Discipleship of Farming – Tractors, Holy Spirit, and Power (Part III)

Sermon Title: Discipleship of Farming – The “Power” of Tractors

Good News Statement: God provides us with power

Preached: Sunday, October 22^nd, 2023, at Dogwood Prairie and Seed Chapel UMC

Pastor Daniel G. Skelton, M.Div.

 

Scripture (NRSV): Acts 1:8 – Today’s Scripture reading comes from the Book of Acts. Luke, the supposed author of Acts, dedicates his writing to the building and establishing of the early church; and while informing the people of what to do and not do, he tells the people that they have received the power of the Holy Spirit so that they do not have to do things on their own. Our reading comes from the Book of Acts, Chapter One, Verse Eight. May the reading and hearing of the word be a blessing in your life.

Acts 1:8

⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, ⁵ and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Genesis 2:7

⁷ then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Joel 2:28

^28 [a]Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,  your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.

Philippians 4:13

¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Romans 8:11, 13-14, 28

¹¹ If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through  his Spirit that dwells in you….

¹³ for if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God….

²⁸ We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

 

This is the Word of God for the People of God; And all God’s people said, “Thanks be to God.”

 

Introduction:

A city-slicker was driving out through the country one day and missed his turnoff. He saw a small drive and decided to turn around. Misjudging the drive and not familiar with soft shouldered country roads the fellow found his Cadillac sliding into the ditch. Well it wasn’t too long till a farmer came along on a tractor and saw the car in the ditch and stopped to help. As the farmer was taking a tow chain out of the tool box the city slicker walked up and asked the farmer, “What are you doing? You can’t hook that dirty old tractor to my $45,000 Cadillac!” The farmer scratched his head a few seconds, put the chain away and said, “You’re right, I can’t hook my $65,000 tractor onto your $45,000 Cadillac!” and the farmer drove away.

Today, we are going to talk about tractors. I will admit that I don’t know a whole lot about tractors. But I am learning! The most important thing that I have learned about tractors since I have been here, in Oblong, is that people have their favorite brand of tractor. How many of you own a tractor (working or not working)? How many of you know someone who owns a tractor? How many of you are John Deere people? How many of you are IH (International Harvester) people? How many of you are Oliver people? How many of you are Case people? How many of you are New Holland people? How many of you are Ford people? Growing up near Moline, Illinois, where John Deere has its headquarters and corporate offices, I would classify myself a John Deere person. I have taken tours of the facility as well as the showroom downtown Moline.

Besides learning that people have their favorite brand of tractor, I have also learned some interesting phrases about tractors. For example, “If it’s red, leave it in the shed.” “Nothing runs like a Deere.” “Buy an Oliver, buy the best; buy a chain and tow the rest.” “If it’s not blue, it’s not for you.” And “You’ll never keep pace with a Case.” People really do have their favorites, and they stick to them…with fierceness and dedication.

Although some of us may have our favorite brand of tractor and strive every day to prove how John Deere is better than Case, every tractor, believe it or not, has something in common; and what they have in common is an attribute of our faith that we often neglect or simply forget about. This common trait is power. Every tractor has some sort of power—the capability of helping us does work. In Greek, this power is called dunamis  and it comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

Today, as we continue our sermon series, The Discipleship of Farming, we will be reminded that we have power, just like a tractor has power, to get the job done—to do the work of Christ on earth as it is in heaven. But, in order to do the work of Christ and get the job done, we must be willing to make sure that our “tractor”—the dwelling of the Holy Spirit—is not missing any parts. God has given us power to get the job done.

Body:

Last week I shared with you that corn is something more than we plant, harvest, eat, sell, or buy. It is more than something we use for livestock; combine with other chemicals to make ethanol, or to produce starches, sweeteners, and some beverages. It is more than something that grows in a field. Corn is part of our life, believe it or not. Corn is viewed as a Biblical offering, blessed by God, used to feed the hungry, and a product of God’s creation that is not to be withheld but shared (Proverbs 11:26, KJV). Corn teaches us about our God-given purposes. And corn informs us about hearing our faith.

Drawing upon the purpose of corn, we have been given a purpose that fulfills the mission of Jesus Christ here on earth. God has created us to do His work in such a way that helps others, sees the needs of those around us, and administers goodness to all people for the benefit of being called a disciple. Whether we are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, students, farmers, or anything else, as the Apostle Paul may describe, we have been given a purpose to equip others for the work of ministry and for the building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12). But how are you going to use your God given purpose to share the good news? How can you be God’s ear of corn?

Furthermore, we have to take time to hear the corn growing: we have to listen to our faith, take a step back from the busyness of life. We must slow down once in a while and listen to the corn growing if we want to be the disciple that God needs us to be, if we want to be the church Christ needs us to be, if we want to be the best version of ourselves for those in our life. In life, we must find ways to tune out the sounds of the world and focus on the sounds of Christ. We must do our best to hear the word of Christ in all that we do, in all that we say, and in all the places that we go. God needs us to hear our faith so that we can hear the word of Christ—our grace and salvation—growing (Romans 10:17).

Who would have ever thought that a simple ear of corn, grown in the middle of a field, in the Mid-West, would be seen as something more than an item we plant, grow, harvest, sell, buy, eat, and use? Did any of you look at an ear of corn or just corn in general this past week and think about your faith and purpose in this life?

History of Tractors:

Continue thinking about corn, but I invite you to also think about tractors. To begin our discussion of tractors, I thought we could spend a few minutes reminding ourselves with the history of tractors. First, the early development of tractors took place in the 1800s.The invention of the first steam-powered tractor in the 19th century marked a significant turning point in agricultural history. Before this innovation, horses and oxen were the primary sources of power for plowing fields and completing other labor-intensive tasks. The introduction of steam power offered farmers a more efficient and powerful alternative. One key figure in the development of the steam-powered tractor was Robert Ransome, a British engineer who patented the first portable steam engine for agricultural use in 1849. This invention revolutionized the farming industry, allowing farmers to cover larger areas in less time and with less physical effort. However, steam-powered tractors were heavy, cumbersome, and required significant manpower to operate.

Then as the 20th century approached, inventors recognized the need for a more practical solution. The transition from steam power to internal combustion engines began in the early 1900s, with the introduction of gasoline and kerosene-powered tractors. These new engines were lighter, more efficient, and easier to operate, paving the way for further advancements in tractor design. The first successful tractor to use gasoline was the Waterloo Boy Tractor of 1913. Just five years after that, a company by the name of John Deere bought out Waterloo Boy and the rest, as they say is history.

Continuing in the 1900s, research has shown that between the 1920s and 1940s, this time period was known as “The Golden Age of Tractors.” It was during this time that some of the most iconic and influential machines were developed. Two major players in this era were Fordson tractors and John Deere. Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, recognized the potential of tractors in revolutionizing agriculture. In 1917, he introduced the Fordson Model F, the first mass-produced tractor that was both affordable and reliable.[i] John Deere, a well-known name in the agricultural machinery sector, also made significant contributions during the Golden Age of Tractors. In 1923, the company introduced the John Deere Model D tractor, which became one of the most successful and enduring tractor models in history. The Model D was innovative in many ways, featuring a two-cylinder engine that provided ample power for various farming tasks, as well as a sturdy and dependable design. This iconic tractor cemented John Deere’s reputation as a market leader in agricultural machinery.

Moving along, technological advancements and tractor modernization came onto the scene in the 1950s thru the 1980s. The mid-20th century saw a number of important technological advancements that further modernized tractors and made them even more efficient and versatile. One such development was the widespread adoption of diesel-powered tractors. Diesel engines offered several advantages over their gasoline counterparts, including greater fuel efficiency, increased torque, and longer engine life. In addition to diesel power, another significant innovation in tractor design was the integration of hydraulic systems and power take-offs (PTOs).[ii]

Today, in the 21^st Century, the agriculture industry has undergone a digital revolution, with the introduction of innovative technologies such as GPS systems, data analytics, and advanced sensors. One of the most significant developments in this era has been the integration of GPS technology in tractors, allowing for the emergence of precision agriculture.[iii] Another groundbreaking innovation in the world of tractors is the development of autonomous tractors. These cutting-edge machines are capable of performing tasks without human intervention, relying on advanced sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence and satellites to navigate and operate.

In summary, the history of tractors is a testament to human ingenuity and our drive to continually improve and optimize the way we farm. From the humble beginnings of steam-powered machines to the sleek, high-tech tractors of today, each era has brought new innovations and advancements that have transformed the agricultural landscape. With each new stage of tractor, comes the idea of finding was to get the job done: with each new tractor is a greater sense of power and capability to overcome the tasks of today.

 

The Holy Spirit and It’s Power:

I shared a little bit of tractor history with you to highlight the following statement:  “What tractors are to farming, the Holy Spirit is to the Christian spiritual life.” Both tractors and the Holy Spirit represent the power we need to get the job done. For tractors, the job is agricultural; but for the Holy Spirit, the job is to do the work of Christ here on earth—to make disciples of and for Jesus Christ, to be the hands, feet, and body of Christ, and to maintain and grow the church of Christ, our church. We can’t do the work of Christ if we don’t acknowledge the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our life.

What is the “Holy Spirit?” In general, the Holy Spirit is God’s indwelling presence in our lives.[iv] It’s God’s power working within us, motivating us, encouraging us, and nudging us to do His work. More specifically, though, the Holy Spirit is a reference to God’s breath—the receiving of life. Genesis 2:7 asserts, “Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” In Hebrew, spirit is translated as ruach which means breath, wind, air, and spirit. Joel, when discussing the Spirit of God shares, “Then afterward I will pour out me spirit [–my breath, my presence–] on all flesh” (Joel 2:28). God’s Spirit represents His indwelling presence in our lives by which has given us life, by which he has breathed into us.

In the New Testament, we receive a similar picture of the Holy Spirit; but it takes on another dimension. The Greek word in the New Testament for spirit is pneuma which is often translated to mean “breath, wind, air, and spirit” similar to the word ruach. However, the spirit in the New Testament is also associated with power. This power, in Greek, is called dunamis meaning “power, strength, force, virtue, and might.” Jesus promises us the power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, the author asserts, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” We have received the power of the Holy Spirit, but are we allowing that power—that force, strength, and virtue—to help us do the work of Christ, to be witnesses for him on earth. Are we harvesting the crop under our own power or by the power of God’s help and Spirit?

The power of the Holy Spirit, which indwells within us, is so important to Paul that he mentions it 300 times throughout his epistles. Romans 8:11, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.”  God raised Jesus back to life through the power of the spirit. Just think what God can do in your life when you allow the power of the spirit to live within you. With the spirit, God can raises you up, brings you out of your valley, helps you overcome the battles and struggles in your life, guides you away from sin and temptation, and gives you the hope and strength to face tomorrow. As Paul stated, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” We can do all things when we live out the power of Holy Spirit in our life. Living out the power of the Holy Spirit means taking time to pray, giving praise to God, worshipping God, finding ways to fulfill your God-given purposes, listening to God, communicating with God, being his hands and feet on earth, sharing the good news, witnessing for others, loving the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, body, and soul, and loving your neighbor as you love yourself. We live out the power of the Holy Spirit because we have the God’s strength within us.

Speaking of strength, Romans 8:13-14 reads, “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and lead you; allow it to strengthen you; allow it to abide in you; allow it to work in your life. Don’t be afraid to be led and to live by the Spirit of God. Allow the Spirit to help you do the work of Christ: sharing the word, studying the word, praying on the word, and inviting others to know and witness the word. A few verses later, Paul writes, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words.” The spirit will help you pray, it will help you share the good news of Christ, and it will be the words of your faith. Just like a tractor, we need the power, the spirit to fulfill the works of God’s spirit.

Lastly Paul informs the Romans and us that God works all things together through the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” God works all things together through the Holy Spirit: even in bad times, the Holy Spirit is working in your life; even in moments of pain and suffering, the Holy Spirit is working in your life; when you are tired and weary and overwhelmed , the Holy Spirit is working in your life; when you are experiencing mountaintop moments, the Holy Spirit is still working in your life; and when you don’t know what to say, what to do, or where to go, the Holy Spirit is working in your life. The Holy Spirit is working in your life because God is in your life, because Jesus sacrificed his life so that you would be able to experience unconditional love and salvation all the days of your life. As the famous hymn written by Lewis E. Jones reminds us, “There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb.” You have the power of the Holy Spirit in your life; but are you living your life as such?

Implements of the Tractor:

One way to view the Holy Spirit in your life is to think of it as implements or attachments and parts of a tractor. Paul notes, “Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Implements are attachments that are attached to the tractor: hay wagon, brush hog, rototiller, discs, broadcast spreader, etc. Each of these attachments release or give more power to the tractor. The tractor, like us has self-given power, but when implements are added, such as the Holy Spirit in our life, more work can be done.

But there is a downside to these implements, especially the parts of the tractor. When we don’t allow the power of the spirit to dwell within us or in our church, we begin to fall short of the word of God. Think about it this way: every time we try to do things on our own, without the indwelling of God’s presence and Spirit in our life and don’t trust in Jesus, we become more acceptable to sin; and every time we sin, something on our tractor doesn’t work: we sin, the tractor doesn’t start; we sin, a tire goes flat; we sin, the steering wheel locks up; we sin, the bearings go bad; we sin, the implements for the tractor no longer fit to the tractor. If we keep allowing sin in our life or keep trying to do things on our own instead of leaning on the everlasting arms and standing on the promises of God, then sooner or later there will be no tractor and we will return to pushing the plow on our own.

We must remember God’s Holy Spirit is our implement by which makes us stronger; and within that implement or attachment God activates our gifts for service and work. There is power in the Holy Spirit: the power of the Holy Spirit helps us do what we can’t do on our own. A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from someone in the community asking for my pastoral assistance. They said they had a gentleman in their store that was going through a rough patch, and they just needed prayer and someone to listen to them. I was working outside when I got the phone call—I had my paint stained work pants on, a shirt covered in dirt, and shoes held together with duct-tape on my feet. I got in my car and drove to meet this person. When I got there, I could tell they were a little confused and skeptical of me based on my appearance; but they still trusted in me. We walked the town. I listened to his story—the pains and concerns on his heart. And before we departed ways, he asked if I would pray for him and with him. This man had the power and will to pray on his own, but he needed another implement—me, a pastor, a believer in Christ—to feel that power within him. My point is: on our own we have the power to do things, but with the addition of the Holy Spirit, God’s indwelling presence in our life, we have the power to do more. There is power in the Holy Spirit: the power of the Holy Spirit helps us do what we can’t do on our own.

Conclusion:

Do you know that you have the power of the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of God’s presence, in your life? With the Holy Spirit, you have the power to overcome your battles, conquer your struggles and uncertainty, destroy and remove the sins that are weighing you down, and turn from a path of unrighteousness to a path of righteousness. With the Holy Spirit, you have the power to experience joy, build up faith, live out God’s grace and salvation every day, and you have the love and joy of Christ down in your heart. Where? Down in your heart. With the Holy Spirit, you have the power to be who God has called you to be, to do what Jesus needs you to do, and to be the church that this community needs. You have the power! You have the power of the Holy Spirit in your life!

Closing this message, I remind you of our scripture reading for the day, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8). Over the years, the methods of farming have changed and been revolutionized. Farming has gone from pushing our own plow in the fields to having tractors drive themselves; and with each new development, there comes more power. Tractors have the power to help us do what we can’t do on our own. Each tractor, like the Holy Spirit, provides us with implements to get the job done. The Holy Spirit motivates us to use our spiritual implements to do the work of Christ on earth: to pray, to worship, to give thanks, to see a need and fulfill a need, to be there for others, to use our gifts to make disciples and grow the church, and to be the hands, feet, and body of Christ. The Holy Spirit has come upon you.

Every tractor has power. The tractor in our life, whether green, red, or blue or whether in a shed, in the field, or towing another tractor, is the Holy Spirit in our life—the indwelling of God’s presence in your life. The Holy Spirit has the power to help us do what we can’t do on our own. We need the power of the Holy Spirit because without it, we can’t fully do what Christ needs us to do.

In the words of Rev. Krystal Goodger, a United Methodist minister, “Tractors, tractors big and small Old or new I love’em all! Start’er up and let’er run, Watch those tractor’s get’er done!” And in the words of Blippi, an online child entertainer, “Tractors, Oh tractors, they are so much fun. Tractors, Oh tractors, they get the job done.” How will you use the power of the Holy Spirit to get the job done? How are you going to live out the power of God’s presence in your life? Let it be so…

 

Closing Prayer:

Let Us Pray: Dear Lord, thank you for being present in our life. Please continue to remind us that we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us; and from this power, fill our minds with the wisdom to know that the Holy Spirit has the power to help us do what we can’t do on our own.  O Lord, we need thy power today and every day. In your name we pray, Amen.

           

Benediction:

Repeat after me: “I have the power. God is with me. Jesus is with me. The Holy Spirit is with me. I have the power.” This week may you be blessed knowing that you have the power of the Holy Spirit in your life helping you do things by which you can’t do on your own. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, go out into the world knowing that you have the power—the indwelling of God’s presence—in your life. And all of God’s people said, Amen. Amen. Amen.

 

 

[i] This pioneering machine made it possible for small-scale farmers to benefit from the efficiency of tractor-powered farming, ultimately transforming the landscape of agriculture.

[ii] Hydraulic systems allowed tractors to generate fluid power, which could be used to operate various attachments and implements. Power take-offs played a crucial role in the evolution of farm machinery by allowing tractors to transfer power to different implements directly, such as mowers, balers, and loaders.

[iii] Precision agriculture refers to the practice of using data-driven insights to optimize farming processes, such as planting, fertilizing, and irrigating. With the help of GPS systems, tractors can now navigate fields with incredible accuracy, ensuring that seeds are planted at the correct spacing and depth, and that fertilizers and pesticides are applied in the most efficient manner possible. This approach has led to significant improvements in crop yields, resource efficiency, and overall sustainability.

[iv] Paraphrased from Adam Hamilton’s sermon, “God and Tractors”, preached July 18^th, 2022.