A wise old professor of Biology stood in front of his class of eager students. The professor held a little brown seed in his hand. Quietly he spoke to his class. I know the exact composition of this seed: it is made up of nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon. I know the exact proportions and I can make a seed that will look exactly like it, but if I plant my seed it will come to nothing; its elements will simply be absorbed into the soil. However, if I plant this seed, the one which God made, it will become a plant, because it contains something that mine doesn't....LIFE!
The Bible is like the seed which God makes. It has life! Plant it in good ground and it will germinate, grow, and bear fruit. The apostle Peter said that the Word of God was an incorruptible seed, and when planted in human hearts it is used by the Holy Spirit to bring new life. cf. 1 Pe. 1:23
This morning, I want us to consider the Word of God as seed. We want to see the properties of the Word, the power of the Word, and the propagation of the Word.
I. The Properties of God's Word.
A. The Bible is a Divine Word.
1. There have been many great books written by men.
2. But the Bible is the Word of God!
3. "...the Word of the Lord endureth forever."
4. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God..."
5. It is because the Bible is the product of the Holy Spirit's work that we can speak of it as an incorruptible seed.
6. Note: Jeremiah 23:28
a. Here the Lord compares the words of the false prophets to those who speak His Word faithfully.
b. The comparison is of the chaff to the wheat.
c. The chaff is that which is worthless when compared to that which is full of life.
B. The Bible is a Dynamic Word.
1. The words and writings of such men as Erasmus led to the Renaissance.
2. The words and writings of Marx and Lenin have led to revolution.
3. But the words and writings of the Holy Spirit leads to regeneration.
4. He. 4:12, "The Word of God is quick (alive) and powerful..."
C. The Bible is a Durable Word.
1. Ps. 119:89, "For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.
2. The characteristic of the works of human authors is temporality; the characteristic of God's Word is permanency.
3. In the 36th chapter of Jeremiah we find the account of King Jehoiakim who destroyed the manuscript of God's Word, but could not destroy the message!
4. There are many, who down through the ages, have tried to destroy the message by trying to destroy the manuscript but it cannot be done, God's Word is durable! It will be here when everything else is gone!
II. The Power of God's Word.
A. It has the power to bring life.
1. Regardless of country, class, culture, or color God's Word has the power to bring life.
2. Jesus interpreted the parable of the sower in Luke 8:11-15
3. When the Word is received into a heart that is prepared life springs forth.
B. It has the power to produce fruit.
1. In Jamaica there is a strange plant called the 'Life Plant'.
2. It is almost impossible to kill or destroy any portion of it: when a leaf is cut off and hung on a string, instead of shrivelling up like any other leaf, it sends out white thread- like roots and gathers moisture from the air, and begins to grow again.
3. The Bible is the Life Plant of the spiritual world.
a. Circulate the Bible or portions of it anywhere, and it will soon take root in the hearts of men and give life.
b. The Word of God brings life everywhere it is sown.
c. "The field is the world..." cf. Mt. 13:38a
C. It has the power to bring a great harvest.
1. Note: Colossians 1:5-6
2. The same gospel that saved us will bring forth fruit throughout the world.
3. Read our missionary letters and see the truth of these verses! India, Zaire, Mexico, South Africa, Romania, Ireland, Scotland, England, New Guinea, and around the world.
III. The Propagation of God's Word.
A. We must sow carefully.
1. The people of Israel were given clear commandments concerning the sowing of seed in their fields.
2. Note: De. 22:9
3. The responsibility of sowing God's Word throughout the world has been given to the local New Testament church.
4. We must not compromise, socialize, or water down the message of the gospel.
5. People need to know that if they do not believe the gospel and trust Christ as their Savior, they will spend an eternity in Hell!
B. We must sow faithfully.
1. Note: Ecclesiastes 11:6
2. We have the promise of success in Isaiah 55:11.
3. Sometimes the harvest is slow, and sometimes it is swift, but we must be faithful.
C. We must sow liberally.
1. We shall reap in proportion to how we sow!
2. "But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." cf. 2 Co. 9:6
D. We must sow compassionately.
1. Note: Psalm 126:5-6
2. If there is no going, there will be no sowing.
3. If there is no sowing in tears, there will be no reaping in joy!
Conclusion: We must sow carefully, faithfully, liberally, and compasionately. It is through the Word of God that the lost are saved, and it is through the Word of God that the believer is strengthened.
Read: 1 Peter 1:23-25.
This morning, if you are without Christ, come and receive life through His Word today. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." cf. Ro. 10:13 & 17 Christian, you have been entrusted with the precious Word of God, what are you doing with it? Are you busy sowing the seed far and wide? If not, why?