Coming Out From Among The Trees

Intro: Today I want to speak to you about coming out from among the trees, and into the fulness of God. The church today has found its self in a state of weariness, waiting, and searching. We have grown weak and weary; the signs of the times have taken a toll on the church we have seen a fallen away of young and old alike. But church today I want you to know that God is still in control; the game is not over yet, but has just begun. For such a time as this for those that hunger and thirst after righteousness they shall be filled, for all that feel worn down and broken your time of restorations is at hand. The Word of God tells me in 1 John 4:4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

I. In my opening scriptures I introduced you to a man named Zacchaeus that climbed a tree to see Jesus, but before we get to him, I want us to look at two other men that found themselves hanging around trees.

A. The first is a man by the name of Elijah.

1. Many of us are acquainted with Elijah and his ministry.

2. He was a man of fearlessness, a bold and dauntless reformer, a rebuker of kings, a mighty intercessor, praying with faith and intensity, he was a man prone to discouragement, one capable of fallible judgment, a prophet divinely honored, a performer of miracles, and a God-inspired prophet ready to obey and trust God, who had a glorious departure.

3. But even a man with a resume like his; he still found his place among a tree.

B. Elijah the Tishbite in 1 Kings 19, after completing what many call the greatest act of his ministry. Which was that show down of Elijah and the 400 prophets of Baal.

1. We find him now in chapter 19 learning of a plot against him from Queen Jezebel that she is going to kill him just as her 400 prophets of Baal were killed.

2. Elijah gets scared and heads to the wilderness where we find him in 1 Kings 19:4 sitting under a juniper tree crying out to God to just kill him.

3. You see a juniper tree is a small tree that gives enough shade for one person. This tree reflected his out look. He felt alone and was weary and wanted God to just kill him.

4. After doing an awesome testament to our Lord in chapter 18, he was now ready to hang it up. He felt defeated, alone, and weary. Satan’s bride Jezebel had his number and he in a moment of weakness runs. And hides under the lonely tree, begging for a death sentence.

C. You see I brought up this man of God that found himself among a tree, because you see I know that there are some in the church today that feel alone and weary.

1. You have run a good race, but now have found yourself in a moment of weakness and are under your own juniper tree. You feel as if no one understands; not even God. You hurt and have been hurt, and it all seems to be coming back to you.

2. All that you have gone through has become a heavy burden for you and you can’t even seem to be able to raise your head high any more. You feel defeated.

3. You feel as if Satan has stolen, killed, and destroyed you. He has worn you down physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

D. But I want to proclaim to you today that there is one that came to RESTORE, REVIVE, AND REBUILD you and that is our Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Though you may be weary the Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2. At our weakest points in our walk with Christ know that when you abide in Christ that is the moment when you are at your strongest to make it though this hurdle, to continue running this race to obtain the prize of eternal rest in the presence of our Savior and our Heavenly Father.

3. Know that at our weakness when the devil starts messing, you proclaim Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

4. When you start feeling low in your walk with Christ know that you have overcame by Christ’s precious blood, and by your testimony. And I am not only talking about what you were saved from, but in whom you abide in.