Some months ago I heard the term "gospel fluency" for the first time. I haven't been able to get it out of my mind! How can we speak the language of the Kingdom if we're not fluent in it?
How can someone learn a language
if they never actually heard it?
if they never actually heard it?
Jesus tells this parable: Listen!
A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn't have deep roots, it died. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” MARK 4:3-8
The farmer scatters lots of seed, knowing that some will be eaten, some will wither and die, some will get choked out and some will grow to produce a crop. These circumstances don't hinder him from casting lots of seed!
Sharing the Good News of the Kingdom with others is about
sowing the Word of God generously and lovingly into their hearts.
The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” MARK 4:14-20
Speaking ABOUT the Word is not the same
as actually speaking the Word.
as actually speaking the Word.
Think of it like learning a foreign language... at first, it is totally unfamiliar and doesn't make any sense. The language of God's Kingdom is the same. It often doesn't make sense to someone when they first begin to hear it.
But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. ROMANS 10:16-17
These words that Paul wrote to Timothy come to mind:
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 TIMOTHY 4:2
Always share the Word with love.
The more it is heard,
the more familiar it becomes.
The more it is heard,
the more familiar it becomes.
We know there are seasons when a crop will not grow. However, the Lord asks us to share His Word, planting it withing the human heart and trusting Him alone for the outcome. As a person hears the Word (the language of the Kingdom), and watch how it is lived out among the people of God, it begins to penetrate the soil in one's heart.
But... once it takes root... it produces a harvest beyond measure!
Take in the Word personally everyday!
And sow "the Word of God" into the hearts of others,
generously and lovingly - - everyday!
generously and lovingly - - everyday!
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