Sunday, July 30, 2017

sermon, Germinating Seeds of Hope", by Raymond A. Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, ME



July 30, 2017
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
“A Future With Hope”)
week 2 - “This Living Hope”
Psalm 128
Matthew 13:1-9
Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:18-24
Christ explaining the Parable of the Sower
Psalm 139:13-16
Matthew 13:31-33
Parable of the Mustard Seed
Parable of the Yeast
and Sermon, “Germinating Seeds of Hope”

“Germinating Seeds of Hope”

Good Morning; today is the second Sunday of the sermon series Pastor Ruth began last week on “This Living Hope”.  She preached on God’s love, God’s grace, God’s promise, God’s plan, and God’s hope for us.

Today let us go deeper, let us welcome the gifts, the seeds God sows, the seeds of the kingdom, of the gospel; may they grow within us, to fulfill that prayer in the Psalm Sharon shared with us, that we may be fruitful.

Please stand as you are able for the reading of the gospel according to Matthew. I am reading from Matthew 13:1-9 and Matthew 13:18-24 (NIV).

18 “Listen then to the parable of the sower” and what this parable means, from the words of our Master, Jesus Christ:

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.

3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
23 [. . . ] the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

And this is the important verse . . . Matthew 13:9.

9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

That is exactly the point. Jesus is not hiding the ball, though He spoke in parables. This one was so important that he spelled it out in the same chapter in detailed language for the disciples that we must all understand.

And I said MUST understand because this is critical. We may be farther from the earth than the people of Jesus’ day; but we are closer here in Patten than those in big cities. We understand more the planting and the harvest; but much of what God does, is still in secret, according to His timeline, His purpose.

Many of you know about seeds and soil and what happens in the ground; but in some ways it remains a mystery, a miracle, known only to God.

Chapter 13 of Matthew is loaded with parables, about the kingdom of God, each of them one of the seeds God sows, as Christ, in Matthew 13, verse 19, tells us directly. The seeds are the message of the gospel.

In Matthew 13:31-32, we have the parable of the Mustard Seed. (NIV)

31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

And in Matthew 13:33, we read The Parable of the Yeast (The Message)

33 Christ told them another story. “God’s kingdom is like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread—and waits while the dough rises.”

In these three parables, I hear an echo of the Psalms, the reading today about the blessing to come, about being fruitful, and especially a passage from Psalm 139:13-16.

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

God’s hand is upon us in secret, within. We have to nurture that faith, that faith which God is working within us. This is Christ’s promise and our hope.

We want to be the good soil, we need to be the good soil, to be open to God’s calling on our lives. We need to be ready, prepared for the seed, ready to care for the good news we have been given, the hope planted within us, the breath of the Spirit igniting our faith.

We have the seed planted, in the soil, the good soil, the fields of our hearts, waiting, in secret, for God’s time alone.

Before the planting, there is the preparing of the soil. After the planting, there is the nurturing, the caring for the seed, for the soil, the watering, the weeding, all of this guided by faith, because most of the growing is in secret deep down within the seed, in the soil. The seeds germinate in the ground after a time of dormancy.

There is a lot of truth in the idea that the faith of a farmer has to be strong because so much of what they do relies on God’s little miracle, starting with the right seed, the right soil, the right amount of water, the right amount of heat, of sunlight, all of it happening in God’s time alone.

We are seeking, searching, but the seed is within us, growing in the soil, after a time of dormancy, like spring after the winter, waiting, growing in secret, a miracle within the seed, germinating in the soil, sending down roots, deep into our faith.

And we need that hope to work within us, the faith that we carry within that seed, like a small mustard seed growing within us, or maybe more like the yeast, spreading in the kneading, in the working of the dough, throughout, so the yeast can do its work in the secret, the darkness within the walls of the dough, spreading, rising, as the Spirit fills us.

Now, I have never been a farmer, nothing more than a little garden in my yard at least; but I have seen the fruits of yeast growing, in secret within the skin of a loaf of bread, or a whole proof box full of rack after rack of rolls in an industrial bakery I worked in one summer in 1979.

I worked in the mixing room on the third floor where the yeast was added to the ingredients and just the right amount of water to make the dough and I worked on the pan-o-matic on the first floor where the 300lbs of each batch of dough was divided into the different kind of rolls we were making at the time , but mostly I worked between the proof box, where humidity and temperature were set to activate the yeast, and the roll oven, often for a 12 hour shift.

Each time I went into the proof box to get a rack of pans of rolls, the smell of yeast and the humidity of the air would hit me. My glasses would fog over. The yeast had definitely done its thing, germinating, growing, down inside the dough, spread throughout.  My clothes and hair were thick with the smell of yeast long after my shift was over.

We prepare the materials, we prepared the dough, but the growth was hidden, like the germinating seeds in the good soil of our hearts.

We must nurture the soil, preparing it for the seeds, the gospel that God sows into us. We must embrace the seeds when they are planted within us. Yes, we must embrace the seed. . .

embrace the seed

embrace the seed
the hope that God has planted
the seed in the soil
of our hearts, our lives

embrace the seed
the message of the gospel
the promise of Christ Jesus
His love, His sacrifice

embrace the seed
the calling awaking in secret
deep within the soil
of our lives, of our hearts

We must water and feed the seed in the soil, within us. We must add warmth, light, all that the seed needs to grow. We must read the word, we must prayer, we must serve, we must spend time in worship, feeding our lives, our hearts.

But, most of all, we have to trust in God; we must have faith in God, for it is God who provides the growth. And in that faith is our hope, for the new life to come.

Amen.
----------------


edited August 29, 2017
our hope cannot stay hidden – v2
August 29, 2017
our hope cannot stay hidden
August 29, 2017
we are called to witness – 2
August 29, 2017
we each are the witness
edited August 29, 2017
only Christ can redeem us – v2
August 29, 2017
only Christ can redeem us
August 28, 2017
none of us are worthy - 2
August 28, 2017
he told her about Jesus
August 27, 2017
he shared his faith
August 27, 2017
offering her hope
August 27, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
 (Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
“Bearing Hope”
Psalm 138
John 15:1-8 GNT
Philippians 1:9-11 GNT
and sermon, “Hope Bearer…”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 27, 2017
&
August 20, 2017
Help me go grow
August 20, 2017
before I gave my life to Christ
edited August 20, 2017
August 20, 2017
I have been you
August 20, 2017
whatever your station
August 20, 2017
slave or free
August 20, 2017
grow there
August 20, 2017
give to them willingly
August 20, 2017
show them compassion
August 20, 2017
offer mercy, grace
August 20, 2017
do not resist them
August 20, 2017
strip them of power
August 20, 2017
may hope find a home
edited August 20, 2017
may hope abide – v2
August 20, 2017
may hope abide
August 20, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
 (Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
“Residing with Hope”
Psalm 133
Luke 3:10-14
1 Corinthians 7:20-24
Jeremiah 29:4-7
and sermon, “Where Hope Resides”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 20, 2017
&
August 19, 2017
nurturing hope
edited/ new name August 19, 2017
if the seedling isn’t planted
August 19, 2017
if the seed isn’t planted
August 19, 2017
It is hard to believe
August 19, 2017
Hope begins to sprout and root
edited August 19, 2017
Hope germinates and grows – v2
August 19, 2017
Hope germinates and grows – v1
August 19, 2017
hope is like a seed
August 19, 2017
a flickering of something
edited August 19, 2017
a kernel of hope – v3
edited August 19, 2017
a kernel of hope – v2 (2)
August 19, 2017
a kernel of hope (2)
August 19, 2017
seeds of hope within us
August 13, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
week 4 - “This Living Hope”
Psalm 105:1-6
Mark 4:1-8 NIV
Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV
John 4:13-14
Zephaniah 3:17
Romans 12:12
Romans 15:4
and sermon, “Nurturing Planted Hope”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 13, 2017
&
August 10, 2017
our roots are anchored in Christ
August 10, 2017
we are grounded in Christ
August 10, 2017
our hope is grounded
edited August 6, 2017
we must accept the seed – v3
edited August 6, 2017
we must accept the seed – v2
August 6, 2017
we must accept the seed
edited August 6, 2017
for hope to grow – v2
August 6, 2017
for hope to grow
edited August 6, 2017
Hope is planted – v2
August 6, 2017
Hope is planted
August 6, 2017
the roots going deep
new name/ edited August 6, 2017
the seedlings planted
(editing “the young plants planted”)
August 6, 2017
let your roots grow down
August 6, 2017
cultivate the hope inside
August 6, 2017
plant the seeds of grace
August 6, 2017
plant the seeds of love
August 6, 2017
get them in the ground
edited August 6, 2017
germinated seeds – v2
August 6, 2017
germinated seeds
August 6, 2017
the seed growing
August 6, 2017
living in hope
August 6, 2017
may our hearts be open
edited August 6, 2017
that we might understand – v4
August 6, 2017
the young plants planted
August 6, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
week 3 - “Planting Seeds of Hope”
Mark 4:1-8
Parable of the Sower
Psalm 145:7-8; 14-21
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT
Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV
Colossians 2:6-8 NLT
Sermon, “Planting Seeds of Hope”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 6, 2017
&
August 2, 2017
hidden in our flesh
August 2, 2017
growing in our soil
edited/ new name August 2, 2017
growing in the good soil
August 2, 2017
growing in the ground
August 2, 2017
hidden in the ground
edited August 2, 2017
After the planting – v2
August 1, 2017
We must water and feed
August 1, 2017
Like seeds, like yeast
August 1, 2017
that we might understand – v3
August 1, 2017
we must understand
August 1, 2017
not in riddles but parables
edited July 31, 2017
that we might understand – v2
July 31, 2017
that we might understand
July 31, 2017
we must hear God’s word
edited July 31, 2017
we are seeking, searching – v2
July 31, 2017
We are seeking, searching
July 31, 2017
We have the seed planted
merged July 31, 2017
Before the planting – v2
July 31, 2017
After the planting
July 31, 2017
Before the planting
July 30, 2017
We want to be the good soil
July 30, 2017
we need that hope to work within us
edited July 30, 2017
we must embrace the seeds – v2
July 30, 2017
we must trust in God
edited July 30, 2017
a little more hope – v3
(editing original again)
edited July 30, 2017
we must embrace the seeds
edited July 30, 2017
embrace the seeds
July 30, 2017
embrace the seed
July 30, 2017
hope is alive within us
July 30, 2017
hope planted within us
&
July 29, 2017
we are the soil – v2
July 29, 2017
do we nurture the seed – v2
July 16, 2017
do we nurture the seed
edited July 16, 2017
do we care for the message – v2
July 16, 2017
do we care for the message
July 16, 2017
do we welcome the seed
July 16, 2017
are we the soil
July 16, 2017
we hold the seed
July 16, 2017
we are the sower
July 15, 2017
we are the soil
edited July 15, 2017
held by the thorns – v2
July 15, 2017
held by the thorns
July 15, 2017
choked by the briars
Matthew 13:18-23
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“The Promise and Work of God’s Word”
July 10, 2017 to July 16, 2017
by John Adcox
devotion for July 15, 2017
read July 15, 2017
&
edited July 29, 2017
a miracle in the seed – v2
July 29, 2017
searching, seeking - 2
July 29, 2017
a miracle in the seed
edited July 29, 2017
seeking treasure – v2
edited July 29, 2017
Finding Treasure – v2
merged/edited July 29, 2017
Seeking treasure, Finding treasure
July 29, 2017
seeking treasure
July 29, 2017
Finding Treasure
Matthew 13:44-52
The Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Treasures from God”
July 24, 2017 to July 30, 2017
by Chris Folmsbee
devotion for July 29, 2017
read July 29, 2017
&
July 28, 2017
tiny acts of love
edited July 28, 2017
out of God’s great love – v2
July 28, 2017
the kingdom of God growing
Matthew 13:31-33
The Parables of the Mustard Seed
the Parable of the Yeast
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
The Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Treasures from God”
July 24, 2017 to July 30, 2017
by Chris Folmsbee
devotion for July 27, 2017
read July 28, 2017
&
edited July 27, 2017
Germinating Seeds of Hope – v2
July 27, 2017
Germinating Seeds of Hope
July 30, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
“A Future With Hope”)
week 2 - “This Living Hope”
opening prayer
video
Psalm 128
Matthew 13:1-9
Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:18-24
Christ explaining the Parable of the Sower
Psalm 139:13-16
Matthew 13:31-33
Parable of the Mustard Seed
Parable of the Yeast
prayer before sermon
and Sermon, “Germinating Seeds of Hope”
text:
video:
by Raymond A. Foss
Children’s Message
by Raymond A. Foss
closing prayer
video
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 30, 2017
&
edited July 26, 2017
a little more hope – v2
July 26, 2017
a little more hope
July 26, 2017
we are imprisoned by our fears
edited/ new name July 24, 2017
we are strangled by anxiety
July 24, 2017
immobilized by fear
July 24, 2017
freed by hope
July 23, 2017
Hope is Trust
July 23, 2017
why are we so anxious
July 23, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
“A Future With Hope”)
week 1 - “This Living Hope”
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
Jeremiah 29:11-14 Amplified Bible
Romans 5:1-5 Amplified Bible
John 3:16-17 Amplified Bible
and Sermon, “This Living Hope”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 23, 2017

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 44,830 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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