February 5, 2017
Today we’re going to talk about sunflowers. There are several lessons we can learn from them. They have some characteristics that Christians should resemble or possess. Sunflowers always face the sun, and they do look a bit like the sun.
2 Corinthians 3:18
According to second Corinthians 3:18, if we, without distraction, can behold the glory of the Lord we will be changed into the same image. John the Baptist in John chapter one pointed his disciples toward the Lamb of God - the Lord Jesus. In that same chapter we read that he was “looking upon Jesus as He walked”. We need to imitate the likeness of the Lord. Just like Noah walked with God. The more God occupies our thoughts, the more we will be like Him. We can learn through the Gospels how to imitate Him.
One thing we can note about the sunflowers is that, in the morning they face east, at noon they are looking straight up, and in the evening they are pointing west. It’s the same everyday, and the next morning they’re facing the east again. This is how we should start and end our days as well—with Christ.
Ephesians 6:10, 11, 13 - 18
I planted several sunflowers in some sand one time. They grew quite tall. But then one day a storm came up, and many of them were blown over. They weren’t in good solid ground. If believers are not grounded in the truth on a firm foundation we’ll blow or fall over when trials come. The truth is God’s Word. To stand tall we need to be in the scripture daily. They will give us the strength. We must pray and ask the Lord for understanding, and help to stand. Anything that is supposed to be green and growing needs water and sun.
1 John 1:5-7
We must walk in the light. Sunflowers might be called that because they resemble the sun. Their yellow petals look like the rays of the sun. Christian means to be like Christ.
Acts 11:25 & 26
A lot of work had been done in Antioch. Paul and Barnabas had been doing plenty of preaching. They were not calling themselves Christians. Others who were noting the manner of life called them Christians. Christians are to be Christ like. They were called that because of the way they lived.
Paul and Barnabas were there for a whole year. The assembly were learning and then living it out. People should be able to see that in us too. Would they be calling us Christians?
2 Peter 3:17 & 18
We are to walk in light and fellowship with one another. There are those who are giving up or twisting the truth, so that it is no longer truth. We must be rooted and ground or we will fall over. Peter tell us to beware, and watch out.
They plant sunflowers in large fields millions at a time. In the morning they are all look toward the east. They are in complete fellowship and unison focused on the same thing. When we share similar truths with each other, we will enjoy the Lord together.
Ephesians 4:2 & 3
Walking in truth, love, fellowship, and growing in grace is to be done with all lowliness, which is not giving offense, and meekness, which is not taking offense. It is unity of the Spirit. All sunflowers need the same light, water, soil, and nutrition. We can be like the sunflowers growing in unity.
Acts 2:41b - 42
They were being taught the apostles doctrine, which had not been written yet. None of the New Testament had been written. But they continued steadfast. They were enjoying the fellowship together in the things that they had learned from the truth of the scripture. They shared and worked together. The Breaking of Bread was very important to them. Hopefully it is important to us as well.
Prayer is powerful. We should not only pray together, but also as individuals. We need to be in our closet or a private place. We can go there to get away in the business of the day to spend time in quiet with God.
We walk worthy by knowing the truth. It is walking in lowliness, and meekness with grace, and gentleness.
Even on cloudy days, sunflowers still follow the sun. Our clouds are the sad, discouraging, and trying days. But we are to go through them still looking at Him. Our world is broken up, scattered, divided, and what professes to be Christianity is in a state of confusion. We must endeavorer to keep the unity and the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:3)
When Peter asked Jesus what John was going to do after, Jesus told him what to do; Jesus told him, “What is that to thee? Follow Me.” Jesus had to tell Peter several times to follow Him. John followed automatically.
Ephesians 5:1, 2a, 8, 17, & 18
We are to walk in love, and in light; and avoid darkness. Sunflowers are not just to look at. They’re also good for their seeds and oil. Oil in the Bible is a picture of the Holy Spirit. In this passage we are told not to be drunk with wine. When someone is intoxicated they are controlled by what is inside. Paul says to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It’s nice to see people filled with the Spirit and living in it.
Luke 8:1-8
The seed is God’s Word. Sunflowers can hold over 2,000 seeds. If all of those are planted that’s 2,000 more flowers. If we plant seeds by telling others of God, and they listen and are saved, they are now a “sunflower”. If they plant 2,000 seeds, and those all produce that is 4,000,000 more “sunflowers”. Once sunflowers you must stand on good ground, follow the sun—the light of the scriptures, and be in prayer to be guided. If we are planting seeds, eternity will declare what has happened to them. If we refuse to walk in the light with fellowship the end result won’t be good.
As sunflowers grow, they reach maturity, and their face looks down. They dry out. When tipped over, they won’t hold water and rot. They can then be plucked, processed, and the fruit taken into account.
Revelation 22:12
Romans 14:12
What about us? When we are plucked from the earth what will we have to give? What will be our fruit? Will we make a difference in lives here for the glory of the Lord? It will bring joy to them, you, and Jesus. He is worthy of all glory.
Hymn 350 - I will make you fishers of men
Prayer