Anybody out there preach a contemporary service or "Seeker's Service that is pondering this passage for that service? I would appreciate your thoughts. I am placing the emphasis on two things; one is God as the Sower, a lavish farmer, and two is we as the hearer. Thanks, Abi from Huntsville, AL
Thanks for this excellent site which I always find most helpful when I am planning my sermons. Your contributions are generally so inspired. Forgive me for interupting this weeks post but I felt that the worst kind of person to be in last weeks post was an Englishman. The problem is that there is little an English person could say about 4th July. There seems to be a real irony to celebrating independenece fro 17th century English Imperialism when you cannot walk 200 yards in an English town without tripping over a MacDonalds, three quarters of films shown in an English Cinema are made in America, Almost constant aggressive marketting on our TVs is telling us that we don't love our children unless we buy them the latest Disney video and the American president is urging us to be tolerent of IRA terrorists who put a ton and a half of semtex under a nearby shopping centre. England is perhaps, now one of the most passive countries in the world. Our latest action was simply a defence refugees in Kosovo and we are actually happy for any national attachment to claim independence if that is what they vote for. Our history isn't great, I know. However, I think that it is no worst than the American treatment of native indians or black nationals. The only English heroin in the film Titanic, was given an American Accent, and all of the poor immegrents were given Irish accents. What is the underlying structurism in that?
We arn't as rich as America (No country is), or as powerful but that does not give us less of a sense of freedom and justice. We suffer from less national arrogance than other countries. Less spectacular cities mean that we are less likely to host the Olympic games or the world (Soccer) cup. Permit us this small boast: We are better at soccer than the Americans.
The Church is struggling here because it is poorer. The Church of England is suffering with declining congregations and decaying buildings. However, there is a deep sense, here, that God is with the weak and the vulnerable. There is also a powerful revival here of new liberation theologies. Our flag is no longer a symbol of imperialist oppression.
despite the percieved relationship between the English and the Northern Irish, the Church here is applauding the work of Christians over there to build bridges of peace across the great divide. This is not, as much much of America seems to assume, a division between the English and the Irish, but is actually the divide between Northern Irelan protestant loyalists and Northern Ireland Catholic republicans. Neither of these groups are English, yet both of them (Upto the present peace agreement) carry guns. Most English people are happy for Northern Ireland to be devolved if they so wish it, we just don't want the bombing and the shooting to start again.
I am sorry for speaking like this but I am appealing to our fellow Christians in the USA to recognise that they have brothers and sisters over here too. Please don't fall into the same trap as some of your fellow countrymen seem to be doing and using your power to oppress us.
An English brother in Christ!
To A British brother in Christ, I read your posting on July 3,and while I am proud to be an American and made the decision freely as I was blessed with dual citizenship, ( related to being born in career Us Military family). Like you I found myself lost, in the midst of the postings around the American civil holiday.We are just one of many nations under God.
While I enjoy the blessing and benefits of American, life, travel has afforded me the opportunity to see and meet persons in other countries, who share with all Christians regardless of what flags we wave on Holidays.... Tomorrow is also a Holy Day, a day of the sacrament, many of us will pray for God's blessing over the same.....we will extend in our hands, and in our words the invitation of the Lord....
I have never posted on this board before, and do not know if I will ever be led to post again.... but I do want to say to you my British brother, that at least one clergy woman in the United States....heard you cries of love for your church, and the land where you have been placed to minister..... May we undertand in this gospel blessing a Lord, who will extend himself to a community as diverse as the clergy and lay ministers...who come to this site...and the respective communities where we live and serve in his name...that there is invitation in this gospel....from a Lord who says to all of us simply...."come to me"...."learn from me".....I pray we have....I pray we will in the "morrow"
Susan (Of Md/USA and "New Jerusalem")
British brother, You Brits have a lot going for you. I respect you highly. (Don't ever get rid of your monarchy...She/he is the symbol for the entire English-speaking culture.)
As for the readings for this week, my first reaction is that the Gospel reading is "shopworn"; the people have heard it so often. What is there new to say about it? Go over the list again and see who fits in what category? Any of you got any more exciting way to treat this fundamental reading???
Joe from Maine
along the path; rocky soil, among thorns, good soil ... of course down here we could add "red clay."
Is the sermon to be about the sower, or the seed? The interpretation is about the seed, but is that the original intent?
tom in ga
My first though this week has to due "kingdom"..is this more than salvation.
Could a great deal of hating preaching these days be people who hear the word but do not understand and is used by the evil one.
How true the other two. I have seen many that come into the church with such joy and can't do enough before long they burn out. We as pastors are so glade to have a hard worker we ask them to do to much, and not ensure that they a nutured and healed (removing the stones)
The lure of wealth and worldly cares choke out the truth. The kingdom (living by the spirit) and unending wanting for things can not work.
But the good land..oh what prize for us who love to garden. But I have never had good soil with out having to work on it really hard. The soil can not clean itself of rocks and thorns. Others must do it. Are we helping others to clean their rocks and thorns out of their lives. Or do we just through seeds out and feel we have done our jobs.
Thinking out loud, Ron of MS
Greetings to those from other countries who may have felt lost after last's weeks discussion. I would like to say that I love my country, but I love my planet just as much. I guess I'm not as patriotic as some; because I think our emphasis in this day and age (with all the technology at our disposal) should be more and more global. We said a prayer for our country in both of my churches and sang a verse of America the Beautiful, but that was just about it.
Did any of you other Americans out there experience a real slump in attendance today? One of my churches had less that half of its normal attendance. In fact, that particular congregation has been in a real slump ever since the first of June. We just can't seem to ever get everyone there on one Sunday! It's so discouraging! Still, if I knew that our members were engaged in works of service this morning (for the building of the kingdom) I would feel a lot better! What are some things some of you do to counteract that summer-time slump? How do you keep folks from taking a vacation from church and/or God?
As for this week's Gospel, is it just me, or do we preach on this passage an awful lot? Any fresh ideas out there?
Thanks for letting me ramble.
Grace and Peace,
Melanie from NE
Tom in ga Or is the parable about the soils? R.J. in ND
OR is the interpretation about the condition of the soil? Or about the condition of hearing the word? See if the kind or lack of hearing the word is what links the four conditions, kinds, of soil together/ STAN in TN
Daer Friends in Christ,
Daer Friends in Christ,
Daer Friends in Christ,
Dear Friends in Christ I am moving in the direction of soil as well. God has created the seed but we are the soil in which it grows. The soil needs tender care and much labor to keep it in the condition to bear the fruit of the crop. It is our Heavenly Father who provides the rain and the Son to allow germination and sprouting and growth. A powerful messqage when put with the promise of Issaiah 55 that God's word will not return to Him empthy! May you proclamation of the Word be bledded.
RDW in WI
Abi from Huntsville, You can also look at us as the sowers from God. Ones that do not think in safe method of sowing the seeds (the Word). That is like modern day farmers only sow where they know the seed will grow and produce. But God's sowers, sow the Word everywhere. Yes, some will fall where it will not grow, but some might grow where we did not think it would. God's servants know the abundance of the Grace of God and wants to sow it everywhere. But then that is what a Seekers Service is about. Good Luck. RevJCB in NE
I don't know that this is a NEW idea about the text, but what about focusing on the the amazing harvest from the good soil. The sower seems to be spending seeds where there is no hope of harvest, and yet in the end the harvest is many multiples of the seed--more multiples that one could expect!
It seems to me that the part of the text that is an explanation of the parable, really doesn't require a lot more explanation. The miracle is in the harvest.
What I AM troubled about is the portion that is omitted in the middle of the passage. Now there are some real difficult ideas. What do you each do in your own mind, if not for preaching, with the parts that the lectionary choses to ignore? Do we have to always "protect" our congregations from diffculties, or "too long" a passage?
Sara In GR, MI
I belive that this parable is for the sower. The sower is not tobe selective, but sow the Word to all of God's people. Much of it will never grow to fruition, but have faith. If we faithfully sow, there will be a harvest!
Ryan Hetzer rhetzer@ncweb.com
Sara,
You ask an excellent question. You've expressed very nicely a problem with the lectionary that I sometimes have.
I especially think that the ommitted text is appropriate for the 'hearers' in the pulpits as well as the pews.
Verse 15 (NIV) is a passage screaming to be preached today: "For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them."
What is it today that the pulpits (and thus the pews follow) have turned their eyes and ears to? To the deconstruction (and ensuing destruction) of God's truth in Scripture, to that which itching ears want to hear, to that which is soothing and comforting, to that which can no longer be distinguished from the current culture, to myths, to falsehoods, to politically correct but theological incorrect doctrines and heresies.
And then we wonder why it is that harvest is less than plentiful, that the workers are few, and the produce so scarce.
We need to turn to be healed, we need to re-apply God's word to the callouses of our hearts, callouses caused by the constant rubbing against that which dis-pleases God.
And it needs to start in many of our main-line pulpits, where psycho babble is preached rather than God's Word, where grace must be balanced by the acknowledgement of God's holiness and His judgment, where sin must be called sin and not excused as genetic pre-dispositions, wrong upbringing, and chemical imbalances.
Only then will the Church experience the healing that Christ speaks of in verse 15. Only then will rocky and thorny ground be turned into fertile receptive soil where God's seed will sprout and produce productively.
It is time God's people become the people of God and not the people of this culture. Preach Grace, of course, but not cheap grace. Preach love, absolutely, but not love as the world defines it, but the love that Scripture defines, love that will cost you, love that is steeped in obedience, love whose motivation is the creator of love, Jesus Christ Himself.
C'mon, Desperate Preachers, set aside the psychology, the superficiality of feel-good preaching, and preach God's Word as His Son did. Preach the Good News, remind them of the bad news, raise the expectations, remind them of the obligations, till the soil, remove the rocks and thorns, and watch His people come alive in the Spirit!
Rick in Va
I see this text as a caution to those who hear the Word and allow the realities of this world to rob them of the full joy of being in fellowship with God, but I also see a warning to those preachers who intentionally select where they will offer the Word. The challenge, as I encounter it, is to both proclaim and bear witness to Gods love in all that we do. Our task is not just simply to preach but to become the living reminder of God's grace in our everyday lives. We may never know in whose heart, the Word will take root! For some people, the average Christian may be the only Gospel they will ever hear. Say, what is the Gospel according to you?
AWG, rocky coast of Maine
Hello again after a long hiatus. Illness and treatment have infringed on my time and will again for a while. But I'm still preaching whenever I can. I'm thinking about moving out from Jesus' talking about his own sowing of the seed and his extension of that analolgy to the disciples, to talking about what we as Christians expect to find when we offer Jesus' word and way to others. Do we expect that everyone we meet will have an enthusiastic and enduring conversion experience on the spot? How do we set ourselves up for failure by thinking if we just find the right button, the pews will be filled. How do we treat each other within the church? Do we understand that different soils bear different fruit. Do any of the people whose forte is keeping the physical plant together have it in for the creative types who keep the church alive if not spotless? Just early musings on a Tuesday morning.
Rick, as always I'm impressed with your passion; tolerance and compassion are nice qualities, too.
Jane in Lenox
Hello again after a long hiatus. Illness and treatment have infringed on my time and will again for a while. But I'm still preaching whenever I can. I'm thinking about moving out from Jesus' talking about his own sowing of the seed and his extension of that analolgy to the disciples, to talking about what we as Christians expect to find when we offer Jesus' word and way to others. Do we expect that everyone we meet will have an enthusiastic and enduring conversion experience on the spot? How do we set ourselves up for failure by thinking if we just find the right button, the pews will be filled. How do we treat each other within the church? Do we understand that different soils bear different fruit. Do any of the people whose forte is keeping the physical plant together have it in for the creative types who keep the church alive if not spotless? Just early musings on a Tuesday morning.
Rick, as always I'm impressed with your passion; tolerance and compassion are nice qualities, too.
Jane in Lenox
Hello again after a long hiatus. Illness and treatment have infringed on my time and will again for a while. But I'm still preaching whenever I can. I'm thinking about moving out from Jesus' talking about his own sowing of the seed and his extension of that analolgy to the disciples, to talking about what we as Christians expect to find when we offer Jesus' word and way to others. Do we expect that everyone we meet will have an enthusiastic and enduring conversion experience on the spot? How do we set ourselves up for failure by thinking if we just find the right button, the pews will be filled. How do we treat each other within the church? Do we understand that different soils bear different fruit. Do any of the people whose forte is keeping the physical plant together have it in for the creative types who keep the church alive if not spotless? Just early musings on a Tuesday morning.
Rick, as always I'm impressed with your passion; tolerance and compassion are nice qualities, too.
Jane in Lenox
Jane in Lenox,
Know that I have prayed for you, for your family and for your doctors. I hope your illnes is short-lived and that you will soon be preaching what God desires you to preach.
God's blessings,
Rick in Va
Brother Brit: Thanks for the perspective. I was spinning around my own version of last week's text: "What did you come here to see, a flag blowing in the breeze? This generation is like children standing along the parade route, crying to each other, 'We played the national anthem, and you did not remove your hat.'" Tom in GA (say hi to my kinfolks): I'm intrigued by your suggestion that the message is about the sower (I assume you mean God, but perhaps not). I'm trying to get my brain around what the implications of that would be. Sara: I agree that the lectionary is a flawed preaching method, and so there are times when I will do a sermon series (the Lord's Prayer, the book of Joshua, etc.) that strays from the lectionary. But then, if no lectionary, DPS would have to have a very complicated site! I am struck by the image of us as the seeds, for it is not our works which give us growth--the seed cannot change its soil--but it is God's grace that "gives the growth." (A little Paul, eh?) May God bless our faithful preaching. The Southside Vicar (in exile)
I missed last week's postings because I was on vacation in Canada (eh?) -- enjoyed Canada Day on July 1 with the Canadians and went to worship at a United Church of Canada congregation. The most moving moment of all for me was when we said the Lord's Prayer. I felt connected to all of God's people everywhere as we prayed together.
But...about the present text: I'm doing a 4 week series on "Seeds of Greatness" (title borrowed from a 1983 book by Dennis Waitley) since following lectionary texts present similar motifs. The image of sowing, planting and reaping still works even for this generation...and is very powerful.
But Why do we think we have to identify the sower, the seed or the soil? The beauty of this parable n(and all of Jesus' parables) is that it speaks and works on many levels -- the power is in the telling of the parable, and not in the explanation. Why not leave the people with their own questions...and let them ponder them and pray about them. I know that's hard for me to do -- I want to "teach" and explain (to force the harvest, as it were)- but I'm going to try to just proclaim and present the gospel this Sunday and leave the results to the Lord of the Harvest. Happy Sowing, RevKK
I missed last week's postings because I was on vacation in Canada (eh?) -- enjoyed Canada Day on July 1 with the Canadians and went to worship at a United Church of Canada congregation. The most moving moment of all for me was when we said the Lord's Prayer. I felt connected to all of God's people everywhere as we prayed together.
But...about the present text: I'm doing a 4 week series on "Seeds of Greatness" (title borrowed from a 1983 book by Dennis Waitley) since following lectionary texts present similar motifs. The image of sowing, planting and reaping still works even for this generation...and is very powerful.
But Why do we think we have to identify the sower, the seed or the soil? The beauty of this parable n(and all of Jesus' parables) is that it speaks and works on many levels -- the power is in the telling of the parable, and not in the explanation. Why not leave the people with their own questions...and let them ponder them and pray about them. I know that's hard for me to do -- I want to "teach" and explain (to force the harvest, as it were)- but I'm going to try to just proclaim and present the gospel this Sunday and leave the results to the Lord of the Harvest. Happy Sowing, RevKK
RevKK,
Didn't Jesus explain this parable? So... shouldn't we, using Christ's explanation as the standard?
Musing,
Rick in Va
I'm all for explaining (or is it interpreting?) the parable, and the beauty of the parable, for the ones that work on many levels, is that we get to preach it again in three years. This year, focus on the seed. Next time, the soil. Third time, the sower. Or do all three and be trinitarian...
A new wrinkle for our community: we had a racist/religionist shooting here the other night; a white supremacist killed a black minister in front of his church, a Korean in front of his church, and an Orthodox Jew in front of his synagogue. The kid grew up here, in well-to-do suburbia, ala Columbine. There's something about being sown among the thorns of the world, but I'm not sure what. Again, the seed can't exactly change soils, but perhaps can be open to being replanted? But then again, there are those seeds that remain in the thorns or on the rocky ground. This is not a message of universal salvation, clearly. But what is the good news (and the hard news) for the people of this community?
The more I read it, though, I find it very hard to understand that we are the sowers. The parable that follows immediately upon this one is the wheat and the weeds, where the "Son of Man" is the sower. We are not the ones who sow the seeds, from my reading.
Southside Vicar in exile
July 6
I intend to preach on soil and tillers of the soil -The word is sown abroad and it falls in many places - if you've ever done broacast seeding you know how this happens. It is not intentional to waste the seed, but the simple fact is that not all of it lands in the best spots.
The condition of soil largely determines if the seed will grow and produce. Soil can't do anything to help itself it just is what it is. As was stated above, the garden won't clean itself of rocks and thorns, but the gardeners can do that.
I see a neat connection between this text and Isaiah 55. In this poetry first, v10, the rain goes out and waters the earth bringing growth and harvest.
Then in a parallel verse God's Word goes out and accomplishes its purpose. In the next verse the people of God go out in joy and return in peace to the praise of creation. In v14 the weeds are gone and all creatiion points to the Lord.
Clearly in these verses the people of God who go out are the agents of God's Word, through whom God accomplishes his purposes. We are those people.
We are soil - totally dependant, but we are also tillers of the soil - sowing and nurturing God's Word on other soils. If there seems to be lots of stones and thorns around perhaps we need to get busy - busy at producing those 30, 60 and 100 fold yields. God's peace, Jeff in NY
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: While I was sitting here brainstorming for this passage and coming up with the usual sower/seed analogies, I had an idea (you folks can decide if its inspired or insipid!) I think I may try to focus on the times when we may be the birds, the baking sun and the thorns. Just a "seed" of an idea now, I'll have to see how it "germates" the rest of the week. Seriously, I am thinking of tying it in with Isaiah, in how we can either be the thorns or go out in joy so that cypress will sping forth. I may adapt the Isaiah reading to fit as a call to worship. Just Musings right now. And thanks to all who share on this site. I have found this site very helpful for different insights and variations on looking at the scripture passsages as I am in my first pulpit supply position. Peace and Grace of God to all: Debbie in Maine
I have decided to pose some of the questions mentioned above to the gathered congregation in an interactive sermon. I am always delighted at the different tact that folks take. It becomes a shared learning session for all of us. The richness of a metaphor is in the various ways of looking at it.
I have done this format before but I have not heard of many others who have tried it, especially in a mainline Church. Would love to hear from anyone who has tried this or to hear any potential questions not yet included.
AWG rocky coast of Me.
I'm liking the idea of letting the text speak for itself. Reminds me of Barbara Brown Taylor's book "When God is Silent", her point being that we live is such a "wordy" culture that words are devalued, making it very hard to be a preacher of The Word and be "hearable". Sometimes we should stand back and be silent, indicating that our words aren't going to do it. Our racket may obstruct a word from God. So how to preach silently? Read the text (maybe without the included explanation). Short silence. Read the text more slowly from a different translation. Longer silence. Read the text still more slowly from a third translation. Long silence. Read the original translation. Sit down. Don't do anything for a while. (Give everyone a packet of seeds?)
Or I'd like to hear more about how the "interactive" sermon is done in detail. Can it include silence?
Sara in GR,MI
Dear Southside Vicar-
Whoa! What a tremendous shock to your community! I would like to look up the news accounts. Tolerance needs to be taught. (I know, there's more to it than that!) When next i find myself led to preach on tolerance -- something like this might be an example to use. Anyway, you all are in our prayers -- where are you?
HW in HI
Is there not simply a mystery here?
The Word becomes flesh, God becomes man, the seed is buried, some in good soil, thorny soil, the path way, etc. The Word is received differently. The way it is received is a mystery. God's grace continues to fill us with abundance; however some of us see only scarcity. Why can't some of us see or experience the God of love? What are my expectations? How do my expectations get in the way of just welcoming the seed? There is a mystery of iniquity which continues to inform our lives.
tom in ga
It has always struck me, with this passage, that the tendencey is for us to think of ourselves as the good soil--the soil the word has stuck in. And as a result, we must help to spead the Word to others and not be discouraged, just keep sowing on.
But is it not the case that we, ourselves, are all the different kinds of soils at some time or another in our lives? Do we not hear Jesus' words and not understand? Do we not hear Jesus' words and then respond quickly, only to give up when serving is no longer joy for us? Do we not hear Jesus' word to us but get discouraged by the weeds, cares, and burdens around us and wither? And do we not hear Jesus' word and sometimes REALLY get it and we grow in our faith?
How can we make ourselves better soil--more receptive to God's word through Jesus Christ and sustained through the power of the Holy Spirit? How can we till, fertilize, and prepare our ground so that we will increase in our faith, in our understanding of our triune God, in our love for one another?
I believe it is hard, threatening, and frightening to ask ourselves, What kind of soil am I. For it is then that we must examine ourselves, and seek where we are lacking and ask God to help us. TEEK
As I am preparing this, my next-to-last sermon of my current interim position, I am thinking of asking the folks to consider three questions: What has the Sower planted during the last year? What kind of soil have they been? What needs to added to make the soil a more fertile ground? This church is an OLD New England church which prizes stability. Hence, growth and change are very slow. The first tendrils of renewed life are only beginning to show, and some (including me?) are a bit discouraged.
The "good news" for me is that there is always time to amend the soil and that with God's help, amazing things happen. Talk about Miracle Grow!
Laura in CT
Thanks for the reminder about mystery. We all need a healthy dose of it once in a while!
A little more on our situation here. I believe it has been some national news, too. Benjamin Smith, member of the Worldwide Church of the Creator, killed two and wounded nine on a two state shooting spree that began in suburban Chicago (where I am) and ended near Peoria, IL. He was raised on our suburb, went to our high school, signed his yearbook "Sic Semper Tyrannis" (from John Wilkes Booth), and joined the Rev. Matt Hale's church. The victims of his shootings were both race-oriented and religiously-oriented. He shot six Orthodox Jews leaving synagogue, a Korean man in front of his church (he waited for church services to get out), an African-American pastor, among others. He eventually killed himself, as has become the fashion on killing sprees of late.
I would like to talk about the false teachings of his "church," but their website has been shut down because of the shootings. Does anyone know what their teachings are? Or does anyone have any thoughts on these seeds that have been sown? What strikes me about this event is not the singular nature of it, but rather that it doesn't happen more often. We, as the church, are aware of the world of sin. And yet we are too often shocked by these events. But God is gracious nonetheless, and therein lies the mystery.
Sout'Side Vicar
I too am bothered by the killings in the midwest. The misguided killer waited for a Korean student to leave his church in Bloomington, IN where my son and daughter go to Indiana University. My son tells me he had a racist document left on his door that he recognizes from the news reports. Evil comes in many forms, including the perversion of the Christian message of the love of Christ for the world. I have seen the seeds of the Gospel stunted and twisted. Ears have not heard what Jesus has said. Can I keep my ears open? I wonder how guilty I also am of this. Tomorrow I must take my son to see an oncologist. I am fearful and filled with the cares of the world. Can my enthusiasm for the Gospel sink deep roots beyond the barriers that would stunt my rootedness in the power of God? I can understand that not all soils (souls) are ready to receive the seed at this time. Yet there is hope because the harvest produced is beyond all normal calculation. I have received the good news. If I am called to help sow, then I remember that other unlikely appearing soil may be ready now and I will sow the good seed where ever I can. Others are also fearful. Others are also eager to hear words of hope and guidance. We are not all alike, but we have all been created by the one true God. Some who do not receive the Good News I must leave to the judgment of God. I am in a new church situation and have not made my thoughts known to DPS before. Thank you to everyone who contributes. You have been helpful to me. Gil in IN
Some at least partly-conencted thoughts after reading many insightful posts (for me ecpecially, Debbie in ME, Tom in GA, Southside Vicar)
--the context: Jesus is addressing a "great crowd." He knows they are not all there for the same reason. Some are curious, some loyal, some spying for his enemies, some scouting a potential rival or ally, some because they live/work there, some out of boredom, some desperate for a word of hope, some in need of healing and willing to try anything, some seeking a political messiah, some running away from their problems elsewhere, some not sure why, some disenchanted but not yet despairing, some because they like the way he looks, some come to go swimming/fishing, some just passing by...i.e., a lot like the Sunday morning bunch in the pews.
-- Their mixed motives yield mixed attitudes that lead to mixed responses; some of them are like the well-worn path, and others are the birds; some will be "rocky soil," some will be "weeds," and some will be "good soil." Chances are, from week to week they/we/you/me will be one or more, exchanging roles. Perhaps acting several roles at once. Sometimes rocky, at other times weedy, and occasionaly (bless those times) rich and fetile and productive. Loamy.
--The Christian life, it seems to me, is much about coming to terms with this reality, and helping others come to terms with it. Maybe this is why grace is so important. And tolerance. And community. And love. And witness. In a world full of ideas, including hate-mongers and anarchists, a healthy, empathic dose of reality/seeing that sometimes we aren't always that good soil either (but CAN BE, through and in Christ can ALWAYS BE, no matter how many screw-ups in the past) is the best we can hope for. Certainly in a dark place of indifference or apathy, this--which seems a such small light--is a glaring beacon. Perhaps. Again, it's a matter of perspective.
Jesus on the cross, hoisted high above any good soil on a rocky hillside, with birds waiting to devour, must've seemed pretty dark at the time.
--in another (related?) parable of mustard seed, Jesus compares God's Realm (favorably) with a weed. Mustard was a real threat and a pest to subsistence-level farmers..i.e, to most of the people. Hmm..God's world is like a weed? We are to be like weeds? Even weeds are useful, beautiful, redeemable?
--God always has the last word...even if we aren't listening. Even if we aren't ABLE to hear.
--Barry in OH
Hello there, all you N.T. scholars. Do you take the time to read the O.T. contributions. Your input would be helpful there too, if you wouldn't mind. Isn't there a connection again with these texts around the grace of God? Why do we more easily or readily acknowledge the hand of the editor/interpreter in the Gospels than in the stories of Abe/Sarah, Isaac/Rebecca and Jacob. I always appreciate the help this site gives. Deke of the North
Is hte parable about the seed or about the soil? I see the seed as God's word. Therefore, that is hte constant. The variable is where the seed falls-- the soil. My father worked for an internaitonal seed company that guaranteed a 99.9% germination rate IF the farmer followed the instructions for planting. If the seed did not grow, it was not the seed's fault. If God's word falls on fertile soil it will grow. But if it does not grow, it is not the word's fault, rather the blame lies in the condition of the heart(soil). I hope to get my congregation to examine their "soil" from that viewpoint. Emet Huntsman, Pastor Oak Meadow U.M.C. San Antonio, TX
What is the fruit that is so fruiful? How do we define that, or can we? Mark in Va.
Thanks Debbie in Maine. Very creative idea. I am struck by the incredible abundance, even almost "wastefulness" of God!(don't get stuck on that word...I know it was flippant) Throwing seed every-which-way, almost joyfully. I visualize the Sewer with a basket leaping and jumping with thejoy of the seed being sown. This Sower doesn't worry about where the seed will land or if it will bear fruit. This Sower just offers it and lets it happen. We worry so much about our audience, our hearers, our methods. Just toss the seed out there and see what takes! There's plenty of it to go around. Sophie in Fla.
Furthermore, what is the "logos?" The message of reconciliation of humanity with God through Jesus Christ? The scripture as it bears witness to that reconciliation? The "ethical teachings" of Jesus, as far as we have them in the Gospels?
A little more about abundance: Just as it's not up to me (as preacher) how or if another receives the word, it is just up to me to proclaim it. So it is not for any faithful disciple to worry or wonder if his or her life of faith makes a difference in the world. It's just up to each to be faithful and by words and deeds to proclaim the goodness of God's love and God's kingdom.
The seed of the word of the Kingdom of God is abundant also in faithfulness. For even if you and I do not proclaim or live it, God will find ways to cast the Word upon the world. For it is God's nature to love with abundance, to embrace with forgiveness, to be present in all the world, even among the stony and thorny places where so many of us live. Therefore, celebrate...
Sophie in Fla.
Great discussion, what about illustrations? Are we boring our congregations with too much theological language and not enough good illustrations that makes the Word of God come alive?
Love, Paula in beautiful FL
I think it is too shop worn to preach again on God's people as the various kinds soil. What about God's people as the sewers. We are called to be workers in the field. That includes sewing the seeds. My sermon is titled "Make every seed count." You know, with agricultural technology today, we can not only do many things to prepare the soil. We can optimize seed varieties for the soil we are going to plant in. We don't do much good reaching secular people these days by preaching heaven and hell. But we can reach them by opening with our personal witness about our personal relationship with Jesus. That's selecting the seed variety that best suits the soil. No, the gospel doesn't change, and never will. This doesn't water it down at all. It picks an angle of it that can appeal to people who see hell as where they are living today and heaven as an irrelevant, dream fantasy. Those people are desparately seeking something that will help them part the mists and figure out how they can reliably get from sunup today to sunup tomorrow. They are hungry, and yearning to be fed. But they won't bite on the heaven/hell food. RevBill
For a year I have preached the ideas and prayed the requests you have posted on this site. Thank you, brothers and sisters.
Like Paula, I too would like to see more sermon illustrations. Also, like Deke, I find the relatively low volume of discussion over the Old Testament passages disheartening. (Not really; I'm just an Old Testament scholar with an inferiority complex.) Having stated this, let me offer my thoughts (no illustrations, mind you) on this N.T. passage.
My thoughts deal more with the structure of the sermon than its content. I don't have the discipline to preach about just one aspect of this parable and wait three years to preach the others, so my sermon will emphasize our roles as the soil, the sower, and (thanks to Debbie) the seed-killers.
Fred Craddock's style works perfectly here. 1. What is this parable about? 2. God's ability to create a miraculous harvest? "Maybe." 3. Our need to be good soil? "Sounds good." 4. Our need to be joyful sowers? "Quite possibly." 5. Our need to be on guard against preventing the growth of God's word in other people? "I don't know, but we'd better be careful!"
Now, let me ask two questions of DPS. 1. I truly believe that one of the true purposes of this parable is to exhort us not to be discouraged when our ministry falls on deaf ears. Hence, we should, in fact, be "joyful sowers" throwing the seed wherever we can. (I have to use the alternative spelling; "joyful sewers" conjures up pictures of happy sewage pipes.) However, I wonder whether Matthew 7:6 contradicts this interpretation: "Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and maul you." This verse has always been an enigma to me. 2. What is an interactive sermon? One time someone said "Amen" in the middle of my sermon. Did that make it interactive?
P.S. Got carried away and forgot to sign off.
Steve in the Deep South
God sows the seed equally aomong all persons. What kind of soil are you?
Do you not understand? Then what is the church doing to help you?
Are you initially enthusuastic, then when trouble or work comes, you get bored or don't want to spend the time, effort or money?
Do you know what to say or do, but not willing to risk?
Or are you producing fruit? How is the world, the community, your family, the people around you better because of you? What has changed because of you?
Perhaps a way to get an angle on the text is to ask if this were to be a one point sermon, what would the point be. For me that centers on hearing or listening. The version above (what is it by the way) I think says "anyone with ears, listen" that is a call or confrontation, or challenge. Most folks have ears. The parable starts with "listen, a sower ... In the part the lectionary leaves out, Jesus talks about the how blessed are the disciples eyes and ears for seeing and hearing. What strikes me about all this, is how your listening to the parabale in this way or that, trying to figure out what's he's saying, and then bang, he's saying everyone with ears, listen. All of a sudden you've been thrown a seed. So maybe the parable isn't just about seeds, maybe it is a seed.
A couple of stories that relate to listening though there pretty old. President FDR was tired of the usual smiling and empty talk at receptions. In a reception line smiled and said, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." Nobody noticed, only saying "how nice, good job, etc. Except one foreign diplomat who responded, "I'm sure she had it coming to her!" (Have no idea whether it's true, but makes a good intro to listening theme.)
Recent widower who gave instructions to the stonemason who was preparing a tombstone for his late wife. He said: "I want you to write "rest in peace" on both sides, and if there is enough room, "we shall meet again." You guessed it, the stone read "Rest in peace on both sides, and if there is enough room, we shall meet again." Could be used to point out the problem in listening, but also suggests there is room for all who have ears to hear.
TA in TX
Brain (grain) storm ideas for this passage Paul Stookey's great song goes something like "INCH BY INCH row by row Gonna watch this garden grow. All it takes is a rake and hoe and a piece of fertile ground."
Here's an original if anyone wants to use it.
"One man went to sow, went to sow and spread O, One man with his grain - lots! He went to sow and spread O."
"Some fell on the path On the path's dry bed O, Birds would eat it up - quick! Off the path's dry bed O"
Some fell on rocky ground, Never did get fed O. Roots not deep enough - No! Soon they were dead O.
Some fell in the thorns, In the thorns you dread O. Plants were choked, had no hope, That's a fate to dread O.
Some found fertile soil Just like the sower said O. They will grow and grow. Yes! They'll end up in the bread O.
Good news is to spread, Don't keep it in your head O God will bless your harvest seed Way over a hun-dred O.
Peter Oliver
My apologies ahead of time for writing before I've read your posts - but on-line time here in the UK seems to add up expensively . . I have two questions: If God is the Sower, who are we as preachers . . the soils? Or somehow the preparers of the soil . . in ourselves and our congregation? Second, how does the soil become a good soil, who does the preparation of the soil? kbc from sc but spending six wonderful weeks preaching in eight teriffic Methodist chapels in N.Yorkshire
The assumption that all seed is meant by God to germinate and grow is, I think Jesus is saying, faulty.
Some seeds don't make it. That's a fact of life. Even when seed does fall upon "good" ground (or is so planted), it is up to God to provide the climatic conditions under which such seed flourishes.
Bottom line in this story for me is the good news that it is not all our responsibility. We are in a joint endeavor -- God is the creator of the seed, God provides all kinds of soils, and God is responsible for the wind, sun and water. Our part is, therefore, relatively minimal, yes?
Special to Melanie in NE and Laura in CT: you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have a helpful book or two which I have used in circumstances variously similar to what you are expressing. If you'd like them, email at ajbird@yahoo.com.
Peace to all,
AJ
AJ,
I agree with much of what you said about our part being minimal, but I struggle with how that idea seems to contradict Christ's own command to go and make disciples...
I don't think we should be complacent but I do think we should be completely aware that it is God who draws folks unto Himself, and we are merely His tools to accomplish that.
I guess our biggest job as a tool is to be ready and available to be used...
Rick in Va
Not to through a curve ball at the last minute, but there is a concern:
It is true that the interpretation of the parable deals with the soil; but the parable itself deals only with the sower. Look at the patience and persistence of the sower - continues to sow, doesn't worry about where the seed falls. This is very different than me - I want the seed always to fall on good soil; I get mad and impatient and sometimes resentful when the seed falls on hard or shallow soil. Ofcourse, it is my interpretation, and not God's. What is good soil, those who like ME; what is bad soil, those who don't like ME. So you see even this preacher is a sinner.
tom in ga
On my sabattical (spelled "vacation") the major thing God seemed to be saying to me was: "stop trying so hard; stop being so responsible for everyone's response to the gospel." Perhaps some of you are on target...that is, as the living word speaks to me (sometimes it's the soil metaphor, sometimes its the seed metaphor, sometimes it's another aspect...) through you and through the scriptures it's like an affirmation of what I have sensed the spirit saying to me. So, sow the word-seed joyfully and abundantly and do not hold back; but don't be over responsible for the results. A mystery? Yes. God just loves them. We seem to despise them. We want ANSWERS! RESULTS! LOGIC. At least, sometimes that is me. And I get weary in my "well doing." Whew. Let those who have ears hear. Some helpful comments this week. I'm glad to be back. Oh -- about illustrations, I get a weekly e-mail of good illustrations from Brett Blair over at www.sermonillustrations.com. You might want to check Brett's site out if you haven't already. RevKK
On my sabattical (spelled "vacation") the major thing God seemed to be saying to me was: "stop trying so hard; stop feeling so responsible for everyone's response to the gospel." Perhaps some of you are on target...that is, as the living word speaks to me (sometimes it's the soil metaphor, sometimes its the seed metaphor, sometimes it's another aspect...) through you and through the scriptures the discussion this week has been like an affirmation of what I have sensed the spirit saying to me. So, sow the word-seed joyfully and abundantly and do not hold back; but don't be over responsible for the results. A mystery? Yes. God just loves them. We seem to despise them. We want ANSWERS! RESULTS! LOGIC! INTERPRETATION!EXPLANATION. At least, sometimes that is my reaction. And as a result, I get weary in my "well doing." Whew. Let those who have ears hear. Some helpful comments this week. I'm glad to be back. Oh -- about illustrations, I get a weekly e-mail of good illustrations from Brett Blair over at www.sermonillustrations.com. You might want to check Brett's site out if you haven't already. RevKK
Here's another angle to consider. While the interpretations that we have all offered here are the ones that I have learned and preached for years, what if we "update" the parable to a more current context? God is Sower/Gardener and intends that all of the seed should grow and bear fruit (the Gospel). At the same time, he knows that may not happen -- in part because of the soil, birds, sun, etc.
What if we are the seed? God's intention is for us to "bloom where we are planted" (to borrow from the Benedictines). Some persons live in a wide variety of environs, yet the intent is for all of the seeds to grow. To the original listeners the soils may have been the key to this parable. For many of our congregants the challenge is to accept God's espectation for our "seed-life"; i.e., taking responsibility for our callings and ministries instead of using the soil, birds, etc. as excuses. God (the Sower/Gardener) has promised to be with us always, wherever we are planted. Keep in mind that the Sower/Gardener's care is additionally important in that our seeds might be blown, washed to another area/soil during our lifetimes. (Tongue-in-cheek: the theological implications of being eaten by a bird, carried elsewhere and deposited to grow in another place are interesting, though perhaps best left unpreached :-) -see Matt. 6:26...
Sorry, the seed angle is humbly offered by therevvv
I intend to preach about the way Jesus is teaching. Not only does Jesus preach outdoors, but He uses images that people are familiar with. This is not a theological debate, but a common sense, understandable message told in the form of a story.
The congregation I am serving wants to grow, but they do not want to do the work neccessary to cause the growth. They do not think they know enough to talk to others about God. Jesus teaches us two things in this parable: first, get outside where the people who need to hear the message are, and secondly, you don't have to be a theologian to talk about God or God's kingdom. Use things you know to illustrate God's love and grace.
I also like the idea that, like the sower, we do not have total control. We spread the seeds and see what happens.
Jerry in Ohio
A few comments/reactions to the discussion so far:
Pheme Perkins writes in "Hearing the Parables of Jesus": "[This] parable is about the seed and not the sower....Jesus' parable might be said to counter the pessimism inherent in the common use of [this] image....It deliberately catalogues every possible adversity and then says, 'Now look how great the harvest is despite that!'" (pp. 78, 81).
The interpretations of the parable in the gospels are not from Jesus, but from the gospel authors, each of whom has a slightly different allegorical take on the parable.
The "Garden Song" is sung by Paul Stookey, but was written and composed by David Mallett, originally from Dover-Foxcroft, Maine (where the soil is decidedly not the best!).
Possible illustration: years ago, when I was a student pastor in Maine, I worked hard to amend the heavy clay soil in the parsonage back yard so I could have a fruitful garden (brought in sand, seaweed, chicken manure, worked it all in by hand). One year, we had to dig a drainage ditch from a corner of the basement. After I planted zucchini seeds in the garden soil over which I had labored mightily, I dug a few hills in the clay hillocks beside the drainage ditch and deposited the leftover zucchini seeds. Sure enough, the zucchini in the unamended clay produced as abundantly as the zucchini in the garden. (Footnote: after I left my student parish, my successor had no interest in a garden. We drove by one day and noticed a marvelous crop of weeds in the former garden.)
To Jane in Lenox: glad you're back, hope your health continues to improve.
To VicarJane in Lenox: greetings from southern California!
Doug in Riverside
Isn't this about God's generosity in the midst of a world (mostly) hardened to the Word. That God just simply continues to give, give, give his seed, his word to us ... No matter the response, no matter how faithful, no matter how full of iniquity we are, God does not cease to restore us to himself. His generosity overfloweth and even the most difficult places are give a chance.
Or are we to speak judgmentally about soils (after all they can't help what they are) !
tom in ga
To GIl in In, I'm praying that all works out well with your son on his visit to the oncologist. Its not always easy to keep the faith especially when we are facing big challenges and diseases that have traditionally been without much hope. Oncologists are treating many kinds of cancers with much success. I pray that fear will not rob you of staying close to your faith and that whatever it is you face that you will find the good soil of love will keep you rooted and hopeful. God's blessings and peace with you and your son and your family. Nina in the North
Friends on the DPS community, please note my request in the prayer area of this site. In Him, timothy in ga.
Friends on the DPS community, please note my request in the prayer area of this site. In Him, timothy in ga.
Friends on the DPS community, please note my request in the prayer area of this site. In Him, timothy in ga.
Gil in IN; Always looking for those IN persons. Come visit me at http://home.earthlink.net/godsfamily. I am in prayer for your family. I wondered if I might possibly already know you? Let me know.
Thanks to rhetzer and Southside Vicar, along with many others. Are we not all Seed, Soil, and Sower? Sometimes even when we do not want to be? Aren't some who we do not want to be also all three? (Trinitarian?-duh!) Think about this; has Benjamin Smith been a sower? A seed? Soil? I am sure you will find ways he has been all three. If you can do the work of the devil and be all three, don't you think as a Christian we had best work at being all three? WILDLY SOWING SEEDS: That is my Sunday sermon title. That is just one aspect of what Ben Smith has done. O LORD, may Christians be as successful as Ben Smith was. But our seeds, O God, they shall be yours. Oh, by the way, look up that grand old hymn, "Bringing In The Sheaves." Joy! Joy! Joy! pastordon in IN
So often this reading is taken as an opportunity to drive home the idea that everyone should be paying attention during mass and not dreaming of whether it will be a plain glazed donut after mass or a chocolate iced donut after mass. But I am thinking of going about it a bit differently because of the knee-jerk reaction that I find in myself when I read this passage of wanting to say, "see Jesus is telling you to wake up, and pay attention to the word of God!" I am planning on talking about how each and every one of us already lives out the word of God, in different and often very little ways that we might not have ever noticed before. Through this I am hoping that people will stop obsessing over the type of donut that is outside, and begin to think about the little times when the word of God has born fruit in their lives. Yet in a sneaky way also challenge them by mentioning ways in which many aren't living the word in those little times.
Just a thought....
Jeff P. TX
Just an extraneous thought on soil:
Here in North Dakota they let the soil rest every few years. It's called summer fallow. They don't plant anything there, they just do what they can to keep the weeds down.
I'm an Iowan by birth, and we don't do that much there. So the concept of "summer fallow" is new to me (at least in practice). But I got to thinking about summertime and how it is often the time in our lives where we "rest" (our soil). Though we still need to keep the weeds down.
It's just a different angle. It might be good fodder for someone.
Tigger in ND
The more I read, the more I become convinced that Ben Smith's shootings were not simply racially motivated, but were also religious in nature--Orthodox Jews, a crowd of Korean Christians, an African-American Christian Pastor. The founder of the World "Church" of the "Creator" (quotations mine) considered Christianity a "suicidal religion" with no future. And so, false seeds HAVE been sown.
But the religious nature of this whole incident, in the context of this passage, strikes me this way: this "church" had received some religious teaching, but just enough to be dangerous and manipulative. God's Word fell on poisoned soil, and was twisted by the weeds of the world. This was not simply an attack on diversity and tolerance. This was an attack on God's Word as well.
And so--as many have already said--we strive to preach God's Word, praying that the soil will be healed and readied. And because God is gracious, there is always good soil somewhere.
Thanks for all of your help.
S.S. Vicar (not the ship)
As a layperson and first-timer to contribute to this site, I am intrigued by the idea of the different soils (particularly the garden soil). It is wondrous to me that Mary Magdalene supposed Christ to be the gardener at the tomb. What do you all think of this? Could this be a connection for a sermon? Forgive my naivite, I'm just thrilled to see a different light.
Grace and Peace to all,
RB in Orby
I would like some clarification on the Ben Smith murders. Some have mentioned here that a black pastor was killed. The news reports I've been reading state that a black man was killed who was an ex-Northwestern basketball coach (I'm not remembering his name at the moment). No news account (that I've read) mentioned that he was a pastor although he was killed outside of his church.
Maybe someone close to this area can clear up the confusion.
Rick in Va
Ben Smith shot and killed Ricky Birdsong, Northwestern basketball coach, while walking with his children. He shot and wounded an African-American pastor in front of his home. Including Smith, 3 were killed and 9 were wounded.
SSVic
As a gardener, I am interested in exploring the illustration of what it takes to make really great compost. To make a very fruitful fruitful and fertile compost, much care is involved. Fertile soil must be nurtured and tended. To make our hearts very fertile ground in which God's word can take root, we must tend to the development of our spiritual lives and our relationships with God. Regular prayer, reading of the word, and conscious effort to love God and our neighbor in all that we do would seem to be crucial ingredients for a "compost consciousness." I am also interested in the image of a plant growing up through concrete...that even concrete can "crack"....we never know where fertile soil may lie...God, the graciously extravagnat sower, knows this; we may rejoice that the seed is continually sown. Thanks to all for the great ideas. I have mostly been an observer of the site, but feel more drawn to take part lately. MJ in NH
As a gardener, I am interested in exploring the illustration of what it takes to make really great compost. To make a very fruitful fruitful and fertile compost, much care is involved. Fertile soil must be nurtured and tended. To make our hearts very fertile ground in which God's word can take root, we must tend to the development of our spiritual lives and our relationships with God. Regular prayer, reading of the word, and conscious effort to love God and our neighbor in all that we do would seem to be crucial ingredients for a "compost consciousness." I am also interested in the image of a plant growing up through concrete...that even concrete can "crack"....we never know where fertile soil may lie...God, the graciously extravagnat sower, knows this; we may rejoice that the seed is continually sown. Thanks to all for the great ideas. I have mostly been an observer of the site, but feel more drawn to take part lately. MJ in NH
As a gardener, I am interested in exploring the illustration of what it takes to make really great compost. To make a very fruitful fruitful and fertile compost, much care is involved. Fertile soil must be nurtured and tended. To make our hearts very fertile ground in which God's word can take root, we must tend to the development of our spiritual lives and our relationships with God. Regular prayer, reading of the word, and conscious effort to love God and our neighbor in all that we do would seem to be crucial ingredients for a "compost consciousness." I am also interested in the image of a plant growing up through concrete...that even concrete can "crack"....we never know where fertile soil may lie...God, the graciously extravagnat sower, knows this; we may rejoice that the seed is continually sown. Thanks to all for the great ideas. I have mostly been an observer of the site, but feel more drawn to take part lately. MJ in NH
RE: Benjamin Nathaniel Smith Smith killed a black man who was once a (basketbell?) coach, shot at least 6 jewish men, killed a Korean student outside the Korean Methodist Church in Bloomington, IN, and later, in a police chase, killed himself. I can find no mention of a black Pastor being killed except on DPS. I am not so sure why the details of this act of hatred are so important; but maybe this will help. pastordon in IN
I know I've been asking for illustrations for a while and thought I would contribute one. I found this in Guideposts.
Jerry Marten tells of moving into a new house and wanting to plant an outstanding garden. He poured over countless gardening manuals until he knew exactly what to do. He tilled the soil and planted radish seeds at the precise depth recommended on the packet. After completing the first row with perfectionist zeal, Jerry saw a brown and white blur. His beagle puppy snatched the packet of seeds and ran off. By the time Jerry caught his puppy it was too late. The seeds were scattered haphazardly. His hopes for a perfect garden were dashed. At least he planted one perfect row. At the end of the summer he had a small harvest of radishes--only they weren’t from the meticulously planted row, for not one of those radishes came up. It seemed as if every seed the puppy had scattered germinated and grew beautifully. As Jerry glanced between his barren yet carefully tended row and the lush path sown by his puppy, he realized that it is God who make things grow. No matter how hard we try we can not make a seed grow.
Love, Paula in Florida
As for lack of participation in the Old Testament discussion site, my people are still trying to LEARN the message of the Gospel. That is why I preach the Gospel as my main text weekly. (No, NOT weakly.) Yes, you can find Jesus throughout the Bible, and illustrations as well, which I use. While I read and quote throughout the Bible, I preach the Gospel, as a too often misunderstood message. I particularly do not preach following Old Testament Law, lest my people try to follow it to earn salvation. revup
The Seed is the Word. The soil is our soul. The seed is forever being sown by a loving God "inspite" of my reaction; however my soul is made up of many soils: some receptive yet shallow, others hard (like good old Georgia clay), some thorny, and some rich and ready to receive God's grace in my life. The soils dance within me, and my task is to examine and seek to understand why there is some things of God that take root within me, and there are somethings which I seek to keep out. For instance, usually when God wants me to change ... I say "hey, come back another time." When God want me to love some one who has done me wrong, I say "you gotta be kidding." On it goes, yet God doesn't give up, and who knows one day I will .....
tom in ga
Dear English Brother: Thanks for your comments. I'm afraid that I rarely think about the 4th of July as having to do with Independence FROM England. Just a note: You say you're better at soccer than we, but have you taken note of the Women's Soccer Teams. Guess we need to be more specific when discussing sport. Glad you're aboard. Pam in San Bernardino
Dear Stan, Tom and RJ
I think the parable really is about sowing. The idea is that we have little control over what happens with each individual seed, but we must keep sowing. It's a lot like parenting. We sow seeds of faith in our children, often thinking we've lost them at some point, but keep praying that the seeds take root. Our preaching and our work in the church is much like that. We just need to keep on sowing. Pam in San Bernardino
Ah, Pam in SB
"sowing" it is .... God's gracious doing. I use to believe that was enough, that that was sufficient, but our Lord expects some kind of harvest, some kind of response, and I know that most of my life has been waisted living according to my own hopes, dreams, expectations. My soil is dried up ... I am nothing but dust and ashes. Yet, I can actively claim my relationship by looking within, discovering the fruit, the weeds, the broken branches which comes from various soils. How do I become more pliable? How to I relinquish myself, in order that God will use me? Why does faith wane and control become all powerful? May the soils experience a turning, a conversion, and become soft and fertile for God's Word, Jesus Christ.
tom in ga
Dear Tom Yes the parable is also about soils (Jesus said so). After reading the input of all of you, I clearly will be preaching about soils and seeds, as well as the sower. I'm trying to figure out just what form my sermon will take. I have no shortage of illustrations, thanks to some of you. I think I need to start with talking about sowing (the little dog story may be used here), move wherever I feel I must, and come back to sowing. Bless you all as you preach God's word to God's people. Pam in San Bernardino
I have found it a helpful analogy to think of what is involved in building rich, fertile soil. Fertile soil doesn't just happen. For instance, in the case of creating a rich and useful compost, there is much work and care involved. Properly layering, watering, and aerating the pile are critical. Turning the pile is also necessary. Over time, a rich compost develops, creating a fertile soil in which seed can take root in a solid way. So it is with the care of our spiritual lives. We must take the time to be in conversation with God, to read the word, to meditate upon it, and to practice the love of God and neighbor in order to have "fertile" hearts. MJ in NH
I have found it a helpful analogy to think of what is involved in building rich, fertile soil. Fertile soil doesn't just happen. For instance, in the case of creating a rich and useful compost, there is much work and care involved. Properly layering, watering, and aerating the pile are critical. Turning the pile is also necessary. Over time, a rich compost develops, creating a fertile soil in which seed can take root in a solid way. So it is with the care of our spiritual lives. We must take the time to be in conversation with God, to read the word, to meditate upon it, and to practice the love of God and neighbor in order to have "fertile" hearts. MJ in NH
I AM GLAD That the Sower spreads seed in the uinlikely places where one wouldn't expect a harvest. I was shallow soil, or stretchy soil as some farmers say-never went to church, wasn't carried by my parents, didn't have much of a salvation history when I was called to preach. I AM GLAD that God doesn't give up on the shallow soil or the rocky path, ot the soil that is filled with worldly things. God thinks we are WORTH the WASTE. STAN in TN
Although we always look for a 'Go and do likewise" message in the parables, there isn't always one there. In this case, the parable (unexplained) is only about the act of sowing. We preachers always want to tell people they must change behavior . . . must conform to new sets of rules . . . or must go out and sow or work or DO something. How often do we just talke about God and how God acts in the Kingdom. That is mostly what parables are about. It seems that Jesus knew that in the face of such gracious love, the likely response would be repentence and change. Dare to preach on the extravagant God who loves indiscriminately, the God who doesn't plow or dig trenches, but throws the seed to the wind in faith. A good sermon on those topics will probably do more to change the hearts of the listeners than all the "you must go and do this" one can preach.
RevWJA
Robert Capon, in his book, Parables of the Kingdom puts an interesting twist on this as well. He reminds us that Jesus is the Word of God, and so concludes that God the Father is the sower, and Jesus is the seed. We receive this Word in different ways. It is not our job to cast, but rather to encourage others (and ourselves) of God's presence through Jesus Christ in our lives. We receive it in different ways - as the soils make known.
Peace, Chaz in OH
Still think the parable isn't so much about seeds but is a seed, not so much about sowing, but a picture of the sowing itself. The response is self contained, seed produces seed, live spills over into life. I've especially been help by the discussion of the Lord's extravagance. Just think, God so loved the world, that he was willing to waste his only seed so that everyone might have an opportunity to believe and know and enter abundant life. How does one truly hear that without wanting become better soil? Thanks to Paula for the illustration. Y'all have a great day and a great sermon!
TA in TX
I think it will be important tomorrow to discuss the nature of the soil. What is it about us that prevents the Word from being appropriated in our lives. I try to be a good Christian, well what does that mean? It seems to me that the only the way the soil becomes fertile and rich is when it has been turned over many times through metanoia, repentance and suffering. Not to acknowledge our ultimate needs means that the seed never grows very deep for whatever reason. Our only hope is that the Sower continues to sow, and perhaps one day the soil will be ready to receive his word.
tom in ga
"The Sower went forth sowing seed" To a great extent, particularly here in the U.S. , we have micro-managed ministry. We have George Barna helping us on the one hand and endless teaching resources for every age-group and learning style imaginable. Every week some new approach to evangelism finds its way to me desk promising proven results and guarunteeing church growth. We have refined the seed and we identify the soil types and we carefully try and place appropriate seed in the right spot. We are almost trying to make sure that the Holy Spirit can take a vacation because thanks to the latest curriculum from Gospel Light or David C. Cook we have it all under control thankyou! However there is something of unabashed abandon in the way that a sower goes forth and sows seed. It goes everywhere! I am going to try and emphasize the joy of sowing to our folks! We have been following the theme, since Pentecost, of the Church beyond the walls, and this passage flows right along with that. If we could only relax and sow the seed of God's truth that has already been deposited within us, we might begin to see a a harvest come and from some most unusual places.
Jon Grenada, MS
Thanks for all your thought-provoking ideas and contributions. My first visit to DPS has been wonderful and not my last. I've been thinking it was time to throw something (literally) at my congregation again. Thanks to Sophie in Fl (?) and others people in church tomorrow will be pelted with seeds at the start of the sermon. To finish, maybe some encouraging and challenging verses of Scripture (esp regarding God's grace) printed on slips of folded paper. I see another late night coming... God bless you all. Jeanne in MI
I was just brainstorming. God sows the seed indiscriminately. What determines soil quality, but the conditions, the climate (rainfall, altitude) in which it sits. It could be great, black, Iowa soil, but if that soil was placed in the Tropics, it soon would be leached of its nutrients and richness. What kind of soil we are and what kind of climate we are in determines the kind of plants and vegetation that thrive. Yet Jesus is a seed that can grow in any soil. Any climate. God will harvest what he sows and it will be massive because of the heartiness of the seed, perhaps not so much because of the soil.
Tigger in ND
An interactive sermon is when the people are engaged. (Ideally all sermons are interactive rather than ignored!) I realize that this format preaches to the converted, but it affords the people in the pew to tell their stories of realizing that the seed, the Word of God, has been present in their lives, sometimes even before they knew it. I will be asking folks to share the first time they remember a Divine Spirit in their lives.
There are limits to the application of this parable. Soil is either rich or poor, rocky or shallow at the time of the "broadcasting" of the seed. We may have been exposed to the seed for a long time but were not ready to hear it. We are like the soil EXCEPT that we may change over time. I guess soil can be changed with some effort.
A story I heard a long time ago fits here.
A man was out in his garden on a Sunday morning. The preacher walked by and wanted to remind the man of his need to rely on God, so the preachers said: "Say that is a fine garden that you and the Lord have there." Without looking up the gardner replied: "Should have seen it last year when the Lord had it all by hisself!"
Spreading the seed is a cooperative effort.
I remember a line from an old Gospel hymn that says: " The tears of the sower and songs of the reaper will mingle together in the sweet by and by."
Thanks for all the input this week.
AWG rocky coast of Maine
Greetings,
Here in Central Kansas, the farmers have been furiously harvesting our nation's wheat this past week. What I'm thinking of is:
As farmers, they know where NOT to sow... Roads, in weeds (without a proper spraying, of course...), etc. As Christians, do we know where the good soil is? (We're the sower, since the seed of the gospel has already been sown in us!) Where in our communities is the "good soil?" The suburbs? The established communities? Or perhaps, is the good soil on "the other side of the tracks" where the people who are NOT LIKE US live?
Notice, the sower does not sow ONLY in one area--The sower sows everywhere, and does not get discouraged when the birds eat a few seeds.
Go in peace, Sow the gospel!
Maurice in Rurah KS
Friends . . .
I often like to start with a focus point through prayer or a poem. A few of you said you wanted more illustrations for the parable, so I thought I would send this your way. it was written by William Cowper (1731-1800) as an application of the parable of the sower.
Ye sons of the earth, prepare the plough, Break up your fallow ground; The sower is gone forth to sow, And scatter blessings round.
The seed that finds a stony soil Shoots forth a hasty blade; But ill repays the sower's toil, Soon withered, scorched, and dead.
The thorny ground is sure to balk All hopes of harvest there; We find a tall and sickly stalk, But not the fruitful ear.
The beaten path and highway side Receive the turst in vain; The watchful birds the spoils divide, And pick up all the grain.
But where the Lord of grace and power Has blessed the happy field. How plenteous is the golden story The deep-wrought furrows yield!
Father of mercies, we have need Of thy preparing grace; Let the same hand that gives the see Provide a fruitful place!
In -- The Complete Poetical Works of William Cowper, p. 443
As you can see, in this poem God is the sower.
Rick in Va, most NT scholars think that the explanation/interpretation given to us in the second half of the lectionary text did not come out of the mouth of Jesus. Most believe the early church came up with that explanation and inserted it into the text. I like the thought of that. I would hate to think that this parable has just one meaning. Rather, it has many layers of meanings. Are we the sowers? Is God the sower? Is Jesus the sower? Are we seeds of the Spirit? (I hope so!) Is God the seed of love in us? Jesus? Are we one type of soil all our lives? Or do we move from field to field, one plot to the next? Just a few thoughts.
Thanks, Priestling in DC
Thanks to Nina of the North and pastordon in IN and all others who are concerned about my son going to the oncologist. I mentioned that as a care that fills me, and such cares can fill any person with anxiety that the good news of the Kingdom of God might not be received. My faith is strong, but I sympathize with those in fear, anxiety, and pain. We have a ways to go. The surgery was successful, but it could not excise it all. We face weeks of radiation therapy. The prognosis is good, but the process is tedious. (I'm starting to see some similarities between cancer and evil; treatment and repentence-baptism-regeneration; healing and salvation. The good news is that with God there is no time when sin is too far advanced for Christ to forgive, but that's another sermon.) Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. That is helpful and gives me strength and hope. Pastordon in IN, it is possible we know each other; I don't know. I tried to go to your website but the link doesn't work. Well, I have some seeds to scatter and I will continue to trust that Jesus is the true sower of the Kingdom of God. I also was unlikely soil, so it might be that God knows what God is doing. Gil in IN
Whether or not the early church or Jesus himself interpreted the parable as we have it in our text, the fact remains that it is canonical. The Spirit must work through the Word, no matter who the author might be. And so this interpretation in verses 18-23 must be understood as authoritative, not as a later addition.
Regardless of the scholarly opinions, let us not fool ourselves for one moment that we are the ones sowing the seeds of salvation, no matter how fervently we preach the gospel. All that is good from us is God's, not ours. We cannot preach salvation by works, even--or should I say "especially"--to ourselves.
As for the soil: true, it has no ability to change itself. Changing the soil is the work of the sower, too. And praise God for that!
May we all be vessels tomorrow.
Sou'Sy'Vicah
Thank you, all, so much for this rich harvest of thought... soul food to share this Sunday. One thought I wanted to share was about compost. Some people have mentioned its use in improving soil. It maybe helpful for us to remember that the major "ingredient" of compost is, basicly, garbage. What is garbage in our lives, those places where we have failed, withered or been injured-- all that is rotten and seems like "waste", can (given time, and the action of God) be used to produce the MOST fertile soil. Blessings to you all. DL in ME
I know this is late. I usually am, but there you go.
For what it's worth.
Tom Wright, writing in ‘The Church Times’ this week (UK) writes that .. “The Sower is not simply an earthly story with a moral lesson about listening carefully, (althought that is there), but it is full of the music of the kingdom .... a challenge to the people to be Israel ... God was at last ‘sowing’ again ... and the warning was that if this final word was not heeded, the reults would be catastrophe. This is not a story with a moral lesson .. it is a prophetic message .. ir performs that which it speaks.
My musings .... what is the word? what is God sowing? Is it not Jesus himself .. and are not plants like the seeds that they spring from? True growth arising from the seed that is planted cannot be hijacked for another purpose. If it is truly a plant germinated from the seed that was sown, it will bear the life od the seed, the life of Jesus. Hey!!!
Rev Ev in Bev (UK)
A final entry:
We seek self-knowledge as Christians. Who am I? What is the nature of my soil (soul)? I need to kno more about myself, than about others. What in my life prevents me from hearing, understanding, responding to God's Word? Jesus is indeed taking shape among us, and yet there are parts of my life which keep him out. I am closed to his grace in places. By knowing myself, then perhaps I can till the soil which comes only through suffering, humilitation, repentance, etc.
May we preach (sow) the word boldly and carelessly in the morning.
tom in ga
Sou'Sy'Vicah,
Amen...
I would argue for a definition of 'most' as used by the statement "most NT scholars think that the explanation/interpretation given to us in the second half of the lectionary text did not come out of the mouth of Jesus".
I would agree with that statement if the surveyed were to include the Jesus Seminar and other theologians hell-bent on diminishing Scripture and furthering God-less agendas. But I dismiss that bunch as nothing more than the proverbial "rocky and thorn-filled soil" where the sowed seed will not produce fruit. When someone decides to use popular vote to exegete Scripture, then I think it's time to run, not walk, for the nearest church exits.
If we are to be fruit bearers, hearers and understanders of the word of God, I think that much of our time will have to be spent on soil preparation, not just seed sowing. Both are important and instrumental, but a fruitful harvest is better grown in soil without rocks and thorns, an illusion I believe to sin in our lives.
Let's repent of our dis-respect of the word of God, let's sow the seed faithfully and honestly, and let's prepare the soil by preparing our hearts, turning from sin and turning toward The True Gardener, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ...
Rick in Va
I am taking the theme of listening! Here are some stories all of which have been nabbed off the internet- so not original to me.
All of us sometimes listen poorly — like when we are on airplanes and the stewardess is making the required safety announcement. The safety exits are ---- I heard a story about a stewardess who, frustrated by passenger inattentiveness during her talk, changed the wording and said, "When the mask drops down in front of you, place it over your navel and continue to breathe normally." Not a single passenger noticed.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt got tired of smiling that big smile and saying the usual things at all those White House receptions. So, one evening he decided to find out whether anybody was paying attention to what he was saying. As each person came up to him with extended hand, he flashed that big smile and said, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." People would automatically respond with comments such as "How lovely!" or "Just continue with your great work!" Nobody listened to what he was saying, except one foreign diplomat. When the president said, "I murdered my grandmother this morning," the diplomat responded softly, "I’m sure she had it coming to her." People often do not really hear what is said.
I read about a lady who had a hearing problem. One day she and her husband were driving from Hull to London. As they almost got to London on the M1 they were pulled over by a policeman who asked if the husband knew how fast he was driving? The wife asked, "What did he say?" The husband replied, "HE ASKED IF I KNEW THAT I WAS SPEEDING." Looking at the driver’s license the policeman said, "I see you’re not from around here." The husband said, "No we are from Hull." The wife again asked, "What did you say?" The husband told her, "I SAID WE ARE FROM HULL." The policeman commented, "You know, the meanest woman I ever met was from HULL." The wife again asked, "What did he say?" The husband replied, "HE SAYS HE THINKS HE KNOWS YOU!"
The Message has a really good translation especialy the bit between verse 9 and 17 (not inculded today)
Rev. Michael Burley Hull england
I have to agree with Rick about exegeting the scripture by popular vote -- even popular vote taken among theologians. So many of them remind me of the biblical expression about straining at gnats. Do we not believe that the God who was powerful enough to create this universe and all that is in it, and who is powerful enough to keep it running like a symphony, is not powerful enough to make sure that His own self-revelation, the Bible, has the material in it that He wants us to have?
RevBill
Is God sovereign..., or not?
RevBill