Sunday, July 16, 2023
Sowing Seeds
Music
Introit
Hymn #367
Hymn #171
Hymn #296
Hymn #539
Sermon Notes
By Jeff Gilstrap
Scripture:
Matthew 13:1-9,18-23Theme:
We are called to scatter the “seeds” of the Kingdom indiscriminately. Even though we sometimes never see the results of our efforts, and we seem like failures, Jesus promises us that our efforts will be reward with a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.
Reflections:
The focus in this parable is the “Farmer” or in other translations the “Sower”. I personally like the Sower because this farmer is not much of a farmer. He or she does nothing to prepare the soil and the sowing seems wasteful. Regardless the Sower sows seed indiscriminately without regard to type of soil.
Jesus says that the “seed” is actually the “word about the kingdom.” That makes sense in the context of Jesus’s ministry in Matthew. Jesus has been telling them many things in parables. Some hear and follow, like the Twelve, and on occasion there are great crowds, as in the case in chapter 13. But there is also much misunderstanding, some dismissal, ridicule, and rejection.
If we read this parable from the perspective of the farmer or Sower, then we must understand the focus is on us as the Sower. Jesus calls us to sow the seeds of the Kingdom indiscriminately with out regard of the hearer. The struggle with this is Jesus says there will be much failure. But that does not mean there will not be success. Jesus does not end the parable with repeated, dramatic instances of farming failure and wasted seed. He ends with, “Other seed fell on good soil and bore fruit, in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one.” Jesus thus ends the parable with focus on the miraculous, abundant harvest, not on the disappointing failure. “Everyone who has ears should pay attention.”
So in our lives as followers, we must continue to sow the seeds of the Kingdom through our faithful living. A life of love, inclusion, compassion, mercy, justice, and forgiveness: knowing that our efforts may lead to rejection and failure, but also there is a great harvest. We are called to sow and Jesus will bless the harvest.
Questions:
- What does this parable say about preparing the soil before we sow the seed?
- What does sowing seed look like in tangible ways in our life?
- Do feel like you seed sowing has been a failure at times?
- In this parable, what is our role and what is Jesus’ role?
Music Notes
By Kenneth Jones
Reflections:
Introit: On the opposite end from “Sowing Seeds”, the Introit, “Come, Labor On” uses harvest imagery as a compelling call to Christian service.
Opening Hymn: The opening hymn, “Come, Ye Thankful People Come”, with its familiar Thanksgiving associations, continues the imagary of God’s harvest.
Special Music: No particular reason this week for the choice of special music, other than I like it. Millie and I will sing an arrangement of “Be Thou My Vision”.
Responding Hymn: There is actually only one hymn in our hymnal that directly references our scripture reading, and that is “A Sower Came from Ancient Hills”. As the footnotes explain, “Because the seed equals ‘the Word’, Jesus becomes the Seed in this expansion of the parable.”
Sending Hymn: “Jesus says that ‘the seed’ is actually the ‘word about the kingdom.” (sermon notes) and the Great Commission is Jesus command to spread the word. So for our sending hymn we sing “Go in Grace and Make Disciples”
Benediction: July’s Congregational Benediction is “We Will Go Out with Joy”