Time to Plant Some Seeds
Matthew 13:3-9
Jesus told us many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop-a hundred sixty or thirty times what was sown.
He who has ears let him hear.” (NIV)
In Eastern practice the seed was sometimes sown first and the field plowed afterward. Roads and pathways went directly through many fields and the traffic made much of the surface too hard for seed to take root.
Knowing this, this parable is made easier for us to understand. As we have been taught, the Bible was written in the language and ways of the times.
Luke 8:11-15
Luke explains to us that:
The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (NIV)
Your friends and neighbors who do not believe or attend church are the fields that Jesus refers to in this parable and the seed is the Word of God.
Should you invite them to church with you? Invite their children to come with yours.
Have you shared with them some of the wonderful things taking place at Starkdale?
Are you impatient? Continue to sow seeds and then walk away. God will do the rest.
Remember that God will allow the seed to take root in HIS time. HE is in control.
Evangelism is as easy as an invitation to join you for our Sunday services. Do it today.
Third Annual Evangelism Retreat a Success
Prayer, praise and songs in the chapel kicked off Starkdale’s third annual evangelism retreat. Lead by Rev. Dr. Philip Makari and our evangelism coordinator, Herb Fletcher, members learned about the “Great Commission” and that it was the only command that Jesus gave.
Matthew 28: 19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the ages. (NIV)
Ask yourself this question.
- Are you equipped to obey this command that Jesus has given each and everyone of us?
Keep your eyes open for the next evangelism workshop. You don’t want to miss it. Learn how to talk to your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers about Jesus.
