(Part II)

“FINANCES: The Laws of Sowing and Reaping”

Proverbs 11:18

¹⁸    The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.

INTRO:

·         The universe runs on both physical & spiritual laws

·         You don’t have to understand these laws to benefit You just have to cooperate with them.  (Even unbelievers

     EVERYTHING STARTS AS A SEED

1.      God created the word on a seed principle

Genesis 1:11

¹¹ Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.

I.                   NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL A SEED IS PLANTED

The farmer with a barren field doesn’t gripe or complain, or pray to God!

 HE JUST STARTS SOWING SEED!   No sowing= no reaping!  No harvest!

            Jesus used this principle to explain why he came to die on the cross:

            John12:24

²⁴ Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

II.                WHATEVER I SOW IS WHAT I REAP (Law of Pre-Production)

                        If a farmer plants a field with peas. What crop should he expect?

                       

‘

                        Genesis 1:11

¹¹ Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.

                                Galatians 6:7

⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

             

`                       Proverbs 26:27

²⁷ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.                       

                        We cannot SOW irresponsibility & REAP success

                                    Laziness                                    Reward

                                     Stinginess                                          Blessing!

Sow a thought, reap an act;      Sow an act, reap a habit;
Sow a habit, reap a character;  Sow a character, reap a destiny.

III.             I ALSO REAP FROM WHAT OTHERS HAVE SOWN

                        John 4:38

³⁸ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

                        We reap both good and bad from those who went before us.

                        Everything has consequences.          

                        Your life will affect future generations!

           

IV.              WE REAP IN A DIFFERENT SEASON THAN WE SOW

      Ecclesiastics 3:1-5

                        “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity

under heaven … A time to plant and a time to harvest … a time to scatter and a time to gather…’           

                        Fruit ripens gradually – not usually all ripe on the same day!

V.                 I ALWAYS REAP MORE THAN I SOW (Multiplication)

                        One kernel of corn…      

                                In the parable of the soils, Jesus gives an example

                        Mark 4:8

 “Some seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times."

                        This works either for/against you depending on what seeds you plant!

VI.              I CAN INCREASE MY HARVEST BY PLANTING MORE SEED

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

⁶ But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NKJV)

²⁴ There is one who scatters, yet increases more, And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. ²⁵  The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (MESSAGE)

²⁴ The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. ²⁵ The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

VII.          THE TIME TO START PLANTING IS NOW

Ecclesiastic 11:4

⁴ He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

Ecclesiastic 11:6

⁶ In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.

2 Corinthians 9:10

¹⁰ Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.

VIII.        TO REAP A HARVEST I MUST HAVE FAITH AND NOT GIVE UP

Mark 4:26-28

²⁶ And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, ²⁷ and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. ²⁸ For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. ²⁹ But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.

Gal 6:9

⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

“WISDOM FOR YOUR NEXT LEVEL: FINANCES “

Luke 16:11-13

¹¹ Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? ¹² And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? ¹³ “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

INTRO

If we want a radical shift in our finances, we must be willing to do whatever it takes. Matthew 11:12 says, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence and violence take it by force. We encounter both war and test concerning finances. War is Satan’s plan to keep us from having finances, or so bound that we are not financially free. The tests are a result of God checking our motives and affection to see if we worship money or God.

Here are six Biblical principles that will help you win the war and pass the test on finances  

I.                   THE IMPORTANCE OF MONEY

Eccl 10:19

¹⁹ A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry,  but money answers everything.

II.                THINK STEWARDSHIP

1 Corinthians 4:2

Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.

1 Chronicles 29:11-12

¹¹ Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. ¹² Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.  NLT

Psalm 50:10-12

¹⁰For every beast of the forest is mine and the cattle on a thousand hills. ¹¹I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are mine. ¹² “If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is mine and all its fullness.

1.      God owns everything

2.      God uses finances to measure our heart

Matthew 6:21

²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

3.      Not only should we tithe, but we will give an account of the other 90%

2 Corinthians 5:10

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

4.      We must realize the key to more money is being faithful where you are.

Matthew 25:29

²⁹ ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

5.      We must understand that if we don’t use it properly, we will lose it.

Matthew 25:26-30

²⁶ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘you wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷ So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming, I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ²⁹ ‘for to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

III.             EARN AN HONEST LIVING

2 Thessalonians. 3:12

¹² Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

2 Thessalonians. 3:10

¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

IV.             PLAN YOUR SPENDING

Proverbs 21:5

⁵ The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

Proverbs 21:20

²⁰ There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

Proverbs 21:20

20 Wise people live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it. (GNB)

No matter how much money you make, your expenses always rise with income

V.                SAVE FOR THE FUTURE

Proverbs 6:6-11

⁶ Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, ⁷ which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, ⁸ Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. ⁹    How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? ¹⁰    A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—¹¹           So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler and your need like an armed man.

VI.             RETURN 10% BACK TO GOD

Malachi 3:8-10

⁸ “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. ¹⁰ Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

1 Corinthian 16:2

² On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

Proverbs 3:9-10

⁹ Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; ¹⁰          So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

1.      Out of gratitude for my past

When I give my tithe to God, I'm saying, “God, I realize that I wouldn’t have anything if it weren’t for You.  You gave me my mind.  You gave me my health.  You gave me my body.  You gave me the clothes on my back.  I'm just saying here’s ten percent back to You out of gratitude, but I know that it all came from You in the first place.”

2.      It Proves God is Number One Right Now

3.      It’s a Statement of Faith

VII.          ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE

Eccl 6:9

⁹ Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Hebrews 13:5

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you (MESSAGE)

Isaiah 55:2

² Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

NEXT GEN IV

“Journey to Radical Abandonment”

I.                   TWO MAIN INTERPRETATIONS

1.      Natural Interpretation – depicts a love story between King Solomon and His Bride.

2.      Allegorical Interpretation – symbolic story that illustrates the love relationship we have with the Messiah.  (Galatians 4)

II.                A FEW FACTS ABOUT SONG OF SOLOMON

1.      More commentaries have been written on the Song of Solomon throughout church history than any other book in the Bible, except the book of Romans.

2.      This song illustrates the relationship between Jesus and the corporate church (Revelations.19:7-9, 21:9; Ephesians  5:23-25; 2 Corinthians  11:1-2).

3.      As an allegorical love song this book details many of the steps of development to passion for Jesus as well a spiritual maturity.

4.      The Song of Solomon is the greatest song ever written.

5.      The THREE main characters of the book

A.      King Solomon is depicted in the allegorical interpretation as a type of triumphant resurrected Jesus Christ who is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Jesus is the real king. Solomon is only the type.

B.      The Shula mite woman is depicted as a type or a picture of the Bride of Christ who eventually experiences full spiritual maturity and passion for Jesus.

C.      The “daughters of Jerusalem” are a group that appears regularly throughout the SONG. They are never clearly identified or defined. However, when we study what they say and do throughout the SONG, we learn that they love Jesus, yet never attain to the same degree of intimacy and maturity as the Bride.

III.             SONG REVEALS GOD’S PLAN TO BRING US TO RADICAL ABANDONMENT

1.      God wants all of our affection

Luke 14:26-27

²⁶ “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Phil 3:7-11

⁷ But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ …¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ¹¹ if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

2.      He aims to “woo” us and “win” us drawing us to a place of abandonment

IV.              REVELATION OF THE SONG

1^st STANZA – The Awakening

1.     Awakening by the bride to the splendor of Jesus

Song 1:2-3

² Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—For your love is better than wine. ³ Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, your name is ointment poured forth; therefore the virgins love you.

2.     The Brides Prayer

Song 1:4

Draw me away! We will run after you...

                   2^nd STANZA – The Crisis

1.     Spiritual Crisis

Song 1:5-6

I am dark, but lovely… Do not look upon me because I am dark…My own vineyard I have not kept.

2.     Divine Affirmation

Song 2:2-7

² Like a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

³ Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. ⁴ He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. ⁵ Sustain me with cakes of raisins; Refresh me with apples, for I am lovesick.

           

                  3^rd STANZA – Shaking the Nest

1.      Challenging the Comfort Zone

Song 2:8-13

⁸ The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes Leaping upon the mountains, Skipping upon the hills. ⁹ My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, he stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows, Gazing through the lattice. ¹⁰ My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. ¹¹   For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. ¹² The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land.¹³ The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!

2.      The Bride’s Compromise

Song 2:15-17

¹⁵ Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes. ¹⁶            My beloved is mine, and I am his. He feeds his flock among the lilies. ¹⁷ Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag upon the mountains of Bether.

      4^th STANZA – Making Her Rise Up

1.      Divine Chastisement

Song 3:1-3

By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him. ² “I will rise now,” I said, “And go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love.” I sought him, but I did not find him. ³ The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said, “Have you seen the one I love?” ⁴ Scarcely had I passed by them, When I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go…

2.      A New Perspective of Jesus as Trustworthy

Song 3:6-8

⁶ Who is this coming out of the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the merchant’s fragrant powders? ⁷ Behold, it is Solomon’s couch, with sixty valiant men around it, of the valiant of Israel. ⁸ They all hold swords, Being expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh Because of fear in the night.

3.      More Divine Affirmation

Song 4:1-8

Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats…³ your lips are like a strand of scarlet, and your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like a piece of pomegranate. ⁴ Your neck is like the tower of David, Built for an armory…

                 5^th STANZA – The Bride Rises Up, The Bridegroom is enthralled

1.      She Trusts Him enough to give more

Song 4:6-8

⁶ Until the day breaks And the shadows flee away, I will go to the mountain of myrrh And to the hill of frankincense…⁸ Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, With me from Lebanon. Look from the top of Amana, from the top of Senir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

2.      Ravished Heart of the Bridegroom

Song 4:9-12

You have ravished my heart…My spouse; you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes…How fair is your love…My spouse! How much better than wine is your love, and the scent of your perfumes than all spices!... ¹²        A garden enclosed Is my sister, my spouse, A spring shut up, A fountain sealed.

3.      The Brides Heartfelt Prayer

Song 4:16

¹⁶ Awake, O north wind, And come, O south! Blow upon my garden that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its pleasant fruits.

            6^th STANZA – The Test

1.      The Withdrawal of Nearness

Song 5:2-6

² I sleep, but my heart is awake; it is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, “Open for me, my sister, my love, my dove, and my perfect one; for my head is covered with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.”…⁵ I arose to open for my beloved…⁶    I opened for my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and was gone ,,,I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

2.      Persecution from the Saints

Song 5:7-8

⁷ The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls Took my veil away from me.

3.      The Brides amazing Declaration in the Midst of Trial

Song 5:8

⁸ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am lovesick.

4.      Daughters of Jerusalem were “trippin” at her response

Song 5:9

⁹ What is your beloved More than another beloved, O fairest among women? What is your beloved More than another beloved, that you so charge us?

5.      The Brides Declaration of Her Savior

Song 5:10-16

¹⁰ My beloved is pure and ruddy, chief among ten thousand. ¹¹ His head is like the finest gold; His locks are wavy… ¹² His eyes are like doves By the rivers of waters…His cheeks are like a bed of spices…His hands are rods of gold Set with beryl. His body is carved ivory Inlaid with sapphires. ¹⁵ His legs are pillars of marble Set on bases of fine gold. His countenance is like Lebanon, Excellent as the cedars. ¹⁶ His mouth is most sweet, Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!

6.      Daughters of Jerusalem want Him too

Song 6:1

Where has your beloved gone, O fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned aside, that we may seek him with you?

            7^th STANZA – Maturity

1.      Vindication of the Persecuted Bride. Song 6:11-7:9

2.      The Bride grows more in her commitment to Him Song 7:9B-8:4

3.      The Bride is Sealed with Divine Love

Song 8:5-7

Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved? Set me as a seal upon your heart… its flames are flames of fire…Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it.