8. Sower

8. Sower

Picture 8: The Sower

What better picture do we have of the highs and lows, the struggles and rewards, of barrenness and fruitfulness, than that of the Sower?

different soils

rocks, weeds etc

(Psa 126:4-6 NIV) Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. {5} Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. {6} He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

(Jer 12:12-13 NIV) Over all the barren heights in the desert destroyers will swarm, for the sword of the LORD will devour from one end of the land to the other; no one will be safe. {13} They will sow wheat but reap thorns; they will wear themselves out but gain nothing. So bear the shame of your harvest because of the Lord's fierce anger."

(Hosea 8:7-8 NIV) "They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no head; it will produce no flour. Were it to yield grain, foreigners would swallow it up. {8} Israel is swallowed up; now she is among the nations like a worthless thing...

(Hosea 10:12 NIV) Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.

(Luke 19:21 NIV) I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.'

What are we sowing? - that's what we'll reap

Modelling

Are we sowing seeds, or just wanting to pick the flowers?

flowers are pretty for a time, but they whither and die

seeds sown in prepared soil, and water and nurtured, grow and produce fruit that lasts!

Much music is like cut flowers - an ornament for the moment

But ministry is like planting seeds and nurturing the growth and reaping the fruit.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. {7} Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. {8} And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. {9} As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." {10} Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. {11} You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. {12} This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. {13} Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

(2 Cor 9:6-13 NIV)

...more thoughts coming...

What does this mean for me?

To b

[spiritual...

[practical...