A Sower Went Out To Sow

Good morning! I have a VERY short message for us today.

The same apostle that wrote Romans, wrote (fa-LEE-mon) Philemon.

I’m not sure if (fa-LEE-mon) was so short because Paul had a meal waiting, or simply because what he had to say, needed to be succinct, short and sweet!

Today…I’ve got lunch waiting! So you know my motivation!

But seriously, the word God has for us today, is very direct, heavily relies on scripture, (as most of His messages do), and doesn’t need elaboration.

BODY

The title of today’s message is: A Sower went out to sow.

Hopefully, most of you know that CPC logo is derived from:

Matthew 13:8, I like to read the entire passage that leads us to that verse.

Stand with me as we honor God while reading His word.

Beginning in v1. Matt chapter 13.

Read 1-8 from my bible.

Have you ever planted seed? In a literal sense, you know like to grow a garden?

One of the main considerations is the soil.

Another is the season.

Yet another is the surroundings.

Let’s consider the surrounding first:

You won’t find many rice paddy’s in the desert will you?

However, you will find many species of cactus, and succulents.

Is is wise to know your surroundings.

Once the proper surrounding has been established, next is the season:

The ideal time to plant fruit and vegetables in East Texas is the early spring.

There are some exceptions, such as summer squash and okra, which usually produce a greater yield when planted in late spring.

Note to you gardeners and farmers: This is not a horticulture course. I’m sure you have your Farmers Almanac and other sources to rely on. This is a 10k feet aerial view, if you will.

The soil is obviously a major consideration.

Sandy soil is great for watermelons. Not so much for tomatoes.

Jesus is speaking of planting His word in a variety of conditions.

This parable is paramount for understanding our roles as Sowers of the Word.

Matthew 13:3 “Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.”

He didn’t say “the sower spent many a morning sitting on the porch, next to his bag of seed, waiting for the seed to jump out of the bag, dig up the soil, and cover the seed with dirt.”

No, He said “A sower went out to sow”!

Church, is that us?

Each of every one of us, has an environment and a field for us.

In that room right behind us, is Ms. Ann’s field.

Oh how see plows, and plants, and waters, and pulls weeds, and nurtures her field!

Is that you?

A sower went out to sow.

Today is a very special day @ CPC.

Several weeks back, I expressed to you that God spoke to my heart and said “You don’t have leadership in place to be ready for church growth.” Physical growth this is, not spiritual growth.

We then ordained Roman as a deacon @ CPC.

>>>Call Roman up<<<

Acts 14:23 “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

>>>Call up Jimmy and KarolAnn<<<

Church, welcome our newest Elder to Cross Pointe Church.

I’ve got a story to tell!

Jimmy, KarolAnn, if your version of my story is different, please hold off until fellowship lunch for revision, fair enough?

I met Jimmy and Karol Ann @ Cross Roads Church several years ago.

They came in as part of the worship team there. I don’t recall the circumstances that led to that, but I was part of the worship team as well.

On one of the first times we played music together, I was “noodling around” on my guitar, and Jimmy said something like “oh you like blues in the A key huh?” And he sort of joins in on guitar riff with his bass.

I didn’t have the courage to admit that I didn’t even realize I was doing that riff in the A key, much less that it was blues!

So I just played along, as though I knew exactly what he was talking about!

Several years go by, and I get a call from Jimmy asking me about CPC. He core question, was “what are the tenets”. The core beliefs, so the speak.

I give him a quick run down, and before he got a chance to tell me the reason, he asked that question, I said something like “We are in desperate need of a worship team”.

Jimmy replied “Karol Ann and I haven’t played for years. In fact, our instruments are in storage”. He continued “We believe God is leading us into a new ministry”.

He added “but for a season, we might be able to help with the worship ministry”.