“Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.”

What is involved with spreading the seed as a farmer in Jesus’ day? He sows the seed; But the farmer must admit his limitations. The parable says the plant grew whether or not the farmer was sleeping. This parable doesn’t mention anything about hoeing, etc. That is not the point of this parable. The point is the farmer only has so much that he can do, He does not know how the seed germinates and produces life in the plant. He does not know how it grows and can do nothing more than plant it and care for it so it would be prepared for growth. The same is true for salvation. It is the Lord’s responsibility and ultimately so is church growth. It is not our job to get great numbers. Our job is to plant seeds and be faithful workers.

 I admit I get perturbed reading the various gimmicks people use to attract people into their church. “Come to church and get a free ticket to a local restaurant. Give your bill to church and it will be covered.  I read a news report of a stripper giving part of her $1,500 weekly earnings to her church. Another church advertised to come see the smallest girl in the world. Another advertised having the fastest gun in the west. Another gives a vial of olive oil from the Holy Land. One church made the longest hot dog in the world at 84 feet that would be on display during the worship service. I ask, where is the focus on worship of Christ, the King of glory? Many were attracted to see His miracles but departed when He called them to repent and follow Him,

My heart aches when our society has so commercialized Jesus. But real growth is only acceptable when someone receives Christ into their hearts and is willing to deny himself and follow Jesus. It is not our job to fill the pews by developing gimmicks, but with worshippers.

I understand what is behind some of the thinking. We get them in and we will preach to them the gospel. There is a place for that, but if entertainment and free gifts get them in then you have done nothing more than build a large church of pleasure-seekers, not Christ-seekers. When we get the understanding that the best thing we can do is tell them of Jesus, then there will be real growth, maybe not in numbers, but in disciples - not in members on the rolls but in servants of the kingdom.

Application:  Go and tell the world of Jesus

Prayer:  Lord, may Your truth permeate every aspect of our church body that we may grow up to "be" the Body of Christ.   Amen.