At the foot of the Cross

At the foot of the Cross

Friday, April 27, 2012

Sowing with Purpose & Waiting on God


INTRODUCTION

In this fast food generation where we plan, decide, purchase, and implement things within a single afternoon, it is difficult for us to imagine having to "wait on God". So let's take these first few moments together to "wait" and contemplate the Lord and His will for us.


Psalm 52:9
I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.
Psalm 62:1
My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation.
Isaiah 64:4
For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.
Jude 1:21
keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.


God's time is not our time. God's ways are not our ways AND THANK GOODNESS! It is not in man to direct his own path. But that is exactly what we do!! We make lists, plan activities, make decisions, and purpose in our hearts to accomplish tasks all the day long without thought of "waiting on the Lord". In the big scheme of things, God has an unfolding story and plan for man. We can either live within that plan to glorify Him in that story or live outside. The next set of lessons we embark on will hopefully prepare us to better live within the power and plan of God.

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LESSON SERIES DESIGN & GOALS:

(1) Each lesson is designed to answer an authentic question about being a true follower of Christ. We will introduce a SPIRITUAL SEED THOUGHT and then discover how that thought grows in each heart of those who participate in these lessons.

(2) Each lesson has the specific goal of "changing behavior".  Jesus changed lives in the 1st Century and continues a desire to change lives in this century. Without transformation, there is no life in Christ. You will get the opportunity in each lesson to make a change for the better.

(3) Each lesson will require creative thought and application. Our God is the great Creator and His children are creative (not destructive). We will be continuously praying for God's creative Spirit to move us in a direction that would address the needs of those who are lost.

(4) Each lesson will require some time and commitment to furthering God's Will in the lives of those around you.

LESSON 1

We will be taking a look at how authentic Christians participate in the plan that God has for man. There will be challenges and a need for specific commitments during the course of these lessons. There will need to be a "team effort" to gain the most from a community of believers, a community of followers, a community of active spiritual warriors.


WHAT IS A "SEED THOUGHT"? Jesus refers to the Gospel as the "seed" in Matthew 13. Let's contemplate this passage.

Matthew 13:19-22

19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.
20 The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 
23 And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”


In each verse above, our Lord assumes the "seed was sown!" Are we sowers or "thorns"? Do we throw the seed or do we horde it?

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"SEED THOUGHTS" have the potential of changing lives. Understanding "seed thoughts":

(1) Once the thought has been planted, it takes time for us to witness its affect.

(2) Seed thoughts can be planted at anytime, anywhere, by anyone. It does not require a pulpit minister to sow a "seed thought".

(3) How should a seed thought be planted? The "seed" should be carefully selected and intentionally sown. When you have prayed about which seed thought to sow and in which heart, only then should you carefully, purposefully, lovingly, and tenderly plant the seed.

(4) Which seed thought should be planted? As Jesus met people during His ministry, He planted the “seed thought” that each one needed. He spent a few minutes hearing their needs and then gave them the seed that they needed to fully and faithfully follow Him.

(5) What does a “seed thought” look like?

After a short conversation with the woman at the well, Jesus gave her this seed thought:

John 4:24
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

NOTE: Jesus rarely, if ever, preached an entire sermon to an individual, but He did give them “seed thoughts.” He didn’t expect them to always “get it” right then because He was planting a seed that others might water or time & God's Power might bring to fruition.

John 3:5
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 Can you give other examples of “seed thoughts” in the New Testament?

Why are seed thoughts important? Just as a farmer trusts God to bring the harvest from a tiny seed in the earth, so Christians must trust in the Power (Dunamis) of God to work His Way and Will in the hearts of men (Phil 2:13).

Philippians 2:13
for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Seed thoughts are important because this is where we begin when sharing the Light with the world. We plant seed thoughts and allow God ‘s Power to bring the increase. We WAIT on GOD to do His good Will.

ASSIGNMENT 1: Look at the Scenarios below and write a seed thought for each.


What “seed thought” might you plant if the following were the case?

Scenario 1:

A  young man who is going through a terrible divorce and child custody suit

Scenario 2:

A young person has just been arrested for a DWI due to their partying life-style. They are miserable and feel defeated by life.

Scenario 3:

A recent high school graduate is mad at the world and very depressed. They post on Facebook that they are worthless and wish they had never been born.

Scenario 4:

Your co-worker is griping about another co-worker not doing their job.

Scenario 5:

Your child comes home from school and is crying because someone is bullying him.

Scenario 6:

You have a relative that is “not inclined” religiously to any type of faith or religion.

Scenario 7:

Your doctor is Muslim and you have an appointment with Him this afternoon.

 Assignment 2: you are to create 4 more scenarios and suggest 4 more seed thoughts.

Assignment 3: What are some of the seed thoughts that Jesus asked us to plant?


FINALLY:

Too often we are silent because we think we don't have enough time to deliver the "full gospel" message. Too often we are tongue-tied because we don't know what to say. These lessons should help us loosen our tongues and become ready in season and out of season to be a sower of a spiritual "seed thought" among our fellow man.

Here is my prayer for all of us this week:


Help us Lord to learn to open our lips and to proclaim You among the nations and to acknowledge You in all our ways. Keep our minds centered on our packets of "seed" that you have given us in these earthen vessels. Give us PURPOSEFUL and creative ways of being a sower of seed. Help us to shine in a dark world. Keep our hearts near You and in Your Will. Take away any fear we might have of speaking gentle seed thoughts to those who are dying in darkness. Help us to have the Mind of Christ. Fill our hearts with the joy of our salvation. This is my prayer in the name of Christ, our Lord.

Here is my seed thought for all of us this week:


Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

RESOURCES:
-- http://www.biblegateway.com