The Pilgrim Path---Mark's Gospel 4:26-29

And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

SEED GROWING SECRECTLY

I remember in first grade, we planted seeds in small cups and watered them. But there was no plant the next day? It takes longer than that--- doesn't it? Real farmers sow the seed, then go about their "other" business. My first church had quite a few farmers. I remember cotton season particularly. You need some rain when the cotton goes in. And when you start to get it out of the fields---you don't want too much rain---it can diminish the grade. Then, the cotton to the gin (in the Fall). They ran the gin---24 hours a day, six days a week. Plus, most of these people had cattle to take care of...These farmers were hard working folks!

Most all these famers grew a good bit of corn. They knew they could not "make" it grow. As William Hendriksen says, "God holds the secret of life." That's what we are getting from this parable in Mark's Gospel---and it is unique to Mark. We sow the amazing, powerful, life-changing Word of God---and He is able---to do with it---what He will---in the hearts and lives of people. He has His time---He has His way---for His Glory and the Good of souls.

Ole John Calvin has indicated that the minister should not fret and fuss, but after they have preached and taught, they should go to their other tasks---then finish the day and rest. God will take care of business. It is God's Word. He will "see" to the results. Harvesting will, as Kistemaker used to say, "follow sowing."

"The lesson is: the victory is sure: harvest is approaching and will certainly arrive at the very moment decided in God's eternal plan." William Hendriksen

---We sow God's Word where we can: children's lives, students lives, visitors lives---the people we love...

--- A conscience probing ministry ----where the Word is consistently preached and taught---- This is a hallmark of our Reformation Heritage...why so much is made of the Sabbath...Does the ministry of the Word even mean that much to people in evangelical churches any more? Even in the PCA? My observation after close to 40 years is, "Not so much."

---Even a copy of the Scripture is a "silent" evangelist that the Holy Spirit uses to testify of the Truth ---John 17:17

---"According to this parable we may expect to see fruit. But we may not expect to see all the seed which we sow spring up the moment we sow it." Charles Spurgeon

From Bishop Ryle: " The highest abilities, the most powerful preaching, the most diligent working, cannot command success. God alone can give life. But it is a truth at the same time, which supplies an admirable antidote to overcarefulness and despondency. Our principle work is to sow seed. That done, we may wait with faith and patience for the result...The work of grace, in like manner goes on in the heart by degrees. The children of God are not born perfect in faith, or hope, or knowledge, or experience. Their beginning is generally a "day of small things." They see in part their own sinfulness, and Christ's fulness, and the beauty of holiness. But for all that, the weakest child in God's family is a true child of God. With all his weakness and infirmity he is alive...Let us not despise grace because it is weak..."

Almighty God, your word is cast like seed into the ground;

Now let the dew of heaven descend, and righteous fruits abound.

Let not the world's deceitful cares the rising plant destroy,

But let it yield a hundredfold the fruits of peace and joy.

Oft as the precious seed is sown, your quickening grace bestow,

That all whose souls the truth receive, its saving power may know.

John Cawood (1819)

Grace & Peace in Jesus Christ Our LORD, Pastor Jason