Parable for Nov. 1, The Sower, Matthew 13:3-9
God spoke to me about the four levels of Spiritual development. The first two, pathway and stony ground in the end do not seem to be believers. The one seed is snatched away before they could believe (19) and the second only lasts for a short time (21). In the third soil, thorny ground, the seed was unfruitful. This implies to me that the seed took root but did not bring a harvest reminding me of many Christians who never seem to develop to a deeper, servant level of faith. The fourth seeds roots, matures, and brings forth a harvest. Let us strive to receive God’s Word as the good soil.
One final thought, only one out of four seeds lands on good ground; how much more we must sow. Let us sow good seeds continually. May God use us and bring a harvest.
If you haven’t read the Parable for today and have time now, the text for Matthew 13:3-9 is printed below. Blessings on you today.
3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear.”—Matt. 13:3-9
The seed is the Word of God. Depending on the circumstances and where a person is in their life is where it is falling.
ReplyDeleteHow can we as the church help the seed to land on good soil? It sounds like the seed that lands on the rocky path misses the mark-the words are real to the individual but it isn't complete. Maybe they hear that they are sinners and need Jesus so they cry out for him but they don't understand what he really offers. For the seed that lands on the soil but it doesn't go very deep- the individual hears the word and it meets their needs but they are not nurtured in their faith in a community of believers so they their faith withers and dies. Others the seed vets caught up in thorns and weeds and is choked out. This individual is in desperate need of help. Perhaps they are stuck in abuse, drowning in debt, in need of some intervention. Without having their physical needs meet they cannot devote time and energy into building a relationship with Jesus.
ReplyDeleteWe need to meet people where they are. We as a church need to come together to meet the needs of the community and of our church members. We needs to provide practical help with basic needs and help each other to grow and mature in faith. In order to do this we need to be open with each other. This of course needs to start with a safe place to share. We are coming to the end of the 40 days of outreach. Why will we as a church do with what we have learned? Will we continue to reach out to others in service and friendship? Will we be able to provide the practical support that they need if they were to choose to come to our church? I think it is possible because we have a church that loves overs and is directed by the holy spirit but it will take a outward focus and commitment.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking about reaching out and meeting people where they are, I think of myself as very evangelical minded and ready to reach out to others, but this 40 days has really upped my outreach scale. I am more ready to reach out and step out of my comfort zone to connect with another.
ReplyDeleteThe parable is a reminder that God, both sovereignley and working through us, has planted a seed of faith in many people (or maybe even all people?)and in many places. Sadly, not all of the seeds grow and bear fruit as God intended. That is clear in the world, and as stated by Pastor Randy, is also evident in churches, where many seeds of faith are either dead or dormant.
ReplyDeleteHere are a couple of questions that I have regarding this parable:
1. The seed that grows and brings forth fruit or an increase or harvest come out of a growing faith and relationship with Jesus. What are those fruits ? Are they good works that cultivate the other seeds to grow, or is the increase only the planting of other seeds
(spreading of the word of God to others).
As I think this through, I believe it is both. The Apostle Paul said, "one sews or plants, another waters, but only God gives the increase".
2. Is there more than one seed of faith that gets planted in the lives of those whose first seed is stolen, scorched, or choked off ? In other words, can another seed of faith grow and take root and bear fruit, for those people in the world or the church, whose seed of faith is dead or dormant ? I'm not completely sure, but I think the answer is sometimes yes and sometimes no. However, the church has a responsibility to keep planting seed and to help keep people's garden of faith cultivated so that it will grow and begin to bring an increase also.
Good insight Ed. I think the fruit is not just good works or other seeds planted, but also the character and virtues of Jesus in us. Gal. 5:22, 23 the fruit of the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteAll three. Good Works, Converts, and the life of Jesus in me.
Yes, Ed, I think we can and must continue to sow seeds on those who have had the seed stolen, scorched, or choked off. John Wesley said, when he went back to preach at places where class meetings had not been set up and new converts fell away, it was more difficult to reach them again. Kind of like getting a vacination against real living faith.