What is fertile ground? The best definition is right out of the Bible: read Mark 4:3-8. The definition of the stony and fertile ground is found in the verses that follow: Mark 4:14-20.
Cowboy Church of Virginia sows a lot of seed. This is what we are called to do. We offer this unique ministry anywhere we are asked. Since 2004 we have planted many churches and trained many folks.
But as is the case in the scriptures, not everything we plant grows and produces. Consider these truths:
Mark 4:14 "The sower soweth the word."
Mark 4:15 "And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts."
Mark 4:16 "And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;"
Mark 4:17 "And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended."
Mark 4:18 "And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,"
Mark 4:19 "And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful."
Mark 4:20 "And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."
We find this pattern in the ministry of Jesus as well. Matthew 13:58.
We also find this pattern in the New Testament church. Paul planted many, many churches. But he also left many areas. Paul did not waste the gospel and his calling on those whose hearts refused the gospel.
Here are some scriptures to consider:
Matthew 10:23
Acts 13:43
Acts 13:46
Acts 13:50
Acts 17:33
Acts 18:1
Acts 19:9
In the days of the early church, it was not the world that persecuted and attacked Paul, as well as the disciples. It was the “religious folks”. These people refused the new move of God among themselves. Why? Because it did not fit what they thought God ought to be doing. **As if God’s needs anyone’s opinion!!**
This pattern was repeated over and over. A study of Acts will reveal that Paul preached the gospel to the Jews in Jerusalem. They refused it. So Paul preached it to the Gentiles in Jerusalem. Then the Jews who refused the gospel in Jerusalem attacked Paul for preaching to the Gentiles.
Next, Paul preached the gospel to the Jews in Judea. They refused it. So Paul preached it to the Gentiles in Judea. Then the Jews who refused the gospel in Judea (consorting with the Jews from Jerusalem) attacked Paul for preaching to the Gentiles.
Next, Paul preached the gospel to the Jews in Samaria. They refused it. So Paul preached it to the Gentiles in Samaria. Then the Jews who refused the gospel in Jerusalem (consorting with the Jews from Jerusalem and Judea) attacked Paul for preaching to the Gentiles.
Then, after Samaria Paul took the gospel to Asia Minor (where the 7 churches talked about in Revelation would be planted) and planted many churches. From there the gospel went throughout the whole earth. This pattern fulfilled the scripture: Act 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
CCofVa. does not stay in areas in which what God has called us to do is rejected. We plant, and then those whom receive become accountable unto God for what they do with what God has given.
What is most remarkable, is that in those areas in which people reject what God is doing in this ministry, works of ministry spring up and go on. This happened in Paul’s day as well. Where the gospel was refused, churches still sprang up. Not churches that Paul planted, but churches that men designed and built. In this application is the relevancy of the scripture: Psalm 27:1 "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."
Many desire what God is doing in Cowboy Church of Virginia. To that end, they attempt to duplicate it by taking what God has given and then conforming it to their own likeness and design.
Counterfeits serve a purpose and can meet a need. But they will never replace, or be of the same quality, as that of the genuine original article.
God uses all to His purposes.
God abides where He finds those willing to be obedient to His call and His plan. God is not looking for people to redesign what He gives, or to add their own personal characteristics. God looks for those whom will simply do what He asks them to do. The way He asks it to be done.
Cowboy Church of Virginia desires to, and does, that which God called us to do. We call it “the model”. Given to us by the Lord it needs no design or alteration changes.
It merely needs to be implemented. When it is, God does the rest!
Do you want a genuine move of God? Then come be a part of CCofVa. Here it is what God, not man, is doing.
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