Campaign Kerusso

Living things grow and mature. When a believer is born-again, he starts his Christian experience as a baby feeding on milk. Then he grows into a toddler learning to walk, then an adult having babies himself, etc. To illustrate this, Jesus explained the four stages of wheat growth.

…………………

More Kerusso Couch Sermons

…………………

Wheat & Chairs Transcript:

Today we are going to look at… Wheat & Chairs

But, before we get into our take on the four chairs, let’s look at Mark chapter 4 and Jesus’ take on the four stages of seed growth.

The book of Mark, chapter 4, contains three parables about seeds.

“And Jesus said, `What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I say it is like? It is like this. A mustard seed is the smallest seed that is ever planted in the earth. But the plant that grows from that seed is bigger than any other plant. It puts out very big branches. The birds come and live in its branches.” Mark 4:30-32 WB

First, is the parable of the tiny mustard seed that grows into a great tree.

It reminds us that a tiny seed of the Gospel can blossom into a world harvest of souls.

Also, it reminds us that, although Jesus was but one small man buried in the ground (average height of Jewish men in bible days is 5’5”)…

He rose again and became the great Head of the Kingdom of God and we are all its citizens.

“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. …and immediately it sprang up since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” Mark 4:3-8 (ESV)

Our Second Parable is about the four types of soil.

1) The hard-beaten path,

2) The gravel mixed with shallow soil,

3) The thorn & weed infested soil and,

In Our Third Parable, and the one we are most interested in today:

“Jesus told this parable:

‘God’s kingdom realm is like someone spreading seed on the ground. He goes to bed and gets up, day after day, and…

(1) The seed sprouts and…

(2) Grows tall, though he knows not how. All by itself it sprouts, and the soil produces a crop; first the green stem, then

(3) The head on the stalk, and then…

(4) The fully developed grain in the head.” Mark 4:26-28 (TPT)

The end of the wheat’s journey to maturity is told to us in these two verses:

“Then, when the grain is ripe, he immediately puts the sickle to the grain, because harvest time has come.” Mark 4:26-29 (TPT)

“I assure you: Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop.” John 12:24 (HCSB)

Today, farmers use what is called the “Feekes Scale” to determine which of four levels of maturity the wheat has reached.

THE FIRST STAGE

The one where Jesus says, “the seed sprouts”

In Feekes terms – the “tillering” stage.

When the wheat first emerges from the ground and starts to wave around a few baby leaves.

Care must be taken at this stage that the tender plants are not damaged by insects or seedling disease.

THE SECOND STAGE

The one where Jesus says, it “grows tall,” is called by Feekes, the “stem extension” stage.

During this stage, the stem elongates and learns to stand upright.

It grows thick, strong, straight and tall—always growing toward the sun.

It is vulnerable to weeds, weather and other stresses.

THE THIRD STAGE

The one where Jesus says, “then the head on the stalk” is called by Feekes, the “heading stage.”

This is a flowering stage where the wheat head, full of young wheat kernels, emerges from deep within the stalk.

Just as the nature of Christ emerges from deep within every believer.

Wheat is self-pollenating—it is responsible for its own flowering.

The pastor and church may provide support and opportunities for us to grow but God has given us everything we need to be fruitful and allow the nature of Christ to emerge.

We have His powerful, life-giving Word, His Holy Spirit, and the transforming power of prayer and worship.

The fourth & final stage, where Jesus says, “then the fully developed grain in the head” is called by Feekes, the “ripening stage.”

The wheat turns a golden color & the kernels become firm, hard & strong.

Now the wheat is ready to be harvested, then crushed into flour to feed the hungry or sown into the ground to die and bring forth a new generation of wheat.

Mature wheat is destined to face the sickle. There is no other way to reproduce.

Now, Our Four Chairs

Chair #1 is the Baby Stage (tillering stage)

Saved, forgiven, water baptized & we wave our hands with the joy of the Lord.

We need to wash with God’s Word & maintain a repentant heart.

For the babes in Christ, the altar is a place of repentance,deliverance from sin & seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Outward clean living, a good testimony,

regular church attendance, giving, prayer, bible reading, worship during worship songs & fellowship

A Faithful Pew Warmer

Chair #2 is also in danger—we can get too comfortable in this chair.

For the Kid in Christ, the altar is a place of repentance, petitions & worship.

At the Chair #2 Altar, We Dig Deeper.

In chair #1 we prayed for deliverance from outward sins and the bondage of addictions.

Now, we go deeper. We pray about sinful attitudes ie., anger, petty jealousy, lust etc.

Chair #3 – Young Adult Stage (heading)

We are beginning to bear fruit and to reach and teach others.

Serious bible study as preparation for ministry

Learn whole bible (several times over)

Teach your family and friends.

Always be available & able to be counted on.

More than availableBE  Bible-able.

Becoming more and more loving, patient and courteous without compromising the truth of the Gospel.

For chair #3, the altar is a place of deeper cleansing, petitions and ministry to others.

At the Chair #3 Altar,

We Dig Yet Deeper.

In chair #2 we prayed for deliverance from obvious bad attitudes.

Now, we go deeper.

We pray about personal hypocrisy, false-humility,

personal agendas disguised as works for God, etc.

This is a level of maturity based on the growth that springs from good soil.

In chair #3 we respond to the Word, we love it, and let it break up the hardness in our hearts.

We daily pluck the weeds in our soul’s soil so that THE SEED (the nature of Christ) can grow there.

When it comes to spiritual maturity, the number of years we have been saved means nothing.

Our job is to prepare the ground to receive and grow the seed.

The seed WILL mature in good soil.

Fallow soil needs to be broken by the Lord to be fruitful.

“Yes, the LORD has this to say to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Like a farmer breaking up hard unplowed ground, you must break your rebellious will and make a new beginning just as a farmer must clear away thorns lest the seed is wasted, you must get rid of the sin that is ruining your lives.” Jer. 4:3 (NET)

“For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:28 (KJV)

A good heart that is well kept is destined to mature.

Chair #4 – Mature Adult Stage (ripening stage)

These are prayer warriors who spend hours in fervent prayer.

They are fervent worshippers who often get lost in worship.

They go boldly to preach the Gospel to the lost.

For chair #4, the altar is a place of deep, heart-felt intercession for the lost and all-encompassing worship.

Forsaking all, they lay down their lives for the cause of Christ.

“You fool! When you plant a seed in the ground, it does not sprout to life unless it dies.” 1 Cor. 15:36 (GNT)

“Anyone who tries to keep his life will lose it. And anyone who gives up his life for my sake and for the sake of the good news will find it.” Mark 8:35 (WE)

Most of us visit each of the four chairs at different times.

But then we go back to our usual seat.

Or we just stay in our regular seat & stick a hand or foot over on another chair.

Let’s look at the life Jesus on the Feekes Scale:

“Tillering:” A baby drinking milk & waving His arms in a manger.

“Stem Extension:”

A faithful boy growing up strong, tall and obedient.

A 12-year-old scholar entering His teen years more studious than the bible teachers in His Temple.

“Heading:”

A prayer warrior every day…

…a preacher / teacher to all who would listen

“Ripening:”

And finally, a human sacrifice, dying & giving life to the lost

“…The Son of Man did not come for other people to serve him. He came to serve others. The Son of Man came to give his life to save many people.” Mat. 20:28 (ICB)

“From that time on Jesus began to inform his disciples that he had to go to Jerusalem. There he would have to suffer a lot because of the leaders, chief priests, and scribes. He would be killed. From that time on Jesus began to inform his disciples that he had to go to Jerusalem. There he would have to suffer a lot because of the leaders, chief priests, and scribes. He would be killed but on the third day he would be brought back to life. Peter took him aside and objected to this. He said, “Heaven forbid, Lord! This must never happen to you!” Mat. 16:21,22 (GWT)

But Jesus explained that sacrifice and death to self is the calling of every believer.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me. Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me will find them.’” Mat. 16:24,25 (GWT)

Isa. 50:7 (ESV)

“… I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.”

“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Shall I pray, ‘Father, save me from what lies ahead’? But that is the very reason why I came!” John 12:17 (TLB)

The Jim & Elizabeth

Elliot Story

At six Jim told his mother:

 “Now, mama, the Lord Jesus can come whenever He wants. He could take our whole family because I’m saved now, and Jane is too young to know Him yet.”

As a teen, Jim quoted the Bible to the president of the student body to explain why he would not go to a school party.

Young Jim dreamt of reaching people who had never even heard of Jesus.

He was inspired by missionaries such as David Brainerd, William Carey, and Amy Carmichael.

He worked on the school newspaper, the wrestling team, school drama, and public speaking club.

He was so good at acting that some of the teachers suggested that he pursue a career as an actor…

…however, Jim knew that he was called to be a missionary.

Jim attended Wheaton College hoping to pursue his goal of full-time ministry overseas.

He would start each morning with prayer and Bible study and studied both Greek and Hebrew.

During that time, he became more and more passionate about the unreached and was baffled that no one was doing much about them.

He went to Mexico on a short-term mission trip.

This influenced his decision to go to Central America as a missionary after college.

However, his plan of being a single missionary for the rest of his life was interrupted by someone he met on his college campus—Elizabeth.

His parents and friends suggested that Jim Elliot might be more effective in youth ministry in the United States, but he considered the Western church to be ‘well-fed’ and that international missions among the unreached must be the #1 priority for Christians.

Jim and four other men ventured into the Ecuadorian jungle to preach to the unreached Auca people.

They left their wives in the village and flew into the jungle where the Auca people were camped.

But rather than receive the Gospel, the men of the Auca tribe speared all five of the missionary men in the back – killing them.

Regarding the death of her husband and the other four men, Elizabeth, his wife of only two years said this:

“They went simply because they knew they belonged to God, because He was their Creator and their Redeemer. They had no choice but to willingly obey Him, and that meant obeying His command to take the good news to every nation.”

But that’s just the beginning of the story.

Two of the men’s wives, Elizabeth & Rachel took the next two years to learn the tribe’s language.

One of the first men to receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior, was Mincaye, the man who personally speared two of the five men (including Rachael’s own husband).

After Mincaye was saved, virtually the entire tribe repented, and it has since become a Christian tribe to this day.

As Christians, we may start in the baby chair but, like Jesus, and like Jim & Elizabeth Elliot, we are all called into the spiritual Feekes process.

It is a process of growth, increasing spiritual understanding, maturity, responsibility, and sacrifice for the Gospel’s sake.

The final stage of a mature wheat kernel is to fall

into the ground, die and bear fruit for a new harvest.

Whichever chair we are sitting in at this stage in our lives, we all have plenty of business to do at the altars after any service.