Just a Few to Sow

Sometimes we consider the work that God places before us as too large of a task. After all, didn’t Jesus command to “go and preach the Gospel to all of creation”? And didn’t He say that we were to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even unto the ends of the earth? It is a little overwhelming to think of a task that big, right?

Even at home, when you know you have a big job to do, isn’t it easier to put it off? Our thought process seems to be, “I can never get that much accomplished today, so why start?” Knowing that each day we put off starting, it increases what needs to be done the next day. What if you started small? Let’s say your job is to clean out the garage, sorting through all of the holiday decorations, and organizing the lawn equipment and tools. You know that if you start right now it will take you at least 4 days to do the job right, but since you don’t have 4 days in a row you put it off until vacation or holiday. Then you realize that you have other plans for those times to see family or to travel, so you just cannot make it work. “I will sort it when I decorate for Christmas,” you say. But you know that will never happen. Then it dawns on you, “If I work a couple of hours each evening this week and the next two Saturdays, I will get this done easily.” So, you set a goal for each night of the 2-3 small things you will accomplish and the work begins.

In many ways, that is part of the story of our church. Starting small and watching it build. One of the fascinating stories I heard during our recent Homecoming surrounded the building of the rock education building that now houses our offices and food pantry. The church was out of money to continue the construction work, but one man (a church member…surely he was a deacon!) kept showing up each day to do the work himself. Someone even asked him if he knew they were out of money. His response was to let them know that if he gave up, the church would never get built. His determination was used by the Holy Spirit to draw others to join him in finishing the work.

Isn’t it that way with evangelism and sowing the Word of God? Many of us have never shared our faith with another person. Many have wanted to, but never been shown how. So, the mounting darkness around us demonstrates a sinful culture and we throw up our hands, completely overwhelmed by the size of the task. However, that isn’t how Jesus designed it to work and that is certainly not the mindset He expects us to carry in regards to His command to make disciples.

Keep in mind to whom this task to preach the Gospel, to sow the seeds of the Word of God, was given 2000 years ago…11 men. 11 men are told to go and preach the Gospel to all of the world. They didn’t get overwhelmed by the size of the task to Sow, rather they began at home and systematically worked through the Middle East as the Holy Spirit prompted. Even Paul, knowing that there were more people than he could ever meet, determined to take the Gospel as far as he possibly could.

FBC Fairburn, that is us! We can easily look at South Fulton as too great of a task to reach and give up now. OR we can follow the lead of a committed few from our church last night who started small. 19 men and women of different age and background took the Gospel to cover one full apartment complex. 6-7 other men and women remained at the church to cover us in prayer as we went out. That is starting the task. We are commanded by Christ Jesus to Sow. While we may not individually be able to cover the whole earth by ourselves, we can commit ourselves and Sow where we are.

I am greatly encouraged by the willingness of our church to take the Gospel and Sow. What step will you take to join in the task? You don’t have to go to the ends of the earth, but will you go to the end of your street? We are a church committed to Sow. I pray that you will join the movement to reach Fairburn with the Gospel.

Next week we will work on our next core value of “Know”. I will see you Wednesday as we dig in. Until then, I cannot wait to worship the Lord with you Sunday at FBC Fairburn.

-          Pastor Evan