Sunday, January 22, 2012 pm
SOME PRINCIPLES OF SOWING AND REAPING
Tonight I would like to talk about a subject that we mention in one way
or another quite frequently.
I want to talk about the subject of sowing and reaping.
The idea of sowing and reaping was the product of a society that was heavily involved in agriculture. Sowing was associated with planting the crop and reaping was associated with the harvest. Because of their familiarity with the principles of farming, the subject was used to drive home many spiritual lessons to apply in our lives as Christians. Tonight I would like for us to consider some of these passages and the lessons they teach.
a.
Speaking to His
disciples Jesus was inviting them to seek the lost.
This is a charge that each of us has to some degree.
Jesus used the illustration of a farmer broadcasting seed over a
field. He noted that seed
fell on various types of soil – wayside hardened soil, among stones,
among thorns and on good ground.
Depending upon the type of soil the seed was broadcast in,
determined how the seed was received.
b.
In explaining the
parable, Jesus likened the
soil to various types of hearts.
In Luke’s account we are told, “the seed is the word of God”
(Luke 8:11) and then the non-receptive and receptive hearts are
described.
c.
But have you considered
that Jesus called this, “the parable of the sower” instead of the
parable of the soils? (Matt. 13:18)
What Jesus had in mind was that His disciples needed to broadcast
the word of God and let it fall where it may.
d.
As we examine this
passage, we learn that we are expected to sow the seed.
a.
As Christians, we are to
seek ways to plant the seed of the word of God.
Whether by example, or some other way (some leave tracts, others
engage in Bible studies, speak about God and your faith when you have
opportunities, invite others to services, etc.) there will be some with
whom you will not have opportunity to complete the process.
But that does not mean that what you do had no effect.
Sometimes all you can do is plant a seed.
Or perhaps you have built upon something others have taught.
b.
This is a Biblical
principle.
i.
In John 4:35-38 Jesus
was speaking to His disciples about the lost about them.
He specifically mentions the principle we are now discussing,
“For in this the saying is true: One sows and another reaps”
ii.
1 Cor. 3:5-9, even Paul
the apostle was part of this process.
“I planted, the apostle
watered, but God gives the increase.”
c.
We are reminded in this
that what is expected is to sow seed.
Let God take care of the results.
a.
This is based upon a
natural law put into effect as God created the world.
Genesis 1 repeatedly uses the expression, “after its kind”
concerning living things (both plants and animals).
It is a general rule across all walks of life.
What you sow will directly affect the “crop” you will reap
b.
Galatians 6:7 says it
clearly, “Do not be deceived, God
is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
c.
If you sow to the flesh you will reap corruption
–
This is true when we engage in immoral and ungodly behavior.
There are consequences to our decisions.
Consider Hos. 8:7 speaking of Israel it says, “They sow the wind,
and reap the whirlwind.”, 10:13-14, “You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped iniquity.
You have eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own
way, in the multitude of your
mighty man.” ,
Prov. 22:8, “He who sows iniquity
will reap sorrow, and the rod of his anger will fail.”
How does one sow iniquity?
By engaging in immorality (Gel. 5:19-21), teaching false doctrines,
sowing discord among brethren (Prov. 6:12-15).
d.
If you sow to the Spirit
you will reap eternal life
–
The Spirit has reference to works of godliness and keeping the
commandments of God. It is
one who develops “the fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23)
Prov. 11:18, “The wicked man does
deceptive work, but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.”
James 3:18 says, “Now the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
e.
Another observation.
IF “the seed is the word of God” that is what we need to sow.
IF we sow the seed of the word of God we will produce Christians.
If we sow anything else we will reap whatever that is.
IN Matt. 15:9 Jesus said of those who taught “the commandments of
men” that their worship to God was vain.
a.
Another law of nature
involves quantity. It is
certainly true in farming.
Given equal circumstances, he who plants more seeds will reap a greater
harvest than he sows sparingly.
b.
2 Cor. 9:6, a passage in
which Paul is dealing with brethren giving liberally, makes that
observation.
c.
We need to think about
this in all areas. Certainly
we ought to give liberally on the first day of the week as we have
prospered (1 Cor. 16:1).
That is the premise of 2 Cor. 8-9.
d.
But it applies in all
areas – giving of our time, abilities, resources, righteous works, etc.
Just know that God knows what you do (Matt. 25:14-30, Matt.
10:42).
e.
There are many who
profess to be Christians who wonder why they are not happy or see what
is wrong with their lives.
Could it be they are not getting much out of Christianity because they
are not putting much into it?
Christians are called upon to be “always abounding in the work of
the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58)
a.
One thing a farmer
quickly learns is the need for patience.
When you plant a crop, even in the best of circumstances, there
is a period of growth between sowing and harvest.
It takes time for crops.
b.
IT ALSO takes time to
develop as a Christian AND while sowing the seed with others.
Let the seed you have planted take time to germinate and grow.
c.
In studying 2
Corinthians, we find that one reason he delayed a planned visit was to
spare them of immediate wrath.
He wanted them to think about the things he addressed in his
first letter (cf. 2 Cor. 1:23-24).
Patience was needed to give them time to repent (cf. Rev. 2:21)
d.
Jas. 5:7-8 calls for
patience until the coming of the Lord.
Look at the example of the farmer as he waits.
e.
2 Tim. 2:6 – speaks of
“the hardworking farmer must be first to partake of his crops.”
a.
Finally, when we discuss
reaping and sowing, we cannot forget that there is a great day of
harvest coming. It will be a
day when the sheep are separated from the goats.
b.
In Matt. 13:24-30, Jesus
taught the parable of wheat and tares.
In it an enemy sowed tares in a wheat field.
The master instructs his servants to wait until harvest to
separate the good from the bad.
In vs. 37-43 as Jesus explains the parable He equates it to the
judgment day when “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of His
kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and
will cast them into the furnace of fire.” (vs. 42-43)
c.
In Revelation 14:14-16,
gives the vision of a harvest scene in which the Son of Man having a
sharp sickle who reaps the harvest of the ripe earth.
d.
We are told in Acts
17:31 that He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world.
Our goal is to be ready for that harvest.
e.
How do we prepare for
this harvest? By considering
all the other points we have made about sowing and reaping.
Let us
i.
Sow the seed of the word
of God.
ii.
Bountifully & patiently
iii.
Expecting to reap
righteousness
May
each of us seek eternal joy by being part of the harvest of heaven.