One Sunday, I was talking with one of the Sunday school teacher from our church and I asked him how his class was this morning. He was encouraged to be able to teach the children the word of God, but I could tell that he was burdened by something. I waited a few moments thinking that perhaps he might share what was burdening him. And then he spoke. He said, “I just don’t think the kids get it. I put all this time preparing, which I love to do, but I don’t know how much they actually walk away with.” I was so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to be in John chapter 4 this past week particularly verses 36-38, which reads; "Already the ones who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."
This was the passage the Lord brought to my attention for this brother who was burdened by the lack of visible fruit in the children’s lives. I reminded him that perhaps he had been called to sow and someone else was going to reap his labor later on down the road. This was exactly what happened with the disciples as Jesus promised. The disciples would enter into the labor of those who had gone before them. In Acts chapter 2 after Peter’s powerful sermon, 3000 souls were added to the Kingdom of God. In Acts chapter 4 another 2,000 souls were added to the Kingdom. This was the fulfillment of what Christ told them they had entered into. This is no different for us today. Some will be called to reap a harvest of souls and others will be called to faithfully sow the seeds of the word of God with no visible fruit. In a ministry to children, the primary calling on the teacher’s life is to sow the seeds of God’s word into their hearts. This is also a primary principle in parenting. Much of what teaching children and parenting is all about is sowing the seed of God’s word into the lives of children.
It’s tempting to become discontent or discouraged when you continually labor to sow seeds of God’s word and see no visible fruit. Those who are called to a labor of sowing must keep in mind the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." You see, in the end, both reaper and sower will rejoice together. The whole purpose of having sowers and reapers is so that their will be much rejoicing when we join together in giving the Lord praise for His incredible work of saving sinners from His wrath for all eternity.
Let these words encourage your weary soul to press on to joyful and faithful ministry. Let these words encourage you to faithfully proclaim the Gospel to those you come in contact with.
This was the passage the Lord brought to my attention for this brother who was burdened by the lack of visible fruit in the children’s lives. I reminded him that perhaps he had been called to sow and someone else was going to reap his labor later on down the road. This was exactly what happened with the disciples as Jesus promised. The disciples would enter into the labor of those who had gone before them. In Acts chapter 2 after Peter’s powerful sermon, 3000 souls were added to the Kingdom of God. In Acts chapter 4 another 2,000 souls were added to the Kingdom. This was the fulfillment of what Christ told them they had entered into. This is no different for us today. Some will be called to reap a harvest of souls and others will be called to faithfully sow the seeds of the word of God with no visible fruit. In a ministry to children, the primary calling on the teacher’s life is to sow the seeds of God’s word into their hearts. This is also a primary principle in parenting. Much of what teaching children and parenting is all about is sowing the seed of God’s word into the lives of children.
It’s tempting to become discontent or discouraged when you continually labor to sow seeds of God’s word and see no visible fruit. Those who are called to a labor of sowing must keep in mind the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." You see, in the end, both reaper and sower will rejoice together. The whole purpose of having sowers and reapers is so that their will be much rejoicing when we join together in giving the Lord praise for His incredible work of saving sinners from His wrath for all eternity.
Let these words encourage your weary soul to press on to joyful and faithful ministry. Let these words encourage you to faithfully proclaim the Gospel to those you come in contact with.
1 comment:
On the topic of sowing & reaping:
young people today expect everyting to come to them in a instant. They expect a job the first time they fill out an application, they expect everything to go there way smoothly without any effort.
Yet they have no idea just how hard it is in today's world to get a job, buy & own a house, car, etc. Until they get off there feet & make an effort to earn what they want & to totally turn & trust in the Lord that he knows our needs & will provide in his time, not ours.
For a good reading, read a chapter a day from the book of Proverbs. It is full of wisdom & guidance for our everyday living.
In Christ,
John Newman, Jr.
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