WHAT WILL YOU SOW? // Sunday, February 13, 2022 // Pastor Jeff Hines
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Sunday — February 13, 2022
What Will You Sow?
Mark 4: 26 – 29 (NLT)
Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. 28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. 29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”
4 Insights
1. God expects us to grow.
2. The fruit of my life comes from seed sown into me.
3. We are often unaware of the seeds growing in us.
4. Our growth is gradual and happens in stages.
Philippians 1: 6 (NLT)
…I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
The Dynamics of Sowing
1. Everything begins as a seed.
Genesis 1: 11 (NLT)
Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of
seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened.
2. A seed is powerless until it is planted.
John 12: 24 & 25 (NLT)
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.
3. Some seed should be stored, not eaten.
Genesis 47: 23- 25 (NLT)
Joseph said to the people, “Look, today I have bought you and your land for Pharaoh. I will provide you with seed so you can plant the fields.
24 Then when you harvest it, one-fifth of your crop will belong to Pharaoh. You may keep the remaining four-fifths as seed for your fields and as food for you, your households, and your little ones.”
25 “You have saved our lives!”
4. You reap what you sow.
Galatians 6: 7 (ESV)
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
5. I’m not the only one sowing into my life.
John 4: 38 (NLT)
I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”
6. Sowing and Reaping are two different seasons.
Ecclesiastes 3
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven... A time to plant and a time to harvest... A time to scatter and a time to gather...”
7. The harvest is greater than what you sow.
Mark 4: 8 (NLT)
Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
8. The more you sow the more you reap.
2 Corinthians 9: 6 & 7 (NLT)
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.
9. We should ALWAYS be sowing seed.
Ecclesiastes 11: 4 (NLT)
Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.
Ecclesiastes 11: 6 (NLT)
Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.
10. Patience is required while waiting for the harvest.
Galatians 6: 9 (ESV)
… let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap,
if we do not give up.
What losses have you experienced?
Psalm 126: 5 & 6 (NLT)
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
What preparation do you need to do?
Jeremiah 4: 3 (NLT)
… Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.