James 5:7-87 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Sowing Seed & Finding FruitAre we sowing the seed and patiently waiting on the Lord for the precious fruit?

We Rarely Sow in “Raised Beds”• Rarely do we get to sow the seed in raised beds

with specially prepared and chosen soil

• There are different types of soil that we will sow seed in – Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23• Have you ever considered the two-fold admonition

here?• These afford an understanding as to why some seed

bears fruit and other seed does not!

• Should we sow in beds that have already been “raised,” prepared and sown?

We Must Wait on the Lord for the Increase• We plant, another waters, but the Lord gives

the increase – cf. 1 Cor. 3:5-8

• The waiting process should be accompanied by fervent prayer and continued care – cf. Eph. 6:14-20; 2 Cor. 11:28

• The reward comes to those who do not grow weary! – cf. Gal. 6:9-10; 2 Thess. 3:13

Don’t Forget: Satan Has an Agenda Too!• While we sleep, Satan sows his tares

among the wheat – cf. Matt. 13:24-30

• Satan is our adversary in this venture – cf. 1 Pet. 5:8-9

• While speaking of an open door, Paul also spoke of “many adversaries” in Ephesus – 1 Cor. 16:8-9 (Acts 19:8-10)

• We are engaged in warfare, not for land or fame, but for the souls of men – cf. 2 Cor. 10:2-6; 1 Tim. 1:18-20

Luke 13:6-96 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”