Growth. So far in this series of posts we have considered agriculture in the ancient world, noted the basic truth that sowing leads to reaping, identified the seed as the word of the kingdom, and explored the different types or soils or hearts that receive the word. Our consideration of the soils led us toContinue reading “Sowing and Reaping—5”
Author Archives: Marvin Bryant
Sowing and Reaping—4
The Soils. The best place to consider how the soil affects sowing and reaping is the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23; Mark 4:1-9, 13-20; Luke 8:4-8, 11-15). Several aspects of ancient farming, which we explored in the first post in this series, are reflected in this important parable. For example, we noted thatContinue reading “Sowing and Reaping—4”
Sowing and Reaping—3
The Seed. In this series (begins here) we have discussed literal farming in the ancient world, the basic principle of sowing and reaping, and a number of related lessons. Our focus in the series is the passages that use sowing and reaping figuratively to describe people coming to Christ. Today we will explore the seed.Continue reading “Sowing and Reaping—3”
Sowing and Reaping—2
The Principle (John 4:35-38). The Bible uses the ancient practice of farmers sowing and reaping to help us understand how people embrace Christ. One rich passage about this is: 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields areContinue reading “Sowing and Reaping—2”
Sowing and Reaping—1
Understanding Agriculture in the Ancient World. The Bible compares the work and growth of the kingdom to sowing and reaping. This agricultural figure of speech can help us in our work in the Lord’s harvest field. We will draw better and more biblical conclusions from the passages that use this metaphor, however, if we firstContinue reading “Sowing and Reaping—1”
Motivation for the Mission-10
Impure Motives. In this final post of the series on motivation for the mission, I want to touch briefly on the matter of impure motives. In former days, this was my main concern concerning motivation. Then I realized very few people had any motivation at all to speak, so I turned my attention toward increasingContinue reading “Motivation for the Mission-10”
Motivation for the Mission—9
Glory to God. We have been exploring motivations for the mission of telling others about Christ in hopes that we can find motivation to actually do so (series begins here). Another great motivation for telling about him is knowing that when we do, it gives glory to God. We might surmise that telling others aboutContinue reading “Motivation for the Mission—9”
Motivation for the Mission – 8
The Power of the Spirit. We have been discussing various matters that motivate us for the mission of telling others about Christ (series begins here). Motivation is an extremely valuable gift from God, because it is so much easier to do what we have strong motivation to do than what we merely think we oughtContinue reading “Motivation for the Mission – 8”
Motivation for the Mission—7
Inward Compulsion. Having considered one of the more painful motivations for telling others about Christ last week, today we turn to one of my favorites—an inward compulsion to tell others about him. In Acts 4, Peter and John had been proclaiming Jesus to the people. The Sadducees were greatly disturbed about this, so they seizedContinue reading “Motivation for the Mission—7”
Motivation for the Mission—6
Fear of the Lord. We have been considering various motivations for speaking to others about Christ (series begins here). This post will explore a motivation that we used to hear a lot but rarely here today in many circles. I’m referring to the fear of the Lord. This motivation may have been overemphasized previously, butContinue reading “Motivation for the Mission—6”
Empowering Subjects 