Evangelism
Planting Seeds
This devotional is written by Josh Anderson, a freelance sound engineer and a big fan of VAR's introduction to the Premier League
1 Corinthians 3:6-9
6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God's building.
Reflection
At points throughout my life I've definitely wanted to be one of those crazy evangelistic monsters. The people who everyone looks at and goes "oh Josh… he's got such a gift for bringing people to Jesus". Wouldn’t it be fun to have thousands of stories of people who have come to know Jesus through me?
Sadly, I'm not that guy. I definitely don’t fit the stereotypical evangelist mould. I don’t have crazy encounters with people who go away shaking a tambourine and shouting about how Jesus has changed their life. But I have found that time and time again I wind up in conversations about church or religion or Jesus. This is why I love today’s passage. Because the point I take home is this:
You have no idea how much effect even your little conversations have on people.
All our job boils down to is planting the seed. Or watering the seed that’s already planted. God is the gardener; he nurtures the young plant. He’s the key player, and we are here to collaborate with him on what he’s doing.
Someone told me a story the other day of how when they were first venturing into St Mary's, ready to give up on church. Just having the same person greeting them each week was what made them feel like they could keep coming and be safe opening themselves up. I didn’t know I’d had such a profound effect on their life; I just stood there being smiley and saying hello. That’s the effect a small gesture or simple conversation can have.
Ask the Spirit how he wants to partner with you today. Then go out, ready for the opportunities God puts in front of you. Pray that he will use them to the benefit of his Kingdom.
Sadly, I'm not that guy. I definitely don’t fit the stereotypical evangelist mould. I don’t have crazy encounters with people who go away shaking a tambourine and shouting about how Jesus has changed their life. But I have found that time and time again I wind up in conversations about church or religion or Jesus. This is why I love today’s passage. Because the point I take home is this:
You have no idea how much effect even your little conversations have on people.
All our job boils down to is planting the seed. Or watering the seed that’s already planted. God is the gardener; he nurtures the young plant. He’s the key player, and we are here to collaborate with him on what he’s doing.
Someone told me a story the other day of how when they were first venturing into St Mary's, ready to give up on church. Just having the same person greeting them each week was what made them feel like they could keep coming and be safe opening themselves up. I didn’t know I’d had such a profound effect on their life; I just stood there being smiley and saying hello. That’s the effect a small gesture or simple conversation can have.
Ask the Spirit how he wants to partner with you today. Then go out, ready for the opportunities God puts in front of you. Pray that he will use them to the benefit of his Kingdom.
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2019
January
John the Baptist prepares the wayJesus announces the good newsJesus heals manyJesus forgives and healsJesus heals on the SabbathParable of the sowerLamp on a standJesus restores a demon possessed manJesus raises a dead girl and heals a sick womanA prophet without honourJohn the Baptist beheadedJesus feeds the five thousandJesus walks on waterThat which defiles
February
Faith of the Syro-phonecian womanFeeding 4000Jesus heals a blind man at BethsaidaTransfigurationJesus heals a boy possessed by an impure spiritJesus predicts his death a second timeDivorceThe rich and the kingdom of GodJesus predicts his death a third timeBlind Bartimaeus receives his sightJesus comes to Jerusalem as kingJesus curses a fig tree and clear the templeThe authority of Jesus questionedPaying tax to CaesarThe greatest commandmentThe destruction of the temple
March
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A Fellowship of DifferenceLove your neighbourLove your enemyNeither Jew nor GentilePray for PrideEphesians 6:10-13Ephesians 6:14Ephesians 6:15Ephesians 6:16Ephesians 6:17Ephesians 6:18-20LoveLove, for the day is nearLove is patientGod is loveCreationSabbathThe Lord does not grow wearyPsalm 23Come all you who are wearyBe stillJesus asleep in the boatQuiet you with love
August
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October
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