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Like a Growing Seed (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God employs agricultural metaphors to illustrate spiritual growth, emphasizing that He is the One who gives the increase to the crop in His field. He provides the essential resources—water, nutrients, sunlight—and the ministry to aid progress, ensuring His sons and daughters have what they need to reach maturity. Yet, the plant must also play its part; it cannot merely stand in the soil and do nothing. The seed, activated by water, must put out roots and a shoot, using the provided resources to grow in height, develop a head, display flowers, and eventually produce fruit. If the seeds never respond to God's blessings, not one sprout would break the soil's surface. Similarly, God supplies knowledge, environment, energy, gifts, and all that is necessary for a Christian to grow and bear spiritual fruit, but the individual must consistently respond to His providence to bring about growth. A caution follows that each must be careful in their response, for just as a plant that responds poorly withers and dies, so too does a Christian who fails to engage properly with what God provides. God has planted us in His field, seeking spiritual growth to harvest us for His Kingdom, and He promises that the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings, fostering growth for those who fear His name.

Don't Show Up Empty

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Exploring the concept of "empty," this message warns us about God's command not to return physical or spiritual blessings which He has bestowed upon us with zero fruit. The major example is Exodus 23, covering the three Feasts wherein our forebears were not to come empty after the agricultural produce bestowed upon them. But empty is not just monetary, as was shown with Saul's military campaigns which he often victoriously completed. We observe in Isaiah 55 that God's word does not return in futility but rather proceeds as a chain of interlocking events instead of a spontaneous outcome. Our spiritual growth, likewise, should be a constant process of becoming increasingly godlike. As each day unfolds, we should continually grow to a new depth of godly character as God gives us the opportunity to become His first fruits. It requires heavy labor to bear fruit, cultivating the healthy spiritual soil which we are commanded to dress and keep. We cannot foolishly think that we will achieve spiritual growth merely by passively standing in close proximity to God's word or His church.

Every Man Under His Fig Tree

Sermonette by Christian D. Hunter

Within the fig, there are many fruits in what seems to be a singular fruit. Like the fig flower, God's saints do not fall if they are producing fruit.

Like a Tree

'Ready Answer' by Mike Ford

In the Bible, trees often serve as powerful metaphors for God's people. Psalm 1:1-3 beautifully illustrates this, comparing a blessed person to a tree planted by rivers of water, bearing fruit in its season with leaves that never wither, prospering in all endeavors. This tree, representing an individual among God's chosen, is deliberately planted by Him, nourished by streams symbolizing His Holy Spirit, ensuring growth and productivity for the good works He intends. Trees offer profound lessons through their attributes. They draw most of their nutrition from the atmosphere, akin to how God's people receive spiritual sustenance through His Spirit. Trees grow from the top, mirroring the spiritual growth of individuals as God expands their minds with knowledge. As branches on the vine of Jesus Christ, they are placed where He desires, fed by Him to produce the fruit He seeks. Moreover, trees influence their environment by transpiring water into the sky, much like God's children, through proper words and good works, allow the Holy Spirit to flow in and out, receiving more as they give. Trees absorb harmful carbon dioxide and release life-giving oxygen, paralleling how God's people endure trials, store away lessons, and provide a godly example for others. They also capture the sun's energy, reflecting how even a small portion of His Spirit can yield immense spiritual growth and potential in His followers. The Tree of Life, a central symbol from the Garden of Eden to New Jerusalem, embodies a way of life rooted in overcoming and obedience. It stands as a promise of eternal life, lining the banks of the river from God's throne, producing abundant fruit for all eternity. Through His grace, those He plants have the opportunity to partake of this tree, growing into vast orchards of godly trees in His Kingdom.

Like a Growing Seed (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the Parable of the Growing Seed, unique to Mark, Jesus employs agricultural metaphors to illustrate the spiritual development of those whom God calls within the present manifestation of His Kingdom. He likens this process to the natural growth of a seed into a full-grown, food-producing plant, emphasizing its invisible and somewhat mysterious nature. Just as a farmer sows seed and trusts in its growth without fully understanding how it happens, a minister scatters the seed of God's word and continues his tasks, unaware of the intricate ways God works behind the scenes. God, as the Prime Mover, provides the necessary resources—light, warmth, water, and nutrients—to germinate the seed and nurture it into maturity, looking forward to the fully developed plant with ripened fruit, which represents spiritual maturity. Similarly, a Christian grows in stages, often imperceptibly, through God's unseen efforts, which may not be discernible even to those who cultivate and feed the individual, yet growth occurs, sustained by His invisible hand.

Lessons From Roots (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

If we are intent on bearing fruit, we can do some things to make sure that we are not inhibiting the process. We find them in one of the fig tree parables.

The True Vine of Agape

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Jesus Christ is the Vine and His Father is the Vinedresser; we are the branches, subject to trimming and pruning in order that we bear abundant fruit.

Sowing and Reaping

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

A basic agricultural principle, what is sown will be reaped, also applies to human behavior. Sin brings death, while following God's Word produces life.

Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Two): The Parable of the Sower

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

In the first parable of the sower, the quality of the various soils upon which the seed of the gospel falls determines whether or not there is growth.

The Branch Of God's Planting

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Three factors are necessary for successful grafting: (1) compatibility, (2) alignment and pressure, and (3) proper care of the joint site.

The Appointed Weeks of Pentecost

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Each day in the count is a reminder to consider what we are sowing and what we are cultivating because it will assuredly come to fruition and then evaluation.

Spiritual Maturity

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Kingdom parables allude to the process of spiritual maturity, depicting a planted and cultivated seed becoming a sprout, eventually bearing fruit.

Seeds and Seasons (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

God has been planting seeds of truth through His servants for millennia. These seeds are awaiting watering by His Spirit in the future.

The Harvesting of the Firstfruits

'Prophecy Watch' by Bill Keesee

Biblically, a harvest represents the gathering and resurrection of the saints, but also includes other aspects of our preparation for God's Kingdom.

Magic Doesn't Work (Part Three)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Magic is always used as some kind of weapon, but not to build or develop moral strength or character. God chooses a life-long process of sanctification.

Parable of the Sower

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

When the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God is preached in all the world, the ears that hear it are not always receptive of this priceless knowledge.

Weeds!

Article by Mike Ford

We must weed out detrimental habits that choke our lives. If we want to produce quality fruit, we must weed our garden.

The Garden of God

Article by Staff

The Bible uses agriculture to provide many lessons for us. Are we learning them—or are we repeating history as Israel did?

Teachings from Tabernacles

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David C. Grabbe

The temporary dwellings remind us that nothing earthly is permanent nor our true inheritance, and that our focus must be on what God is doing.

Responding to God's Pruning Is Not Passive (Part Two)

Sermon by David F. Maas

Briars, thistles, thorns, and weeds are visible emblems of sin or its consequences, which we must pull up by the roots for the balance of our physical life.

Be There!

Article by Mike Ford

Many have friends and relatives who will rise in the second resurrection, but what a shame it would be if we were not there to greet them!

Every Action Has a Reaction

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Every action has a corresponding reaction; even the little things we do matter. Sin produces increase (the leavening effect) just as righteousness does.

Patience With Growth

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Fruit maturation takes time. Waiting for the fruit is just part of the story; while we wait, we must also work, including thinning and pruning.

Do You Recognize This Man? (Part Four)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Fruit is a product of growth requiring knowledge, work, patience, truth (light) and water (God's Spirit). Only by remaining on the vine will we bear fruit.

Do Unto Others and Reap What We Sow

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Reaping good fruit does not happen immediately. If we feel we are not reaping, we must consider that we might be reaping some negative things we have sown.

A Bed Too Short (Part 2)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

Americans, living well on credit and enamored with technology, have deceived themselves that they have advanced beyond the consequences of God's Law.