Evangelism 3 , Planting and Harvesting
Christ's model of planting seeds and harvesting
Jesus taught us wisely about how to consider the tasks of sharing with the world about him. He often compared it to sowing seeds so that a harvest can be achieved.
Mt 13:3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.
4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
9 He who has ears, let him hear.”
To avoid any confusion, Jesus later explained this important teaching in detail to his disciples. It was their mission. It is ours. The Lord took special care to make sure that we understand.
Mt 13:18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:
19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.
23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
As we meet with people to share the Gospel, we will encounter people with different levels of openness to the Message of Christ. Regardless, we can pray for them and love them. Most importantly, we can do our work, plant the seeds, and where possible, help the Lord with the harvest.
We can work hard to present the Word so that it is understood. This will make it more difficult for the enemy to "snatch it away."
For those who receive the Word with joy, we can guide them to Christ as God opens their hearts. As scripture tells us, it is important for the Word to have a chance to take root. This is why the connection to a local church is critical. Church leaders can and should invite them to be a part of worship and learning -- to grow these critical roots.
For those who are not receptive, we need to love them and pray for them. Perhaps there will be another time when someone else will be used by the Lord to water the seeds or plant more. We do our work -- plant the seeds. We trust God to do his work -- open the hearts.
For those that accept and truly embrace the Word and desire to grow in Christ, the blessings of the local church will be truly important. We have observed that some individuals may be shy about attending the formal church at first. If you have options such as home-based study groups, invite them to attend. This may be more comfortable for some to begin their Christian walk.
Blessings and thanks,
Larry
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