Teachings – The Growth of a Harvest

THE GROWTH OF A HARVEST

UNFOLDING FORTY-EIGHT

WHERE WE ARE

We are a Royal Garden – King’s Garden. In a very real way, the church of Christ is likened to a garden, but also likened to the Ark. Yes, we have our duties to watch over those who are planted, collect those who are straggling. Yes, and we need to burn the rubbish and sweep up the leaves. In the case of the Ark, we must clean up the messes that we make of all those aboard. We need to remember that God was the One who brought His elect or men and animals to the Ark; even as He brought those planted in His Royal Garden.  

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 13:31,32

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

THE GROWTH OF A HARVEST
UNFOLDING FORTY-EIGHT

Pastor opens: 

“A very wonderful thing it is, that the seed should grow.”

The, he marvels – 

“How pleasant is it to see the seed of grace grow in children!”

“Next, having started growing, ‘it became a great tree’; Luke says, ‘It waxed a great tree.'”

Of course, the tree did not grow into a great tree to be admired from a distance.

“This great tree became a shelter: the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.'”

The birds were drawn to it. 

“Unexpected influences. Think of it.” 

Birds drawn to the tree.

What can we conclude from this? Listen to Pastor’s conclusion:

“Sow a mustard seed, and grow a tree. Talk of Christ, and save a soul; that soul saved will be a blessing for ages, and a joy to God throughout eternity.”

THOUGHT GOING FORWARD

Sow, and there will come unexpected results. Yes, we are commended to pray, and to pray specifically, presenting our petitions. When we do so, and God answers our prayers, we know conclusively that He answered, and our confidence increases. Of course, we do not know the type of birds that will come… from where… to fill the boughs… the pews. That’s why we need to be receptive of all that God draws to the tree that came up from the seed planted. Still, we first must prepare that ground, then plant that seed and maintain it.

IN TRIBUTE TO SPURGEON’S LOVE OF SHORT RYHMES

Christ broke the clods of sin in me,
His Spirit sowed His seed.
Up from the ground a plant arose,
And from that hardened earth I’m free.