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A time...
.....to
plant... |
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All his history, man has wrestled with the
soil, with weeds and blight, storm and
drought -
a successful crop needs care and nurture.
- As people we grow, and growth is a
struggle.
Jesus used plant growth as an illustration -
a life, he said, that gives too much
importance to material things will not
grow; it will very soon be stunted:
"other seed fell among thorns,
which grew up and choked the
plants..." Matthew 13v7
This "is the man who hears the
word, but worries of this life and
the deceitfulness of wealth
choke it, making it unfruitful." Matthew 13v22
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Notes for
"a time to plant" |
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Matt 13:1-23 |
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Jesus told a parable about a sower. In his story,
the seed represents the good news about God's Kingdom, planted in
our minds by God. This seed may not take root in us at all - it may
take root but then be swamped by everyday things - or it may
flourish and produce the right response, the fruit that God is
looking for. |
| James 1:21-22
Gal 5:22-23
Phil 4:8 |
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This process is under our control - we can let the
'good news' take root; we can encourage it to grow. The fruit it
produces is a character like that of Jesus, a life modelled on his. |
Luke 13:6-9
John 15:1-8
Heb 6:7-8 |
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One day the harvest will come - God will look for
fruit from us. Unfruitful plants, thorns and weeds will be
destroyed. |
Isaiah 5:7
Joel 1:6-7
Jer 31:27-28
Amos 9:14-15
Luke 1:31-33 |
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In a similar Old Testament parable, God's people,
the Jews, are represented as a vine or a fig tree. The prophets of
Israel foretold a time when this nation, unfruitful and long
uprooted from its land, would be replanted in the Holy Land, and
ruled by a new king sitting on the throne of King David - Jesus
Christ. |