SOWING SEEDS

Sowing Seeds (God’s Word)

The Word of God works.  Simple.  The sower has to get the seed out.  Sowing.  Planting.  The soil that receives the seed makes a difference.  Jesus uses four types of soil to make the point.  Hard packed soil lets the seed lay there.  The devil swoops in and takes it away.  Rocky soil lets the seed get started, but it doesn’t get rooted and fails.  Weedy soil lets the seed get in, but then crowds it out with all the other things.  Good soil receives the seed and lets it grow deep and become productive.  Jesus was in favor of good soil for the seed by the way.

As followers of Jesus we may fit into the seed sowing/soils growing scenario in different ways.  We may be the soils receiving the seed (Word of God) or we may be used of the Lord to sow the seed in others. 

Applying the Seed sowing/soils growing Scenario

Acknowledge God and His necessary part

God loves people.  God knows what He is doing.  God knows what is best.  God instructs and empowers us.  God provides the seed (Word of God).  God gives the growth. 

Recognize your responsibility and do it

God’s seed has been planted in us.  We have the responsibility to respond to what He offers and to what He has planted.  As we grow we come to the place where we can bear fruit.  That fruit is more seed for those around us.  

Recognizing our responsibility and doing it is like being on a tennis court.  God is serving a ball to us and when it comes on our side of the court we are to respond.  Our part is to take care of our side of the court.  God will take care of His.  

There is a problem when God’s people want to make things happen.  They may run around the net to the other side of the court and try to take care of things that God never intended for them.  

If you wanted someone you care about who doesn’t know Jesus to come to know Him what would you do?  You can plant the seed of God’s Word.  Tell God stories.  Go over the Gospel.  Talk to them about eternity.  But what if they drag their feet or are involved in things you don’t approve of….what then?  Go to the other side of the net…get in their face…demand change.   God gives the growth.  Hard, rocky and weedy soil doesn’t become good soil because we are in their face or are broken hearted.  Back to the other side.  Back to recognizing the responsibility God has given us and doing it.  Back to sowing the seed however and whenever God says. 

Allow God time to bring about His results His way

Time.  Never enough.  Too late.  Too soon.  Like Goldilocks searching for the right bed that’s just right we want God’s time to just how we like it.  But being God He wants to orchestrate things His way and in His time.  

Plant radishes in March and eat them in May.  The time is quick.  They grow in many places. 

Plant a red oak tree and in 10 years you have a 16-20’ tall tree.  Grow in the north, east and central US and in Canada.  Some have been placed at 500 years old.  Plant an acorn and a couple of years later growth happens.  

Sequoias…limited area of growth on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  Tallest 311’.  Like a 31 story building.  The oldest is around 3500 years.    The tiny seed of the Sequoia sets in motion a giant tree.  

God has something for everyone.  Let His seed grow.  Be good soil.  Be fruitful.  Plant seed.  Allow God to use it, grow it, place it where He decides.  Let Him determine its use, its productivity and its length of use.  

Allow God time to bring about His results His way

To hear a message on this check out:  http://www.sermoncloud.com/grace-bible-church/the-seed-of-followership/