Between 2 Trees "Tree Of Life"

Transition: Vernon’s Spoken Word then video illustration

Series: Between Two Trees

Thesis for series: The tale of two trees starts in Creation and ends with a picture of Heaven in the end times. One tree started out looking good – it promised knowledge and the ability to be like God – but this knowledge came from experiencing evil resulted in death not life – it resulted in millions of acts of sin, hurt, death, torture and horror – it set a wave of murder and evil loose within the life of mankind. The desirable and lip smacking tree turned to a tree of death and anguish. But within this Garden of Eden we have another tree’s story being told. It is The Tree of Life which because of Adam and Eve’s sin we get banished from it but through Jesus we get to eat of it and it will offer life not death, healing not hurt, peace not war, love not hate and it will give us good not evil for eternity. But we get to choose which tree we want to feast on? Which one have you chosen?

Introduction:

The Tale of Two Trees is found in the Bible we see two trees singled out in the Garden of Eden in Genesis and again in Revelation at the end of time we see one of the trees again – so in the beginning and in the end of time we discover a tale of two trees. Between these two trees is a lot of time – a lot of wasted time – a lot of sin – a lot of evil – a lot of disobedience to God and His Word - a lot of redemption through blood sacrifice of animals and then Jesus emerges on the scene in between these two trees’ stories – He redeems what was lost at the disobedience of Adam and Eve with One tree – Jesus chooses to be the ultimate sacrifice for sin – So Jesus was crucified, beaten, whipped, scorned and tortured for our acts of disobedience to God on a cross or as some say one a tree – He suffered because of your sin and my sin – He was nailed to a tree the cross – so that what was lost by Adam and Eve at the tree of Knowledge of Good and evil could be restored through this other dead tree. His death opens the door for us, so we can partake of another tree which was also found in the Garden of Eden and according to God’s Word tells us it reappears in the Book of Revelation in Heaven – this tree is the Tree of Life.

So, we discover in The Bible a story of 2 Tree’s – 2 Choices – 2 directions - a lot of wasted time between the two trees - a lot of sin between the 2 trees -- but also a selfless act of ultimate love from God to us in the crucifixion of Jesus. This act of love – a violent act by mankind sets us up to be restored to God the Father and to partake of The Tree of Life.

Sermon 2: Resurrection Sunday the Tree of Life

Scripture Texts:

Genesis reference chapter 2:

9And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

15The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

16And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;

17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

Those in the new heavens and the new earth will enjoy the fruit of the tree of life for all of eternity.

“To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7b)

“On either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2)

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” (Revelation 22:14)

“If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” (Revelation 22:19)