Brief Summary
In this sermon, Elevation Church's pastor encourages listeners to adopt a "reaper" mindset, focusing on the eventual harvest rather than immediate feelings or difficulties. The message emphasizes recognizing God's strategic work in unexpected situations, understanding the consequences of actions, and appreciating the benefits and help already present in their lives. It challenges the congregation to shift their perspective from sowing in tears to reaping with joy, understanding that even past pain can yield valuable lessons and future blessings.
- Feelings are temporary and shouldn't dictate actions.
- God is strategic, especially in surprising situations.
- Recognize the harvest and benefits already present.
- Shift from sowing in tears to reaping with joy.
A Few Announcements
The pastor starts with announcements, encouraging the congregation to express gratitude and thank God for specific blessings. He promotes Elevation Nights, a series of events spanning from September 24 to October 3 in various cities, and encourages participation in eGroups for sermon application and support. He humorously mentions the need for disclaimers at eGroups with only healthy food, emphasizing the importance of community and spiritual support to combat the enemy's attempts to snatch the Word of God.
John 4, verses 27-39
The sermon focuses on John 4:27-39, where Jesus interacts with a Samaritan woman. The disciples are surprised to find Jesus talking to a woman from Samaria, a place hostile to Jews. After her encounter with Jesus, the woman testifies about him in her town, leading many Samaritans to believe in Jesus. The pastor highlights that your testimony is a tool that God wants to use in your future.
Feelings Come
The pastor introduces the idea that feelings come but shouldn't be the primary driver of decisions. He uses examples like attending church or physical workouts to illustrate how initial reluctance can turn into gratitude and satisfaction once engaged. He introduces the concept of "reverse journaling," where one considers how they want to feel at the end of the day and works toward that feeling through their actions.
But They Don't Come First
Feelings of temptation or sadness are not inherently sinful or negative, but problems arise when these feelings dominate one's life. The pastor emphasizes that sometimes, action precedes feeling; doing something can lead to the desired emotional state. He encourages listeners to prioritize doing what is right, trusting that the corresponding feelings will follow.
God Will Help You In The Hard Place
God is aware of and will help in the difficult situations in life. The pastor acknowledges that everyone faces challenges, regardless of their circumstances. He assures the congregation that God's help is available in these hard places, referencing the racially and religiously tense environment of Samaria in the biblical text.
Surviving The Surprise
The deepest lessons from God often come from unexpected and unplanned situations. The disciples' surprise at seeing Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman illustrates this point. The pastor explains that discipleship isn't always a structured class but often involves learning from life's surprises.
When God Is Most Strategic
God is often most strategic when we are most surprised. The pastor encourages listeners to persevere in doing good, even when faced with unexpected challenges or fatigue. Drawing from Galatians 6:9, he reminds them that a harvest will come in due season if they do not give up, emphasizing the importance of separating feelings from actions to experience the promised rewards.
Don't Sow Into What You Feel
Avoid making decisions based solely on immediate feelings. The pastor urges the congregation to consider the long-term consequences of their actions, rather than just indulging in what feels good in the moment. Using the analogy of eating ice cream, he illustrates how sowing into one's feelings can lead to undesirable outcomes.
Conscious Of The Consequence
Thinking like a reaper involves being aware of the consequences of one's actions. The pastor encourages pattern recognition, urging listeners to identify behaviors or situations that consistently lead to negative outcomes. He challenges them to consider the long-term impact of their choices, even when those choices provide immediate gratification.
Think Like A Reaper
Jesus sees potential in the Samaritan woman, despite her past. The pastor emphasizes that a reaper begins with the end in mind, seeing beyond the current situation to the potential harvest. He shares a personal anecdote about a mentor who saw his potential and invested in him, encouraging listeners to be that person for others.
From Teenager To Leader
The pastor shares a story from his youth, where a mentor taught him the importance of leadership and responsibility for outcomes. He contrasts the mindset of a teenager, who focuses on completing tasks, with that of a leader, who ensures the desired outcome is achieved. He emphasizes that growing up means taking responsibility not only for the task but also for the result.
Contrasting The Two
The pastor contrasts the disciples' focus on a meal with the Samaritan woman's immediate action to share her testimony. He highlights the irony that the woman, who was not expected to be receptive, was the one who recognized and acted on the opportunity to spread the word about Jesus. He questions who the real disciple is in this scenario, emphasizing the importance of seeing beyond immediate needs to the potential harvest.
"Don't You Have A Saying?"
Jesus references the saying, "One sows and another reaps," to illustrate a deeper truth. The pastor acknowledges that life can be unfair, with some people doing all the work while others reap the benefits. He encourages listeners to recognize when they are reaping what others have sown, rather than focusing on perceived injustices.
One Sows And Another Reaps
The saying "One sows and another reaps" is true. The pastor points out the irony that the disciples, who should have been reaping, were focused on their next meal, while the woman was sharing her testimony. He emphasizes that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or past.
You Might Be Surprised
You might be surprised who God uses and how He uses you. The pastor encourages listeners to obey Jesus even when they don't see immediate results, trusting that their obedience will eventually yield a harvest. He challenges the notion that the disciples were the sowers, pointing out that Jesus sent them to reap what they had not worked for.
Stop Letting Your Hurt Blind You
The pastor urges listeners to stop focusing on their hurt and recognize the help they already have. He criticizes the term "church hurt," arguing that it is simply human hurt and that allowing it to overshadow the potential harvest is a mistake. He reminds the congregation to praise God and not forget all His benefits, such as forgiveness and healing.
The Harvest Is Already Here
The harvest is already present. The disciples missed the mission because they were too focused on a meal. The pastor encourages listeners not to let what they didn't get keep them from praising God for what they have. He emphasizes that God has already been in the places He is sending them, and that they are reaping where He has sown.
Those Who Sow In Tears
Referencing Psalm 126, the pastor reminds listeners that those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He challenges them to not be so consumed by their tears that they miss the harvest when it arrives. He shares a personal conversation with his mother, encouraging her to recognize the help she has despite past hardships.
Open Your Eyes
The pastor urges listeners to open their eyes and see the harvest that is already present. He points out that the tears in the passage belong to the woman, while the opportunity belongs to the disciples. He challenges them to think like a reaper, even when the harvest comes in a form they dislike or regret, emphasizing that even regrets can yield valuable lessons.
One Thought Away From Joy
The pastor concludes by reminding the congregation that they are one thought away from joy. He declares that God wants to do something through their past pain and that nothing will be wasted. He encourages them to choose faith over feelings and to rejoice in the harvest that is already here, confusing the enemy with their praise and gratitude.
