Planting a seed of faith is vitally important because it is the believer's role; God alone gives the increase.
When a believer speaks even a few words about eternity or the gospel, that seed can take root in a heart and lead to salvation. The one who plants does not have to see the result, and he cannot take credit for it. God is the final cause of every salvation, and He uses human instruments to sow the seed.
1 Corinthians 3:6 — Paul states plainly that a human plants and God gives the increase — this is the biblical foundation for seed planting.
1 Corinthians 3:7 — Paul emphasizes that neither the planter nor the waterer matters; God who gives the increase is everything.
In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, the apostle Paul explains the human and divine roles in spiritual growth: "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." He immediately adds, "So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." This is the biblical basis for planting the seed of faith: the work of planting and watering belongs to people, but the growth belongs to God. Paul also defines the seed that is planted. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 he delivers the gospel "how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." This message, when received by faith, is the seed that produces salvation. The Scripture also connects belief in the risen Christ with the promise of salvation: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). This is the truth that a believer plants when he speaks the gospel.
In Les Feldick's teaching, planting a seed of faith is the everyday responsibility of every believer. He draws from Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 3: "I planted, Apollos came along and watered. But who brought about the increase? Well God did." He stresses that you do not have to be the one who sees a person saved; all you have to do is sow the seed. Another believer may water it, another may bring the person further along, but God is the final cause of salvation. Les also observes that a seed can be as small as a few words: "Maybe it's just a little statement that will make someone sit up and take notice about eternity." When that seed lands, the person may get a hunger, and then God moves in and finishes the work of salvation. Credit belongs to God, not to the sower. According to Les, God has always used human instruments to lead people to salvation. That is why believers should become skilled in the Scripture and be ready to share the gospel — the simple message that Christ died, was buried, and rose again — whenever the Lord opens the door. A new convert can be consumed with the lost condition of family and loved ones, and that concern should drive believers to share their faith as naturally as they talk about the weather.
In Les's teaching, sowing the seed means speaking a simple statement about eternity or the gospel to someone. It does not require full conversion on the spot. You plant; another may water; God gives the increase. Even a couple of words can be the seed that makes someone think about eternity.
The seed is the gospel — the message that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. Les points out that Paul did not come with philosophy or healing meetings; he pointed to sinners and said, "Christ died for you. He loves you. Believe it." Believers should be skilled enough in Scripture to present that message to anyone.
Les teaches that you do not have to see the fruits of your witnessing. You may never see the person saved. Someone else may water and another may continue the process, but God alone brings the increase. Since God is the final cause, no single believer can take credit for a salvation.
Les encourages believers to get skilled in the Scripture so they will not be a "stumble-bum" when they have an opportunity to share. He uses the illustration of a person who talks about a good car because it means something to them; believers should be just as ready to talk about the things of the Lord. God uses people as instruments, so being prepared matters.
Paul's Simple Gospel Invitation
Les shows that Paul did not rely on philosophy, healing, or polished attraction; he simply told people they were sinners and that Christ died for them. This is the kind of plain seed that can raise an assembly of believers.
A New Convert's Burden for the Lost
Les says new converts can become overwhelmed with the lost condition of family, loved ones, and coworkers, which is why God leaves believers on earth — to remind lost people that salvation is a matter of faith.
God Gives the Increase
Les explains from 1 Corinthians 3 that a believer only plants the seed; another may water and a third may bring the person further, but God is the final cause of salvation. You never have to see the fruit.
A Few Words Are a Seed
Les teaches that sowing the seed can take just a couple of words that make someone think about eternity. The sower cannot take credit because God finishes the work of salvation.
Be Ready With a Word or Two
Les says not to force the gospel on anyone, but when the Lord opens a door, be ready to speak. The message is the gospel: believe that God raised Christ from the dead and you will be saved.
God Uses Human Instruments
Les says God did not leave the Word in the hands of angels but has always used one person to lead another to salvation, so believers need to be skilled enough in Scripture to share it.
The Gospel Presented Simply
Les emphasizes knowing what you believe because faith is not blind, and he points to 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 as the simplest presentation of the gospel a believer can plant.
Sharing Faith Naturally
Les draws an analogy from bragging about a car: if salvation really means something to a believer, they should be as ready to talk about it as they are about the weather.
1 Corinthians 3:6: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
This is the key verse showing that a human plants the seed of faith while God alone causes growth.
1 Corinthians 3:7: So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Paul makes clear that the planter and waterer are not the source of salvation; God is.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
This is the gospel seed that believers plant when they share their faith.
Romans 10:9: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Les connects this gospel promise to the simple message a believer can speak when given an opportunity.
No. Les teaches that you may not be the one who sees the person saved; another may water and another may bring them further. God is the final cause and gives the increase.
Even "just a couple or three words" or "a little statement" that makes someone think about eternity can be the seed. Les says the gospel itself is the simple message: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.
Les says he does not agree with grabbing people and shoving the gospel down their throat. Instead, when the Lord gives an opportunity and someone gives an opening, be ready to give the reason for your hope.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Chooses the Foolish Over the Wise — 1 Corinthians 1:27-31