“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed . . .” – Luke 8:5
In Luke chapter 8, Jesus gives a great parable regarding the harvest He has in our world and local communities. Jesus talks about the sowing of seed and how that sometimes it produces greater results for the Kingdom than others. Usually when we hear this passage preached or taught there is a focus on the “ground” or the “harvest” instead of the process which brings about that harvest. The passage actually offers several significant key insights that can help produce a great harvest:
1) Sow Seed Everywhere. Notice how the sower went out and sowed seed on every kind of soil. There was no pre-qualification of the soil, its potential or likability. It can become easy to prejudge soil – that is not our job! God alone gives the increase. He alone is in charge of the harvest. We are just called to SOW EVERYWHERE. God and time will determine the quality of the soil and harvest.
2) Breakthrough Is Coming! Verse 8 of Luke 8 says, “and bare fruit an hundredfold.” NOTICE – this “hundredfold” fruit bearing did not come at first. This was the last soil Jesus spoke about. This illustrates that we are promised greater and greater breakthrough as we continue faithfully to sow. Indeed the glory of the latter house is greater than the former (Hag. 2:9). So keep believing and sowing in faith.
3) Identify. Notice that this parable begins in verse 5 by saying, “A sower went out. . .” There was an immediate identification that this individual was a sower. Recognizing that we are not called to give increase or harvest but rather faithfully sow is important for us as believers and as the Church. This is who we are, this is what we do. And as we do so faithfully we can be assured breakthrough is coming, hundredfold fruit is coming. God will give us the harvest and increase.
Brian Norman has been in the ministry for 23 years, serving as a Pastor, Church Planter and now traveling full-time. Phone: 636-544-0627 Website: GlobalEvangelism.org