Sermon Tone Analysis

"Fallow Ground" - sometimes God needs to let us sit and be enriched… or to prove HE can meet our needs WITHOUT our intervention

In the Bible we see that the term “fallow ground” can refer to something ordained by God to PROVE HIS PROVISION, or it can refer to a SINFUL STATE of willful neglect of our Heart and Spiritual state...

Let us first tun in our Bibles to

In the midst of God’s Directions on How the Nation of Israel were to operate in their day-to-day and year-to-year existence is this small gem - The Sabbatical Year.

Just as 1 Day in 7 was to be a Covenant Day of Rest (the Sabbath) - the NATION was directed to engage in a farming practice that was practically unheard of - They were allowed to till, plant and harvest for six years, but the 7th the Land was to lie fallow.

Not only was it to lie fallow, but what grew naturally was to be completely given over to the Poor and the Animal Kingdom.

This extended not only to the farms, but also to the vineyards and olive groves.

We know from modern science that one of the best methods of replenishing soils in heavy agricultural areas is to green manure (plan alpha or clover or other low cover product rich in nitrogen) and till it under then allow the ground to lie for a period of time - even a year or more.

This is a LESSON about ENRICHMENT as well as PROVING HIS PROVISION.

The Sabbatical Rest of the Land Required:

Faith.

Do I trust that God’s Declarations - which seem odd, will result in what is promised?

Will God Provide?

Obedience.

Will I do as God Directs - or will I ignore His Directions and Proceed my way (Israel did just this and ultimately faced 490 years of judgment - Daniel’s 70 weeks)

Concern.

Do I really want to participate in God’s Plan to Provide for the Poor and the Animal Kingdom?

At the end of every 6th year the choice of Faith, Obedience and Concern was front-and-center again.

God expects No Less from Us Today - We are to TRUST HIM, OBEY HIM and be CONCERNED for Others.

Is What God expected of Israel really so different than what He expects from Us?

We also see Fallow Ground as a SINFUL STATE of WILLFUL NEGLECT of the Things of the Lord, Let us Read in the Scriptures from:

This is a Lesson about HARDENED HEARTS and IMPENDING JUDGMENT

Charles Finney - “Father of Modern Revivalism” - Lawyer, who at 29 years of age turned his Life over to Jesus Christ - He became Presbyterian Preacher in 1800’s - an evangelist who begged for the church to awaken to spiritual awareness

In a Message Series on Revival, He Lists Two groups of Sin -

Sins of Omission: Ingratitude, Lack of love toward God, Neglect of the Bible, Unbelief, Neglect of Prayer, Neglect of means of grace, Lack of feeling and concern, Lack of love for souls of fellow-men, Lack of care for the lost, Neglect of Family Duties, Neglect of Social Duties, Neglect of Watchfulness over your own Life, Neglect to watch over your brethren, Neglect of Self-Denial,

Sins of Commission: Wordly Mindedness; Pride; Envy; Bitterness; Improper Levity (Joking about Serious Matters); Lying; Cheating; Hypocrisy; Robbing God (squandered wealth and squandered time); Bad Temper, Hindering others from being useful

Challenge:

Once Again the Bible Tells us that “now is the Time to Seek the Lord” - Waiting - even one more minute may lead to our hearts and lives becoming so hardened that even when the Refreshing Rain of Heaven pours down, we have no ability to drink it in… Instead, we soak up only the Heat of Judgment and Doom.... Church - Seek Him Now, While You May!!!