What is the default for how we live? 2020 has seen an interesting relationship between internal and external focus for us. We will look at this a little bit today.
I wonder what you know about farming.
Matthew 13:1-9
On that day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. 2 Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down, while the whole crowd stood on the shore.
3 Then He told them many things in parables, saying: “Consider the sower who went out to sow. 4 As he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Others fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much soil, and they sprang up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep. 6 But when the sun came up they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered. 7 Others fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them. 8 Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop: some 100, some 60, and some 30 times what was sown. 9 Anyone who has ears should listen!”
Matthew 13:18-23 (explanation of the above)
18 “You, then, listen to the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path. 20 And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. 21 Yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. When pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the seduction of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some 100, some 60, some 30 times what was sown.”
CONTEXT
Galilean farmers in the region of what we would now know as Palestine.
Often when this parable is taught, the focus is on making ourselves good soil. Today is about a different perspective - an external one - where the focus is on the sower.
The sowers focus is to make sure that they are willing to sow and ready when the opportunity arises.
1. Willing to Sow/Share
We sow through the living of our lives and the Holy Spirit ploughs the soil of the person’s life.
It’s important to meet people where they are at.
Three outcomes experienced when sowing seeds/sharing the gospel (through words and life).
- Sometimes you don’t see a response at all
- Sometimes you see a response later
- Sometimes you see a response immediately
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see a response. We sow and the Holy Spirit waters.
How we speak and how we act sows seeds in people’s lives. So what are we sowing? Does it point people to Jesus?
2. Be Ready When Opportunity Arises
In Acts 8 we read a story of an interaction between Philip and an Ethiopian Eunuch.
Not saying stand on a street corner and preach at everyone. Live our lives in a way that is attractive and appealing … and when people ask about the joy and hope we have, be ready to share.
There are many practical ways that we can sow the seed in the world around us.
Let us have a willingness to share and a readiness for when the opportunity comes.