THE LAW OF THE SEED; THE STRUCTURING PROCESS, pt. 2
Mark 4:28 – For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after
that the full grain in the head.
I. God's Order Requires Structure Before Substance
Genesis 1:1-3— In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was WITHOUT FORM, AND VOID; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis 2:7 – And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
• Building Structure Is Slow Work
Isaiah 28:10 – For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line,
line upon line, here a little, there a little.
Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
II. Structure Requires Development
Potential ALWAYS includes more than you!
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are His workmanship, CREATED in Christ Jesus FOR GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
• God Always Builds a Frame Before the Fruit
Mark 4:28 – “For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, THEN THE HEAD, after that the full grain in the head.”
• Growth Is About Capacity First
Isaiah 54:2-3 – Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.
• Growth Is Measured by the Natural Size of a Person
Matthew 25:14-15 – For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, TO EACH
ACCORDING TO HIS OWN ABILITY; and immediately he went on a journey.
1. Design Determines Capacity
2. Growth Is Required—Comparison Is Not
Matthew 25:21 – His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”
Matthew 25:24-29 – 24 Then he who had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.’ For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
3. Staying Small Violates Your Design
2 Corinthians 6:11-12 – 11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
• Fear says, “What if I fail?”
• Insecurity says, “I’m not good enough.”
• Comfort says, “I’ve grown enough.”
4. Faithfulness Expands Your Capacity
Luke 16:10 – He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is injust in what is least is unjust also in much.
Luke 12:48 – But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
5. Spiritual Growth is without Comparison
1 Corinthians 3:8 – “Now he who plants and he who waters ARE ONE, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”