SUNDAY, APRIL 30

Author: Dr. Chuck Roberts, Senior Associate Pastor

FROM THE BIBLE

Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” 

John 4:35-38

DEVOTIONAL

I recall with clarity from my “first tour of duty” here at Peachtree (some will remember that I was the Minister to Singles from 1989-1995) how every Sunday, when Frank Harrington would introduce new members, he would share the expectations of members of the Peachtree Church: “Worship regularly, Live Worthily, Serve Eagerly, and Give generously.”

On that last point, I remember that Frank would invite everyone to look around the Sanctuary, and then he would remind us that everything we could see was there because others had given so we could appreciate the church we have. He would then quote John 4:38, “Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

I get that. I am privileged to serve a church where for over 100 years, people have made sacrifices to enable the faithful to gather and worship God, learn about His work, and join Him in that work. I have heard stories of how the “old church” (on Peachtree Road) was foreclosed on in the Depression, but families came together to “buy the church back.” I’ve heard stories of how when the church moved to Roswell Road, people did not buy the “latest fashion” so they could give to God’s work. 

Today we worship God and make our commitments to Renewing the Promise; today, WE labor (through our giving) so that others may enter into our labor (enjoy and appreciate what we are doing for generations to come.)

Let’s give our very best to God today!

 

PRAYER

God of grace and glory, today, as we reflect on the gifts others have made in the past, help us each to consider how we can give to Your work, and provide for others in the future, who can look back on what we have done for Your glory and their benefit. Through the Risen Christ, we pray, Amen.