Scared world/ Fearless Church

THIS COULD BE ONE OF THE GREATEST TIMES IN HISTORY WHERE PEOPLE TURN TO JESUS CHRIST.  

As followers of Christ we’re “Hope dealers.”

THIS COULD BE ONE OF THE MOST FERTILE TIMES TO BE PLANTING THE SEED OF GOD’S WORD IN THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE.

As followers of Christ we’re “seed sowers.”

Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed

3 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”  Matthew 13:3-9 NLT

18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: 19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”  Matthew 13:18-23 NLT

• Hard Ground – someone hardened by sin. 

• Stony Ground – one who shows delight with the Word but no change.

• Thorny Ground – someone whose receiving of the Word is choked out by competing things in life.
• Good Ground – the one who hears, understands, and receives the Word.

WE ALL HAVE A PART IN SHARING THIS GOOD NEWS.

4 When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?

5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:4-9 NLT

Witnessing is sharing Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.

SEE THE TIMES WE’RE LIVING IN AS AN OPPORTUNITY.

2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. 5 Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:2-5 NLT

Next Steps for me today…

• Allow God to prepare your heart to receive the Good News.

• Hear God’s Love for you and receive it today.

• Share God’s Good News with those in your life today.