Planting For The Harvest

Video Illustration from the Movie “Case for Christ”

First church service

After Lee’s wife convinces him to attend church, Lee discovers that if Christianity is true, it will have huge implications on his life.

Themes: Church, Influence, Relationships, Understanding, Perspective, Enlightenment

Plot Outline: Based on the Gold Medallion award-winning best-seller, The Case for Christ documents Lee Strobel’s journey from atheism to faith through his two-year investigation of the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ. Strobel, the former legal editor for the Chicago Tribune, draws upon his investigative skills to examine the historical accuracy of the Gospels, the personal claims of Jesus and His resurrection from the dead.

Planting for the Harvest

(Investing for the Future)

Gal 6:7-10 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.

Principal:

1. Investing

Matt 25:14-18

"For it is just like a man going on a journey. He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one — to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately 16 the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. 17 In the same way the man with two earned two more. 18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

Illustration: A young college student in a small town attended college across the street from a vey conservative and traditional church. Bob, was a very different kind of individual. His dress was unorthodox, his tee shirt had holes and he wore blue jeans and he always went bare foot. The conservative church wanted to get involved with the college students across the street but did not really know how. One Sunday morning Bob decided to go the Church. The service had already started when he arrived. As he entered the doors of the sanctuary he looked for a seat to sit and there was none to be found. As he walked down toward the front of the church all eyes were on him and event the pastor had stop what he was saying as he view the young man as he looked for a seat among the congregation. He had come to the very front row of the pews at the front of the church and found nowhere to sit. So he just sat down in the aisle at the end of very front row. Then an senior member of the congregation a stood up and began to make his way to the front of the church where Bob was sitting. This deacon was very well dressed in a three piece suite with a vest and even a gold pocket watch. As he made his way to where Bob was setting every eye including the pastor was watching to see what the deacon was going to do. When the deacon arrived where Bob was sitting he laid his cane down and very carefully reached for the pew and then he sat down beside the young college student.

Source: David Jeremiah, “Turning Point Broadcast”

Hebrews 6:12 so that you won’t become lazy, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

2 Peter 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 4:16 Therefore I urge you, be imitators of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.

1 Thess 1:6 and you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with the joy from the Holy Spirit.

1 Thess 2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews.

Heb 6:12 so that you won’t become lazy, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

2. Increasing

John 12:24-26 "I assure you: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop. 25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant also will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.