1400 Troy Road
Collinsville, Illinois 62234
618-667-6708
secretary@ctcofc.net
Worship Service 9:30 AM
Bible Classes 11:00 AM
Special Activities 12:00 AM
Bible Class (Adult) 1:30 PM
Bible Classes (All Ages) 7:00 PM
In the first 4 chapters of Ephesians, the Lord's apostle (Paul) gave some brief attention to a divine institution called the church, the church that belongs to Jesus. There are some today who speak of the importance of the church, but not in the same way the New Testament does. They speak of the importance of attendance but only in respect to "Attend the church of your choice."
The importance of the church in the New Testament is great. In Ephesians 4:11-16, we receive guidance from the Holy Spirit concerning a significant function of the local church. The Lord gave gifts unto those He chose for the purpose, in Ephesians 4:11-16, to build up the body of Christ, the church (1:22-23). Those who received gifts of the Holy Spirit are men in positions of leadership and service. They had significant roles in the church to teach (4:11), with the immediate goal of edification (4:12), teaching the brethren to pattern themselves after the Lord Jesus (4:13-15). The corresponding result of that teaching would be (and is) glory to God (4:16).
The elders (also known as bishops / pastors / presbyters) of the Lord's local church of Christ needs to give attention to those within, not to those outside. This is an important point to emphasize. There are many "policemen" in the brotherhood who seek to point out the failings of others (individuals and churches). Their benefit to the Lord and the brethren is minimal if any exist at all. Probably, it is more accurate to say they cause more harm than good. Those part of this "policemen posse" refuse to see themselves as the problem, but instead see themselves as "sound brethren," faithful to the Lord in all respects seeking to thin out the chaff (as they determine it).
Some in the community responds: "There they go! Fighting again. I'm glad I am not a member of that church!
An important lesson to learn: Within the local church, let us give attention to the Lord, His Word, and how each of us within that body can better serve the Lord and our neighbors. Let us be mindful of the two great commandments of the Lord (Matthew 22:34-40), and remember there are some in the world and, sadly, the brotherhood, who seek the local church's impairment. Give them no attention, but serve the Lord faithfully in action, worship, and understanding His will. "Wherefore be ye not foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:17, ASV).
-Ron Thomas is the editor of Bulletin Gold
-https://bulletingoldextra.blogspot.com/2026/08/gods-divine-institution.html
Fred A. Fillmore wrote a very well-known hymn titled I Know That My Redeemer Lives. He also wrote another song we sing found in the title of this article. Mr. Fillmore was born in Paris, Illinois, in May of 1886. He published dozens of hymns. His father was a minister in the Christian church.
We sing this song—Are You Sowing the Seed of the Kingdom Brother? from time to time, but do we really comprehend the message. The message does not originate with the writer of the song, but with our Lord Jesus.
The song addresses both brothers and sisters in Christ sharing the Gospel in the morning, midday, and night time. In other words, a message this great does not cease to be shared. The author could be referring to sowing the seed when we are young, middle aged and older in years. He addresses the location as well... along the fertile way. The author believes that wherever a Christian goes there is someone who needs to hear about Jesus. He then talks about the future. He uses words like reap, harvest-time, sheaves and garner. Reap simply means to get something as a result of what you have done. In agriculture, it refers to cutting or harvesting what has been planted. Harvest-time is that time in the fall where crops come out of the field. Sheaves are the stalks and ears that are bundled together at harvest. Garner simply means to gather or store or even to reap.
When you put all of this together, you have the message of Jesus from Matthew 9:35-38. He said, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. And in the Parable of the Sower, Jesus said the seed was the word of God and the field was the world. Jesus then tells us who should go and where. In Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-16, Jesus commands us to go everywhere spreading the gospel to all people making disciples of them by baptizing them.
According to the song, a harvest (souls of man) can only be gathered if a seed is sown. The author closes the song explaining that a reaping is coming known as judgement and every person will learn their fate based on their preparation for eternity during this life. A huge part of that preparation is sharing the good news of Jesus. Paul explains this is II Corinthians 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done either good or bad. Afterall, it is appointed unto men to die once and then the judgement (Heb. 9:27).
Now that we have taken a closer look at this hymn that reminds us that we have a role in the Kingdom (church), and work to do, the next time we sing it, let's sing it with conviction knowing we are fulfilling the Lord's Mission. Are you sowing the seed of the kingdom, brother?
