1 Thessalonians 3
Thessalonica was a very large and thriving city Macedonia. Paul founded this mega church on his second missionary journey, comprised mostly of Gentiles, not Jews. He only stayed a short time but planted many seeds.
Those seeds planted by Paul are not magical. They won't grow a beanstalk to heaven. But, their variable fruits and life cycles are discussed in Matthew 13 and classified into 4 differeent types. First, the seeds may do nothing at all; Satan snaches it up too quickly. The second seeds grow quickly and enthusiastically; but Satan takes it because the basics are not understood. Third, seeds can attempt to grow, it wants to grow, but the worries and struggles of this world are too much and they are choked out. Finally, the seeds planted in good, receptive hearts grow, mature and succeed. Then, those successful believers can teach others and harvest 30,60 or 100 times what was planted.
Some time after Paul had left Thessalonica, he was worried for them. He was worried that the seeds he had planted might have not grown. He specifically says that he was worried that the Tempter had tempted them. Satan, the Tempter, has one goal; to separate us from God. And he is VERY good at his job. Paul's goal is quite different. He wishes to go to the Thessalonians to fill in the rest of their understanding. Thereby closing the loopholes in which Satan can get in.
Paul is playing the part of a farmer in this. Farmers do not plant seed and walk away. They water, they treat for weeds. Treat for pests. They know what seeds have been planted where, what each will require to avoid potentially jeopardizing their full maturation. Which is the exact same thing that Paul does with his friends in Thessalonica.
So, what does that mean to us, today? Well, two things. The first is that we need to be cognizant about the seeds that we plant. I mean, I can be pretty sure that I've planted some without even knowing. But many of the seeds that I have planted were planted intentionally. If they take root, that is fantastic! But there's more, the job is not done. After they take root there are other things that the farmer needs to do to ensure the greatest harvest. Just as when Paul intentionally planted seeds, when you are blessed with the opportunity to plant seeds we really need to make sure that it's a fantastic experience. But remember what it is that these little seeds need to flourish and do those things to keep the tempter away.
Plant, water, fertilize your seeds.
Those seeds planted by Paul are not magical. They won't grow a beanstalk to heaven. But, their variable fruits and life cycles are discussed in Matthew 13 and classified into 4 differeent types. First, the seeds may do nothing at all; Satan snaches it up too quickly. The second seeds grow quickly and enthusiastically; but Satan takes it because the basics are not understood. Third, seeds can attempt to grow, it wants to grow, but the worries and struggles of this world are too much and they are choked out. Finally, the seeds planted in good, receptive hearts grow, mature and succeed. Then, those successful believers can teach others and harvest 30,60 or 100 times what was planted.
Some time after Paul had left Thessalonica, he was worried for them. He was worried that the seeds he had planted might have not grown. He specifically says that he was worried that the Tempter had tempted them. Satan, the Tempter, has one goal; to separate us from God. And he is VERY good at his job. Paul's goal is quite different. He wishes to go to the Thessalonians to fill in the rest of their understanding. Thereby closing the loopholes in which Satan can get in.
Paul is playing the part of a farmer in this. Farmers do not plant seed and walk away. They water, they treat for weeds. Treat for pests. They know what seeds have been planted where, what each will require to avoid potentially jeopardizing their full maturation. Which is the exact same thing that Paul does with his friends in Thessalonica.
So, what does that mean to us, today? Well, two things. The first is that we need to be cognizant about the seeds that we plant. I mean, I can be pretty sure that I've planted some without even knowing. But many of the seeds that I have planted were planted intentionally. If they take root, that is fantastic! But there's more, the job is not done. After they take root there are other things that the farmer needs to do to ensure the greatest harvest. Just as when Paul intentionally planted seeds, when you are blessed with the opportunity to plant seeds we really need to make sure that it's a fantastic experience. But remember what it is that these little seeds need to flourish and do those things to keep the tempter away.
Plant, water, fertilize your seeds.