The Sower And The Soil

 

The Sower And The Soil 

Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (John 8:47)

How great is the frustration of a Bible preacher or teacher, when time and time again they share the Word of God with those in their congregation, and it falls on deaf ears. Some wonderful truths from God's Word are shared, but you wonder and ask, "are they getting it?"

"Being deaf and dead to the Word of God is evidence of not belonging to God. Scripture tells us the Word of the Kingdom of God must bring forth fruit – if not, the blame certainly does not point to the Seed, rather to the poor soil upon which it falls. (https://www.sharing-bread.com)

As a preacher of the Word of God, I have felt this frustration, even to the point of deep discouragement. Where is the fruit of hearing the sermons you put much time in preparation? Why is the congregation not living out the messages I am sharing? Have they determined that they do not want to "be of God?" They are so focused on themselves, that they have no desire to allow God to have a say, in the way they think, and live their lives.

I came to the realization that, it is not the fault of the transmitter, but the fault of the receiver. You cannot force people to accept the truth, of God's Word, and live it out in their lives. As a sower of the good seed, the Word of God, you sow, hoping that the soil will receive it well, and produce good fruit of righteousness. In many cases, it's just like the words of this song that says; "It's easier to sell a lie, than to give the truth away." I say to all the preachers, and teachers, "Don't give up, don't become discouraged; because you never know when you will really touch someone's life with true, solid, Biblical truth. 

"Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel” is a quote from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 9:16. The verse continues, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me”. The verse is interpreted to mean that telling the good news is a duty and an obligation that God has imposed on the speaker, and that it would be terrible if they did not do so. 

To a lost, and dying world, we are called to share the Gospel, and to our church, we are called to encourage with the good seed of God's Word. God is counting on us to do this. May the Lord find us "Faithful", no matter the outcome! GP

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Few Words

There are times when people think that the longer the message, the more impact it will have. That is not always true. I have had four line poems really touch me, over a full length sermon manuscript. If you can plant just one seed of truth in the minds of your listeners, you have accomplished more than you realized.

 Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 5:2 "Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few." 

What is said before God, must be thought through with sincerity and clarity. Humility is key in our thoughts that are expressed before God, and our listeners.

It is better, so much better, to have our words be few!

 I want my messages on Sunday morning to not be long and dull, but sincere and encouraging!

Please pray for me, as I prepare, as well as for all the pastors that prepare messages from God's Word. GP

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How Can We Be Silent?

"But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether is is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. But we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:19-20)

 When was the last time you talked to someone about our Lord Jesus Christ? When the opportunity came to share about how He is working in your life, did you take advantage of the opportunity?

I would confidently say that Peter and John got the ball rolling with the early Christians' witness concerning our Lord. They were not going to be silent about what they had seen and heard.

So as Christians today, what is our excuse? I am as guilty as any. It is easier to talk about the weather, or about sports, than about Jesus. But for people to come in contact with the one who can change their lives, it is crucial that we make that connection with them. To talk about Jesus, will be the most important words we share.

There was a great persecution that came upon the early church, but I like what Luke says about their effort. "Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere (doing what?) preaching the word." (Acts 8:4) May that be said of us, as we make contact with people everyday; that we went about preaching the word of God, and sharing about Jesus.

So many questions about this life, and the life to come. There is one answer, and we have it. Let's not keep it to ourselves! GP
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Am I A Preacher?

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14 

Do you have to have professional credentials to be a preacher? In the list of spiritual gifts that Paul speaks of (both in his letter to the Roman church, and the church in Corinth) he does not list one of the spiritual gifts of leadership, as being a preacher.

He does talk about one being able to prophecy (to speak forth for God) or one who is a pastor (to shepherd) but specifically he does not mention the gift of preaching.

To me Paul is saying in our text, that preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is the responsibility of all Christians, whenever the opportunities present themselves. How will people hear of God's salvation plan (through His Son) if we don't share it?

We know that through the years the church has adopted the concept of the professional clergy. The people come together to listen to one person who has fulfilled the church requirements to do the work of "preaching" the Word of God. But when I look at the example of Jesus, I see that He "went about all Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom..."(Mt 4:23a)

As a Christians, we are to do as Jesus, and GO out among the people and "preach" the most wonderful essential, message of hope there is. In a world where souls are perishing everyday. How can we not? GP