Keep Sowing the Seeds
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How does God's grace work in an individual’s life?
What causes a change of heart from darkness to the Light of Christ?
Last week we looked at
So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty.
The Holy Spirit is the agent of change, the convict-er of sin, the convincer of the mind.
What then is the believers role in the conversion of a soul, the growth of a church, the healing of a disease, the deliverance from bondage?
Jesus tells a simple and brief parable recorded only in the Gospel of Mark:
He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
mk 4 26-29
He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
mk 4 26 29
“This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
Jesus outlines our role in His plan for our lives by giving three characteristics of this process-the process of growth:
1. Growth requires a sower. (v.26)
1. Growth requires a sower. (v.26)
The earth does not produce grain by itself.Seeds must be planted.
It must be planted.
Seeds must be planted.
Someone has to get up and go out into the field and scatter the seeds.
God has called us to use our gifting and resources to spread His Gospel to all people.
To all kinds of people.
We have to agree to take on the task of sowing.
We will not sow the seeds of the Gospel unless we are aware that we are sowing.
We will not sow the seeds of the Gospel unless we are aware that we are sowing.
You and I are actually sowing seed of some type all the time.
Only when we are empowered by the Spirit are we sowing the seeds God has given us to sow.
Only when we are empowered by the Spirit are we sowing the seeds God has given us to sow.
A sower cannot stand at the edge of the field and throw seed.
When we get comfortable we tend to want to stay comfortable.
It is easier to sow seeds in ways and places in which we do not feel threatened or "out of place."
It easier to sow seed to people who look and act like us, and have the same sensibilities we do..
A sower must walk the entire field and go to the ends, the corners the middle and sow seeds everywhere.
A sower cannot dump all the seeds in one place.
A sower must walk the entire field and go to the ends, the corners the middle and sow seeds everywhere.
A sower cannot stand at the edge of the field and throw seed.
When we get comfortable we tend to want to stay comfortable.
It is easier to sow seeds in ways and places in which we do not feel threatened or "out of place."
It is easier to sow seeds in ways and places in which we do not feel threatened or "out of place."
It easier to sow seed to people who look and act like us, and have the same sensibilities we do.. Some parts of the field my be shaded, some are very hot.
It easier to sow seed to people who look and act like us, and have the same sensibilities we do.. Some parts of the field my be shaded, some are very hot.
Some parts of the field may be more fertile than others.
Some parts of the field may be more fertile than others.
Sowing is hard work sometimes.
Some sowing we enjoy because we see the rewards sooner rather than later.
Some sowing we enjoy because we see the rewards sooner rather than later.
Sowing is not always pleasurable.
Sowing is not always pleasurable.
2. Growth is beyond our comprehension. (vv.27-28)
2. Growth is beyond our comprehension. (vv.27-28)
2. Growth is beyond our comprehension. (vv.27-28)
The Bible tells us that those who are without Christ are dead.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
,
The Bible tells us that there are those who think they are alive in Christ but are actually still dead.
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
How does one grow if they are dead? They do not.
How does one grow if they are dead? They do not.
How then do they grow?
What if we preach the Word to them?
What if we program our ministry to their needs?
What if we sow the right seed at the right time, with the right methods?
Dead is Dead, the only alternative is to be made alive.
Wesow, God causes the growth.
A farmer cannot explain all that takes place inside a seed that he sows.
He only knows that once planted the seed germinates and brings forth life.
He knows that he cannot cause the seed to germinate and grow, he can only do as much as he can do, and God does the rest.
A farmer cannot explain why some seed sprout and grow healthy, and some seed never sprout.
He cannot know exactly when the seed will sprout.
He sows, and God causes the growth; that He knows!
Here at Hope Church are to be busy using the resources God has supplied, but the power for growth is not found in us our our facilities or programs.
Grace and growth are like that, they are mysterious and unknowable.
We cannot explain why, in some cases,—with every possible advantage, and in spite of every plea we make,—people reject the word, and continue dead in sin.
We cannot explain why in other cases,with every possible difficulty, and with no encouragement,—people are born again or churches grow.
We cannot define how the Spirit of God conveys life to deadness nor can we explain how a dead soul receives a new nature.
All these things are hidden to us.
We see the results but we cannot explain the process.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
We sow the seed, then wait patiently night and day as we leave our work with the Lord.
We sow the seed, but only God alone can give life.
Are you discouraged because growth is not happening, be still and know that God is at work.
3. Growth is gradual and their is no harvest until the seed is ripe. (v.29)
3. Growth is gradual and their is no harvest until the seed is ripe. (v.29)
3. Growth is gradual and their is no harvest until the seed is ripe. (v.29)
There is an old farmer's saying, "Nature does nothing in a hurry."
The ripe grain does not appear at once as soon as the seed germinates.
The plant goes through many stages before it is perfected.
In all stages of growth, there is one great truth: even at its weakest, it is a living plant.
The work of grace in like manner, grows in the heart by degrees.
The children of God are not born in perfect faith, knowledge, or experience.Their beginning is generally a day that starts with small things.
Even-though they are weak, they are alive.
Growth many times has a very shaky start.
"Let us remember that growth, like everything else, must have a beginning." JC Ryle
Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!
It is OK if the beginning of growth is in small ways. We sow-He grows!
God causes the growth, God is in control of the growth.
No farmer ever thinks of cutting his wheat while it is still green,
He waits until time, the sun, rain, heat and cold have done the work God designed them to do.
He waits until time, the sun, rain, heat and cold have done the work God designed them to do.
God wants to use you to sow seed, and once the seed has sprouted to help cultivate.
God wants to use you to sow seed, and once the seed has sprouted to help cultivate.
His Spirit is the growth power, and we are the plant tenders.
He harvests at just the right time.
He began the growth and He will finish the harvest.
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Be encouraged, if you have been sowing seeds in a persons life, God is in control.
Sometimes we need to stop sowing and allow the seed to sprout, by asking the Lord of the harvest for His power to come and give growth.
Take this with you...
Take this with you...
God wants to grow Hope Church. Of this I am absolutely sure and dedicated to.
I believe God has set the growth in motion for Hope Church and knows the exact timing of harvest of souls we are to be praying for.
Growth will not happen if we do not sow the seeds of prayer and obedience to His Word.
Growth will not happen if we do not sow the seeds of prayer and obedience to His Word.
Growth will not be without some messiness, some change and even some pain.
Growth will not take place without some messiness, some change and even some pain.
Growth even though small at first is still growth and we should celebrate it!
Growth, even though small at first is still growth and we should celebrate it!
Will you join me in praying for a "soul harvest" here at Hope Church?
Will you join me in praying for a "soul harvest" here at Hope Church?
"Holy Father, Creator of the Universe, we admit that you cause all growth. You alone, Holy Spirit, bring the conviction of sin, convince the mind and change the heart.
"Holy Father, Creator of the Universe, we admit that you cause all growth. You alone, Holy Spirit, bring conviction, convince the mind and change the heart.
We admit that we are alive to sow the seed of the Gospel as you empower us. We ask for the desire to sow seeds wherever you lead us and to whomever you lead us. Do not let us grow weary of doing the good work.
We admit that we are alive to sow the seed of the Gospel as you empower us. We ask for the desire to sow seeds wherever you lead us and to whomever you lead us. Do not let us grow weary of doing the good work.
Grant us the patience to wait upon you for the harvest. Allow us to celebrate even the smallest evidence of growth.
Grant us the patience to wait upon you for the harvest. Allow us to celebrate even the smallest evidence of growth.
Grow our church by your Spirit and only for your Glory!
In the powerful Name of Jesus, Amen.