Growing God's Way

Growing God's Way | May 4, 2025

Pastor Wes Morris

Mark 4:26-29 (NIV) He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.

All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

√  WE PLANT. GOD PRODUCES.

26 A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.

I Corinthians 3:6-7 (NIV) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

√  SPIRITUAL GROWTH ISN’T ALWAYS SEEN.

27 All by itself the soil produces grain...

John 3:8 (GNT) The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

√  YOU CAN’T RUSH THE PROCESS.

27 ...first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel.

James 5:7-8 (MSG) Friends, wait patiently for the Master’s arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. 

GROWING GOD’S WAY

I. COMMIT TO A DAILY PLANTING HABIT.

Psalm 92:12-14 (NIV) The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.

II. CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

John 15:4 (MSG) Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

III. WORSHIP IN THE WAITING.

Psalm 40:1-3 (MSG) I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip. He taught me how to sing a new song, a praise song to our God.

Psalm 130:5 (NIV) I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.