Stumbling Blocks to Sowing

Stumbling Blocks to Sowing

Mt. 13; Mk. 4; Lk. 8

Intro.

A. Review: main point of parable - the soil into which the seed is sown (Lk. 8:11; Mt. 13:19).

The condition of the heart determines its fruitfulness.

B. This lesson - things that interfere with sowing the seed.

 

Body:

A. Danger of false expectations - being disillusioned.

1. Many are discouraged because others do not live up to their expectations.

a. Often, I have given up on someone - then he responds (ought to give up sooner?).

b. Some go into a job - thinking everything is going to proceed well - good business, good helpers, good profit!  But reality may be that it takes time.

c. Some go into marriage with the “Alice in Wonderland” concept - find that is make- believe; not reality.

2. May be discouraged, even to despair - if have false expectations in sowing the seed.

a. Not every ground would receive the seed and two that did, failed to produce fruit.

b. The same happened to Jesus - the master sower (Jn. 6).

c. Multitudes followed (6:2,26) - until the heard “hard sayings” (6:48-60) - even some disciples forsook Him (6:15,66-68).

d. Did Jesus become discouraged and quit teaching?

3. Every sower should expect every seed to produce - but unfruitfulness should not prevent sowing!

4. Labor done for God is never in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). (Working for a gospel meeting is rewarding - even if others are not made better by it.)

a. A postman’s job is to deliver the mail - even junk mail!

b. What if the P.O. told the carrier that since many recipients of the mail had not responded that he was fired!

c. His job - and our’s - is to deliver the mail (word); leave the rest to God.

 

B. Danger of expecting instant success.

1. Jesus was talking about farming - and farmers know that you do not plant in the morning and gather in the evening.

2. The farmer does not quit - if he doesn’t see the seed sprouting the next day.

3. City boy (no farm blood in him) may plant a seed and dig it up every morning to see if it is sprouting. The farm boy knows better.

4. In some things, we can see the result instantly - wash the dishes, clean the house, etc.

5. Other areas - result is not instant - teachers (when asked a student “what did you learn today?” usual answer is “nothing.”) But by the end of the year, he has learned a lot.

6. Physical growth - if you measure every day - not growing - but something happened to those pants that hung in the closet over winter!

7. If you do not see the results - be patient; may never see any - because the soil did not do its part - even though you did your’s.

 

 

C. Danger over discouragement because of controversy.

1. Human beings will have different opinions - some even false opinions.

a. Did Jesus run into controversy while sowing the seed? (Jn. 6:66; Mt. 19)

b. Paul and Barnabas had a difference (Acts 15:37-41).

c. Did Paul meet controversy? (2 Cor. 11:24-28)

2.  Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, often discouraged (Jer. 9:1; 20:9).

a. Brethren can be a good family - much love and support.

b. They also can be the most vicious and hurtful human beings you know - especially in controversy.

3. Be careful in controversy (Eph. 4:15 “speaking truth in love” - if that is not done: wrong even if right in doctrine).

a. Those who do not love truth may be contentious (Jn. 15:18-21).

b. Even brethren may despise the truth (Gal. 4:16).

4. Remember - Jesus and the apostles were ridiculed and discouraged over vicious attacks.

 

E. Danger of self-centered (prideful) attitude.

1. Some want “credit” for everything they do - now! Or they are discouraged - “nobody bragged on me...thanked me...notices what I do.”

2. Nothing wrong with some praise - but remember who we are serving (Col. 3:22-24).

3. In due season - reap “if we do not lose heart” (faint) (Gal. 6:9).

4. Pride is a strange disease - it makes everybody sick, except the one who has it! (Prov. 16:18)

 

Concl.

A. The sower’s job is to sow (like the postman’s job is deliver the mail). Even if people do not respond - you have done your job. Guard against dangers of: false expectations, expecting instant success, discouragement because of controversy, and pride.

B. If others do respond and you experience the joy of seeing the fruit - remember who produced it (1 Cor. 3:5,6).