your stomach, or are you using them in a way that will have everlasting ramifications?
Let us repent where we have failed to sow appropriate seeds in the season of life in which we find ourselves in service to our Lord and His Church.
Heavenly Father,
You have graciously gifted us to be a blessing to one another, yet we frequently use these gifts for our own ends, or neglect the use of them altogether.
Father, we have the example of loving one another set by Your Son Jesus, yet because we toil in our own strength, His ways seem burdensome to us.
The idea of binding a sister's wound, of washing a brother's feet, often seems like a bridge too far as we faithlessly drown in our own earthly struggles against world, flesh, and devil.
Father please remove the dross which dirties our laboring. Please sanctify the work we do so that all our brothers and sisters enjoy all the benefits of being a part of Your family.
Help us to glorify You through our love for one another. Please forgive us for our laziness, resentments, and jealousies, and tear out any bitter roots within this body.
In Jesus's name we pray, Amen.
Please stand and listen to the comforting assurance of the grace of God, promised in the gospel to his church:
John 6:35-40 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
To all those who thus repent and seek Jesus Christ for their salvation, your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lift up your hearts!