The Power of the Seed
How to Build a Church That Can Feed the Masses
*The Lord spoke to me and said that He is positioning His church to feed the masses.
The Power of the Seed:
The other day I was at home with one of my daughters. She had not been feeling well and my wife and I took turns keeping an eye on her. Sitting in our living room, she watched as I ate an apple. She looked on with perplexity wondering how I could eat the apple without peeling it (she doesn’t like the skin). As I attempted to explain it to her an apple seed fell from the apple into my hand. At that moment God began to speak to me. He brought the John chapter 12 to my remembrance and so I got my bible and began to read.
John 12:20-28
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!" NIV
Ø The seed has potential.
Ø The power of perpetual life is in the seed.
Ø The seed has to be planted in order for the life to be released.
Ø The power of multiplication is in the seed.
In order to understand the power and purpose of the seed we have to go back to where it all began.
Gen 1:26-30
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground — everything that has the breath of life in it — I give every green plant for food." And it was so. NIV
Ø God released two key things to man: DOMINION & SEED
Ø There was a commission given, authority was delegated
Ø God always delivers in package form: Vision & Provision (providing for the vision)
Ø Provision is given in the form of the seed
The New Testament church was birthed based upon the same principle. The commission was given by Jesus who had just regained dominion in heaven and on earth. He delegated His authority to the Church and then sent the Holy Spirit to empower it for service.
Producing Fruit:
God desires to meet people’s needs both in the natural and in the spiritual realms. The Church of Jesus Christ carries that same mandate. There are churches that are financially prosperous but they lack the ability to meet the spiritual needs of people. There are churches that are blessed spiritually but lack the finances to really have a major impact. Balance must be achieved in order for the church to have maximum effect in the earth. Here are some examples from scripture:
James 2:14-17
14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. NIV
Ø Good intentions (faith) but lacking the ability to physically meet the need
Rev 3:14-18
14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. NIV
Ø This church had the physical things, but they were lacking in the spiritual things
Jesus modeled the way that it should be done. Through His example we have the pattern by which to build.
Matt 14:13-21
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." 16 Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." 17 "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered. 18 "Bring them here to me," he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. NIV
Ø Jesus was nearing the end of a supernatural healing service, spiritual needs were being met
Ø The people also had physical needs, they needed food
Ø Notice Jesus’ response to His disciples: “You give them something to eat”
Meeting Spiritual Needs:
A carnal Christian does possess the capacity to meet the spiritual needs of another person. In order for us to be able to meet the spiritual needs of the people that God places around us we have to be fruitful in the Spirit. Simply put, we cannot impart what we do not have ourselves.
Ø Carnal Peter versus spiritual Peter
Ø What did Jesus say to Peter in their first encounter after Peter had denied Him?
John 21:15-18
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. NIV
Ø If we love Him, we will do what He commands
Ø To feed means to provide spiritual nourishment
Ø [bosko /bos·ko/] v. A prol. form of a primary verb, cf 977 &; GK 1081; Nine occurrences; AV translates as “feed” eight times, and “keep” once. 1 to feed. 1a portraying the duty of a Christian teacher to promote in every way the spiritual welfare of the members of the church.
It is God’s will that we be fruitful not just for ourselves but for those that we encounter that are hurting, bound, and in need of deliverance. Our lives should produce spiritual fruit. When people in need encounter us they can feed off of us.
John 15:1-8
15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. NIV
Ø What is the fruit Jesus is talking about?
Gal 5:22-24
2 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. NIV
Ø We have to crucify the flesh so that we can bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit
Ø When we die to ourselves we are free to serve the people around us by meeting their spiritual needs.
Ø We can’t bypass the “pruning” and still expect to produce spiritual fruit
Meeting Natural/Physical Needs (The Purpose of Abundance):
In order for us to reap the harvest souls in these last days there has to be a release of resources to God’s people. It is going to takes perhaps billions to reach people, meet their needs, disciple them, and release them into their destiny. These resources have to be in our hands in order to get the job done. If we don’t have what is necessary to do what God has called us to do, then where is the disconnection?
Deut 14:28-29
28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. NIV
Deut 15:1-11
15:1 At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. 2 This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD's time for canceling debts has been proclaimed. 3 You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your brother owes you. 4 However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, 5 if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. 6 For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you. 7 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. NIV
Ø God actually says that there should be no poor among His people!
Ø He also assures them that if they meet the needs of others it will cause them to be blessed
Ø The will of God is that His people be the lenders and not the borrowers, to rule and not be ruled
Let’s look at a New Testament illustration of this principle.
2 Corinthians 9:6-14
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly (stingy) will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously (alot) will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. NIV
Ø Abound - 4052. περισσεύω pĕrissĕuō, per-is-syoo´-o; from 4053; to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (tran.) to cause to superabound or excel:— (make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above).
It Is God Alone Who Brings Increase And Causes Multiplication:
Genesis 3:17-18
17 To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,'
"Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. NIV
Leviticus 25:18-22
18 "'Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land. 19 Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety. 20 You may ask, "What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops?" 21 I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years. 22 While you plant during the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and will continue to eat from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in. NIV
Ø The ground was cursed because of disobedience
Ø Through obedience God exercises His “spiritual veto power” and the curse gives way to His blessings
Ø The contrast between their time and our current situation
Matthew 14:13-21
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." 16 Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." 17 "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered. 18 "Bring them here to me," he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. NIV
Ø The solution was in the seed
Ø They took what was in their hands and released it into the hands of Jesus
Ø Jesus multiplied the seed, He brought the increase
Ø It is not within our ability to multiply, but it is within our ability to sow
Ø God is the one who multiplies the seed sown and brings increase in the harvest
The Key to Abundance (Sacrifice)
Genesis 12:1-3
12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." NIV
Genesis 21:8-13
8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." 11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12 But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. NIV
Enhanced Strong's Lexicon:
3415 יָרַע [yara` /yaw·rah/] v. A primitive root; TWOT 917; GK 3760; 22 occurrences; AV translates as “displease” nine times, “grieved” four times, “grievous” three times, “evil” twice, “ill” twice, “harm” once, and “sad” once. 1 (Qal) to tremble, quiver.
The New Strong's Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words:
3415. יָרַע yâra˓, yaw-rah’; a prim. root; prop. to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e. (fig.) to fear:— be grievous [only Isa. 15:4; the rest belong to 7489].
Genesis 22:1-2
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!""Here I am," he replied. 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." NIV
Isaiah 53:10-12
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. NIV
John 12:23-28
23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!" NIV
Enhanced Strong's Lexicon:
5015 ταράσσω [tarasso /tar·as·so/] v. Of uncertain affinity; GK 5429; 17 occurrences; AV translates as “trouble” 17 times. 1 to agitate, trouble (a thing, by the movement of its parts to and fro). 1a to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mind, disturb his equanimity. 1b to disquiet, make restless. 1c to stir up. 1d to trouble. 1d1 to strike one’s spirit with fear and dread. 1e to render anxious or distressed. 1f to perplex the mind of one by suggesting scruples or doubts.
The New Strong's Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words:
5015. ταράσσω tarassō, tar-as´-so; of uncert. aff.; to stir or agitate (roil water):— trouble.
Matthew 26:36-42
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." 42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." NIV
Ø The key to abundance is sacrifice
Ø There is a revelation of Jesus Christ and the cross that enables us to make the hard decisions
Ø Through the suffering we see the greatness of His beauty and the depth of his love
Ø What can we do after this but say amen, for us to say yes Lord
Ø It is about us being in His will and purpose