|
Scripture Text (NRSV)
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
13:1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.
13:2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while
the whole crowd stood on the beach.
13:3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out
to sow.
13:4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up.
13:5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they
sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil.
13:6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they
withered away.
13:7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
13:8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some
sixty, some thirty.
13:9 Let anyone with ears listen!"
13:18 "Hear then the parable of the sower.
13:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil
one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path.
13:20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and
immediately receives it with joy;
13:21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or
persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.
13:22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the
cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.
13:23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and
understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another
sixty, and in another thirty."
Comments:
Rick in Canada, eh?
This is not a message saying, "Be better
soil!" It's not about the soil at all, in
fact. It's about the sower, and generosity, and
our call to follow the sower, and join in the
sowing.
At the same time, this text can help us as we
discern what is happening around us with our
sowing. Not all of our seed scattering is going
to produce "results," and while we are
to leave those results with the one who provides
the seed (to keep the analogy going!), we also do
need to be aware of what's happening. For
example, as we becoming aware of a lack of
"growth," we might be able to identify
some of the "thorns" which are choking
the seed, and be able to address those thorns
pastorally (rather than judgementally). No
guarantees of future growth, naturally, but we
might be able to analyze our sowing appropriately.
Finally (for now, anyway), it will be helpful for
us to keep track of where we have sown this seed,
because growth will probably happen in unexpected
places. In other words, don't assume you know
where the good soil is! God is always surprising
us, so be prepared to be surprised.
More later....
Intpk
Thanks for sharing the message you heard, Rick.
I've just begun a new call in a fairly rural
community with farmers in the congregation. This
text got me thinking about my denomination's
conversation about gambling that took place when I
was in my first call - the farmers in the
congregation pointed out that they were gamblers.
Each spring, they didn't know what the result of
their planting would be, what the price of the
crop, would they work at a profit or loss each
year. But, each spring, they planted the fields,
did what they could to tend them, and prayed for
favorable weather.
As we care for our neighbor, live out our call to
be God's hands and feet, embody God's love for
all, we don't know what the results will be - but,
the growth is not our doing, we sow the seed, do
what tending we can and pray for favorable growth.
Jenny in London
Been away a long time, but glad to have
rediscovered this forum.
As someone who managed once to plant seed
potatoes, and at the end of the season got back
precisely the same number of potatoes I put in
(they were at least different ones...), the farmer
parables always make me feel anxious. However, R
in C's post is really helpful - perhaps there is a
question to be asked about how we prepare the soil
for the seed - helping our people clear the weeds
and the thorns; helping them be refreshed with
water, when the sun begins to burn; how we teach
them to avoid the predations of those pesky birds.
It is of course about the sower, at its heart,
but for labourers in field, there is that work to
be done too.
steve souther
Dear Friends,
These words strike a chord in me:
"Listen." Anyone with ears? "Hear
the parable..."
The mid-summer doldrums have set in. Bible school
is just finishing; many have disappeared from the
pews. The smell of an empty church greats the
weary pastor. The cluttered desk and
administrative tasks seem burdensome. Yeah, the
soil is rocky. The 'birds of conflict have plucked
some of the seeds up...
Listen! The story is from Jesus' own experience,
not from a sermon book on ideas.
He knows first hand what this is like. But in
spite of that, he sees something else: a
tremendous 'yield!'
Intpk, you are in a perfect place to preach this
sermon, as you say. The 'gamble' is very real each
year in your farming community. But one smell of
that soil is powerful motivation. In it is the
promise of a 'yield.' Focus on that. This is what
keeps farmers going.
Have you ever gone by a soybean field after a hot
summer day and caught a wiff of that rich smell
hanging thick in the night air? It stirs the
blood. How about an alfalfa field in the early
morning with the pivot spraying life giving water;
it is something that stays with you.
Older discussion:
"Dust in the wind
all we are dust in the wind
dust in the wind
dust in the wind
everything is dust in the wind."
Our band will be playing Dust in the Wind by Kansas during this service.
God's word can change the soil and amke it fertile.
Pr.del in IA
Someone has referred to this as the PARABLE OF THE SOILS rather than the SOWER AND THE SEED. There does indeed appear to be an emphasis on at least four differing human response to God's word and initiatives. The seed is not lacking in potency.
Bob in Oklahoma
Is Jesus telling us that God’s grace falls on all (rains on the just and unjust alike) and whether it takes root and becomes fruitful depends on the state of whom it falls? Deke in TX – Pace e Bene.
(How shall I word this so that it doesn't come across as negative or a put down or giving the impression that "I know better." Well, just say it, I guess.)
I don't think we have to asssume that because some of our congregants don't turn out for events that they are not fully committed to Christ... and so we have to have to "challenge" (berate?) them every Sunday with the sharp two-edged sword. I stopped doing that quite a number of years ago (I am 72.) After all it's what they do "out there" that really matters... It is like the modern way of "acting" in afternoon TV soap operas. (No, I don't watch them, but sometimes you catch glimpses.) Evidently it is considered great acting now for a character to "tell another one off in no uncertain terms" and then turn on your heal and slam the door behind you. It is a horrible example to give young people in their dealings with loved ones. I can't imagine really great actors like Catheine Hepburn agreeing to do anything like that. And so I hate to see it done in the pulpit too. Solution: Ah...there's the rub...no great, easy solutions except to look at the preaching task as "reinforcing the message that Jesus just gave in the Gospel." How did u feel when u read it this week? What came to mind for you? Last week, for example, the words "I have revealed this to little ones" stood out. I told the story of a little seven-year old in a nearby city who started collecting money for street people. His picture appeared in the local paper and I bought the picture and had it with me and held it up.
Make it a good day. Joe from Maine
Joe in Maine, I don't think we have to berate our members, because the challenge is certainly to all of us. What makes us listen to God's word so that we become good soil? What makes us turn away? We all struggle with being "hospitable" to the seed--God's word--so that we will produce fruit. The key it seems to me, is to keep our ears open and truly listen! There is so much other noise that is constantly in our face. God's word is good and will produce, but we have the choice whether to be receptive or not to the seed. GB in MI
Have you ever seen a tree growing out of a rock? I have. And amid the weeds of an overgrown yard, still the raspberry bush produces fruit. The paved pathway to the building across the street (sidewalk) has something growing in almost every crack.
Some people see this text as an excuse to keep the word within their walls, after all, that is where the "good soil" is found. But, oh, the joy when one finds that the seed has taken root in one who lives among rocky soil, or hard pathways, or amid the thistles!
The power of the word, the seed, is not completely predictable. The parable is an illustration, but can also be carried much farther. Consider hydroponics, in which there is no soil, but nutrient-filled liquid. Consider clay-filled soil, and sandy soil, and peat-moss. No matter how terrible one's situation, the word can grow, and the receiver will, in time, become good soil.
Let ANYONE with ears listen! (13:9)
Michelle
Pr.del in IA wrote, "Our band will be playing Dust in the Wind by Kansas during this service."
That's great! I've thought several times about using that piece as part of worship -- primarily, I've thought about quoting it in a sermon. Great song... it surprises me that it ever got to be popular! (Especially from a band with a weird name like "Kansas"!)
Blessings, Eric in KS (the state, not the band)
I did this passage in 1st person. I am no actor by any means, but it went over really well. Here below is an outline of what i did. Once you get into the character, it is easy to just "go with it."
By the way, I came to church dressed in khaki pants, white oxford shirt and tie and jacket. Looks fairly normal. I wear a rob on special occasions. Here in the south, a rob makes it very very hot. Anyway, during the special music time, I slipped into the back, changed my shirt to a country flannel shirt and rolled up the sleeves. if I'd had more time, I'd have found a straw hat or a "John Deer" cap to help get into character.
Intro.
Situation
4 soils
1. North - hard as concrete - Hard hearts
2. East - rocks, hills, sand - emotional response to the Word
3. South - weeds, kudzu, briars - worldly, cares of the world distract from focusing on God.
4. West - good soil - receptive hearts, care, patience, study of the Word of God.
Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Spiritual equation.
What is the soil? Our hearts
What is the seed? The Word of God
Who is the sower? God
Who is the sower's helper? The one who delivers the Good news of the Gospel. Plant seed in every one you see. In every relationship, make sure that some seed is planted.
Jesus said that there will be 4 general responses when we present someone with the gospel.
1. Hard hearts, no response
2. Emotional response due to shallow faith
3. worldly, cares of the world distract from focusing on God.
4. receptive hearts, care, patience, study of the Word of God.
Manuscript (sort of...)
Hi, my name is Joe.
I'm a farmer. Actually I'm not a farmer, I'm a farmer's helper. It is my job to take care of the crops on the owner's land. My boss owns this land and he lives in the big white house near the main road just outside of town.
Your pastor sent me here to tell you about what I do. Sometimes I wonder myself what I do, or at least why I do it.
This has happened the past 15 years. Boss comes over to my place right before we are gonna start planting. He tells me what he wants, where he wants it and how much I am to plant there. He says this last time he says "Joe, I want 50 acres of corn over on the south side, 50 acres of corn over on the east side, 50 acres of corn on the north side and corn on the west side." And I can almost tell you how good we are going to do by what he puts where.
You see, on the south side of the property is near the main road and the ground is hard as concrete. You ever tried to plow concrete? Its tough! It tears up the equipment, makes a horrible sound, like a child screaming. And then the birds and other animals come and eat the seeds.
Then on the east side of the property is a little bit softer, but it is on the side of a hill and it is real rocky and the soil is real poor. The water just runs right off. Nothing sticks.
Now the north side of the property goes to the other extreme. There are sticker bushes, briers, and kudzu all over the place. When we try to grow over there, the kudzu and briers just choke out everything good that we have planted.
Now I haven't forgotten about the west side of the property. There is a little stream, a brook, the flows by that side of the property. Everything seems to grow well there. But even in the south west corner of the property, its even better than all the rest. I mean, we can plant anything there. I mean peas, corn, butter beans, rutabagas anything and it will a bumper crop.
But he's GOT to know the problems with the property that we are having.
Just as There are different kinds of seed for food, there are different kinds of seed that are for spiritual things.
Money, time, love, things that you can invest with.
My boss and I have had these discussions before, I think that it would be better if we just planted over by the stream. He wants me to plant everywhere. It makes more work for me. Now, occasionally, one of these bad areas will produce a little something. And that seems to help motivate me to plant over there. But I wish there were a way to liven things up.
Is this seed good? Yes.
Is this ground good that I am putting this seed into?
Go from there.
Hope this helps
TF
Is verse 9 a play on words, or is it only in english that "ear" is the word for a full seedpod of grain?
TF, the one and only time I ever felt moved to do a 1st person sermon in character was as Peter, recalling all the different times in following Jesus that rocks had been mentioned. I had a bag of rocks and brought them out one by one, telling where I picked it up along the way to this place near Jerusalem where Jesus said the rocks would cry out. I admire dramatists, though I don't profess to be one. That is the only sermon I ever did that I know several people remembered more than a year later. Hope your's sticks too. tom in TN(USA)
Is there any other way of planting the word of God?
We would all dearly love to plant only in the hearts of the receptive and yet we are unable to tell which soil is which, and in effect it impossible to allow our words to reach the ears of the unbeliever. Words are simply the air moving. And yet those same words move the hearts and minds of people, as Jesus proved. They are the means by which the dead rise.
There is no more effective or efficient way to plant seed than to spread it out upon the land. Yes, some of it will fall on barren and unproductive landscape, and yet we only need a few to take root to cover the whole landscape with plants.
We cannot be disheartened knowing that this occurs, we are simply to continue to speak about Jesus and what he taught and did.
Life and grace are not ours to control or predict.
If I only influence one person to become or remain committed to their faith in Christ, the result may be a reward, a hundred-fold.
Its always worth the effort.
Have a great week - DPSers. I involved with our Clergy Conference and Synod this week, so I won't be able to check back and see all your insightful comments.
Regards to all,
KGB in Aussie.
At the end of last week's discussion, Tom in TN asked:
"Style question for you(or anyone else who posts sermons) - Do you deliver it verbatim, or is the printed sermon a summation on which you sometimes expand or expound?"
Here's my answer:
No, I don't deliver it exactly as written -- I frequently make a few side remarks that pertain only to our congregation -- I also abbreviate some of the stuff. I don't give the citations at all; those are only for the written publication.
Your point at a sermon seeming to be two different pieces at different delivery locations or times is probably pretty universal experience. We have two Sunday morning services and, when my wife or another listener has been at both, the comments are that one or the other addresses were "better", "different", etc.
I also often rewrite my sermons after delivery -- frequently things occur to me in the pulpit that I hadn't thought of at the computer -- or in the pulpit I phrase something in what I feel is a "better" way -- or I decide not to say something at all! So what I post to the website on Saturday may not be what stays there on Sunday evening.
Hope that answers your question.
Blessings,
Eric in KS
Tom:
The word play doesn't work in Greek. The word for "ear" (as in an organ of hearing) is "ous" (which is related to the word for "mind"). The word for an "ear of grain" is "stachus" (usually translated as "head" -- See Matthew 12:1).
Blessings, Eric in KS
I see an interesting interaction between the OT text in Genesis and the Matt. text. The parable of the sower itself seems to me to communicate the fragility of human life, but even in the midst of death, life can spring forth and grow and prosper. So there is a sense in which one should live each day with gratitude and fruitfulness, kind of a seize the day attitude.Esau's problem was that he was only concerned with today's needs and not tommorow's promise. Interesting paradox. What do ya'll think? REVTommy in Texas
Oh boy! I'd sure like to have that 4th kind of soil for my planting! Perhaps that is the response Jesus was hoping for in his listeners. I checked over at the John Wesley connection, where he indicated that the 4th soil was all that the first three were not -- soft, deep, and purged.
If this is about how we receive the word of God, then this becomes a passage that lends itself to talking about spiritual formation, so that we can become "soft, deep, and purged;" and therefore ready for the Word to take root in us and bear abundantly.
OLAS
TF, Good sermon stuff, but I don't agree with your direction in the USA... The West is not good soil... in the UMC the west is liberal...(you know what issue) I would not call that good soil... I would say south is better soil, BIBLE BELT COUNTRY! East and South... Northerners... I think are a mix, Vermont is liberal and Maine and Mass. puritan country! LOL Like the Dust in the wind song too... how about Against wind, running against the wind...like Forrest Gump did... Another cool song if you have country ans western peeps to use is Bible Belt by Travis Tritt. I just thought of this, I was thinking about Genesis passage and this together... the Good soil,seed thing and the Maunline Churches SELLING OUT. What have they sold out for... Social club not a a Church? Sold out the youth? Lots to think about. Bible Belt and Country Club by travis Tritt would be appropriate here! I'm a member of a country club... And He was the Asst. preacher and Sunday SchoolTeacher in the Church that I grew up in...She was a looker from Atlanta sang in choir played piano...had a body that was made for sin...she didn't care he was married and the torch she carried was hotter than the fires of hell, she had plans a solution and she knew she would loosen a notch in the bible belt!
Have we loosen our nothches in the Bible Belt here?
When we let satan have a Foothold I smell t-r-o-u-b-l-e! (As you can I like Travis Tritt songs) LOL pastor mary(redneck preacher girl) from OH
Mary said, " The West is not good soil... in the UMC the west is liberal..."
Mmmm.... as a born-and-bred Westerner (transplanted temporarily to the Great Plains), I resemble that remark! I suspect that in all of our (USA)denominations congregations in the West are more liberal than their counterparts in the East, though not all.
But ... why would you think liberal territory is not "good soil"? After all, "Jesus was a liberal Jew." I have a t-shirt that says that, so it must be true!
I don't see "liberality" or "conservatism" as an indicator of "goodness" or "badness" of soil. Frankly, my experience in the "liberal" West compared with the "conservative" Plains is that the "liberal" soil grows "better" (or at least more committed) Christians.
So, isn't the question more one of "receptivity" than of whatever the currently (or regionally) popular definitions of "liberal" and "conservative" may be?
Blessings,
Eric in KS
While some might consider this an exegetical stretch, but it feels as if I have preached "the soils" too many times over the years. I intend to speak of Christ as the sower -- an example to the disciples and to us -- who were/are to follow his example. Then I intend to speak about us and our lives as seeds.
Not every seed is intended to grow in every kind of soil. Not every crop (fruit) is appreciated by everyone. Each of us has been called to be both sower AND seed to this world (to often we only want to sow in "friendly fields" and among seeds like ourselves).
therevvv
I am toying with the idea of how to prepare soil. That preparing soil is part of what the church is about. Not all who come are ready for the seed to grow. Some need to throw away rocks of anger, greed, envy etc. Some who seem to grow quickly need the church to water and nourish them so that they will not wither away. Just rambling Nancy-Wi
When I was giving directions in my 1st person soils example, what I meant was the west part of the property or the east or south or north part of the property. I was not meaning the USA or and other location of the world. While I was performing the sermon, i was walking around in front of the chancel area and pointing (north, east, west, south). I was not intending to mean anything liberal or conservative, politically or religiously.
Although, that brings up a good sermon idea. Was Jesus a liberal or conservative? (just stirring things up.)
TF
TF--I love the illustration. I hope you don't mind that I borrow it. I think I will go looking for straw hats for our little guys and do a children's sermon around it, too. After all, it is hay season, the gardens are bursting with produce, the elderly men are racing their motors at the starting line to see who can get ripe tomatoes to church first, and with all this heat and humidity the farmers sometimes regrettably know who they are now more than ever--sewers of the seed--rain, shine, or blistering hot. But when everything is harvested and the weather starts to cool, it's all worth it.
I was at my Grandma's this week, and she had tomotoes (this is a prize around here). I asked if it came from the garden. She said, "Yeah. One in AR. They're not bad, but not as good as MO." :) (Only because they have to be picked greener to get them here and sold before they go bad.) God's timing is the key. I agree we have to be receptive, to open our ears, but I think it has to do more with what God is doing than what we are doing. Do seeds really have a choice as to whether or not they grow? Is blaming the soil if we don't just an excuse? Maybe it's not just about whether or not we grow, but whether or not we produce fruit worth harvesting.
Some seeds take longer to germinate. The Spirit moves for some at 4, some at 94. Maybe we don't always put up a fight. Maybe God doesn't send the revelation until after He's prepared the soil. Maybe we try to pick the fruit too soon and it's not any good and the plant has to start all over again. Maybe there are times when we should just worry about preparing the soil and then let the mystery do it's part, or plant the seed and maintain the soil (but we can't force the seed to grow, only change the environment to encourage it.) It's better not to rush. It only makes things worse.
Maybe he's trying to encourage us to work the soil a bit before we try to sew the seed. How might we do that?
Just brainstorming. I have no idea where this is going. Maybe one of you can clarify.
Maybe this:
But God's miracle is most revealed when there is fruit in the harshest heat, the thickest clay soil, and the rockiest terrain. Come to think of it, the gardens do produce in the heat of the summer--in the elements only God can control. All we can do is hoe the weeds and fertilize (but there again, too much fertilizer will burn up the plant). The point is, we have our part, and the Spirit has His.
RamblingRevS.
What is "the word of the Kingdom"? Here in the midwest, if you're going to plant corn you better know what a corn seed looks like. Just wondering if we really understand what we are to plant. If we don't then it goes away. I am wonder if we are planting the right seed.
Hoosier Preacher
What is intriguing to me is this; even in the good soil the harvest is different .. some 100, 60, 30. even bwith the blessing of and from God. Some are just able, willing, led to give and offer more than others. Seems God is pleased with the 100 and the 30. Could we too be pleased?
Phil in KS
RamblingRevS.,
Oops. Careful. It is the seed that grows, but we are not the seed. The seed is the word, which grows in us.
I don't mean to say that we don't grow, but it might be tricky using this illustration in the way you mention. It might work, though, to talk about the word growing in us, and us growing as a result...?
Michelle
RamblingRevS, Did you call farmers "sewers of the seed"? That's just how they smell at the end of the day, in from the hot fields! heehee, Magi in the Middle
Thanks Michelle for your word of caution.
When I made the original posting, I meant that by living the Word, we -- as seeds -- scattered into the world; i.e., the lives of others, become living examples which are the means for the Word to be planted in those soils.
As noted elsewhere, not all seeds will grow in all kinds of soil. Nevertheless, most NT injunctions do not encourage us to be selective about the soil.
I still see some new perspectives for presentation without dissing the folk or boring them with another "soil" sermon. However, as you noted, "we are not the seed. The seed is the word, which grows in us."
Thanks for your response.
therevvv
Reflections from The New Interpreter's Bible takes a different look at the text. In an attempt not to allagorize this text, it suggests that the Matthean reading of Jesus' parable presents the reader with four affirmations:
1) The victory of the kingdom of God is sure. The harvest is God's doing and God is faithful. Note the orig. Greek text uses the word "The" sower went out to sow not "a" sower.
2) The line between sowing the word and reaping the kingdom is not without problems and opposition. Don't be suprised or discouraged that there will be opposition.
3)Although the responses and actions of believes do not effect the final coming of the kingdom (it will come), the choices we make are important in determining which side we are on at the final harvest.
4)Even though the Messiah had been mostly rejected by His own people, God's purpose remained sure and will be fulfilled.
There are many ways to go with this text. The temptation is to allagorize an allagory. I'm trying to look for the golden nuget, the one central truth to the parable. Could it be that God's kingdom will come with an abundance and we need to make sure we are on the right side when it comes? Till the soil of your heart to receive God's word.
Pastor John in CT
Without knowing it, as the Word of God is proclaimed to me (in sermon, sacrament, spiritual reading) it is filtered through the deep recesses of my heart. The Word falls like seed on the rocky places of my life hardened by the unwillingness to forgive, by past failures, by a low sense of myself; Other seed falls among thorns, those areas of my life that I must seek to control, filled with occupation and my preoccupations. This soil basically cries out I don't have time to live the life of a disciple; yet some of the seed falls on fertile soil and moves deeply into the soul giving life and sustain life even in the midst of refusal and denial.
How are we to come to know ourselves well enough to be able to understand how God works within us?
tom in ga (where the soil is red and clay)
Although this Gospel passage fits nicely with the Isaiah and Ps.65 options, I'm having some difficulty tying it with the Genesis/Ps.119 track (which is the one we're following at my parish).
Anyone have any clear ideas about making any sort of tie between the "parable of the soils" and the Esau/Jacob birthright story?
Blessings, Eric in KS
Eric in KS,
I often struggled with tying the lectionary texts together until someone finally gave me permission to stop trying to find a link. Sometimes we end up streching the truth of each text so thin just to fit it with the other lessons of the day. If a common thread is not obvious, stop trying. It is OK to choose one text and preach on that. I'm not sure the compilers of the Lectionary ever intended the lessons to necessarily fit together in complimentary or contrasting ways each week. Sometimes they fit, othertimes they don't.
Pastor John in CT
Eric,
I think that they fit in a paradoxical way. One interpretation of the parable of the sower seems to tell about the fragileness of life but the opportunity nonetheless for life, so grow it, nurture it while you have it etc. The Esau/Jacob story tells that Esau was ONLY concerned with right now, his needs today (in this case food). He neglected the promise of tommorow for the temporary needs of today. Interesting paradox, but stimulating. Just a thought. Tommy in Tx.
How about this? We think of this passage as encouragement for enthusiasm. We would like not to waste our efforts and only sow in the best soil. But Jesus calls us not to be choosey. He says sow the seed. The results are not always as bad as we think. How many of us driving down the highways have seen trees growing out of rocks? I listen to a gardening radio program out of Columbus,Oh on Saturday mornings - Gardening with Denny. He says when planting, it is not always good to ammend the soil. You see if we only ammend the soil near a plant, then the plant has trouble growing when it reaches the bad soil with the rocks, the clay, etc.
Denny suggests that sometimes it is good for the plant to struggle, producing a stronger plant in the long run. Sometimes things grow well where we think they wouldn't. The bottom line is our job as the church is to be seed sowers. It is up to the soil and God to do the rest. PH in OH
Just got back a week ago from a cruise up Alaska's inside passage - amazingly beautiful! One day we spent in Glacier Bay National Park watching icebergs "calve" from the glacier. It was on that day as we sat there in the middle of this icy fjord that I noticed all around us seeds floating and drifting in the air looking for a place to find some "good soil." Not suer what kind of seed it was, down here I would have assumed cottonwood, not sure what to assume on Glacier Bay... "The" sower is busy and at work in Alaska!
Mark in WI
I'm surprised that little if anything was mentioned about thorns representing the seduction of riches and the anxiety of life. After all, this is the USA, land of lotteries, over-consumption and workaholics. My sermon title is Beware of Thorns. Thorns attempt choke the seed to death.
LayRev in PA
When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long and you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,
just remember in the winter,far beneath the bitter snows...
lies the seed that with the Son's love (my interpretation) comes the rose.
Could not resist another soil/seed song. peace, ks in PA
I just moved to a small town church from a city with a population of 3 million. Imagine me preaching this to the farmers. Arghhh. I am going to work in the direction of our church seeking to be fertile soil for seeds (read souls) to be planted in. Where people can grow to fruitful ministers of the Gospel. Hope I don't misspeak any of the jargon of those who truly do till and sow.
Rev. Israel
Nancy-Wi it seems that you and I are always on the same train of thought. (I meant that as a compliment really) In reading this parable I was struck by the soils. Some soil was not prepared at all to recieve a seed, some soil was worked on very fervently NOT to accept seeds and be a road, and someone took great pains in preparing a section of soil to be perfect and ready when the sower came. I am a UMC pastor (in the "bad" west [sorry couldn't let that one go]) and I am appointed by my bishop to serve a parish not a church. If I choose to serve only a church (and by church I mean a specific congregation) then I'm just working the same plot of ground over and over. If I serve a parish (a community or location) I find myself working hard in other fields preparing it for the sower, sometimes with great harvest, sometimes with weeds and sadly sometimes with no harvest at all. Thus is the nature of a call to ministry. Are we willing to work hard at a plot of ground that might not be on church property? Or one that someone else has worked over intentionally not to accept the seed the sower casts??
Mark In SW Washington
Nancy-Wi it seems that you and I are always on the same train of thought. (I meant that as a compliment really) In reading this parable I was struck by the soils. Some soil was not prepared at all to recieve a seed, some soil was worked on very fervently NOT to accept seeds and be a road, and someone took great pains in preparing a section of soil to be perfect and ready when the sower came. I am a UMC pastor (in the "bad" west [sorry couldn't let that one go]) and I am appointed by my bishop to serve a parish not a church. If I choose to serve only a church (and by church I mean a specific congregation) then I'm just working the same plot of ground over and over. If I serve a parish (a community or location) I find myself working hard in other fields preparing it for the sower, sometimes with great harvest, sometimes with weeds and sadly sometimes with no harvest at all. Thus is the nature of a call to ministry. Are we willing to work hard at a plot of ground that might not be on church property? Or one that someone else has worked over intentionally not to accept the seed the sower casts??
Mark In SW Washington
One more thought by way of an illustration. I have a friend that bought ocean front property several years ago on the Washington Coast. Something happened that I never knew about. After 25 years or so the ocean has deposited a considerable amount of land (by way of sand and logs and dead wales) (just kidding about the wales) infront of his property. Now the state wants to sell it, thus negating his "ocean front". I guess that typically it's not an issue because the sand and stuff the ocean deposits is very unstable and not good for much; but if you go in and work the land with heavy equipment it has some very nice building caracteristics. Speaking of new soils that need to be worked on and prepared... Just a thought.
Mark In SW Washington
Pastor John in CT wrote, "I'm not sure the compilers of the Lectionary ever intended the lessons to necessarily fit together in complimentary or contrasting ways each week."
I'm quite certain they didn't intend that -- their commentary on the patriarchal track of lessons makes that clear.
Nonetheless, I try to find someway to work both the Gospel and one of the other lessons into the sermon. I don't always succeed, but I try.
Blessings, Eric in KS
The post with reference to the New Interpreters Bible struck a chord with me, because I want to marry the Matthew text with the Isaiah text. My leanings have been toward talking about the seeds and the soil, but focusing on the Word, which does not come back empty. I think I intend to show that while we plant at different times, in different soils; ultimately the harvest or lack thereof is the Lord's. Our job then is not to be the preparer of the soil or the planter of the seed, necessarily although that can be part of our job, but rather our focus should be on clarity in sharing of the Word so that regardless of where it falls, it can be fruitful. Thoughts? Pastor's Wife struggling to preach on Sunday
To Eric in KS:
As a part time lay speaker in 2 UMC multi-point charges, that use the RCL, I too have struggled to find the common uniting link in the scriptures. And tho this is "carrying coals to Newcastle", I sometimes find that the link is point and counterpoint. I think that applies in this week's lections. Both Esau and Issac have short term goals in mind with no thought to the consequences of their actions. The future anguish resulted from both men's greed at the moment and the thought that all was solved by their respective behavior. The sower on the other hand, gives the farmer's notion of never ending work. The preparation, the sowing, the cultivating, the reaping, and the sorrow of the failed areas are but feelings of the called in their daily efforts to "propigate" the word. As a builder I know too well the ego trip of thinking that I can build the permanent structure that is perfect. As a struggling lay minister I know too well the reality of facing the constant of sowing to all. Hope this helps.
Bob the builder
Picking up on focusing on the Word and not the soil or the seed...Jim Taylor in CURRENTS proclaims "God is not stingy. Every fall, God supplies enough goldenrod pollen to color the whole earth yellow, if it all grew. The Parable of the Seed itself tells us God is extravagant and generous. Any sensible farmer makes sure the seeds go only onto the good ground. Only God scatters seed on highways and parking lots, among rocks and swamps..."
God even scattered the word on the greedy twins! It did not come back empty.
What a breath of fresh air for the church! Sometimes we get so frustrated because everyone "doesn't get it." Sometimes we are tempted to be stingy with the Word, preferring to work only with the tried and true inner circle of faithful ones...because we know the word will bear fruit and the work will get done. Guess what? We do not have to worry about who gets it and who doesn't. We simply are called to scatter it. As it was so beautifully noted earlier, "The Word does not come back empty." Talk about encouragement (especially for my exhausted CE committee who just finished another action-packed, over-the-top VBS extravaganza and wondered if it was worth it.) revdlk in Nebraska
Rev DLK,
Thank you for the affirmation! You cannot imagine how much I needed that this day! May God Bless you with your message this week as you spread the Word!
Pastor's Wife Preaching
Although the common interpretation of this parable seems to focus on the state, or "attitude" of the different soils, I think perhaps I'm going to look at it from the perspective of "hearing, understanding, and bearing fruit." How can we (followers of Christ) help others to listen so they can hear, so they can understand, and so they may bear fruit?
The attitude of the Sower (in Matthew this is Christ) is one of generosity and grace. The seeds are abundant and fall everywhere in an all-inclusive manner. The harvest, despite the early pessimism due to the destroyed seeds, is at the end still fantastically abundant. God's victory is sure. Promise and hope exist because of God's gift to the hearts of those who hear, understand, and bear fruit. Even understanding is a gift of God. Just some food for thought as I continue to work through this passage.
Lisa
Although the common interpretation of this parable seems to focus on the state, or "attitude" of the different soils, I think perhaps I'm going to look at it from the perspective of "hearing, understanding, and bearing fruit." How can we (followers of Christ) help others to listen so they can hear, so they can understand, and so they may bear fruit?
The attitude of the Sower (in Matthew this is Christ) is one of generosity and grace. The seeds are abundant and fall everywhere in an all-inclusive manner. The harvest, despite the early pessimism due to the destroyed seeds, is at the end still fantastically abundant. God's victory is sure. Promise and hope exist because of God's gift to the hearts of those who hear, understand, and bear fruit. Even understanding is a gift of God. Just some food for thought as I continue to work through this passage.
Lisa
Dear Preacher's Wife,
I am glad I made your day! Your focus truly honors the intent of the parable. By the way, my sermon title this week is "The Extravagant Farmer." Since we Nebraskans are in the midst of a serious drought, this is going to be interesting. No one has anything to waste right now, including water. And yet we are going to look more closely at the risks we are called to take in spreading the Good News of the Kingdom, because God takes those kinds of risks with us. The rewards are beyond measure.
By the way, another growth/garden parable is on the agenda for next Sunday. Guess what? Not only do we NOT have to worry about who gets it and who doesn't, we also do not have to worry about the presence of evil. Our calling is to be patient and nurturing instead of judgmental. In the final separation, God will be satisfied as God makes good that which we cannot. My sermon title, "God's Messy Garden." Given God's farming tactics, should we be surprised? Preach on! revdlk in Nebraska
Hello fellow dpsr's! I am in a quandry this week. We are having a Celebrate America Sunday, and I would like to stay true to the lectionary, but am unsure how to do that in the midst of patriotic songs and the like. We will also be honoring our firefighters and police, emts, and those who have served in the armed forces.
I don't usually do this type of service, so other than the songs, I am somewhat stuck. I cannot find much in the way of invocations or calls to worship in that arena either.
Any help? I am garnering great information from your contributions so far; just not sure where I am going with it. Thank you all.
Betty in NY
A colleague of mine, having ministered in his present parish for a little over a year, commented to me yesterday that everything he has been able to successfullydo here has been because his predecessor faithfully planted seeds. We do not always see the fruits of our labour. We are not called to. We are all called to be faithful (not necessarily successful)in the planting. This is a tall order sometimes. To everything there is a season. Just some musings.
Peace,
Mike in Canada \
This passage begins with, "that same day"..look back at the day and it is escalating conflict with the religious establishment and misunderstanding by his family, yet the crowds are growing exponentially as people hungry for the word of the kingdom crowd in on Jesus.
The parable deals with why the word of the kingdom is rejected and misunderstood by some while embraced by others. The thought strikes me that you cannot judge the readiness of the soil (the receptiveness of human beings) by appearance (religious folks seemed to reject him while tax collectors and thieves gathered to him.
I've though of the condition of the people who are not reached as: hardened, discouraged, frozen with cares or as U2 puts it "stuck in a moment and you can't get out of it", and seduced by the world.
Good soil in contrast would be pliable, hopeful, trusting and disillusioned with the "world".
Lewis in Alabama
Betty in NY,
A couple of thoughts. The phrase, "The Land of the Free and the Brave," comes to mind. Maybe you could do something with that, since all the different soils make up the land.
Or, maybe you could bring up the theology of vocation, and how these many people, emt's, soldiers, firefighters, and police work in the rocky, thistled, hard-packed places of earth, being God's love and care in some of the most horrible situations on earth.
Or, maybe, as everyone else is celebrating America, you could pick up on some of the ideals of America, or what you would hope the ideals of ALL people could be, if they heard the word of God, and were able to respond as good soil, even amid the thorns, etc.
Just some thoughts...
Michelle
Wow! Another tough sermon this week. I've been wrestling with the soil motif as all of you have. I think that I am not one type of soil, but all types. I've been the hardened soil of the path, the rocky soil without roots, the soil choked by thorns, and with God's grace the good soil.
I wonder if the faceless crowd who sat on that beach at first wondered why this great teacher named Jesus was talking about seeding soil. Didn't he have something better to share than something everyone already knew about. Perhaps as Jesus sat in the boat sharing good news he saw the disinterested look on their face (if you preach you know the look) and then his words perked up their ears "Let anyone with ears listen!" But what was Jesus to say...
We know that the ones who came to the beach that day came willingly. The Bible says nothing of people being dragged there. Jesus must have gained a reputation as a genuine teacher at this point. And then as he speaks he redirects their eyes from the ground and into their souls. And he reminds them that the father will provide a seed. But as with the condition of our souls, seed can only grow if it is cultivated.
Did some people in the crowd walk off that beach disappointed. Maybe. Were any proud enough to see themselves as the good soil. Perhaps. Or did some truly look at their own soil and see that the field they were harvesting was made of more than 'topsoil'.
I know that I am more than topsoil. There are areas in my life that I work very well cultivating. But I am not consistent in every area. Face it, we all face the temptation that money provides. Money can slowly choke the life right out of us. An epiphany moment can make us believe that we can change our lives in an instant, but we slide right back into our old habits. The point is that no field and no soul is perfect, nor without the need of constant attention. At some points we feel like 'dirt' and other times 'topsoil'.
What was Jesus getting at anyway? Maybe for us to come to grips with reality. That all of us should strive to be topsoil so that we can bear fruit, but we should recognize that in order to do this we must get our hands dirty and do the work of cultivation.
Pastor John on the Jersey Shore....
Betty in NY
I have these lyrics from an old song, which I have used twice for memorial/patriotic type services, because I love the way it ties that patriotic fervor back to the primary example of Christ.
People tend to forget.
I was just a young boy, and he an old man
He was sitting in the park on that summer day
He said, “Do you see that cannon over by the tree?”
I said, “Yes, it doesn’t work. It’s just for play.”
He said, “Has anyone ever told you, have you ever heard about the war, the blood, the pain that old gun stands for?”
But I just looked at him, and finally nodded no
But I wanted him to tell me, ‘cause I wanted to know
And he told me of a war for freedom and final victory
And he told me of the many lives that were lost for him and me
And he said let that old cannon remind you and me
That freedom is never cheap, just because it’s free.
Some prices are so high there only paid in blood
An empty helmet in the snow, or still boots in the mud
And to the many ones, who died, we’ll always be in debt
But people fail to remember - people tend to forget.
Well many summers have come and gone,
But I was in that park the other day
And I remembered that old man and the words he had to say
Then I looked up at that old white church with the wooden cross on top
And as I sat there in the park alone, to myself I thought
All about a war for freedom, and final victory
And I thought about a life that was lost for you and me
And I almost heard that old man ask if that cross reminded me
That freedom is never cheap just because it’s free
Some prices are so high they’re only paid in blood
A lifeless body hanging still, his garments in the mud
And to the one, who gave his life, we’ll always be in debt
But people fail to remember - people tend to forget.
People fail to remember
People tend to forget.
By, R. Salsbury, J. D. Hooven
Copywrite 1977, Strawbed Music
I don’t know if this will be of any use to you just now, but it may be in the future… Still, I could see it used with the Matthew passage, as it demonstrates the already mentioned, “Extravagance” of a God who would throw seed everywhere, knowing it will not all take root, but loving so much that no other manner of sowing is possible. That may be free, but it is not cheap. Nor is the willing service of those who you seek to recognize this week. And, of course, the problem is that all too often the significance of the seeds sown – and the lives risked in service – does not take root, is not remembered in soil that is too hard, too shallow, too entangled in whatever.
Blessings,
Just Another Tom
I typed the preceeding lyrics in verse form, but it came out in paragraphs... so I apologies for the seeming lack of punctuation, but I trust you can decipher it.
Just another Tom
Rev. Israel wrote:
I just moved to a small town church from a city with a population of 3 million. Imagine me preaching this to the farmers. Arghhh. ... Hope I don't misspeak any of the jargon of those who truly do till and sow.
Ya know... this is a wonderful chance to let some of the wise farmers teach YOU! When I preached this three years ago in my little church, I went humbly to some of my gardeners and read it to them. I asked them to hear it with their gardening ears and talk to me about what they heard. They gave me thoughts and vocabulary and examples of how to best relate it to our congregation.
And, of course, they thought it was a wonderful sermon because I gave them credit for helping to mold it. It was a great way to "sow the seed" in their hearts before Sunday, and cultivate my soil as well. (I did the same thing with the farmers about last week's "yoke" imagery. One old farmer brought me a lapel pin of a yoke afterward.)
Hope it works for you.
Yell AROSE!nTx
Hello, Are any of you clergy going to attend the School of Christian Missions that the UMW 'puts on' in your conferences? I am, I get Continuing Ed credit, taking the James and Mexico studies... No, I didn't mean to start a liberal-conservative struggle here...just an observation. I know there are liberals every and conservatives everywhere... I was just making remark based on the WV CONFERENCE Newspapers photo of the two 'old ladies' (who by the way looked like one man and one woman) who had a convenant service in California. This was after THE CREECH INCIDENT. By the way, I joined in this after that. DID Jimmy Creech, I dont know if he still is a Rev. in UMC in Nebraska, come here and post??? I am just curious is ALL... no comment one way or another... Just wondered if someone 'famous' like Jimmy Creech ever visited here.... And to the question if Jesus was a liberal or conservative...hmmm I'd say depends on your perspective. I am still mediating on Matthew And Genesis combo... selling out... Pastor Mary OH
Hello all,
Our Text Study group talked about this passage... almost too familiar to preach... someone suggested... true... one of my colleague said he's titling his sermon... "From the beach"... his premise is that we need to get out of the boat/church and be sowers... EVERYwhere... not just where we're SURE our seeds will take root. Jesus/the sower... scattered seeds indiscriminately... God's love is shared that way... with little thought of only placing the seeds in good soil... Jesus once again does the unexpected.
OK... I know people won't look at my web page for the story... maybe you'll read this story though... :?) I probably should tell it in second person... but here's how it happened.
I had that funeral on Monday - a Veterinarian... lover of animals, ALL animals, perhaps I was more "tuned in" than usual, because... later that afternoon, my son and I were going down Main Avenue and came to the 25th Street intersection... a red light... about 6 cars ahead of me and numerous more cars behind me. The turning lane to my left was full of about 8 cars - I suppose. The right turning lane was empty ... except for the lone creature. I saw it there... struggling to walk... tottering a few steps... falling to its side... righting itself again and again. I waited for it to get to safety on it?s own what seemed an eternity. I watched the pigeon struggle to get out of the way of traffic. (First I asked my 17 year old son to go move it - "Dad it's just a bird!" So with that, I put the car in park... got out of the car... and of course... Just as I approached my feathered friendm the light turned green! It was trembling as I quickly and cautiously placed my hands over it's wings... praying that it would let me pick it up without a struggle, without pecking at me, once captured, it put up no fight. I had carefully gathered it's wings in my hands and whisked it to the curb, the grass, the shaded area of a parking lot shed... there it found sanctuary, a safe place in which to rest and be rescued I hoped.
By the time I returned to the car, my son had moved over to the driver seat and we left. A curious thing happened, not a soul honked their horn on that hot summers day.
Having shared that story with my preacher pals on Tuesday morning... one made a good insight I thought, (made ME cry)... "Sure, your son thought "it's just a bird"... but you planted a seed for him and any that saw the rescue take place... Sure, others may have helped, but then again, they may not have. But now, when someone who witnessed THAT rescue sees an animal or a person in need... they may think twice about helping it/them out - they too may decide to be a "fool" for Christ's sake. As far as your son, well, he doesn't know it now... but someday he too will remember when you planted that seed of hope, that life is more precious than the wasted time in performing a good deed."
I think that's what Christ calls us to do... to be extravagant - even reckless in our planting... who knows what seeds will TAKE ROOT AND GROW TO CHANGE THE WORLD!
Thanks for the forum and your imput in it... preach it folks! As one of my mentors commented, "If you don't PREACH it, who will?"
pulpitt in ND
|
