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LET'S HAVE A CHURCH FULL OF TREES---Psalms 1:1-6 Key vs. 3
Introduction: I love trees. I have enjoyed trees from my childhood. Our text says that the blessed man shall be like a TREE. We even put up a Christmas Tree for the First time in our home this year. Trees are a sign of Life, and they give off OXYGEN.
If that is so, I want our church filled with trees this coming year. I want us all to be blessed, don't you?
I. GROWING STRONG--Amos 2:9 Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath. Daniel 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
The above references were to people who were strong in the flesh. God wants US to be strong in HIM: Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
We Need A Church Full Of Trees Who Are:
A. STRONG FOR BEARING BURDENS - The Need For Church Workers B. STRONG FOR BUILDING C. STRONG FOR BATTLING
Sword Handles Spear Handles Bows And Arrows Battering Rams Catapults
II. LASTING LONG---2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Some people are like "annuals" - plants that don't last more than a year. You have to replace them every year!
We Need A Church Full Of Trees Who Will:
A. ENDURE HARDNESS B. ENDURANCE HINDRANCES C. ENDURE HURTS III. BEARING FRUIT---Psalms 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
We Need A Church Full Of Trees Who Are Bearing:
A. THE FRUIT OF SALVATION - Holiness B. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - Galatians 5 C. THE FRUIT OF THE SAINT - ANOTHER SAINT (Romans 7:4; Proverbs 11:30)
IV. CHRIST THE ROOT---Romans 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
We Need A Church Full Who Trees Who Are Rooted In The Lord:
A. IN DEVOTION---Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
B. IN DOCTRINE---COLOSSIANS 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
TREES WE HAVE IN THE CHURCH TREES WE NEED IN THE CHURCH
1-POPLARS---(Popularity) 1-WEEPING WILLOWS---(Tears) 2-PINE—(Burn Hot and Fast) 2-WHITE OAKS—(Firm in their Stand) 3-R ED OAKS—(Black Hearted and Stink) 3-PALM TREE-(Withstands Storms, Every part of it is useful.) |