Matthew 13:1-9 - "Planting Seeds of Faith" (11-23-08)

The teens that just did that skit about the parable of the sower have sure sprouted up into leadership around here. We never know how God’s supernatural ability will take root. So we praise God that the seed is spread out upon various soils, sometime in a very foolish manner without regard to the soil type.

It was the fall of 1988 when Robert Olson of Russell, Kansas invited me to go out on an October afternoon to drill wheat. Me the city boy and all, was clueless what this meant as I was completely uncertain why anyone would drill wheat. I soon discovered that drilling was a term used for planting seeds and in the case the seed was wheat. But I still didn’t understand why anyone would plant a crop in October. I soon discovered what “winter wheat” was all about. The plants would grow until the frost, go dormant until spring and then continue growing until June or July when the wheat was then harvested. I watched the wheat being harvested that summer of 1989 just a few short months before I began serving here as a youth director, yes almost 20 years ago this next year.

Jesus was drilling into the disciples the generous spirit of God when he taught them the parable of the sower. The sower went out to sow! There was no preparation of the soil. There was neither removal of the rocks from the rocky area nor any weed removal or fertilizing. It seems so careless not to make sure the soil is ready before you drill the seed into the ground. It seems so wasteful to spend time throwing everywhere instead of intentionally planting seeds in the best soil. It is a broadcast spreader of seed this sower seems to be instead of being responsible for the sowing of the seed everywhere. Perhaps we wouldn’t receive the word of God if it were contingent on the condition of our heart before the seed was planted.

Jesus drilled into them that the promises of God would fall upon all kinds of people, not just those whose soil was good or ready. The word of God was cast upon everyone who had ears. The seed is planted upon those who path is shallow or feeling downtrodden; upon those who life was rocky because of financial uncertainties and upon those who were caught up in the thorns of heartbreak. We gather today to celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ is still being cast out today for us, for hearts, at different times of our lives, are like these four soils and the promises of God are being drilled into us.

We gather today to remember that the church is called to cast the word out generously. The church was planted here in 1992, the year when most of these teenagers were born. We can give God thanks and praise for the “supernatural activity”[1] of God to cause such growth in these young people who led our worship last night. We have watched the faith community grow and develop as we’ve shared the grace of Christ.

A few weeks ago I preached for the fortieth ordination anniversary of Pastor John Harder. He was my first pastor from 1970-1977 at First Lutheran Church in Chicago. I said that when I was in second grade, there was not one sermon I recall him ever preaching. As a matter of fact, I said that Pastor Harder was foolish in his preaching, because he cast the seed upon all kinds of soils of inner city kids and long time members who all needed to here about God’s grace.

We are called to recommit our time, talent and treasures into planting seeds of faith here in this place. We don’t worry about the harvest. We don’t take credit for the growth. The Bible says that we plant, we water but God gives the growth.

In Psalm 126, we heard today that those who sow in tears will reap with armloads of joy. It was risky business planting the seeds that could have been used for food. Psalm 126 reminds us that sowing meant you had to depend on that which you didn’t see. You could see these seeds from this years harvest and they could be crushed and made into bread from for those hungry mouths you had to feed most of the winter long and into spring. But the farmer’s family would have to set some of the seeds aside to plant in the spring. I can’t imagine crying over planting seeds uncertain about whether they would turn into another harvest come fall. But perhaps they did with dear longing in their hearts cried with a trust in their heart that the one who provided for them this past year would provide again for them next year. They took that percentage of seeds one must surrender in order to allow God to make something new and more for the future harvest. The result will bring joy and salvation.

Let us pray: Gracious God, you cast your seed of good news upon our hearts today. We gather to ask you remove the stones away and bring healing to the thorny places. Root us deeper in our trust that you will provide that we may sow the word wherever we go, in Jesus name, Amen.

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[1] Matthew Hare, Matthew, Commentary