February 09, 2003
Remember Your Role

Text: Matthew 13:1-9
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the soil came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”

A referee blew his whistle, pointed his finger at a basketball player, and signaled a technical foul. This gave the opposing team two free throws and the ball out of bounds. This was a stiff penalty when the score was close and only seconds left in the game. The player was out of control. He felt the referee had made a poor call and expressed his feelings using some unacceptable language.

The coach was livid with his player. Shouting at the young man so many spectators could hear, he said, “You play ball and leave the referee to me!” In other words, he told his player to remember his role.

It is a good reminder for Christians. Sometimes we become involved in matters that belong only to God. In trying to unravel the mysteries of His Word, I can go far beyond what God called me to do. The more people question my interpretation of Bible passages, the more dogmatic and ridiculous I can become in my insistence that I am right and they are wrong. It is then that God speaks to me through His Word. Remember your role. You are to teach God’s Word, and leave the rest to me. This is the topic of the today’s message: Remember your role!

Jesus, the Master Teacher, taught by using parables from real life. On this occasion, He brings the sower to our attention. Jesus tells us that the seed fell on four different kinds of soil.

1. “Some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.” Jesus explains. “When anyone hears this message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.”

These are the hearers who are indifferent to God’s Word. The teachings of Jesus never affected their lives much. They learned some Bible stories in Sunday school and confirmation class, but they soon forgot them.

2. “Some seed fell on rocky places.” Jesus explains, “The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, it lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.”

These hearers start well, but their faith is shallow. They have a faith rooted in emotionalism. They want a religion that makes them feel good and speaks only to their emotions.

3. “Some fell among the thorns. He is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.”

You might say this is the cluttered life. These hearers become busy with their materialistic possessions, and there is no time for God. Their social calendar is full. What is best for the business directs many of the week’s activities, for therein lies the profit that makes their treasured lifestyle possible.

4. “Other seed fell on good soil.” Jesus says, “He is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

These are the people whose lives are committed to Jesus Christ. The seed has gone to work in their lives and they are the people who never tire of telling others what Christ can do for them and their families.

From this parable we learn our role is to keep on sowing the seed believing the harvest will come. We also realize the hearer has the right to resist the work of the Holy Spirit. They can turn their backs on the grace of God. Myron Augsburger reminds us, “No one turns his back on the light, but what he increases the darkness of his own soul.”

It is a powerful lesson for disciples of all ages to understand that we are not the Holy Spirit. We cannot open blind eyes, deaf ears, resisting hearts, or indifferent minds. This is God’s work. We are only to sow the seed faithfully. Remember how Paul put it, “I planted, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”

Understanding clearly that we cannot bring anyone to Christ is crucial. If we think this is possible, Satan will destroy us with discouragement. We are to plant the seed and leave the converting of a person to the Holy Spirit.

This should be an encouraging word to many of us who often forget this basic principle in evangelism. Parents, if you have taught your son and daughter the Gospel and they have chosen to walk away from Christ, remember this: God is not done with them yet. Let this Biblical truth be your comfort. If they are grown and you have not shared Christ with them, it still is not too late. When the opportunity presents itself, share with them what Christ is doing for you and what He can do for them.

Teachers and pastors in the church must continually be reminded that our role is to teach God’s Word faithfully. It is so easy to get discouraged and adopt the attitude: What’s the use? We see empty pews on Sunday morning as we settle for an attendance figure amounting to 25% of the congregation’s membership. We acknowledge that most of the young people we confirm will not worship regularly after their confirmation day. We are disappointed when those new converts, excited about their Christian faith, gradually become indifferent and walk away. “Wow! Where am I failing?” you ask. You enroll in another seminar to see if a new program will increase people’s interest in the teachings of God’s Word. But when all is said and done it comes to this basic principle: we plant and God gives the increase.

Experience teaches us that, when sowing the seed, some special days seem more effective than others. Christmas and Easter are great times to share Christ with unbelieving relatives and friends. It seems the whole public atmosphere makes all of us more open to the Christian Gospel.

When death takes a loved one, people are more receptive to hear about life after death. After all, the corpse reminds us of what faces every individual. We have to deal with the hard questions: Is it all over when we breathe our last breath? Is there some truth to the lesson I learned at the age of nine in Sunday school about heaven? Funerals are always a tremendous opportunity to share Jesus’ words, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live.”

One morning the phone rang. It was Bill calling from a nursing home asking for a visit. Bill and I had been friends, but he would not attend church. His mother and grandmother pleaded with him, but his answer was always no. It was strange, because there was nothing he would not do for someone, but going to church was off limits for him.

When I arrived at the nursing home, he greeted me with the words, “I am soon going home.” I assumed he was referring to his earthly home, but Bill looked quite sick to me. Stumbling for words I said, “You are going home? I think you should stay here for a few days.”

“No,” he replied, “you do not understand. I am going to my heavenly home.”

This was a shock. Without thinking I blurted out, “How are you going to get there?”

Bill had the answer. “With a smile on his face he said, “Jesus is coming to get me. You know He died for all of us, including me, though I have not gone to church. I remember the song I learned in Sunday school: Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so.

Bill died a few days later, and based on what the Bible tells us, Jesus did come and receive him. He cheated himself while on this earth. Life would have been so much more joyful for Bill had he walked with Jesus. It was a glorious experience to hear his short testimony of the Lord’s love for him. It brings to mind the words of the prophet Isaiah: “My word shall not return void.” What had been sown when Bill was a child bore fruit fifty years later.

The coach told his player to remember his role. Jesus is doing a little coaching today as he gives us a fundamental point in being an effective witness for him. Just plant the seed and leave the rest to me. Amen.

Amen.

Rev. Homer Larsen
Christian Crusaders