Central to SGA moving forward is the work of sowing the seeds of God’s Word.
How appropriate are the Apostle Paul’s words on this subject as expressed in 1 Corinthians 3. Under direction and empowerment from the Lord, Paul planted the seeds of the Gospel and founded the church in Corinth.
Later, his companion Apollos came and taught those in the church, thereby watering the crop to ensure its growth.
But all credit for the growth goes to God. Paul made sure they understood this simple fact, so he repeated it twice –
v.6: “God gave the increase” and in v.7: “God that giveth the increase.”
Here we see that it is all about what God has done and is currently doing. If God was not working through them, all their work would have been in vain! This is an important point for us to stop and consider.
We accomplish little, if anything, in the eyes of God unless He is actively involved, changing the heart, giving the increase!
The Corinthians were putting too much emphasis on the servants and not enough on God. They needed to understand that servants can only preach the Word or sow the seed, but it is God and God alone who brings life to the seed.
This is a lesson that we need to learn within the life of the church.
We all have differing gifts, but we are all important for the overall good of the work.
No matter what part of the work we are involved in, all should remember that we are part of the harvest, and that we are all links in the chain.
God’s Word reminds us that the fields are still ready to harvest! SGA ’s target area over the past 70 years has been Central and Eastern Europe. In 2000 our field of service was enlarged as God opened doors into Central Asia among Russian and indigenous peoples.
More recently our ministry has extended into Far East Russia and Mongolia.
Paul, Apollos and Peter were not competitors in the work. In fact their different ministries were complementary in the work. They were not working for themselves but for the glory of God!
May we serve with the same spirit and enthusiasm, remembering it is God who gives the increase!