A Tree of Testing or a Tree of Trusting

This is the second sermon in the “Updating The Garden of Eden to the Contemporary World” series. In this series we see that today we face many of the challenges and options faced by Adam Eve.  

Today we will explore the question of why God placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden. Was God simply setting up Adam and Eve for their ultimate disobedience? Is God really to blame for the fall of humankind, or did the tree serve another purpose?

Text: “But God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die’” (Gen. 3:3 NIV).

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was necessary because of the nature of God and because of the nature of man. The tree, while a significant symbol, is not the ultimate source of condemnation but rather a catalyst for revealing the depth of human sin and the necessity of God's redemption.

The tree, in a way, represents the human condition, a state of separation from God. But it is through this separation that God's love and redemptive power are most clearly revealed.

 Scripture Reading 

Genesis 3:1-10 NIV [1] Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” [2] The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, [3] but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” [4] “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. [5] “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” [6] When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. [7] Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. [8] Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. [9] But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” [10] He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

            

Introduction

Last Sunday, we started the series  “Updating The Garden of Eden to the Contemporary World.” In this series I want us to see that today we face many of the challenges and options faced by Adam Eve.  

Genesis means “beginnings.” The book of Genesis  records the beginning of the world, the beginning of mankind, and the beginning of disobedience, and sin. 

Genesis is also about the beginnings of blessing of grace, and of covenant.  Our focal point  in this series is Genesis 3:1–10, which James read this morning and which he read last Sunday.   

This section of scripture deals with the temptation of serpent and Adam and Eve’s sin of disobedience which infected and has plagued mankind from that moment on.  

To understand the significance of that sin of disobedience we have to remember God’s command  in; 

                  

Genesis 2:15-17 NIV [15] The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. [16] And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; [17] but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Here’s our text for today.

Text: “But God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die’” (Gen. 3:3 NIV). 

This morning we are going to explore the question of why God placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden. Was God simply setting up Adam and Eve for their ultimate disobedience? Or did the tree serve another purpose?  I have had these same questions.                 

                  

I. Why was the tree there in the garden in the first place?

                                   

The tree of knowledge of good and  evil was a divine instrument, reflecting God's sovereignty, humanity's free will, and the divine offer of eternal life.

                  

The Garden of Eden, a perfect paradise where God created humanity and gave them purpose. Adam was given the responsibility of cultivating the garden of creation. 

Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

God's divine providence ensured Adam's complete well-being, evev in the creation of Eve as his perfect companion.

Genesis 2:18 NIV [18] The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Genesis 3:20 NIV [20] Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.

Yet in the midst of this paradise, God planted the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and declared that “when you eat of it you will surely die”

This death is not to be understood as physical death. Rather, it is the death of the relationship between God and his creation.  The "death" mentioned in this verse refers to a spiritual death, or a separation from God as well as a physical death, but Adam and Eve didn't know that at the time so the question is still, Why the tree? 

                  

 A. Nature of God. To find the answer to that question we have to take a hard look into the truth about God and mankind.

Genesis 1:26 NIV Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

This is the declaration of God who wants to share the quality,  nature and eternity of his life with mankind.                God’s gift to mankind was not damnation from a tree, even though the tree is central to the story. God’s gift was and always has been himself.  

God, in His infinite love, offers Himself as the ultimate gift to humanity. God's presence in our lives, provides guidance, comfort, and purpose. Through Jesus Christ, God offers salvation from sin and eternal life. The Holy Spirit empowers us and connects us to Himself.

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil serves as a powerful symbol that reflects God's sovereignty, wisdom, love, and grace.  it is not the ultimate cause of condemnation, but a way of exposing the nature of human sin and the absolute necessity of God's saving power.

B. Nature of humans. 

The balance between the sovereignty of God and the freedom of humans is hard to determine. Balancing God's sovereignty and human freedom is challenging.

Human beings are not puppets manipulated by strings on the fingers of a dictator called God. Humans possess the freedom to respond to God's offer of salvation, either by accepting or rejecting it. Humans are moral agents but we are accountable to God.

                 

C. Added to the complexities of a sovereign God and free humans is the nature of a gift.  In this instance we are talking about the gift of God’s presence.

Here’s an example of a what a gift really is;

A teenage boy desired to have a motorcycle. The weekend before his birthday his father took him shopping. They passed a moped, and the father asked the boy if he would like to have one. The son’s response was sarcastic. “I wouldn’t have one,” he retorted.  “I want a Kawasaki.” The Kawasakis were much bigger and more expensive. They walked on and finished their shopping, and it was some years before the boy learned that his father had saved his money and had been prepared to buy him the moped as a birthday gift if he would accept it; but he would not.

For a gift to be a gift, it must be freely given and freely accepted. If the giver is not free to give, then it is not a gift; it is extortion. If the receiver is not free to receive, it is dictatorial high-handedness. 

                                    

II. So the question again,  Why the tree?              

                  

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil represents the boundary between God's intended order and the human capacity for self-governance or self-determination. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil highlights the tension between divine sovereignty and human freedom.  God allows man to make choices for themselves, even when those choices go against His command.   There are consequences to those choices but God allows man to make them. 

Deuteronomy 30:19 declares, “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (NIV). 

                            

A. Adam and Eve lived in the midst of God’s perfect creation, they lived in paradise. To show that they freely accepted God’s gift of himself, the gift of His presence, God asked obedience to only one command

Genesis 2:17 NIV [17] but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

To make it plain and simple, Adam and Eve were to trust God and obey him. To disobey would be to reject God’s gift, resulting in death. Adam and Eve chose the course of rebellion against God and were driven from their perfect garden

Genesis 3:22-24 NIV [22] And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” [23] So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. [24] After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Their relationship and their fellowship with God was broken.

Genesis 3:8-10 NIV [8] Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. [9] But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” [10] He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Adam and Eve because of their disobedience created a changed relationship with each other. Before their sin they lived in an idealistic state in which they were helpers for each other. 

Genesis 2:23-24 23] The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” [24] That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. 

                  

Now after their disobedience, instead of standing together, now each was out for himself or herself

Genesis 3:11-13 NIV [11] And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” [12] The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” [13] Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

While Adam and Eve didn't immediately die physically after eating the forbidden fruit, their disobedience led to a spiritual death, or a separation from God. This is a more profound and lasting consequence than physical death.

That’s not what God wanted for Adam and Eve or for us.

                  

2 Peter 3:9 NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God wants everyone to freely accept his gift and to demonstrate that acceptance by living a life evidenced by trust and obedience to Him. 

                                 

B. The dictionary defines trust as “assured reliance” or “confident dependence on the character, ability, and strength” of someone. Ultimately we are talking about a trusting relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son  that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). 

                  

Adam and Eve were invited into a relationship with God. Their trusting God was to be evidenced by avoiding contact with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However they said no to God. They refused to obey him. They would not accept his gift of himself.  

                  

 I.  Whether  Adam and Eve, or you and me, the decision is the same. Will we choose faith in God and receive everlasting life, or will we choose self-reliance and face destruction and condemnation?  Those who have 

responded to God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ are adopted into God's family and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to address God as 'Father.'"

Romans 8:14-15 NIV [14] For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 

                                    

Conclusion

There is a line from Tennyson's famous poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade”;  “Ours is not to reason why, ours is but to do or die.” As Tennyson's soldiers obeyed without question, this characterizes the Christian’s confident dependence or trust in God.  

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. This is not just a saying; it is a profound truth that can transform our lives.   

 Through faithfulness, life's trials can be transformed into opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper trust in God.

Let’s leave here today renewed in our faith and strengthened in our trust so that we live our lives as beacons of hope, reflecting the light of Christ to a world in need. 

Heavenly Father,

In this world filled with uncertainty and doubt, we come to You seeking Your steadfast presence. We acknowledge that our strength is limited, but Your power knows no bounds. Help us to cast our burdens upon You, trusting that You will carry us through.

Lord, grant us a heart of unwavering faith, a heart that believes in Your promises and Your love. May we find refuge in Your embrace, knowing that You will never forsake us In the midst of storms, may Your peace calm our  souls.

We surrender our plans to Your will, trusting that Your ways are higher than our ways. May we find joy in obeying Your commands, knowing that they are for our good.

Thank You for Your constant love and care. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

False Promises

I am starting a new series this morning using Genesis 3 as the scriptural basis for the messages The theme of the series is “Updating The Garden of Eden to the Contemporary World.” In this series I want us to see that today we face many of the challenges and options faced by Adam Eve.  

Text: “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:4 NIV).            

                                                  

Here are the Promises of Satan. 

1. Penalties won’t come  true

2. Your eyes will be opened

3. You will be like God

4. You will know good and evil

Now here is God’s promise. 

Genesis 3:15 NIV And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

                     

The promise of Genesis 3:15 was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Son. 

Scripture Reading:

Genesis 3:1-10 NIV [1] Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” [2] The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, [3] but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” [4] “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. [5] “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” [6] When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. [7] Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. [8] Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. [9] But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” [10] He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Introduction

I am starting a new series this morning using Genesis 3 as the scriptural basis for the messages The theme of the series is “Updating The Garden of Eden to the Contemporary World.” In this series I want us to see that today we face many of the challenges and options faced by Adam Eve.

Let me tell you of the experience of a young lady who had a roach problem. She had tried to get rid of the roaches in her apartment for weeks. It seemed that two roaches replaced every one she killed. One evening while watching television, she saw an advertisement for a new method guaranteed to eliminate the insects she battled every day.

She found the product on Amazon and ordered it. In only a few days, she got her miracle product. Eagerly she unwrapped the package then stood astonished as her eyes fell on two one-inch pieces of board. Here’s what the instructions said: “Place the roach in the middle of the bottom board, then firmly press down on the roach with the top board.”

What the young woman received was not at all what she had expected. She had been duped by misleading advertising, an experience known all too well by some of us here this morning. But misleading advertisements or false promises are not new. They have been around since the beginning of time. They started when the serpent, identified later in scripture as Satan, made false promises to Eve. The serpent had no concern for Eve’s well-being. She was only a tool in the ongoing battle by Satan to lure people away from fellowship with God.

The title of this sermon is “False Promises”

Text: “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:4 NIV).

I. Here are the Promises of Satan.

1. Penalties won’t come true
2. Your eyes will be opened
3. You will be like God
4. You will know good and evil

A. The first promise was that penalties won’t come true.

“You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman…..

Most of us obey rules and regulations because we understand they are for our benefit. For example, at a crosswalk there are flashing signs telling us when it is safe to walk and when it is unsafe. We obey those signs because we do not want to be hit by a car and be injured or killed.

Occasionally, as we wait for the light to change, someone will walk out into the street. Cars slow down; some even stop. Our minds begin to tell us we don’t have to obey the Walk and Don’t Walk signs either. We conclude that the cars will stop for us anyway. A matter of personal safety becomes nothing more than a game of chicken to see who will stop first, the cars or the pedestrians.

Once the penalty of disobedience is removed, it is easier to disobey the rules. Satan’s promise to Eve was that there would be no penalty for eating from the tree that God had prohibited them from eating.

B. Another promise was “Your eyes will be opened.”

The same promise is made today. Those striving to live a Christian life are continually inundated with promises of a more authentic existence. The path of Christian living is often cluttered with claims of discovering a deeper, more fulfilling life. The appeals of drugs, alcohol, and sex are widely known. We are told to use them as the way to know what life is really like. Some people use power, money, or authority to make themselves feel important at the expense of others.

The promise is the same. “Think of yourself first; use other people; eat, drink, and be merry; then your eyes will be open to what life is about.

C. Another promise is “You will be like God”. This promise is an appeal to the ego.

All of us feel a little uncomfortable with ourselves. There are always those who are more talented or more attractive than us. Satan promises that by ignoring God, Eve will be “like God” she will be like the one who cares for her and her husband, she will be like the one who fellowships with them each evening. Equality with God was the promise, and for Eve that was something to be grasped.

D. Another promise: You will know good and evil.

In the original Hebrew this is not just knowing good as opposed to evil. Rather, it's about understanding the full range of human experience, from the very best to the very worst."

In essence Satan was saying to Eve, “not only will you not die from eating the forbidden fruit, you will end up being just like God. You will know all there is to know”

Well we know that the price for this promised transformation was disobedience to God.

II. There is a process leading to sin.

Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

When you read this verse you see only the defiant, rebellious act of disobedience. Yet disobedience does not happen from nothing, something has to trigger it. Disobedience doesn’t just spring up fully developed with nothing to support it. Disobedience is the end result of a process. Here's the process.

A. Satan planted a seed of doubt in Eve’s mind, doubts about God and about His care for her.

Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

B. The seed of doubts sprouted, and a plant of disbelief sprang up.

The plant of disbelief was fertilized by the false promises of the serpent and watered by Eve’s own observations.

The tree offered her food; the food was pleasant to the eye, and eating it appealed to her pride—she would be like God.

Genesis 3:[6] When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom,...

C. The plant of doubt then produced fruit and that fruit was the fruit of disobedience.

The process was complete. Eve bought into the false promises of Satan with her disobedience to God.

….she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

III. What were the results of disobedience?

1. Personal shame.
2. Altered relationships.
3. Broken fellowship.

What Eve and Adam got was something very different than the promise to be like God and to know all things.

A. Personal shame.

Adam and Eve looked at themselves and were embarrassed. They wanted to hide themselves, so they made fig-leaf coverings to hide behind.

[7] Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

B. Altered relationships.

C. Broken fellowship. Their relationship with God was changed.

Instead of being like God, Adam and Eve were now frightened by his presence. Instead of having fellowship with God, Adam and Eve hid from him.

Genesis 3:8-10 NIV [8] Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. [9] But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” [10] He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Their disobedience had cost them the joyful presence of the one who called them into being and who sustained them day by day.

In one act of disobedience, Adam and Eve changed forever their relationship to themselves, to others, and to God. Satan had promised more than he could deliver. His promises had been false. Adam and Eve had only been tools in Satan's war with God.

IV. That war continues today.

What is that war all about?

Satan, once a powerful angel named Lucifer, rebelled against God out of pride, desiring to be like the Most High. This rebellion led to his expulsion from heaven and his transformation into the adversary of God.

Isaiah 14:12-15 NKJV [12] “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! [13] For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ [15] Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

Satan's primary goal is to undermine God's plan for humanity and to tempt people away from God's love and obedience. He seeks to deceive and corrupt humans, leading them to sin and ultimately separation from God.

This conflict is often seen as a cosmic battle between good and evil, with humanity caught in the middle.

A. Private lives.

The war continues in our private lives as we repeat the struggles of Adam and Eve. Will we believe God and live in obedience to his commands, or will we believe the Devil and disobey? Daily this is the question we face in our family lives, in our business lives, in our political lives, in our spiritual lives. At its core is the single question of obedience to God or believing the false promises of Satan.

B. Public lives.

In our public lives, the question is the same. Will we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, or will we go after other things?

Our world is full of voices, there are those who attempt to reduce the nature of God's kingdom to a political system. Others declare that the work of God is dependent on preserving a particular type of economy. Patriotism is often elevated to a religious-like status

Yet God’s kingdom has survived and thrived under dictators as well as democracy. It has survived monarchies and anarchy. The sun has set on many empires, but the sun has yet to go down on the kingdom of God and his Son, our Savior.

As Christians we hear the false promises of our public life, and we must declare that our first allegiance is obedience to our God. To do any less would result in the same tragedy that disobedience brought to Adam and Eve.

Conclusion

Thankfully, the Scripture does not end in tragedy for the disobedient, Adam and Eve, or you and me. "Despite the initial sin of Adam and Eve, the biblical narrative offers hope for reconciliation between God and humanity. This restored relationship has the potential to heal divisions among people and bring inner peace. That reconciliation and restored relationship come through Jesus Christ.

We talked about Satan’s promises now here is God’s promise.

Genesis 3:15 NIV And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

The promise of Genesis 3:15 was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Son.

Genesis 3:15, often referred to as the "protoevangelium" (meaning "first gospel"). This passage is a promise of Jesus' victory over Satan through His crucifixion and resurrection. The "crushing of the head" symbolizes Satan's ultimate defeat, while the "bruising of the heel" represents Jesus' temporary suffering and death.

Through faith in Jesus we become God’s children. Through faith in Jesus disobedience can be forgiven. Through faith in Jesus our hopelessness can turn to hope for the present and for eternity.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the gift of your promises. All throughout the Bible, you reveal your heart's desires for us, and one of those desires is that we would seek to know you more deeply. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you and my steps so closely behind the leading of your Spirit that I never have to question where you are leading me.

Yielding to the Holy Spirit

This is the manuscript to the final sermon in the "God's Incredible Gif to the Holy Spirit".

There are a lot of religious dropouts” in our churches today. They become dropouts because they have never established a pattern of spiritual growth. These “religious dropouts” are more than mere “statistics,”  they have become spiritual casualties.  Here’s what can happen to these people

• They may experience a loss of faith or a weakening of their spiritual connection.

• They may become more susceptible to negative influences or temptations.

• They may struggle with feelings of remorse or regret over their past choices.    

Often the fault lies with the church, because we fail to follow up with spiritual care and nurturing and we leave people floundering to take care of themselves!           

Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

The key to God’s during very best for us is yielding to the Holy Spirit. When we yield our lives and lifestyle to Holy Spirit we will discover the divine plan and purpose God has outlined for our lives, beginning in the here and now and continuing throughout eternity.

Yielding to the Holy Spirit involves a conscious decision to submit your will to His guidance. Yielding often implies giving way to something or someone else. It can suggest a sense of submission or surrender. It's about recognizing His authority and allowing Him to lead. It can involve surrendering personal desires or preferences that may conflict with God's will. Yielding can also indicate patience or forbearance, especially in difficult situations.

We do not arrive at this magnificent discovery as a result of the efforts of human ingenuity. God unfolds his will and purpose for our lives as we yield ourselves to his Holy Spirit within us.

Scripture Reading: 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 NIV [12] Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. [13] Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. [14] And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. [15] Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not treat prophecies with contempt [21] but test them all; hold on to what is 1.   good, [22] reject every kind of evil.

Introduction

               

When someone says to you, “I wish for you God’s very best,” what does that person really mean? Most probably the sentiment behind that good wish is our friend’s desire that we experience happiness and freedom from all the troubles that come in life, or that we be blessed with an abundance of material things. From the human standpoint there is nothing particularly wrong with that. 

                  

On the other hand, when we think about “God’s very best,” we have to go considerably beyond these human concepts of what makes life worth living. 

“God’s very best” for those who belong to him involves what is happening to them right now as it relates to preparing them for eternity, not just for the next day, month, year, twenty-five or thirty years.

                     

The key word that opens the door to understanding God’s very best for us is the word yield. 

The dictionary says that yield means “to give up, to surrender, to give place to.”

So the key to God’s very best for us is yielding to the Holy Spirit.  When we yield our lives and lifestyle to the Holy Spirit God's eternal blueprint for our lives will be revealed, beginning today and continuing forever.

Text:

1 Thessalonians 5:19 NIV Do not quench the Spirit. 

Before I go on I need to explain the difference between cooperating with the Holy Spirit, which I said we must do last week, and yielding.  Because we have to do both in order to execute the divine plan and purpose God has for us.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV says For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

We have to cooperate and we have to yield.  So what's the difference? 

  

Cooperating suggests working together towards a common goal. It implies a sense of partnership and collaboration.  Cooperation often involves mutual benefit, where both parties benefit from the collaboration. Cooperation often involves agreement or consensus on a particular course of action.

Cooperating with the Holy Spirit involves an active partnership. It's about working together with Him to achieve His goals. It requires active participation in spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, and service. It's a collaborative effort, where the believer and the Holy Spirit work together to produce fruit.

             

Yielding to the Holy Spirit involves a conscious decision to submit your will to His guidance. Yielding often implies giving way to something or someone else. It can suggest a sense of submission or surrender. It's about recognizing His authority and allowing Him to lead.  It can involve surrendering personal desires or preferences that may 

conflict with God's will. Yielding can also indicate patience or forbearance, especially in difficult situations.  

In essence, yielding to the Holy Spirit is about submission and surrender, while cooperating with the Holy Spirit is about active partnership and collaboration.

Here's a simple analogy:

Cooperating: Imagine a team of athletes cooperating to win a game. They are working together towards a common goal. 

Yielding: Imagine a driver yielding to a pedestrian. The driver is submitting to the pedestrian's right of way.

               

I. Here’s God’s proposition. 

                  

Let’s take a careful look at the proposition God makes to us.

Romans 12:1-2 NIV [1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. [2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

A.So  what’s  involved in this proposition? 

“I urge you,” is not a command, it's a plea for believers to live the kind of life that will mark them as children of God. This is not something we do to be saved, it's something we do because we are saved. 

Yielding comes from the heart, not just the mind. In other words yielding involves the soul, the seat of a person's identity, personality, and consciousness. 

                  

B. Now there are two areas that should be affected by this yielding.

                  

1. First, is a dedication of the whole body as a living sacrifice to God. 

Romans 12:1 NIV [1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

The fact that Paul, in this scripture, singled out the body suggests that we are total beings and not divided  into “spiritual” and “physical” to the extent that our dedication to God is concerned. When we dedicate ourselves completely to God, Jesus will be reflected in everything we do.

                  

 2. Paul also tells us how this dedication of our bodies is maintained: 

Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

Renewing the mind is not just about external actions or behaviors, but about a deep-seated change in thinking and perspective. When we yield to the Holy Spirit we will begin to develop the mind of Christ.  We'll talk about  what that looks like later.

Our perspective on everything will change and become like the perspective of God in that it is eternal, not temporary, and trapped in time and space.  

Renewing the mind refers to a change in the way we think and perceive the world. It's about adopting a God-centered worldview instead of a worldly one. It's about letting God's Word and Spirit shape your perspective, leading to a life that reflects His will.

This means that there will be a radical change in us. This transformation is a lifelong process, but it's one that is made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit through our yielding to Him. In essence, being transformed by the renewing of your mind means aligning your thoughts and beliefs with God's truth. It's about becoming a new person, shaped by God's will. 

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NIV [16] So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 

II. God has given us a pattern. 

                  

God has provided a pattern, through his Son, Jesus Christ as to how this is to happen. 

                  

A. One of the many pieces of evidence of perfection in Jesus’ life was his complete dedication or yieldedness to the will of his heavenly Father. Jesus' life was a constant act of yielding to the Father's divine plan, even in the face of immense suffering.  

Listen to some of the things Jesus is recorded as saying. 

John 5:30: "I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of him who sent me."

John 6:38: "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me."  

Luke 22:42: "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."  

Jesus’ human body was the vehicle through which he carried out his Father’s will while he was on earth. We should think of our bodies as the “vehicle” God has provided for us so that we can carry out the will of the Father. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV says [19] Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; [20] you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

We must look to Jesus as our example. Certainly we are not perfect as Jesus was; so the issue with us is not our persistent determination to do it ourselves, but our willingness to let God do it through us by yielding to his Spirit that indwells us.  

                       

B. Because Jesus was dedicated to his Father’s will, three things happened in his life.

1. He was willing to go where his Father chose.  

2. He was willing to be whatever his Father chose for him to be. 

3. He was willing to do whatever his Father chose for him to do. 

First, He was willing to go where his Father chose.

Jesus' life was a testament to his complete submission to God's will. Throughout the Gospels, we see him consistently seeking his Father's guidance and following His divine plan, even when it meant personal sacrifice.

Jesus said at John 5:30: "I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of him who sent me."

We Christians like to quote that scripture from

Isaiah 6:8 NIV Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Would we really go? 

                  

Next, Christ was willing to be whatever his Father chose for him to be. He was willing to take on any role, no matter how difficult or humbling, as long as it was part of God's plan.

• He took on the role of a Servant: Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, a task typically performed by the lowest servants. This act demonstrated his humility and willingness to serve others, even in the most menial ways.

• He took on the role of a Sufferer: Jesus endured immense physical and emotional suffering, ending in his crucifixion. He willingly accepted this fate, knowing it was part of God's plan for salvation.

• He took on the role of a teacher: Jesus taught his disciples and the crowds about God's love and grace. He was a compassionate and effective teacher, sharing his wisdom and knowledge with all who would listen.

Jeesus showed us how to love our enemies, and trust in God's will. He laid aside the glory he had with the Father in heaven to come to earth; he was willing to be rejected, humiliated, spat upon, and crucified. 

John 1:14 says: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."  

Hebrews 2:9-10 says: "But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely, crowned with glory and honor for having suffered death, that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."

We like to say, “I’ll be what you want me to be, dear Lord. Would we, really?

And lastly Jesus became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 

Philippians 2:8 NIV And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

This  was the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for humanity. He willingly gave up his life, even in the most painful and humiliating way, to redeem us from sin. It's a testament to his love for us and his complete obedience to God's will.

We like to say, “I’ll do what you want me to do, dear Lord.” Would we, really? 

                  

C.  Now I don't want us to become discouraged with our own imperfection.  Here's what i always want us to remember.

Philippians 2:13 AMPC   [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

In other words, God tells us what he wants us to do; then by his Spirit within us He does it as we yield to the Holy Spirit. He energizes us, motivates us, and enables us to do his will. 

                  

B. So how are we to yield to the Holy Spirit?

                  

1. First, It involves surrendering our own will and desires to God's guidance and control.

It is one thing to conceive some great, vague, far-distant will that God may have for our lives; it is quite another thing to say, “Lord, what would you have me do today, in the midst of this humdrum, routine, often monotonous life?”

                     

2. God’s leading will always be in accordance with the Scriptures; there are no shortcuts.

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, and it provides us with guidance and direction for our lives. When we yield to the Holy Spirit, we can trust that His leading will always be consistent with the teachings of Scripture.

                  

3. This divine leadership is provided by the Holy Spirit who indwells us. When we yield, and dedicate, ourselves to God, then increasingly we come to have the mind of Christ.

Philippians 2:5-8 NIV [5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Having the mind of Christ is about living a life that reflects His character and glorifies God.

The mind of Chtist is about

• Humility: Jesus was humble, recognizing his dependence on God and the value of others. Having the mind of Christ involves a similar humility, acknowledging our limitations and the importance of serving others.

• Love: Jesus' love for God and humanity had no boundaries.  Having the mind of Christ means loving others as He loved us.  It means even loving our enemies.

• Self-denial: Jesus was willing to sacrifice his own desires for the sake of others and the kingdom of God. Having the mind of Christ involves a similar self-denial, putting the needs of others before our own.

• Wisdom: Jesus was filled with wisdom and understanding. Having the mind of Christ means seeking wisdom from God and applying it to our lives.

• Peace: Jesus offered peace to those around him, even in the midst of turmoil. Having the mind of Christ means cultivating inner peace and sharing it with others.

We start to think like God thinks. He is able not only to convince us of what is wrong but also to give us a clear understanding of what is right for us. 

                  

Conclusion

Yielding to the Holy Spirit brings a profound sense of joy and peace that cannot be fully explained. It's a joy that transcends earthly pleasures and provides a deep sense of contentment and fulfillment.

1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV [8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, [9] for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Here are some of the joy associated with yielding to the Holy Spirit:

• A sense of connection with God: When we yield to the Holy Spirit, we experience a deeper connection with God. We feel His presence in our lives and experience a sense of peace and belonging.

• We will experience increased spiritual growth: Yielding to the Holy Spirit is essential for spiritual growth. As we surrender our will to God, He can work more powerfully in our lives, transforming us into the image of Christ.

• We will experience a sense of purpose: When we yield to the Holy Spirit, we discover a greater sense of purpose and direction in our lives. We understand that we are part of God's plan and that our lives have meaning.

• We will experience peace and contentment: Yielding to the Holy Spirit brings a deep sense of peace and contentment that cannot be found in the world. We are no longer driven by our own desires and anxieties, but by the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

• We will even experience joy in suffering: Even in the midst of suffering, those who yield to the Holy Spirit can experience a deep sense of joy. They know that their suffering is not in vain and that God is using it to shape them into His image.

Romans 8:28-30 NIV [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 

There may be some pain along the way, to be sure; but the prevailing atmosphere will be that of joy and peace because as it says inIsaiah 26:3 NIV You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

The joy that comes with yielding to the Holy Spirit is a gift from God. It's a joy that is beyond words and can only be truly experienced through a personal relationship 

Prayer 

Heavenly Father, we come before You today, humbled and grateful for the Word we have heard. We thank You for the Holy Spirit, the divine Comforter who resides within us.

Lord, we pray that You would soften our hearts and make us receptive to Your Spirit's leading. Help us to yield our will to Your perfect plan. May we be filled with a renewed desire to follow You wholeheartedly.

We ask that You would empower us to overcome our weaknesses and live lives that bring glory to Your name. Grant us the courage to step out in faith and trust in Your guidance.

We pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Benediction

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. As you go forth from this place, may you be filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to yield to His leading in your lives. May His presence be with you always. The Lord bless you and keep you; [25] the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; [26] the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Go in peace.