“Words are things, and a small drop of ink falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” (Lord Byron 1788-1824).
The Parable of the Sower (see Matthew 13:3-9) is a good example of wasted seeds, and Jesus likens them to words (“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11 NIV). Jesus explained that some seeds fell on the path, and the birds ate them. Other seeds fell on rocky places where there was no soil to take root. Some fell among thorns which choked them. These were all wasted seeds. But some fell on good soil where they took root and produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. This parable is important because it appears in three Gospels including Mark 4 and Luke 8.
As it is with words. As I lead a bible study or even write this word every week, how much is wasted effort? How many of those words will fall on deaf ears (the path); how many will fall on busy ears, concerned with day-to-day issues (the rocky places); and how many words will be doubted, overruled, and choked, by worries, life’s riches and pleasures?
Jesus said the seed is the Word of God. It’s the only thing that has the power to change the human heart. Preaching alone won’t do it because we cannot talk people into a new heart. Our words have no power in and of themselves. Writing won’t do it. It’s necessary in our day to reach people where they are. And if we don’t reach them, we can’t win them or train them or send them out to minister to others.
But it’s possible to mistake busyness in our daily lives for godliness and activity for spirituality. The only thing that produces lasting growth is the Word of God. Preaching without God’s Word may produce quick growth but it won’t last. We need Word-centered ministry—and that must start from the pulpit on Sunday morning. Preachers who preach about everything under the sun except what God has actually said rob their congregations of the one thing they desperately need.
Jesus understood this (see Isaiah 6:9,10). Like the seeds that fell on good, receptive, soil, His Word will produce much. So how concerned should we be about those words that are wasted? No one like waste. This is evident in the parable. Remember that there is nothing wrong with the seed. The same seed that the birds eat is the same seed that produces a good crop. And it’s the same seed that produces a plant that withers away or gets choked by the thorns. Good ministry can’t be defined solely in terms of its visible results. And you can’t know in advance how your ministry will be received. Some success may be a good indicator but like the seed that fell on stony ground it will be short lived. That’s why Jesus told this story. Our job is sow the seed but as we sow, we need to be realistic. Some seed will fall on the hard path, some on the stony ground, some among the thorns, and some will fall on good soil. But you can’t know in advance where all the seeds will fall.
Good ministry of the Word produces differing results. That happens in every church, in study groups, in chaplaincy, in religious education in schools and in every form of ministry. Jesus told this story so we won’t be surprised and we won’t be discouraged when things don’t go the way we expected. The combination of God’s Word, persistency, and above all else the example you set, will produce results for the Kingdom. A few seeds sown in good soil can ultimately revolutionise a church, a town, a school, a family, a neighbourhood, or when God wills it so, an entire region.
Have a good week, Pastor Ron
Optional Bible reading: Luke 8:1-15
This is one of a series of weekly messages of encouragement, now in its twenty-sixth year, originating from Gympie, Fraser Coast, Queensland, Australia. A companion Bible study page is available each week. To subscribe via email click here with the words ‘Subscribe Word (or) Subscribe Word & Study’. Our ministry is free and emailing lists are confidential. Tell a friend or why not put a note in your church newsletter or pew sheet about this ministry – we welcome new subscriptions.Pastor Ron Clarke OAMWord for the WeekMbl.: +61 488 424 321
