Introduction

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather in this sacred space, let's prepare our hearts to receive the Word of God. Today, we are going to dwell in the verdant fields of 1 Corinthians 3:6-17, a passage that speaks to us about the vital role each of us plays in the kingdom of God.

Before we turn to the Scripture, I'd like to share a quote from the esteemed preacher, Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "To be a soul winner is the happiest thing in the world. And with every soul you bring to Jesus Christ, you seem to get a new heaven here upon earth." This quote reminds us that our role in God's kingdom is not passive, but active. We are called to be planters of seeds, providers of the water of the Word, and promoters of the growth of the Gospel.

Now, let's turn to the Scripture. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:6-17: "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple."

Planting the Seeds of Faith

In the Scripture we just read, Paul uses an agricultural metaphor to illustrate our role in God's kingdom. He talks about planting seeds. Now, what does this mean for us as believers? It means that we are called to sow the seeds of faith in the hearts of others.

When a farmer plants a seed, he doesn't know for sure if it will grow. He can't see what's happening beneath the soil. But he plants the seed anyway, trusting in the process. Similarly, when we share our faith with others, we may not see immediate results. We may not know if the seeds we plant will take root and grow. But we are called to plant them anyway, trusting in God's process.

Sharing our faith can be challenging. But just like the farmer who plants seeds in the uncertainty of nature, we are called to plant seeds of faith in the uncertainty of human hearts. We are called to share the love of Christ, the hope of the Gospel, and the truth of God's Word, even when we don't know how it will be received.

Now, let's think about the nature of the seeds we are planting. The seeds we plant are not ordinary seeds. They are seeds of faith. And faith, as the Bible tells us, is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. When we plant seeds of faith, we are planting hope and conviction in the hearts of others. We are planting the assurance of God's love, the conviction of His truth, and the hope of His salvation.

But how do we plant these seeds? How do we share our faith with others? There are many ways. We can share our personal testimony. We can share the teachings of the Bible. We can share the love of Christ through acts of kindness and service. Each of these methods is like a different type of seed, each with its own potential to grow and bear fruit in the hearts of those who receive it.

However, it's important to remember that we are not the ones who make the seeds grow. We can plant the seeds, but it is God who makes them grow. This is a humbling reminder of our role in God's kingdom. We are not the ones in control. We are not the ones who bring about the growth. We are simply the planters of seeds, the sowers of faith.

And yet, even though we are not the ones who make the seeds grow, we still have a crucial role to play. We are co-workers in God's service. We are part of His plan. We are instruments in His hands. And as we plant the seeds of faith, we are participating in the work of the kingdom, the work of bringing people to know and love God.

Providing the Water of the Word

We are reminded of the importance of providing the water of the Word ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO