1st Corinthians 1:18 say's,
During that time I've learned a lot, and although mistakes were made, I wouldn't change a thing if I could do it all again. I've learned that no matter how hard you try, you simply cannot please everyone. I've learned that if you take a stand for Jesus in a community where satan has oppressed so many, then you will most definitely be attacked.
I've learned many lessons, but I guess one of the biggest lessons I've learned is that, no matter how much you share the gospel with people - God is the only One who can save them. I've led people to Christ, and they made a confession, but then their life didn't show that any change had ever taken place. As a matter of fact - Some of them even got worse! There were also some that did embrace the gospel, their life was changed, and it was evident to everyone around them.
Today I'd like to share something that my wife and I have agonized over. Maybe as a Christian you can relate with this. At it's core I think having such a burden for the lost is a good thing. I mean this is what primarily motivates me to blog - hoping that someone will receive Christ, or at the very least receive something that is life changing and pointing them to Jesus.
It wasn't until I read the Parable of the Sower that I understood having this burden for the lost.
Matthew 13:1-9 The Parable of the Sower
I also love it that Jesus explains this parable to His disciples.
Matthew 13:18-23
Only God knows what seed will take root when we sow the seed. This burden belongs to the Lord, but this doesn't mean we simply give up either. We can pray that their soil (heart) will become the kind of soil necessary to promote growth. Soil has to be cultivated sometimes and worked over - tilled under. Sometimes things must die in it to produce compost. Perhaps the person is willing to accept the gospel and still hang onto the things of the world that would hinder growth as a Christian, so maybe their soil needs worked over a bit more.
They are being prepared. I think it is vital that we continue to pray for them that their heart gets ready before time runs out, and they do received seed on the good ground and then bear fruit that produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty - meaning disciples and other good works.
Perhaps we focus too much on Salvation as being a one time event, when in fact it is sometimes a process. The important thing though is that the change does take place by the person making Jesus their Lord and Savior.
John 4:35-38
For 7 years I was a pastor of a small Church. For the most part I can say that God did a lot of great things in spite of our flimsy human efforts. We had our high mountain top experiences, and we had our low valleys as a body of believers.For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
During that time I've learned a lot, and although mistakes were made, I wouldn't change a thing if I could do it all again. I've learned that no matter how hard you try, you simply cannot please everyone. I've learned that if you take a stand for Jesus in a community where satan has oppressed so many, then you will most definitely be attacked.
I've learned many lessons, but I guess one of the biggest lessons I've learned is that, no matter how much you share the gospel with people - God is the only One who can save them. I've led people to Christ, and they made a confession, but then their life didn't show that any change had ever taken place. As a matter of fact - Some of them even got worse! There were also some that did embrace the gospel, their life was changed, and it was evident to everyone around them.
Today I'd like to share something that my wife and I have agonized over. Maybe as a Christian you can relate with this. At it's core I think having such a burden for the lost is a good thing. I mean this is what primarily motivates me to blog - hoping that someone will receive Christ, or at the very least receive something that is life changing and pointing them to Jesus.
It wasn't until I read the Parable of the Sower that I understood having this burden for the lost.
Matthew 13:1-9 The Parable of the Sower
1 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”Some seed fell by the wayside and the birds devoured it. Some seed fell on the rocky ground, took root, but had no depth. When the sun cam out it burned up. Some seed fell among the thorns and the plant was choked out. Then in verse 8 we read that some of the seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
I also love it that Jesus explains this parable to His disciples.
Matthew 13:18-23
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it,then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”We are only entrusted with one thing as we evangelize and that is to sow the seed. this is not merely verbally, but mainly by the life we live and the love of Christ we show to others. As we do so we will demonstrate what a changed life looks like and people will take notice. The Bible says that when God is lifted up then He will draw men to Him. When people see that you are not the same person you used to be and that joy exists in your life, then they will see an evidence that no skeptic could ever pull them away from, for they see Jesus. Even if the circumstances in your life are bleak, the people around you will know that you are not alone.
Only God knows what seed will take root when we sow the seed. This burden belongs to the Lord, but this doesn't mean we simply give up either. We can pray that their soil (heart) will become the kind of soil necessary to promote growth. Soil has to be cultivated sometimes and worked over - tilled under. Sometimes things must die in it to produce compost. Perhaps the person is willing to accept the gospel and still hang onto the things of the world that would hinder growth as a Christian, so maybe their soil needs worked over a bit more.
They are being prepared. I think it is vital that we continue to pray for them that their heart gets ready before time runs out, and they do received seed on the good ground and then bear fruit that produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty - meaning disciples and other good works.
Perhaps we focus too much on Salvation as being a one time event, when in fact it is sometimes a process. The important thing though is that the change does take place by the person making Jesus their Lord and Savior.
John 4:35-38
35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”Keep on sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. Maybe you are sowing the initial seed. Maybe you are watering the seed that someone else sowed. Many others have labored before us, so sow the seed. God has prepared the heart soil and the seed is in our hands.
Preach the gospel everywhere you go, and, if necessary, use words.-Saint Francis of Assisi
