Monday, January 11, 2016

Looking Forward to January 17, 2016 -- Seeds Flying

The Scripture Reading this week is Mark 4:1-34

The Sermon title is Wild Oats

Early Thoughts: Who sows seeds like that? Who tosses them around so carelessly that only some land where the growing is good?

I am reminded of a line from 1 Corinthians. Paul is discussing the fact that some in the Corinthian church are followers of Apollos and some of Paul. He says:
6I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. [1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
Is this how the kingdom grows? Not by careful selective planting and pruning and watering but by casting the seed widely and profligately and allowing God to work? It appears so. And it appears that in this process results can exceed expectations (along with the times when results are crushingly disappointing).

So what are we to do?

Shine like a lamp on a lamp stand. Be the seed that produces in abundance. Spread the seed so that God can give growth. All of the above?

At the beginning of the Gospel Jesus announces that the time is now, that the Kingdom is at hand. Given that reality, how can we help but share this good news -- even if not all ears are ready to hear it, even if some of the soil is less than optimal for growth?
--Gord


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