The Dawn of Eternal Life: Eclipsed by Sin, Glimpsed by Faith
A. The Scene is Set with Two Trees:
Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17 – A garden with two trees in the center.
- To Know Good and Evil was a metaphor for: autonomy, the ability to choose for oneself. Neither the very old nor the very young “know good and evil.”
Deuteronomy 1:39 – Warnings for rebels.
2 Samuel 19:35 – An elderly man declines favors.
Isaiah 7:14-16 – A prophecy of a child.
Isaiah 41:22-23 – Humans cannot do what God can do.
Jeremiah 4:22 – Fools know evil but are ignorant of good.
Romans 16:19 – Obedience is cultivated by ignoring evil and knowing good.
- Tree of Life became a metaphor for: Wisdom, fruit of righteous, soul winning, hope fulfilled, good words, victory, central, continual life, healing, reward for faithful obedience.
Proverbs 3:13, 18 – Wisdom
Proverbs 11:30 – Fruit of the righteous, winning souls.
Proverbs 13:12 – Desire fulfilled
Proverbs 15:4 – Wholesome tongue
Revelation 2:7 – Given to the victor in the Paradise of God.
Revelation 22:2 – Central, continual, healing life.
Revelation 22:14 – Reward for obedience.
Will we try to choose our own way or let God choose the Way for us?
B. Consequences of disobedience: Genesis 3 – After Adam & Eve ate from the wrong tree, they experienced:
- Sin resulted in suffering.
a. Guilt: open eyes v. 7
b. Shame: nakedness known v. 7
c. Fear: hiding from God v. 8
2. Sin resulted in broken relationships.
a. With God. Hiding from God. v. 8
b. With one another. Blaming one another. Vv. 12-13, 16
c. With creation. Thorns & thistles. V. 18
3. Sin resulted in death.
a. Work to death. V. 19
b. Separated from the way to life. vv. 22-23
How much have you suffered already for your sin and the sins of others? Do you want that to continue?
C. Promises of Life: Evil would be defeated by good through faith.
- Life beyond death came through a promise: Genesis 3:15 – The curse of the serpent meant blessing for us. Jesus’ death ensured eternal life. Christ was hung on a tree so that he might take the curses from the cursed tree and bring us life and liberty and happiness. He rose to defeat death in full.
2. Evil can be rejected: Psalm 1:1 – Meditation on God’s Word results in faithful life. Ungodliness results in death. Choose well.
3. Goodness can be enjoyed: Psalm 38:4 – Taste & see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (NKJV)
What will you pursue: all that is good and godly OR all that is evil & perverse?
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