LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER 2021 HARVEST SUNDAY
LUKE 8 VERSES 4 - 18
I am sure this passage is one of the most popular to preach on for a harvest service. The parable of the sower. Some commentators believe that Jesus actually used this parable to his disciples as he watched a sower sowing the seed in the fields nearby. Quite often Jesus took every day natural things and would bring great spiritual truth from them. A parable is an earthly picture with a heavenly meaning Jesus is teaching here about a sower, not thinking of the practical but the spiritual. He sees the man going forth to preach the word of God - verse 11 "the seed is the word of God." The ground is the acceptance of the word of God in our hearts - do we receive it today or does it fall on hard ground? I want to look at the seed in the sowers hand today. Look at the seed that is sown - the word of God.
The seed is precious. The sower didn't go out and buy a sub standard seed. He made sure the seed was the best he could buy. He wanted the best response. This man knew he had something very precious in his hand and there would come a great harvest from the seed sown. Always keep that in mind when you are sowing God's seed, the word of God. Galatians 6 verse 7 "whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap." The sower knew he would gain a bountiful harvest. Psalmist 126 verse 6 said "He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him." "My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word." (Psalm 119 verse 81) A man sowing/preaching the word of God. The very question we must ask is how precious is the book you hold in your hand today? A young man in 2 Kings 22 Joash came to the throne of Judah. His father and grandfather didn't give him much influence. They did their best to put down the faith of God. Joash though cleansed the house of God. The word of God which had been hidden for many years was found in the temple and the one who found it ran straight away into the palace and set it on Joash's knee. Joash realised it was the word of God. He tore his clothes and got down in sackcloth and ashes. The word of God is so precious. So precious that men have given their lives to give you it today. Martin Luther, Wycliffe, Tyndale - they all vowed that they would place the word of God in the people's own language into their hands. These men were burnt at the stake because they tried to do that. The apostle Paul writing to Timothy realised the preciousness of the word of God. He told Timothy "it is able to make you wise unto salvation." (2 Timothy 3 verse 15) Joshua going into the land of Canaan was leading the people out in front. People were looking to him for leading and direction. God directed him to the book of the law and told him to "meditate in it day and night that you might make the right decisions." (Joshua 1 verse 8) Such was the preciousness of the book he had. This book tells me about the creation of the world. Did you ever see so many documentaries today about how the world came into being, they declare it is a mystery but this book tells me all about creation. It also tells me what I am, a sinner and the remedy for my sin was found almost 2000 years ago when the Son of God came into the world. On the cross he suffered, bled and died for our sins. He did it so that heavens door might open to all who trust in him. Paul said "all scripture is given by inspiration of God." How precious it is. This sower is pictured and in his hand is the seed, it is precious.
There has to be plenty of seed. The sower goes forth to sow. He had his eye on this harvest. Notice the importance of the seed. Not merely to be possessed but scattered. Sometimes we can be selfish. This word handed down to us must be sown. Have you told anyone about the Lord, about his love for us, his death in dying on the cross, how he was buried for 3 days and nights in the tomb, of his glorious resurrection, that he is a living Saviour today. One day he is coming once again. What impact have we had on others this week? Are we sowing the seed today? People are watching us today. We profess the Lord as Saviour but what are we sowing today? We need to plant the word of God in our hearts and minds. Paul said to Timothy "preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4 verse 2) In Acts 8 we read of a terrible time of persecution around Jerusalem. Saul of Tarsus was creating havoc. People got up and left Jerusalem as a result but "they went everywhere preaching the word." (verse 4) Things might have been rough for them in Jerusalem but they didn't forget about the word of God. Philip himself went down to the city of Samaria "and preached Christ unto them."
Notice the seeds produce. We are seeing the seed is precious, that there has to be plenty sown, now seeing the seed and its produce - verse 15 "but that on the good ground are they which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it and bring forth fruit with patience." God takes his word and applies it to your situation and as you receive it that will bring forth fruit in your life. Life was in the seed not in the sower. Sometimes we want to attribute the success to the preacher no matter how educated he might be. Life is not in the preacher. Paul said "Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel; not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." (1 Corinthians 1 verse 18) Paul could have used his education very well but he knew that was not sufficient. It is only when the cross is present before you, when Christ who was rich in glory was set aside and came into the world to become poor for you. "And My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God" 1 Corinthians 2 verses 4 and 5. God is dealing with your soul today. He wants you to step out today. It is the word of God. Remember Lydia at the meeting in Acts 16 when the apostle Paul preached, God opened up her heart that she might receive the word of God. In Acts 2 when they listened to the word of God they were "pricked in their hearts." (verse 37) "Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incoruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Peter 1 verse 23) "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10 verse 17)
The seed and its problems. There is nothing wrong with the seed but it was other problems outside of its control. The seed "bare fruit an hundredfold." The problem was in the heart. First the seed fell by the wayside where it was trodden down and the fowls of the air devoured it (verse 5). Jesus explains this as the devil coming in and takes the seed away. Then the seed fell on stony ground and it sprouted up but it quickly withered away when the sun came. That is like someone who comes to Christ, they are all emotional and have no depth. The third seed fell among thorns and thistles which choked the seed. The cares of the world, the influence of others means the word of God is choked and no more fruit is produced. The heart that was prepared brings plenty of fruit. Let's sow the seed to day and share the word of God for the great harvest ahead.
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