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A Great Story
Sunday Worship Sermon
JULY 13, 2008 - “Then he told them many things in parables…”
Matthew 13: 3
Picture this scene. Jesus is not as welcomed preaching in the synagogues any longer. But that does not stop him; he ventures out into the countryside to continue his ministry. On one particular day, a large crowd follows him, so large that he has to get in a boat and go out into the water to get some distance from the crowd so he can address them. He tells a story:
“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 sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among the thorns, which grew up a choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what it was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13: 3-9)
This story that Jesus told, the Parable of the Sower, comes from the category of stories know as parables. The word parable comes from the Greek word that means to “put side-by-side.” With parables, Jesus took something very familiar from everyday life, in this case farming in Palestine, and used it to explain something about life in God’s kingdom.
There are at least two interpretations of this story that Bible scholars agree upon. The first is that Jesus was encouraging the people he addressed not to give up hope. That despite Roman rule, which often withered the hope of the Israelites like a scorched crop, in the end the harvest would still come – that they would indeed be delivered.
The second widely accepted interpretation is the one of Matthew, writing to the people of his day some 50-60 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Matthew encouraged new Christians to keep the faith amidst growing persecution. He compared the seed that is planted to the word of God, and he compared the soil the seed is planted in with how people receive the word and then live by it. Some receive the word but do not understand and continue to give into temptation and go about their lives as before. Some receive it readily and for a moment are on a spiritual high, but like a plant with no roots quickly wither and go back to their old ways as soon as their faith is tested. Others receive the word, but do not change because their lives are controlled by worldly things: money and possessions. Then there are some who hear, understand, and obey. They turn from sin and make Christ ruler of their lives, they obey God, and live abundantly.
Both these interpretations hold much material for a sermon.
But there is also a sermon in Jesus’ use of storytelling itself that perhaps applies directly to us today.
Together, you and I are in the process of sharing stories. I’ve had six one-on-one conversations with leaders of the church so far, with at least that many more planned. In the next two-three months Mary Brown and Mary Alice Shankle will be inviting each of you to gather in groups in some of your homes so that we can have conversation together. It is a time of storytelling. I want to get to know each of you, and I want to get to know Salem. What has been your journey? What are our values? What are your hopes and dreams? What talents has God given you? What does Salem do very well? What are the unmet needs at Salem or in the greater Wolfsville community? I honor who you are and want to understand who you are as we move forward together. I’ll also share my story with you. For the next two-three months we’ll be engaged in storytelling. Jesus’ own use storytelling, like in the Parable of the Sower, can be an example for us as we share our stories.
Perhaps an even more important reason to look at Jesus’ use of storytelling is how it can be a guide to us in witnessing to others in our everyday lives.
William Barclay notes five things that made Jesus’ stories so compelling. By using stories:
1. Jesus made the truth real for people. He painted a picture with words that people could understand.
2. In his storytelling, Jesus met people where they were at in their lives, then inspired them to be better.
3. Jesus didn’t force the truth on others; instead he helped people discover the truth for themselves.
4. Jesus was honest but also compassionate. In the Parable of the Sower, there is more failure than success. But Jesus always held out for success.
5. Jesus discerned what the crowd needed that day, and he acted.
When we witness to others about our faith, we too make truth real for people. At the Administrative Council meeting this week Jeff Ferris related a mission trip experience to me; it made the truth of the situation in News Orleans more real for me.
In our witnessing, when we meet others where they are at in their lives we inspire them to be better. Vera Queen related a story to me last week. She met me where I was at – a new pastor. Her story has inspired me to be more alert to the innate goodness that is in people.
Effective witnessing doesn’t force the truth on others; instead it helps others discern the truth for themselves. Ron Holter witnessed to me on Friday how he, Kathy, and the family came to the decision to raise grass-fed Jersey cows, and how the Lord has blessed this decision. He freely shares with other farmers the methods he employs. Initially critical, other dairy farmers are coming to understand the benefit of this natural way of dairy farming.
Witnessing how many failures we’ve had before achieving success, sometimes helps motivate another to keep trying. Alcoholics Anonymous has been successful over the years partly because of the commitment and encouragement provided by those who have walked the walk of addiction themselves. It’s easy to find fault in another, because we all have faults. Jesus looked for the best in people first, then inspired them to be even better.
We have to be good observers and listeners to know when and how to witness. Witnessing isn’t for our benefit, to build ourselves up or solve another’s problems for them. Witnessing is about saying the right thing at the right time to help another discern what they must do. Ever share your problem with another, only to have the other person be quick to tell you what you should do based on what they did in a similar situation? Because they had been thinking about what they wanted to say next rather then listening to your problem, many times “their solution” is not at all helpful. Jesus listened to the needs of people, before talking. He used the Parable of the Sower because that was just the right thing to be a helpful witness to address the needs of the crowd.
You might be thinking, how could my witnessing here in church possibly inspire others? Once I recited the following passage to a committed group of Christian believers. I said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). I then asked this group of committed Christians how many ever had times when they questioned their belief. There was a pause. Then, awkwardly, one hand went up, then another, then more and more. I think pretty much everyone’s hand went up. My hand was up. Us devoted Christians were witnessing to one another that each of us is not alone in doubting our belief from time to time, that it is a very human thing. That God loves us anyway. By the way, I used this “help me overcome my unbelief” example because Kathy Queen reminded me of it in a conversation we had this week.
You might be thinking, it’s basically the pastor’s job to witness and, ok, maybe I can get myself to share my faith story in church every once in awhile, but outside of church – no way.
Let me ask you whose witness is more effective to someone with an addiction. A pastor who has never been an addict or a person who has gained control of their addiction witnessing to one who is struggling?
Whose witness to a parent is effective in the workplace, on the soccer field, at the scouting or 4H meeting? It is the witness of you, another parent. Whose witness is most effective to a youth trying to decide whether or not to use drugs? It is the witness of you, another youth.
It is amazing what God does when you team with God to witness. Since Donna and I have answered the call to ministry, Donna has this story to tell of what we’re doing. She’s a Sales Manager of human resources services. So whenever she is getting to know a client, the conversation inevitably turns to family and in that conversation Donna takes the opportunity to share that she is a person of faith and where we are in our family’s journey of faith. This leads the other party to share their story of faith. Many times this leads to Donna and the other person ministering to one another in some way.
In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve seen you witness.
While waiting to get my haircut on Tuesday at Randy’s Barbershop, I observed Randy witness to his clientele as he freely talked about his church experiences growing up.
Mary Alice shared her life-long passion for worship as she, Bill, and I sat around their kitchen table.
Richard Queen shared some of his faith story with me as he hung one of the screen doors on the parsonage the other day.
Joan Harshman witnessed to the way she and Meredith have been quietly serving the church over the years by counting the offering, diligently recording what monies go where, and faithfully making the bank deposit each Monday morning.
We can all do this kind of witnessing. The next time you’re asked at work on a Monday morning, “What did you do this weekend?” include in your answer that you attended church.
The next time a teacher asks you at school, “What are your talents and what kind of activities are you involved in?” include in your answer being a member of the youth group at church.
The next time another grandparent asks you about your grandchildren, think about including how proud you are that your grandchildren are active in church.
Then, after you have done this, observe how God uses your witnessing: how you find yourself sharing your faith with another and how great you typically feel after you’ve spent your time sharing.
Like the Parable of the Sower, God works through these witness-stories to build up our faith. You and I have great stories of faith to tell. Share your story, then watch the amazing things God does in your life and in the lives of others because of your willingness to share. Amen.
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