We are sowers:
1. Jesus spoke about a “sower” going forth to “sow.”
2. 54 times in the New Testament we find the word translated “sow” in this parable.
3. The first time sow occurs in the Bible is Mt. 6:26.
4. Birds to not “gather into barns.” Neither do they “sow.” God takes care of their food needs.
5. It is man that has been given the responsibility to sow.
6. The second time “sow” occurs in the New Testament is Mt. 13:3.
7. He had the “sower” went forth to “sow” (he pictured a farmer planting seeds).
8. Jesus knew some of the seeds that farmers so do not produce a crop die (Mt. 13:4).
9. In verses 18-23 of Mt. 13 Jesus used the word “sow” many times.
10. He showed that His people are to be “sowers.”
11. Instead of planting seeds that will yield physical food, the seed Christians plant is for spiritual fruit.
12. God wants His people to plant the seeds of evangelism in every place they can.
13. There will be times when God’s people sow seed on the “wayside” (Mt. 13:19).
14. Other seed we sow will fall on “rocky places” (Mt. 13:20).
15. We will plant seed in places that have thorns (verse 22).
16. Once again, the seed will take root, but it will not last.
17. Other seed will be sown in “good ground.”
18. An especially strong incentive to do that is found in Mt. 13.
19. If on the average 75% of the seed dies, we need to plant a lot of it.
20. Imagine an employer saying we would not get paid for 75% of the work we do.
21. What would we think of an appliance that would work only 75% of the time?
22. In our day and time we have method upon method available to us to be a sower.
23. We need to accept God’s invitation to be sowers because someone else is working the field.
24. After the sower parable Jesus gave another parable in verses 24-25 of Mt. 13.
25. Here is another place where we find the word “sower.”
26. Satan and His helpers are sowing seed.
27. Satan is the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), but he is not content to sit on his hands.
28. He wants to sow error and lies. Our job is to sow the truth.
29. Many may not listen to what we have to say. People may take what we offer and toss it in the trash can.
30. We are not responsible for the germination of the seed.
31. Our job is to sow. We need to put down the seed of the gospel at every opportunity.
32. Someone may say, “I can’t believe that sowing the seed will make that much difference.”
33. Verses 31-32 – our word for “sower” occurs again – READ
34. Jesus said this is the “least” of all seeds (verse 32).
35. Yet, when this seed grows, it is the “greatest among herbs.” It “becomes a tree.”
36. The seed of the gospel can bring some very significant results.
37. A similar thing is true of the seed; we plant it and when it takes root in a person’s life it offers refuge.
38. People find spiritual refuge from sin.
39. Mt. 13:37 – READ The one who “sows the good seed” is the “Son of Man.”
40. We know the devil is the one who sows error and falsehood (verse 39).
41. The seed we sow is very, very important. Verse 39 says – a time will come when the seeds of the gospel are harvested.
42. Our job is to sow and God will sort things out at the end of time.
43. We have a big field—the entire world.
44. We have plenty of seed. Will we take it to those who need it each and everyday?
45. We need to be sowers, but we cannot sower before we the word has been sown in our heart.
Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.
Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Proper baptism in water puts a person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3) and results in the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).