Teaching summary
In this teaching, Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola explore God's law of sowing and reaping from a grace-based perspective. They explain that while many have misunderstood this principle, the true biblical application is seen in God's sowing of Jesus Christ to reap sons and daughters in righteousness. They contrast law-based thinking, which promotes human effort, with the finished work of Christ. The message emphasizes that believers are already made righteous, healed, and whole through grace, not by their works.
Bible verses referenced
John 8:36 – "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Galatians 6:7-8 – "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 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."
Galatians 5:1 – "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Galatians 2:21 – "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
Romans 8:17 – "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
Romans 8:29 – "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Romans 3:23-24 – "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
Romans 4:25 – "Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification."
Romans 5:1 – "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 5:21– "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
Isaiah 53:5 – "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed."
Romans 8:11 – "But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
1 Peter 2:24 – "Who his self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction: Understanding the True Law of Sowing and Reaping
- The Context of Galatians 6:7-8: Law vs. Grace
- God’s Ultimate Sowing: Jesus for Sons and Daughters
- The Misinterpretation of Sowing and Reaping Under the Law
- Our Identity in Christ: Righteous and Healed
- The Finished Work of Jesus: No More Works Needed
- Closing Thoughts and Encouragement
Introduction: Understanding the True Law of Sowing and Reaping
Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori open the message by emphasizing the importance of understanding grace and the freedom it brings. Many believers live under bondage due to incorrect teachings that mix law and grace. As John 8:36 states, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." The goal of this message is to bring clarity to the true meaning of sowing and reaping in the new covenant.
The Context of Galatians 6:7-8: Law vs. Grace
Galatians 6:7-8 has often been used to promote a works-based system, but in reality, Paul was contrasting law and grace. Galatians 5:1 provides the true context: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." The yoke of bondage refers to the law, not simply good or bad actions. The true sowing and reaping principle in Galatians is about living by faith in grace rather than striving under the law.
God’s Ultimate Sowing: Jesus for Sons and Daughters
God's law of sowing and reaping is first demonstrated through His action—He sowed Jesus and reaped us as His righteous children. Galatians 2:21 reinforces this: "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Our righteousness is not earned; it was sown by God through Jesus Christ.
The Misinterpretation of Sowing and Reaping Under the Law
Many have misunderstood the principle of sowing and reaping, thinking it applies to personal works rather than God’s work through Jesus. Romans 3:23-24 explains: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." This justification is entirely God's doing, not ours.
Our Identity in Christ: Righteous and Healed
Because Jesus was sown in sin, we were reaped in righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 states: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Furthermore, Jesus was sown in sickness so that we could reap healing. Isaiah 53:5 declares: "With his stripes we are healed." Healing is not something we work for—it has already been sown and reaped in Christ.
The Finished Work of Jesus: No More Works Needed
Pastor Lori emphasizes that believers are not striving to become righteous or healed; they already are. Romans 5:1 confirms this: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." No additional works are needed—only faith in the finished work of Jesus.
Closing Thoughts and Encouragement
The pastors conclude by encouraging believers to look in the mirror and declare, "I am righteous with God's righteousness!" The law of sowing and reaping is fulfilled in Jesus, and we live in its benefits. Next week's teaching will explore how Jesus was sown in poverty so that we may reap abundance.
We hope this teaching blessed you! Share this message with others so they too can walk in the freedom of God's grace