Sunday School - November 16, 2014

[Albert Finch]

Mark 4:26-29, "This is what the Kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."

Soaking seeds ends dormancy, stirring up the life process hidden beneath their protective covering. Seeds can remain in a granary for years, preserved in their dormancy, but they're useless there. We know a seed must fall to the ground and die. Then, with proper care, and soaking/watering, dormancy ends and the anticipated crop will spring forth. In other words, a seed becomes fruitful by the giving up of self, like Christ.

SOAKING THE SEEDS

Do we soak in Living Water? We must return to our Provider daily, just as the manna was provided to the Israelites in their wilderness experience--daily. Yesterday's manna will not do.

Do we allow God's presence to work in us for His will and His good purposes, creating in us the fruit of the spirit?

Do we nurture Christ, the seed within us, realizing that as we are transformed into His image, and as the seed reaches maturity, we are the will of God "on earth as it is in Heaven?"

Or, does our flesh yet willfully contend for our own harvest?

Seeds soaked in hot water germinate very quickly. After soaking in hot water, the sprouting and growth phase will accelerate. There can be a "suddenly" resulting from our yielding, to the ways of the Harvester. The more we yield--the more we will yield (produce).

And may we remember that purification often takes place in the desert where it seems dry and desolate. But, in truth, God is always "reigning" even in the desert where the Spirit may have led us. Rejoice, for "the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will burst into bloom." Isaiah 35:1

But as we go on our way, seeds can be choked by life's worries, riches, and pleasures, and they will not mature without soaking in the Living Water (Luke 8:14). Jesus is our Master Gardener and, as we see in Isaiah 52:15, "...He purposes to sprinkle many nations...." which is often compared to rain or water.

WE NEED TO BE ASKING OURSELVES:

"Do I really want growth?
Have I become dormant in the process of seeking my own comfort?
Do I remain inert, safe within my shell, because I know that growth most often creates tension?"

Some seeds may be sluggish, COMPLACENT, or INACTIVE, indicative of a slow death. The devil is coy and won't just kill the seeds instantly. Rather, he takes years deviously trying to mutate seeds of the righteous. However, the Good News promises Jesus has come to give life abundantly!

THE FIELDS ARE RIPE

The Heavenlies are seeded with intercession. The fields are ripe and harvest time is near. Are you parched? Do you feel dormant? The rain is coming--soak the seeds!

Turn away from anything that would take preeminence over your time with the Master Gardener. Allow Him to uproot anything in your garden that hinders growth. Jesus provides water from His pierced side and again, as He promised, "You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

Living Water, "reign" down on us!

Our Father promises in Revelation 21:6, "I will give to the thirsty the springs of the Water of Life--as a gift!" He says only to whose who are thirsty will He give that gift. God never forces His Living Water on anyone. But, He does promise to fill those who are thirsty (Matthew 5:6).

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