Below is a copy of the message I shared at the combined cell group meeting last night. This came about as I was reflecting on what God has in store for me in 2016. And then He impresses in my heart, “I’d like to cultivate your life and make you more fruitful. But would you allow me to plow through your life? There are essential things that need to be done.”
“Let It Go, Let Him Plow” by GJ Gonzales (January 2016)
Who wants to live cultivated and fruitful lives for God this year?
– God does mighty plough work in men’s hearts before they can be made fruitful.
#Parable of the Sower
3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Matt. 13:3-8 (NKJV)
Wayside ground
– more common and everywhere (vs beautiful gardens)
– not fenced or protected, trodden down into hardness
– people trample on them, carriages and wagons roll over
– hardened by disappointments, rebellion towards God, busyness
Good ground, field, garden
– needs constant care
– tender soil, fertile
– flourishes, all manner of lovely things grow: flowers, trees, fruits and grains (not weeds that grow naturally if neglected)
– A garden or field that is not fenced or guarded can soon be harmed
#unguarded inputs (social media, entertainment, books we read, people we hang out with) BEWARE!
They need to be plowed and plowed deep, that they may be made fertile.
FARMING / GARDENING TERMS
The primary purpose of plowing is to turn over the upper layer of the soil, bringing fresh nutrients to the surface, while burying weeds and the remains of previous crops and allowing them to break down.
Just as soil needs plowing to be cultivated, be healthy and growing, so does our lives.
Who wants their lives to be like beautiful gardens with many sweet flowers and healthy plants? Or would you rather live a dry desert-like experience this year? Nobody wants that but unfortunately some people tend to live dry lives.
How does God plow through our lives?
– referring to the work of God in us
1. God uses the plough to BREAK hearts hardened by sin and neglect.
Neglect: busyness, not prioritized; not being conscious of guarding our hearts
A. By God’s Word
God himself does a great deal of plowing. His Word is a plough. It cuts its way into men’s lives, crushing the heart, revealing sinfulness, producing penitence. It finds men impenitent—and leaves them broken and contrite, confessing sin and asking for mercy.
#David
– after confession and turning away from sin, flowed forgiveness, peace and joy
“while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”” Hebrews 3:15 NKJV
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12 NKJV
B. Through sufferings
The plough cuts remorselessly. But the ploughman may have visions of a rich outcome from all his toil.
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Phil 3:10, 11
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:13New King James Version (NKJV)
2. God uses the plow to REVEAL Christ and the riches of righteousness
Plowing: bringing fresh nutrients to the surface, digging deep from within
– showing us who we are in Christ and what we are capable of doing through Christ
– transform us into Christlikeness, letting out more and more of Christ from within us
12 AUDACIOUS FAITH CONFESSIONS: by Steven Furtick
· I am fully forgiven and free from all shame and condemnation
(Romans 8:1-2, Ephesians 1:7-8, 1 John 1:9)
· I act in audacious faith to change the world in my generation
(Joshua 10:12-14, John 14:12)
· I have no fear or anxiety; I trust in the Lord with all of my heart
(Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7)
· I am able to fulfill the calling God has placed on my life
(Exodus 3:9-12, Psalm 57:2, Colossians 1:24-29)
· I am fully resourced to do everything God has called me to do
(Deuteronomy 8:18, Luke 6:38, Philippians 4:13)
· I have no insecurity, because I see myself the way God sees me
(Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 139:13-16, Ephesians 5:25-27)
· I am a faithful spouse and a godly parent-our family is blessed
(Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Ephesians 5:22-25, Colossians 3:18-19, 1 Peter 3:1-7)
· I am completely whole – physically, mentally and emotionally
(Psalm 103:1-5, Matthew 8:16-17, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:24)
· I am increasing in influence and favor for the kingdom of God
(Genesis 45:4-8, 1 Samuel 2:26, Acts 2:37-47)
· I am enabled to walk in the sacrificial love of Christ
(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, 1 John 3:16; 4:9-12)
· I have the wisdom of the Lord concerning every decision I make
(2 Chronicles 1:7-12, Proverbs 2:6, Ecclesiastes 2:26, James 1:5)
· I am protected from all harm and evil in Jesus’ name
(Genesis 50:20, Psalm 3:1-3, 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3)
3. God uses the plow to BURY the weeds & remnants of unpleasant past.
– forgiven sins, no condemnation, guilt and shame
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” Psalms 51:10-12 NKJV
#renewal, restoration
– healing of sorrow and pain of past experiences
– shattered dreams and disappointments
– unanswered prayers
– no longer haunting you
#moveon
4. God uses the plow to OPEN us up to receive rain.
– rain of blessings
– rain of revelations, sensitivity to God’s leading
– outpouring of fresh anointing
“Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you— The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month.”
Joel 2:23 NKJV
Former and latter rain
Just as in the Midwest, the early rains prepare the soil for the seed sowing we see the farmers doing each and every year in the early Spring. Then, later in the year we see the latter rains ripen their crop for the coming harvest in the Fall.
#harvest!
Let us ask God to till the fields of our hearts.
Allow Him to plough it by His Word and Spirit.
Let God:
1. Break our hearts that are hardened by sin and neglect.
2. Reveal Christ and the riches of righteousness.
3. Bury an unpleasant past.
4. Open us up to receive rain.
