God’s Garden
Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:1-10
Scripture Text: Genesis 2:8 And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
Introduction:
Sometimes Christians behave much like some of the vegetables we find in the average farmers garden. Let us take a look at some of them and learn some Scriptural truths.
I. The Bell Pepper Christian.
A. Lovely to look at (nice and shiny on the outside).
B. Very little on the inside (almost hollow).
C. What is inside is what counts to God.
Matthew 23:25-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. [26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. [27] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. [28] Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for
the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Matthew Henry: “We must not judge ..... any by their outward appearance, but by their worth, and by the gifts and graces of God’s Spirit in them.” (These things come from within.)
II. The Green Bean Christian (sometimes called “running/climbing” bean).
A. Good if you can get them to produce.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
B. These must be staked and tied or they will run all over the place and rot.
Jeremiah 2:36 Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.
Jeremiah 2:36 [Living] "First here, then there, you flit about, going from one ally to another for their help; but it’s all no good--your new friends in Egypt will forsake you as Assyria did before.
C. They take the path of least resistance.
D. When trouble comes Christians must stand and fight the forces of evil - not run somewhere else.
1 Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called.....
E. Some run after signs and wonders, but “these signs shall follow them that believe” - not “believers shall follow signs.”
Ephes. 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
III. The Okra Christian (the spiritually immature).
A. Okra irritates the skin.
B. One must use gloves to handle it.
C. Some Christians must be handled with kid gloves or they will get irritable and stir up others.
Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: [17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, [19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Matthew Henry: “These things which God hates, we must hate in ourselves; it is nothing to hate them in others. Let us shun all such practices, and watch and pray against them; and avoid, with marked disapproval, all who are guilty of them, whatever may be their
rank.”
D. Christians should not cause problems for other Christians; only for the devil and his cohorts. Christians should grow up in Christ!
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
IV. The Irish Potato Christian.
A. These are all eyes but still can’t see.
Matthew 6:23 [Living] But if your eye is clouded with evil thoughts and desires, you are in deep spiritual darkness. And oh, how deep that darkness can be!
1. We need to be able to discern the things of God.
B. They are the “seeing is believing” kind of believer (i.e., Thomas).
Matthew 27:42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
1. Jesus says that “believing is seeing”, not “seeing is believing.”
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
C. Always looking for the spectacular.
Matthew 15:14 (Jesus said) Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
V. The Corn Christian.
A. All ears!!
B. Waiting to hear some bit of “juicy” gossip!
Illustration: There is a story of three ministers who went fishing. While they were in the middle of the lake, they decided that it might be a good thing to confess their greatest sins to each other. The first minister said, “I hate to admit it, but my greatest sin is that I frequently tell lies. I just can’t seem to help myself.” The second minister said, “Well, I’m ashamed to say it, but my greatest sin is that I have a habit of stealing from the collection plate.” The third minister sat quietly until the others insisted that he confess his greatest sin also. “Well,” replied the third minister, “my greatest sin is that of gossip, and I can hardly wait until we get to shore so I can tell what I have heard.”
Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
1 Tim. 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
Leviticus 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people:.... I am the Lord.
Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
VI. The Sweet Potato Christian.
A. These have a natural sweet flavor. Sweetness is a way of life.
B. Cut them anywhere and they are still sweet.
C. Fry - Bake - Boil them - they are still sweet.
D. When this kind of Christian is persecuted and tried, they always exhibit the sweetness of the Christ who lives within.
2 Tim. 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,....
2 Tim. 2:24 [Living] God’s people must not be quarrelsome; they must be gentle, patient teachers of those who are wrong.
James 3:17 [Living] But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere.
E. Regardless of how they are treated, the natural sweet flavor still comes through.
1 Peter 3:8-10 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: [9] Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. [10] For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1 Peter 3:8-10 [Living] And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. [9] Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it. [10] If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies.
Ex. - Daniel in the lions den (“O King, live forever”).
- Jesus on the cross (“Father, forgive them...”).
Conclusion:
May the Lord help us all to be “Sweet Potato” Christians who are always showing forth the wonderful love of Christ to a lost and dying world.
