Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Treehugger" in this Sunday service.
Treehugger Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, March 28, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Life-Giving:
The Big Idea: Jesus is our Tree of Life and in Him we find God-focused life built on relationships and innocence restored. Life emphasizing the power of God, the integrity of His Word, and real life found in Jesus.
Genesis 2:9 “The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
The choice offered Eve is the same we are offered:
- live according to the knowledge of good and evil—maintaining a form of godliness and a certain righteousness (but one that ultimately ends in frustration, darkness and death—“Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees…”) (Building a life—developing the plan and making it happen) The result is a me-focused life. Even in our best deeds, we are doing them for us. Galatians 2:16 “…a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”
- discover righteousness and godliness naturally through our relationship with Jesus Christ (Discovering a life—finding God’s plan and allowing Him to accomplish it through us) The result is a God-focused life. Our best deeds are just who we are instead of something we do. Colossians 3:3 “For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Don’t be a Monkey! (swinging from one tree to the other)
Once eyes were opened they became driven by their senses (1 John 2:16 “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”)
3 Reasons We End Up in the TKGE:
- Driven by feelings (selfishness—“me-focused”)
- Lust, envy, and covetousness (“this world” mindset—temporary vs eternal)
- Pride and judgment (pride always produces judgment—I can’t be prideful without comparison and judgment—“I’m better than you.”)
3 Things We Use to Swing:
- Our Thoughts (as a man thinks, so is he)
- Our Words (power of life and death are in the tongue)
- Our Actions (you shall know them by their fruit)
Living in the TKGE produces an ever widening “death” effect—We are dying, we cover ourselves with things that are dying, more death is produced as sacrifices for our choices. Genesis 3:7 “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.”
Genesis 3:21 “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.” (Sacrifice initiated. A system of life-taking replaces the life-giving system created by God)
Living in the Tree of Life produces influence:
Revelation 22:2 “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” When we live a grace-filled life in the Tree of Life, it has an impact on others. Those around us will find healing—hope for the hopeless, acceptance for the rejected, cleansing for the filthy, restoration for the broken—the ultimate healing: reconciliation with their Heavenly Father.
How do I live in the Tree of Life:
- Change my view of my Heavenly Father. Eve was deceived through a desire to please God. She was already pleasing to God. Through Jesus, we are all pleasing to God. He wants children, not slaves.
- Approach Him through relationship, not rules. We do not have to earn an audience with Him, nor can we. We have been given our right standing as a gift of love.
- Practice responding to Him, to His presence. Re-sensitize yourself to Him. Actively recognize and honor Him.
- Respond to sin with life. Jesus did not come to make us sorry. He came to fix our broken lives. When we, or others, sin, respond with innocence and freedom rather than shame and blame. Instead of hiding and covering, run to the mercy seat and find the grace you need to win. (Hebrews 4:16)
Isaiah 30:21 CEV “If you go the wrong way—to the right or to the left—you will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the right way. You should go this way."
A Life-Giving Church for People Just Like You!
Whether you are full of questions or ready to jump right in, there is a place for you at The Church at Mirror Lake. Our church is a place where you can build relationships with others, experience God in worship, be empowered by practical, life-giving teaching from God's Word, and have fun doing it.
Together, we are living the Winner's Life as we learn to love, serve, reach, grow and connect. So whether you're a spiritual seeker starting to ask questions about God, or a committed Christian looking to sink your faith roots even deeper, you'll feel at home at The Church at Mirror Lake.
If you believe Jesus really meant it when He said, "I came so people can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of," (John 10:10 Message Translation) then join us this weekend at one of our Jesus Celebrations. Until then, browse our website (a link is on the right of this page) where you'll find lots of helpful info and feel free to download one of our service messages or subscribe to our weekly podcast where you will receive the fresh, life-giving Word of God.
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