The Gospel According to the Garden 

Intro

I.        One of the most common illustrations of Jesus = plant kingdom

A.     Wheat & tares

B.     Good sower & seed

C.     Mustard seed

D.     Barren fig tree

E.      Branch/vine

F.      Again & again, Jesus directs us to the growth of a garden, what teach?

II.     What is the gospel according to the garden?

Message

I.        The gospel of gardening reveals that we must grow in Christ.

A.     Parable of the growth of the grain – Mark 4:26-29

1.      We cannot understand how growth in grace occurs

2.      Begins w/blade & reaches full fruition in ear

3.      Work of grace is not done until the harvest

4.      Harvest is when Jesus comes again – Rev. 14:14-16

5.      Can never say work of salvation complete

B.     We must continue growing in grace

1.      Grow in grace – 2 Pet. 3:18

2.      Grow up into Christ – Eph. 4:15

C.     How can we grow as the plant in the garden?

1.      Water – Study of His word – 1 Pet. 2:2

2.      Air – Spend time in earnest prayer – Luke 18:1

3.      Sunshine – Walking w/Him by faith – Col. 2:6, 7

D.     Constant growth is essential for our Christian walk

II.     The gospel of gardening reveals that not growing is spiritual death.

A.     Must bear good fruit – John 15:2

1.      Cut down & thrown into fire – Matt. 3:10

2.      Fruit of the Spirit – Gal. 5:22, 23

B.     Pruning process – John 15:2

1.      Trials are not strange – 1 Pet. 4:12

2.      Trials are our friends – James 1:2, 3

3.      Pruned by word of God – John 15:3

C.     Abide in Christ – John 15:4, 5

1.      Branch receives sap, nourishment, everything from root/vine

2.       How do we abide in Christ?

a.       Confesses Jesus Son of God – 1 John 4:15

b.      Christ dwells hearts via faith – Eph. 3:17

c.       Walk as he walked – 1 John 2:6

d.      Eats flesh & drinks blood – John 6:56

e.       Love one another – 1 John 4:12

f.        Keeps his commandments – 1 John 3:24

D.     Not abiding in Christ is death – John 15:6

1.      Cuts us off from the live-giving flow

2.      Fruit does not develop; begins to whither; dries & dies

3.      Cut off & cast into the fire

4.      Branches connected & bore fruit at one time; but continued not

a.       Lost their first love – Rev. 2:4

b.      Lawlessness dampens love, but must endure – Matt. 24:12, 13

5.      What caused their spiritual death?

a.       Less time/love in God’s Word

b.      Personal prayer diminished

c.       Sin cherished

d.      Unconsciously withering began; nourishment less & less

6.      Cast into the fire – Rev. 21:8

7.      Let us give the more earnest heed, lest let slip – Heb. 2:1-3

Conclusion:

I.        Wealth of beauty & instruction in the gospel according to the garden

A.     Constant growing in the Lord is essential

B.     Neglecting to grow in the Lord will result in our eternal salvation

1.      Not enough to accept Jesus, must grow up fully into Him

2.      Nothing relating to works, but rather a constant, abiding connection with Him.

II.     Are we growing in grace? Or allowing these things to slip?

A.     Are we abiding in the vine?

B.     Will you choose to surrender & walk with him each & every day that you may bear much fruit for the Master?