1 Corinthians 3:9 - Homiletics

God a Husbandman.

"We are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry," etc. The words lead us to look at God as the great Husbandman of human souls. As a husbandman—

I. HE IS THOROUGHLY ACQUAINTED WITH THE SOIL .

1. He knows its original state. The soil in its pristine state, with all its original powers, he knows.

2. He knows its present condition. Its present barren and wilderness state he understands. To him it seems like the "field of the slothful" mentioned by Solomon. It is stony, weedy, and thorny.

3. He knows its tillable capabilities. He knows what can be made of it, notwithstanding its present condition. He knows what every soul is capable of producing. He knows that some are far more capable than others. Some can become the majestic cedar, whilst others only the shrub.

II. HE HAS ALL NECESSARY INSTRUMENTALITIES . This stony, weedy ground requires certain well contrived implements to work it into a fruitful condition.

1. He has them in the events of life. All the dark and painful circumstances in life are his implements to break up the fallow ground. All the pleasant and propitious are instruments for mellowing the soil.

2. He has them in the revelations of truth. There is Law and love, Sinai and Calvary. All are soul culturing implements.

III. HE POSSESSES THE PROPER SEED . The seed he has to sow is good seed, and seed adapted to the soil. What is it? His Word. His Word is seed in many respects.

1. In vitality. Every seed has life in it. His Word is Spirit and life.

2. In completeness. The seed is complete in itself.

3. In prolificness. One seed in course of time may cover a continent. The Word of God is wonderfully fruitful.

IV. HE COMMANDS THE CULTURING ELEMENTS . The best agriculturists, who understand the soil, possess the best implements and the best seed, are thwarted in their efforts, because the elements are not propitious. God has command over the elements. He is the great Husbandman of souls, and we his husbandry.