Stay Encouraged While Sowing Gospel Seed

I sill remember my first sermon like it was yesterday. A junior in high school, I sensed that the Lord was calling me to preach His Word, and my friend, Mike Pelletier, was encouraging me in my walk with Christ. He came home from Bible college for summer break (I was still in high school at the time) and told me that we were going to do a Kankakee, Illinois, version of “The War,” an evangelistic teen outreach Evangelist Jim VanGelderen was doing across the country. So we asked our pastor, Pastor John Marvin, for permission to hold “Combat,” a three-day outreach to unsaved teens on the church property. Instead of putting the kibosh on this, our dear pastor gave us all we needed and more to hold this event.

During the praying, planning, and promoting, Mike told me that I would be preaching on the second night of this event. Although I knew nothing about preaching a sermon, I prayed over Hebrews 9:27 and prepared a message for the occasion. Although I was very nervous, I gave the proclamation of truth my best shot on my assigned night to a crowd of about 200 teens. When Mike gave the invitation, 12 came forward and made professions of faith.

I was so discouraged. I figured the whole crowd would come to Christ (most of the 200 were unsaved) after hearing that they had an appointment to die and a judgment to receive. Nowadays, I would love to see 12 people come to Christ after a sermon. It does not happen very often. Matter of fact, lengthy periods of time often pass without one profession of faith in spite of the fact that much seed is being sown. Although I know that unseen things are taking place as God works His perfect plan, discouragement is still a big temptation. Here’s some things that help me stay encouraged while I sow the gospel seed.

Once a month, a publication comes across my desk that seems to give the men who see the most “decisions” exalted positions within their circle of fellowship. Ministers who do not see great numbers of decisions in their ministries seem to be characterized as not “doing enough for the Lord.” Unfortunately, this type of thinking exists in many circles of fellowship. It leaves a lot of the Lord’s laborers defeated and discouraged. It also flies in the face of what the Bible says about those who sow the seed of the Word of God. John 4:36-38 says,

And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours (KJV).

In these verses, our Lord reminds his laborers that there is no contest between those who sow and those who reap. Both are equally honored by the Lord for their work.

Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8 record the Lord’s parable of the sower. When we share the Word of God, there may be a number of responses. The devil may take the seed away from some (Matt. 13:19; Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12). Some may receive the truth with great emotion, only to reject it when trials come (Matt. 13:20-21; Mark 4:16-17; Luke 8:13). Others may reject the Word because of worldly cares (Matt. 13:22; Mark 4:18-19; Luke 8:14). But some may receive the Word and produce fruit in their lives (Matt. 13:23, Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15). God will give a harvest according to His perfect plan. Maybe God will save someone right after he hears the Word. I love it when He chooses to work that way. Maybe someone will hear my witness and respond at a later time when God chooses to work in his heart. Either way, the glory belongs to God, not to us. First Corinthians 3:7 says, “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

The illustrations that liken the giving of the Word to the sowing of seeds should remind us not to get discouraged if a magic beanstalk does not instantaneously spring up. If we are not reaping a harvest at the moment, we need to stay busy preparing for a harvest. Idleness in the area of evangelism is disobedience to God’s commands (Matt. 28:18-20).

1. Keep sowing seed. Hand out tracts. Witness to people as God gives opportunity. Pray for God to lead us to the lost and the lost to us. Live a life that is an effective witness for Christ. Evaluate your presentation of the gospel and make improvements as God directs.
2. Get ready to care for the harvest when God brings it to us. Study the Word of God on your own and in church. Review your plan for discipleship. If you don’t have one, it’s time to get one.
3. Pray for the harvest. Pray for God to work in the hearts of those who have heard the gospel. Pray for the Lord of the harvest to thrust out more laborers into the harvest (Matt. 9:38).

For the past 14 years, Pastor Joe Roof has served God as the senior pastor at Calvary Baptist Church (Albany, NY). He is also involved in area church planting and serves on several nationwide ministry boards. He graduated from Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC) with a B.A. in Bible in 1990 and an M.A. in Bible in 1991. He has been married to Kim for 15 years, and God has given them three children with one on the way.