The Brief on the Sheaf

We were kind of teasing with the band a little earlier. One of the members said, they appreciated my sermon this morning. I said, well good, because you're going to hear it again. And here's the worst part, the jokes are the same.

Okay, I can't resist, I've got to tell the joke now. That's the way it is. So there's this Texas farmer. He goes to Australia. And he's taking a tour with an Aussie farmer. And so this Aussie farmer shows him this sprawling big wheat field. The Texan kind of just sneers at it and says, ah, we've got wheat fields twice as big as that in Texas. Well, they keep touring just a little bit, walked around the ranch. And the Aussie shows him this herd of cattle. You've got to see these cattle. The Texan says, oh, that's nothing. Our Longhorns, they're at least twice as big as those puny little things. Well, as they're touring around a little bit, the Texan is totally unimpressed. And then suddenly they see these kangaroos. And the Texan had never seen these things before. He says, well, what are those? And the Aussie says, haven't you seen our grasshoppers before? Yeah. I guess that puts them in its place then, doesn't it? Now, I told that story this morning, and after the sermon, one of the little ones came up and said, Mr. Myers, I've got a farming joke for you. Well, they said it's really a pirate joke. Okay, what is it? Well, they said, how much does a pirate pay for corn? I said, I don't know. How much does a pirate pay for corn? And they said, a buccaneer. I think that's pretty good. I'll have to add that this afternoon. Now, the reason I tell those jokes is it's about harvest. Here we are. We're between Unleavened Bread and Pentecost. And it's all kicked off with a biblical object lesson. And that object lesson is about harvest seasons. It's all about the Holy Days. If you were trying to explain the Holy Days to someone, they are intertwined with God's harvest seasons. I mean, there's no doubt about that. And so the annual festivals are all built around this focus, this focus of the symbolism of harvest. And it's not just about corn. It's not just about wheat or barley. The symbolism is about people. Because just as crops are harvested, what is God doing with human beings? God is creating a spiritual family. He is going to harvest people for eternal life in the Kingdom of God. And so His Holy Days map out exactly what God's doing. And this harvest time points very specifically to different times of harvest. And so when we begin, in fact, at the time of Passover, we're entering into that first time of harvest. And it points to that. And during the Days of Unleavened Bread, there is a very special ceremony that takes place in order for the harvest to begin.

Now, of course, that's something that has already taken place as far as the way the Holy Days fall, with Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread. Now we're in this time in between where we're the crops that are growing. And we're looking forward to Pentecost. And Pentecost also has a couple of names that tie in with that whole scenario of what God is doing with people. How this symbolism of growing crops and harvesting those crops ties in with God's plan. In fact, one of those passages is over in Exodus 23. If you'd like to turn there with me, Exodus 23.16 is one of those passages that points to this time of Pentecost. In fact, it outlines a couple of things as it's leading to this section. But in chapter 23, we've got a familiar verse in verse 14 where it says, three times a year you should keep a feast to me. And he outlines the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is in verse 15. Then verse 16, Exodus 23.16, the Feast of Harvest. Well, what's the Feast of Harvest? That's Pentecost. That's Pentecost pointing to the Feast of Harvest. In fact, we have another little indication of a name that it's also called. Not only the Feast of Harvest, but also the First Fruits. The First Fruits of your Labors, which you've sown in the field. So that's that second season, that second time. And then that third time listed here, the Feast of In-Gathering. So what is the Feast of In-Gathering? Tabernacles, the Feast of Tabernacles. So we've got this time of harvest that's illustrated by different times that crops are brought in. It's interesting to see that this one that we're coming up on, Pentecost, is also called First Fruits. Sometimes the Feast of First Fruits. And it represents what? Think of that harvest analogy. Well, it's the early harvest. It's the initial harvest. And in fact, when you think of this idea of Pentecost, a couple chapters from here, in Exodus 34-22, it names Pentecost the Feast of Weeks. So Pentecost is one of those holy days that has multiple names. First Fruits, Harvest, also Pentecost, also Weeks, Feast of Weeks. Why Weeks?

Well, because it's seven weeks from that time in the middle of Unleavened Bread till Pentecost. In fact, seven weeks and a day. And in the Greek, Pentecost means fiftieth, or the fiftieth day. The fiftieth day. Because that's the day that we represent God pouring out His Spirit. It's symbolized in the pouring out of God's Spirit.

And so when we put all of those things together, well, you can't help but ask, what does First Fruits have to do with it? What about First Fruits?

Well, when you look up that particular word for First Fruits, most oftentimes in the Old Testament, it's the word reishith.

Reishith almost sounds like a sheaf. A reishith. And that reishith not only can be translated First Fruits, but you know what else it can be translated? In fact, more oftentimes it's translated beginning. Beginning. Well, okay, what is the beginning as we consider Pentecost? What marked the beginning of the harvest?

What was it that started that whole process?

Well, the whole process of harvest began during the days of Unleavened Bread. And of course, we can remember very clearly when was Christ resurrected? He was resurrected during the days of Unleavened Bread. And there is some deep significance to that, because during the days of Unleavened Bread, there was a special offering. Physically speaking, that was symbolic of Jesus Christ. And we can read about that back in Leviticus 23. Leviticus 23 will remember is that section of Scripture that outlines all of the Holy Days. All of God's feasts are mentioned here in Leviticus chapter 23. And do you remember which feast of God starts off that list?

What's the very first feast of the Lord?

It's today. It's the Sabbath. The Sabbath is that... So you'll often hear this at Tabernacles. Sometimes they say, oh, it's going to be a long winter until the next feast. No, it's not. It's next Sabbath. Next Sabbath is a feast. So we always want to keep that in mind. This is a feast day. So as you look at Leviticus 23, down in verse 9, it describes this very special time that occurred during the days of Unleavened Bread that God gave special significance to a special offering. And in verse 9, after describing the days of Unleavened Bread, it says, Ah, interesting point. Harvest. When you're going to reap the harvest, don't just dig into it. Just don't get going. Just don't start whenever you feel like it. No, something's got to happen first. Before you start harvesting, this is what has to happen. It says, Now it's kind of interesting here. This is during the days of Unleavened Bread. He says, After the Sabbath day, during the days of Unleavened Bread, that next day is when you cut a sheaf and bring it. You bring it to the tabernacle. You bring it to the... later the temple. You bring it to the priest, and what are they going to do? They're going to offer it to God. In fact, not just by itself, but it also mentions a couple of other offerings that accompany that particular offering. Now that one sheaf, that lone little bundle of grain, barley, that was cut, is called, verse 10, the sheaf of the first fruit. The sheaf of the first fruit. And that sheaf was something then the priest would take, and they would wave it before the Lord. Literally, they would lift it up, and they would shake it before God as an offering. Because that sheaf was critically important, and it has tremendous symbolism. There was this physical application that before any harvesting, they couldn't eat any new barley. They couldn't partake in any of that initial harvest in the early spring, until this took place. This had to happen first. Then the harvest could begin. So it was critical that the priest would offer this and wave it before God to be accepted. Then the harvest could happen once it was presented, once it was accepted by God. And as we begin to think about this particular sheaf, there's quite a bit of application that we find in Scripture. Both physical application, but more importantly, there's spiritual significance to what this particular offering was all about. Sometimes they'll call it the first fruit. Sometimes they'll call it the wave sheaf. Sometimes it's called the omer offering. Omer is another word for a sheaf. So it has a number of different names, depending on what translation you might use or where you are in Scripture. But they're all the same thing when it talks about the first fruits of the sheaf. This sheaf, the wave sheaf, or the omer. There are similar things here going on. But what's important is that we see some of the spiritual significance behind this particular offering. Now, I don't have three hours to go through every specific aspect of this, which maybe if we had time we could do that. But they told me I needed to be brief. So I'm going to give you the brief on the sheaf. Okay, so we'll give you the brief on the sheaf here. And as we think about this, what is it representing? What is this application for Israel, but then the significance for us spiritually today? I think there's one thing that really stands out. If you turn over to Numbers 10, verse 35, we can see an initial representation of this sheaf that was the sheaf of the first fruits.

Of course, as Israel was harvesting, they recognized something connected not just to crops, but that it was also interconnected with people. So we can begin to notice this first significant detail about this offering. If we go over to the book of Nehemiah, chapter 10. Nehemiah chapter 10, and in verse 35, notice what we find here.

As they're describing this particular offering, it says, we made ordinances to bring the first fruits of our ground. So they're dedicating some things to God. It says, the first fruits of all the fruit of the trees year by year to the house of the Lord. So they're offering a number of different crops, you might say.

But notice verse 36. I think it ties in something critical as we begin. It says also to bring the firstborn of our sons. The firstborn of our sons. There's a connection between this wave sheaf and the firstborn. This firstborn is identifying the fact this is the first fruits of literally a woman's labor.

As a son is born. Well, what about a firstborn son? Of course, it doesn't stop there. It says, the firstborn of the cattle. The firstborn of the ground. Those were all dedicated to God because first fruits were holy to God. They belong to God. So in this representation of the firstborn, we have this connection that the firstborn was sanctified. In other words, it was set apart for God and had to be presented to God.

So this included their firstborn children, their firstborn sons, dedicated to God. And that's also connected to this idea of the wave sheaf. Because it also means not just cattle or not just crops, but this aspect that it can represent a person. It can represent a person. So not only does it represent the firstborn of the family, the firstborn of the cattle, whatever that we dedicate to God, it also can specifically represent a person.

A sheaf can represent a person. So that's the second aspect as we consider this symbolism that's going on here. Now, in representing a person, can you think of an example in Scripture where that's the case? That a sheaf represented an individual. Well, back before the time of Nehemiah, Jacob had a whole bunch of sons. Remember all of Jacob's sons, and one of them had a way of having dreams. And his brothers didn't like those dreams that he would have. Because one of those dreams was about what?

It was about sheaves, like old gatherings, not just a little handheld sheaf by itself, but a whole gathering of sheaves. And he dreamt about his sheaf and his brothers' sheaves and what was happening with his. Ooh, his was much bigger and better than all the rest. And it got him in a little trouble telling the dreams about that sheaf and what was going to happen and the significance behind that.

And so when we think about prophecy, that was Joseph. And Joseph dreamed about that. And so we see that representation, that a sheaf certainly can represent an individual. But if we think about the ultimate individual that a sheaf can represent, we have to go a little bit further than just Joseph. There's a prophetic psalm that's in chapter 126 of the psalms, if you'd like to turn over there with me. Psalm 126.

Psalm 126 is one of those psalms that gives us a full range of history. While it's being prophetic, looking to the future, it also tells us a little bit about the past as well and what's gone on in order to set up this connection between this spiritual significance of a sheaf. So you probably beat me over there. Psalm 126, we see this representation spelled out. So we go to the very beginning of this song. And notice what it says.

It says, What's that talking about? Well, Judah went into captivity. They were stuck in Babylon. We remember the stories of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Nebuchadnezzar, and they were stuck there. Finally, they were released. Finally, the Persians let them go. Cyrus lets them go back to Jerusalem, and they rebuild the temple. We have this wonderful joy from being out of captivity, coming back to the land.

But what's interesting is where the story goes from here. Verse 3, it says, But then verse 4 says, I mean, it wasn't all peaches and cream as they come back. We know the challenges that they went through. We know the story of all the difficulties that they went through. Yeah, it was a tough time. It wasn't all wonderful. And so what we find here is that we have this prophetic aspect to this psalm. And it says in verse 5, So what's happening? Well, we got this farming metaphor. We plant, we're sowing, and when you sow seed, crops grow. And so ultimately sowing in sorrow, but yet reaping, the reaping will be done in joy. Verse 6, it says, So who's the ultimate one who sows?

Well, God the Father does that through Jesus Christ, doesn't He? And how many times did Christ use those analogies of sowing and reaping? And when you think of the Lord of the harvest, didn't Christ talk about that very thing? About the Lord of the harvest, Luke 10, verse 2, He talks about that very thing. Well, this is projecting that time.

And so Christ sowed seeds. We know that through Jesus Christ we come to the Father.

Life is tough. Life is difficult. We know there are great difficulties that lie ahead, a great tribulation. But ultimately, when Christ returns, it's going to be amazing. It is going to be wonderful. That reaping will turn to joy. And when does that happen? It says, doubtless, when He comes again. When He comes again with rejoicing. And what does He bring with Him?

It says, bringing His sheaves with Him.

Well, that's people. That's... hopefully it's you and me. It's us. It's us. And so we see this representation that a sheave can stand for a person. And certainly in His first coming, Christ was beaten and bruised. He was crucified on our behalf. He suffered and went forth with great tears, great weeping. I think we see that representation in this psalm as well. But ultimately, when He returns, it's harvest time. It is harvest time, and it is going to be great joy. And His sheaves, you and me, we're going to be with Him.

In fact, I think this was the inspiration for an old-time hymn that maybe you're familiar with. Have you ever heard that old-fashioned hymn? It's not in our hymnbook. Maybe not totally doctrinally accurate. But that song, you've probably heard it on movies and old-time types of things. It's bringing in the sheaves. Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. Well, there's the inspiration for that song. We'll be with Christ. And so we see that representation.

But we also see the real significance to that one sheaf, to that individual sheaf. And that's pointing to Christ Himself. So certainly, this third significant aspect of the wave sheaf is that it's not only representative of Christ, but it was also fulfilled by Christ. Christ fulfilled that symbolism of the wave sheaf. And we get a little bit of that intimation if we turn over to 1 Corinthians chapter 15.

Go to 1 Corinthians 15 verse 20. Here, as Paul is talking about the return of Christ, he spells it out for God's people in Corinth. I think for us as well as he tells this story of the resurrection. Of course, 1 Corinthians chapter 15 sometimes is known as the resurrection chapter. And he shows how this harvest takes place. And like ancient Israel, it doesn't just start haphazardly. It doesn't start well whenever.

No, very specifically, there's an order to this harvest. And in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, it spells out that order that we find in the physical application of the wave sheaf. So when we go to 1 Corinthians chapter 15, notice verse 20. Here in verse 20, it says, But now Christ is risen from the dead, so he has been lifted up to the Father, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. Now there were those who have died in the faith, and us too, who are still alive.

So he says, For since by man came death, by man, with a capital M, by man, by Christ, also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

So Christ led the way. When you read the book of Hebrews, it talks about Christ being our forerunner. He was the scout that went before us, that paved the way. And here Paul is describing that very thing, that because Christ was resurrected, we can also be resurrected. We have that hope. But we see it's very specific. When does it happen? Well, we notice here, First Christ, the firstfruits, then, verse 23, each in its own order. Christ, the firstfruits afterward, those who are Christ's at His coming.

So that takes us back to Psalm 126. When Christ returns, it'll be great rejoicing. He'll bring those with Him. He'll bring the rest of the firstfruits with Him. Because Christ fulfilled all those things, not only representing a person, but representing the firstborn.

Christ was the firstborn of God's spiritual children. And so we see that representation here. And as that wave sheaf was raised before God, Christ literally was raised before God, and came and appeared before God, and was accepted by God.

And of course, we see that actually happen during the days of Unleavened Bread. And we see the evidence of that if we turn over to John 20. John 20, verse 13. This is that section of Scripture that describes the resurrection. Of course, we read large sections of the book of John at the Passover because we recount what happened that evening, that Passover evening, just before the crucifixion. Of course, three days and three nights later, Christ is resurrected.

And as we consider that story, we see in chapter 20, verse 13, Mary comes to the grave. And as she comes to the grave, she sees the open tomb. Now what's happened? What's going on? Well, Mary's trying to figure that out, what has actually happened. And she talks to an angel, verse 13. It says, why are you weeping? Mary says, because they've taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.

Now, when she'd had said this, it says she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. And she didn't know that it was Jesus. I mean, it's hard to imagine, but for a moment, it didn't connect. She didn't see it. But verse 15, then Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?

Boom! The lights come on. Now she's going to recognize this once she begins this conversation. First, she thinks he's a gardener and says, Sir, if you've carried him away, tell me where you've laid him. I'll take him away. But Jesus said to her, Mary, Mary, boom! Lights come on. She recognizes him Rabboni, which is to say, teacher. And of course, I'm sure her initial reaction was to grab him and hold him and hug him.

And he's alive. Can you imagine the excitement that she must have been filled with to see, especially after just thinking, well, he's dead. Now somebody's stolen his body. And yet there he is alive. But what does Christ say? Hang on. He says, Do not cling to me. Don't touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. So here is Christ who was cut down. That sheaf of the barley was cut before sunrise. It was cut when it was dark, like Christ was cut down. Now he hasn't been presented to the Father.

What had to happen to that sheaf after being cut down? Well, they had to take it to the tabernacle. They had to take it to the temple and present it before God. So here is Christ before he's been resurrected. He had been cut down. Now he's resurrected, but he hasn't been raised up. He hasn't ascended to the Father yet. So he's right between that time. So he says, Mary, don't touch me.

Then he says, Go to my brethren and say, I am ascending to my Father and to your Father and to my God and your God. I'm going to present myself in the ultimate holy of holies, in the presence of God Almighty.

And so he's about to do that very thing as Mary just intervened just before that happened. And so we know that that was the case because later on, on the same day, we can read in a number of passages where disciples touched Jesus and held him, looked at his hands, touched his body, put their hand in the hole in his side after this took place. And so we recognize that had to have taken place after this scenario, after he had presented himself to the Father. And so as we look at this particular story, Christ presented himself as that wave sheaf, fulfilling the symbolism there, as the priest would lift it up. Christ was lifted up to the Father and was presented as that sinless offering before God on our behalf. And it's amazing to think of those offerings because it wasn't just the wave sheaf. If we were to continue to read right after that section of Leviticus 23, it speaks of a grain offering that was also offered with the wave sheaf. It also talks about a drink offering that was offered with the wave sheaf. You could take some time and read that for yourself later on.

Okay, what do you make from grain?

Bread.

What was the normal drink offering consisting of?

Wine. Wine. So here we have this beautiful foreshadowing of the Passover, of Christ's ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.

And we see that in all of these offerings of the wave sheaf that were given at that same time. Of course, there was also a burnt offering that was given. And if you think about how a burnt offering was presented before God, they burned the whole thing. It was a complete sacrifice. And Christ certainly fulfilled that. He was the total complete sacrifice. His beating, his scourging, the whipping that he took, as well as the crucifixion and his bleeding to death on our behalf, all comprised that perfect, whole sacrifice.

But you also recognize there was a sacrifice that was missing.

What sacrifice was missing?

There was no sin sacrifice, no sin offering that was given with the wave sheaf.

And of course, doesn't that make sense? Because Christ was sinless. Christ was sinless. And he is the ultimate sacrifice for our sin. So Christ himself was sinless and presented himself as that ultimate sinless sacrifice for us.

So when we consider this symbolism and the spiritual significance, we see that representation of Christ going to the Father, not only representing the wave sheaf, but also this harvest that's about to begin. Because once that wave sheaf was offered, now the harvest could start. Now they could get out there into the fields and reap that barley. And that harvest could begin. And so that has tremendous significance as well, because that sheaf is representative of that whole beginning first harvest. The sheaf was a representation of that harvest. And in a sense, maybe even the harvest that's going to come at the end of the year as well, the Feast of Tabernacles, the fruit harvest that would come at the end. And that's where we come into play.

Because when you think of the firstfruits and that harvest of firstfruits, that points to us. That points to us. Those of us who have God's Spirit, those of us who have covenant with God, those of us who are in that process right now of growing. God has called us, in a sense, planted us, and now we are growing as his first harvest. And at his return, we then, like that early harvest, can be reaped. And so we have that wonderful opportunity, this amazing opportunity, to be a part of that early harvest, that first harvest. And in fact, James, the Apostle, wrote about this in James chapter 1. Make your way over to James chapter 1, because I think this leads us, I think, to a fourth symbolism, if I'm keeping my brevity straight here. If we have a brief with the sheaf, number four points to us. The firstfruits is us. Yes, it certainly points to the fact of the firstborn. It points to the fact that a sheaf can represent a person, represents Jesus Christ, but also there's a connection to you and me, to us. And in James chapter 1, James records this beautiful passage that really helps us to get the bigger picture, when we see what James writes about it. James chapter 1, notice verse 16. He says, Sounds like Psalm 126. Yeah, we didn't start this process. God had to sow the seed. God had to call us. That's where the good gift began from. It began at God. It says, It's not about crops. It's about a spiritual family that God has created. We can be in that first group, that early harvest of God's spiritual children. And so it points very clearly to that very fact. We have that opportunity. We're in that growth process. The crops are growing. We're growing in the character of Jesus Christ. We're becoming more Christ-like as every day goes by. That's our goal. That's the kind of crops that God is going to harvest. And so when we compare what James writes to what Paul wrote to the Romans, over in Romans chapter 8, we have a familiar section of Scripture that Paul describes this amazing opportunity that we have, as God has opened our minds to His truth. How is it possible to be a part of that harvest? I mean, it's an amazing, wonderful opportunity. But how does it take place? How is it even achievable for us to be a part of that harvest? Well, that's where Paul describes the only means by which that's possible. So notice Romans chapter 8 verse 11. Romans chapter 8 and verse 11, it says, It says, if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you... I think that's critical. Where does it start? It starts with Christ. It starts with the wave sheaf. It starts with that amazing spiritual significance. It says, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

So it starts with Christ, and because we have Christ in us, we can be a part of that harvest. And we see it's all by the power of God's Spirit. If we skip down a little bit to verse 14, this is what delineates us as a part of the crop, as a part of that harvest. Really, if we ask the question, what is a Christian? I mean, this is the answer.

Verse 14 is the answer to that question. How can you be a part of that first harvest? Well, this is it. It says, as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. Christ being the firstborn son, we being in that first initial harvest following Jesus Christ. And it happens because of the Spirit, because of what Pentecost points to.

In fact, down in verse 16, it says the Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. We are His children. And it says, if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. Joint heirs with Christ. And of course, there's growing to do. It's not, oh, I believe in Jesus, everything's cool, I don't have to worry about anything else.

No, there's growing to do. We have to grow. We have to grow in the character of Jesus Christ. We have to be more God-like. We have to follow the example of our Heavenly Father and be like Him. Christ said we're to go on to maturity, be mature, be perfect, as our Heavenly Father is perfect. We have to shoot for that. And so that's why it says, yes, indeed, if we suffer with Him, that we may be glorified together.

That in suffering, we're showing the character of Christ. In fact, he says, verse 22, We know the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs until now. And not only that, we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit. We're that initial crop, because God's not working with everyone yet. There are billions of people out here that have no concept of God, no concept of His plan.

Don't understand His purpose. And think of the billions who have lived over time, who have no clue, no conscious, no idea of what God's doing. Because He's working with the first harvest right now. That'll come later. That will come later. And so we are the first to receive God's Spirit. We're the first. It says then, even we, even we ourselves, groan within ourselves, eagerly awaiting, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

For we were saved in this hope. That's what we're looking forward to. We're looking forward to be like Christ, to follow Christ, to be born into the family of God, to be His divine children, to be His literal sons and daughters for all eternity. That's what we're looking forward to. And so it's God's Spirit that sets us apart. It's what sanctifies us. It's what's identifying us as His people.

Now, later on, there'll be a huge spiritual harvest to come. And that's symbolized in the Feast of Tabernacles, where everyone will have an opportunity to understand God's way. Ultimately, as we look at the resurrections and we understand what God is doing. But it also brings us then to the fact that as we understand the significance of that sheaf and being called as the first crop, that first harvest of God, it doesn't come without responsibilities. Because as God's people, as first fruits, we could say we have the challenge of the sheaf.

We are challenged as first fruits. And we can't be too brief on the sheaf if we don't talk about those responsibilities. That we talk about the challenges that we are faced with. Because we have to face this challenge. Because as we're called, yes, we are the first, the first to seek the kingdom of God. But in seeking that kingdom of God, that means we've got to be the first. We've got to be the first fruits to come out of this world.

Just as Israel came out of Egypt, we have to come out of the ways of this world. If we're to be the first fruits, we have to be sure we're taking that challenge. And not to just be a part of the world, just to fit into the world. Just not to even be offset from this world at all. We better stand out like a sore thumb and that light of Christ better be shining in us to be the first to come out of this world.

The first not to give in. The first not to compromise. The first not to sell God short. But the first then to maintain our first love. The first to be sure that those first works, that we're still excited about those things. That we're not going to give up our first love. That we're going to do everything we possibly can to maintain that first faith and grow in strength. Grow in maturity. Because not only must we grow, we've got to fight off the evil.

We have to go on toward the kingdom, but we've got to fight those evil forces. Because they are evil enemies. Wickedness. Powerful forces that come against us. That by the power of God's Spirit, we have to be the first to fight off those evil forces and put on the armor of God and overcome those forces and the ways of this world as well. Because as first fruits, we're not called to be so-so.

We're not called to be beat up bruised fruit. We're supposed to be the best. We're supposed to be in the image of God. We are called first to be holy, to be sanctified, to be different, and to put that difference into service of God. Because we as first fruits recognize the fact we're accountable.

We're accountable to God. As first fruits, we're accountable for our actions. And so every day we are confronted as God's first fruits to choose. To choose life. To make righteous judgments. To be sure that we are confronting evil and choosing to do right. We're not just running away from evil. We are doing good. Because we know it's not good enough just to get away from evil.

We have to do what's right and put that into practice. And that's really what being a Christian is all about. Because what we do is we uphold the Word of God. And it's evident in our life because we are striving to be God's first fruits of integrity. We're striving to be the first in obedience. And all of these different aspects of being a first fruit presents us with that very challenge.

To be the first to be growing in grace and knowledge. And so in this time between Unleavened Bread and Pentecost, before the time ultimately of Christ's return, we have our growing season. It's time to grow. It's time to be rededicated. It's time to seek first the Kingdom of God. And we know He's given us the means to succeed. We've been given God's Spirit. And it's not a spirit of fear, is it? It's a spirit of power and love and the spirit of a sound spiritual mind.

His way of thinking. And God's given us that ability to overcome sin by the power of His Spirit. And so let's take on the challenge. Let's take on this great calling that God has given us. And let's be the first to do as our Savior Jesus Christ did. Let's follow His lead. And if we do, we can keep that sheaf in mind. And when we do, I think we can remember that very thing. That's the brief on the sheaf.