Seed-Sowing and Rocket Science

The sower performed a simple role in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). He threw seed on the ground.

This is not rocket science. All it requires is time, a desire to learn a little, and a desire to spread the message to others.

After the sower in the parable sowed the seed, his work was finished. It did not matter who sowed the seed, just that someone did it. It had nothing to do with personality. It had nothing to do with the sower's clothing or attractiveness, wealth, fame, or talent. (See 1 Corinthians 3:5-9.)

That’s not to say that the sower is not important. It’s just that no one should boast. We're just seed slingers. God gets all the glory. Or at least He should.

Making An Eternal Difference

How many seeds come from one kernel of corn?

The answer completely depends on how the kernel is used. If you take a kernel and plant it, and if it grows to fruition, it will produce many more kernels. That number could easily be multiplied many times. All you have to do is plant some or all of the kernels of corn that grow from it.

Then again, it could also simply rot.

Your life is that way. You can make a powerful impact on others. You can make a difference - and a difference that actually MATTERS in the long run.

Imagine sitting in Heaven one day and a stranger approaches you. He tells you that someone you taught and baptized taught him the truth. He put two and two together and realized that you were part of the reason he was there in Heaven. How would you respond?

Do we ever have any idea what kind of impact we can have on people around us in this world? The concept both terrifies and excites me!

People do not come to Christ by accident.

If you want to make an impact on others, you have to get the Word out! The Word of God is the seed from which Christians grow. But we need to be wise in how we spread the seed.

New Cars and New Christians

A woman bought a car from a dealership. While the salesman was having her sign a stack of papers, workers carefully hid her trade-in behind the building. When she finished signing the papers she received the keys to her new car and happily drove off the lot.

What is the first action of a new car owner? She inputs her favorite radio stations. This lady was surprised to find that every button was already programmed with her favorite radio station. She called the salesman and expressed her surprise about the coincidence. But he told her that they took her trade-in to the back and took the settings off her radio and programmed them into her new car. The woman was thrilled and told everyone about what they did.

They were smart to treat her that way. They created excitement and received free advertising from her as a result. The reason they had such success was because they asked a simple question: "What is the first thing this person is likely to do with her new car?"

Why was that important? It was not necessary in order to sell the car because she already bought it. It was a simple act that showed the lady that the car company cared about her. That ensures repeat business and encourages her to tell other people. Being thoughtful is a great way to show you care.

That is a great idea to consider when dealing with new Christians. Why not ask the question: "What is the first things a new Christian does?" When you discover the answer, help meet their needs by helping them do those first things.

I've found that one of the first things a Christian does is tell friends and family about his baptism. New Christians are naturally enthusiastic! They have many reasons to rejoice and they usually want to tell people about what they just experienced! So if you want to help them in their first steps, help them tell their friends and family! Here is a list of ways to accomplish that:

Joyous New Christian

1. Ask them if you can take them to see friends and family and be there when they spread the news. This will encourage them to do what they would naturally do later.
2. Give him a certificate or some piece of paper explaining baptism, what he did, and why he did it. That way when family and friends ask, he will have an answer that he might not normally have. Many times new converts know what they did and why, but they have trouble expressing themselves. They are sometimes easily confused by parents or friends who may not share their initial enthusiasm themselves. The information will help keep confusion to a minimum.
3. Throw a party and invite the person's friends and family. Have snacks and other things. Then announce the baptism to them and explain why he is so happy and why they might be seeing some pretty dramatic changes in his life as a result.
4. Ask him to invite friends and family to his home within a few evenings and have a "cottage meeting". Simply tell the person to invite everyone he knows to his home so that you can explain how they can also become Christians. You are likely to have a few new people to teach when you arrive.

When we think ahead we can help build on the excitement that new converts naturally project. They are some of the best people for inviting others to hear the Gospel! By following this we will not only help our new brother or sister do what comes naturally, but we will also be more effective at reaching more people.

What do you think a new Christian does first? How can we help them in their first steps?

YOU Can Help Change Things!

How do we react when evil people do evil things? As I think about the killing spree in Aurora I can't help but wonder how people are reacting. Fear? Depression? Apathy?

No doubt some are using it to score political points. Some are trying to use it to preach against the evils of guns and/or gun control laws. Others seem to be ignoring it altogether. Facebook is full of calls for prayer, and also full of indications that life is continuing as it always has.

My concern is about the response. We cannot control what people do. As long as we are alive, we always control how we respond. So how should a Christian respond? Assuming you do not know the individual who went on the rampage, I want to offer some thoughts about processing this tragedy. There are some certainties in this terrible situation--things that we can KNOW that we would do well to remember.

Evil Exists Through Freedom of Choice

Bad people are going to do bad things. That does not excuse anyone, but it is a reminder that  sometimes people make very bad decisions. There is no point in blaming anyone but the man who pulled the trigger so many times. It's neither Romney's nor Obama's fault. It's not the economy, video games, nor failed gun control laws. It is certainly not God's fault, but there is little doubt but that He will be blamed.

Through His eternal wisdom, God blessed us with the freedom to make decisions.  In matters of choice, God cannot be blamed for the poor choices humans make. But Satan is the master manipulator. He will convince people they have no choice but sin, just like he convinced the shooter. Therefore, with freedom comes the opportunity for evil. Evil always involves a decision.


That's not to say I am against freedom. To be free to choose is a great privilege! For evil to exist there must be decisions, but the same is true for goodness to exist. Goodness is a choice.

This is a Spiritual Discussion

The reason we do good or evil has everything to do with what we believe. Our beliefs determine our actions. It will always be this way.

Some will undoubtedly suggest that accidents happen, and I would not disagree with that. But (generally speaking) good and evil do not come by accident. That is why what happened in Aurora, Colorado should be discussed at a spiritual level.

We will probably never know all the reasons for a massacre like that. Evil people cannot always be understood. Those who do such terrible things likely do not have a firm enough grasp on reality to adequately describe anything relating to their real motives. Motives are tricky things. Often we are fooled by them. We look at ourselves and think our actions are based on the purest of motives when later we discover that we were not as pure as we thought. A person who can pull the trigger on hundreds of people for no apparent reason other than thinking he was playing out some role in his mind likely will never be able to grasp his true motivations. But outside his own personal growth and development, his motives are irrelevant.

What is important to discuss, however, is the power of ideas and beliefs. They determine everything about us and determine our future.

What things should we believe? Where do our ideas originate? Is there a standard for thought so that we can ensure the greatest chance of preventing such terrible deeds in the future?

The Bible, properly understood and applied, is able to give us a wonderful foundation for life. Its words form the foundation of all that is good in the world. Its teachings will give people a tremendous amount of good ideas to draw from. That tormented soul who mercilessly killed all those people got his ideas about reality from some place, but not from a proper understanding of the Bible. 

It's time we started opening up that Good Book, reading, and understanding it. If we want to help prevent such terrible things in the future, we must call on people to properly understand and apply the Scriptures. In spite of the liberal and atheistic attacks against the Bible, it is the best thing for our country and our world! The more society conforms to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles, the more society's members will shun terrible choices.

Let the people push for change, but let that change be to allow the Bible back into the mainstream. Let us rise and teach others the Bible, one person at a time, until all have heard. Many will believe, but we've got to tell them what it says! God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Let's not keep it a secret any longer! 

This is how to change things: Change the way the people think. Change the way they think by introducing new ideas into their minds. Those ideas must be God's if we have any hope for improving anything in this world. The world around us is full of ignorance. Everyone owns a Bible. Very few read it. We will have to get out there and read it to them!

What are some ways YOU can teach people about the Bible who do not know much about it?