473. PSA 126:6. MINISTERS SOWERS
Psa_126:6. Ministers Sowers
"Bearing precious seed."’97Psa_126:6
Jesus, in one of his most instructive parables, likened the preaching of the word to a sower, who went forth to sow, whose seed fell upon various kinds of ground. Some by the wayside, some upon stony places, some among thorns, and some upon good ground. In that delightful parable he might have especial reference to himself, and to his own labors. But he parable is equally applicable to all his servants, and to the labors of every Christian minister, who goes forth proclaiming the doctrines of the kingdom of God. The text truly expresses that character. He goeth forth "bearing precious seed." We ask then,
I. What Seed the Christian Minister sows?
The seed is the word of God. The holy truths of the divine mind. Those truths revealed expressly to make men wise to eternal life. Now this seed is to be sown in its original purity, without any admixture of what is human, and therefore probably erroneous. Now of this seed we notice,
1. It is living.
Word of life. Has in it the vital germ. So that if lodged in right ground, it will live and grow. It contains living principles and truths. It is the word of the living God. The living breath of the Holy Spirit from whom it emanated, and whose impress it bears. Not a dead letter, &c.
2. It is incorruptible.
Not only is it living, but as its source, it decays not, it perishes not. It produces spiritual life, which is not as the grass that withereth, but abideth forever. The fruit produced by this seed is incorruptible; it is the seed which is followed by the blessings of immortality.
3. It is precious.
So called in the text. Precious in its author and origin. Precious intrinsically. Precious in its effects. Precious as it has no possible substitute. It has been precious to the righteous in every age. It was given to the Jews as a solemn, invaluable deposit. It was to them worth more than thousands of gold and silver. See how it was estimated by the psalmist, Ps. xix., and cxix. God has exhibited his regard of its value, in preserving it amidst the enmity of all generations, and maintaining its purity even to the present period. It is as precious as the air, for it is the atmosphere of the renewed life. As bread, for it is the staff and support of the saints. As light, for without it we should be enveloped in mists and darkness. It is the water of life, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. We ask,
II. Where must it be sown?
The world is the field. Every human heart is the ground where we must labor to deposit it. "Go ye into all the world," that is the sphere. "Preach the gospel to every creature," there is the soil for its reception. Every human being needs it. To every human being it is adapted. For every living soul it is provided and sent. Then wherever the Christian minister may be, he cannot be beyond, or without, the sphere of duty and labor. Wherever he meets with one of Adam’s race, he may say, according to the very letter of his commission, "To you is the word of this salvation sent." We inquire,
III. How it must be sown.
We reply,
1. Skilfully.
There is art even in sowing, and there is much art in rightly preaching the word. For this, spiritual knowledge is indispensable. Wisdom from above. Judgment by which the word may be rightly divided, truly expounded, and properly diffused abroad. Auditories differ. The condition of the same congregation varies. Varied classes must be appropriately addressed. A suitable portion must be given to each order, and to each man. And in the word of God there is that endless richness of variety, which a skilful sower will turn to good account. What a model of skill do we perceive in the great apostle of the Gentiles. See his varied discourses, epistles, &c. It must be sown,
2. Faithfully.
The whole counsel of God with fidelity made known. No part compromised, or kept back, or adulterated. Every man left without just excuse.
3. Diligently.
The whole time of the ministerial sower is the Lord’s. In the morning, and in the evening, and at noonday. It must be his meat, &c. Great end of life. Chief end of all his studies, and contemplations, and solicitudes, where and how he may best scatter the seed of eternal life.
4. Plentifully.
Not with sparing hand. No need of this The sower’s resources are infinite. Word of God, like the ocean, is calculated to fill the channels of the wide world. Enough for all, and for each, and for evermore.
5. Prayerfully.
For the divine blessing to succeed the labors and means employed. That he may make it to grow. That his rain and sun may produce vegetation and fruitfulness That his glory may be promoted, and converts increase, until they become as the drops of the morning dew.
Application
Learn,
1. The true nature of the ministerial office. It is to sow the word of God. To bear precious seed. Not a scientific or literary profession. Not a business of politics or commerce. But to spread divine truth. To preach the gospel of Christ.
2. The end of the ministerial office The spiritual and eternal life of our fellow men. That they may be born again of the precious and incorruptible word of God.
3. The responsibility of those unto whom the word of God comes. They are responsible for hearing, receiving, and savingly profiting by it.
4. The assistance which all Christians may render in sowing the word of the kingdom. How very much they may assist their minister by counsel, kindness, co-operation, and prayer. Also by circulating the divine word. Teaching the rising age to read and understand it. By exemplifying its holy and benevolent fruit in their lives and conversation.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS