Subject - The Cross of Death Becomes The Tree of Life
by Rick Welborne
9 And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
–We have to go all the way back to Genesis to see where the tree of life was introduced.
–You know the story, how Adam and Eve disobeyed God (they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) and were forced to leave the garden.
–Their first response after they sinned was to hide themselves from the presence of God and people have been hiding from God since that time. Maybe you are hiding!
–Life can be bitter and it can lead us to a place again of separation from God. Look at this story in Exodus:
Exodus 15:22-26 (NKJV)
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.
23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.
24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
25 So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. And there He tested them,
26 and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you."
–You see, God is always trying to bring us out of our bondage and even out of the bitterness of life...there is so much typology in these verses.
–They were three days in the wilderness...Jesus was three days in the tomb.
–They found no water (no life)...There was no life in Jesus...He had laid His life down.
–When Jesus died the disciples found out life was bitter and not what they expected...life ever turn out that way for you?
–Moses cried out and God showed him a tree...Jesus cried out to God and He showed Him a tree (the cross).
–Now stay with me...Moses threw the tree into the waters and the waters were made sweet...so sweet that it became the salvation of Israel.
–Now, Pastor Rick, explain how Jesus on the tree (on the cross) has anything to do with being mixed with water. I believe I will!
John 7:37-39 (NKJV)
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
–You see, anyone who drinks of the living water Jesus gives finds salvation...finds sweet water.
–You see when Jesus died for you and me on the cross of death...He needed the living water of Holy Spirit to bring Him to life. Please show me the verse! Ok!
Romans 8:11 (NKJV)
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
–The same water (living water - Holy Spirit) that raised Jesus from the dead can also bring you up out of your life of bitterness and emptiness.
–God showed Moses a tree...today God has shown you the cross but that is not the end of the story.
–The cross of death can become a tree of life if you will be willing to lay your life down to serve Jesus. This verse helped me understand the plan of salvation:
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
–The cross for you today can guarantee your access to the tree of life for all eternity:
Revelation 2:7 (NKJV)
7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." '
–What a Blessed Dawn when Jesus Christ rose from the dead to secure eternal life for you and me!
–What a Blessed Dawn when you truly and fully give your life to Christ and experience that resurrection power that gives you new life!
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