The Apostle Paul calls us Jars of Clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). As followers of Jesus we must allow the Word of God to fill us with it's message of Truth and Grace. In this way, we become a "vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).

Monday, August 13, 2018

The Tree of Life - August 12, 2018 sermon

By Pastor Greg...


Have you ever read the book Stop That Ball?  It was written in 1959 by Mike McClintock.  He tells the story of a young boy and his tetherball… a ball that breaks loose one day and bounces all over town.  In his backyard, he had his ball.  He had his bat.  He hit the ball.  He made it fly.  He hit his ball as it came by.  It went around and then came back.  He gave his ball another whack.  He hit it high.  He hit it low.  He hit so hard, the string let go.  Yes, the string let go.  There went his ball, away up high, out past the wall.
Throughout the rest of the book, this poor boy chases that ball in futile desperation.  He never catches it, but, through sheer luck, a cannon shoots his ball all the way back to his house.  Enthused, he races home, mysteriously finds the ball tied to the string, but shrugs and resumes his play.  He hit it high.  He hit it low.  He hit so hard, the string let go.  And, in disbelief, the boy ponders, “Could this go on all day and night?  It could, you know, and it just might.”
Have you ever had a sinking feeling that life is nothing more than a series of unfortunate events… that all you are doing is chasing an allusive ball all over town?  You get up, go out and do your thing, come home, eat, go to bed, and get up the next morning to start the same routine all over again.  Do you wish life was different… that you could catch that ball?
I think most people do.  Most people are looking for something more than the ordinary routine; something that makes life worth living. 
Some never find this. 
It’s sad, really.  Some people live their life day to day, looking for something to fill the emptiness in their heart.  Most people want to believe that there is more to life than merely surviving.  They believe there is more; there has to be more.  Most people hunger and thirst for something; they just don’t know what that something is.
In our study, we have reached the end of Revelation and the end of the Bible.  And the fact that Revelation is at the end is significant.  In chapters 4 through 19, we learn of the earthly tribulation humanity will face as the Lord God prepares to bring our present age to a close.  We discover that some will spend an eternity separated from God, while others spend eternity reunited with God.  John gives us this conclusion by saying, “14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 15 Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie[1] (Revelation 22:14-15). 
Once this separation happens, chapters 20 to 22 reveal what awaits those who have been ransomed from death.  We are given a glimpse into a future beyond our imagination; it is a future age without death or sorrow; without sadness or fear.  It is a future age that many long to experience.  However, it is here at the end of Revelation where we discover the single, most important thing in all of life.  Yes, heaven is important, but it isn’t the most important thing.
Most sane people want to experience Heaven, but truthfully, what they really desire isn’t the place… it’s the relationship.  They are hungry for meaning and purpose; they are thirsty for a life filled with love and acceptance… the kind of things a person can find only in a relationship with the Lord, not in a place.  I mean, look at what John says here at the end.  After describing the place, he concludes by saying “come.”  But not “come to the place,” rather come to the “bright and morning star” (verse 16); to the “Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End[2] (verse 12).  John writes, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who hears this say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life[3] (Revelation 22:17).
Speaking of Himself, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again[4] (John 6:35).  He said, “The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him[5] (John 7:38).  Jesus didn’t come to earth and invite us to a place; He came inviting people to enter into a relationship with Himself.
The “ball” so many people are chasing in life is a relationship with Jesus. And it sure seems like the Early Church understood this. 
After Peter’s first sermon, 3,000 people believed and were baptized.   Acts 2:47 says, “And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” [6]  Odd, isn’t it, that the first Christians were able to accomplish so much without large worship centers, attractive programs, relevant pastors, or dynamic worship bands.  And they certainly didn’t have the local government on their side.  And yet, the Church grew each day.  Let that sink in for a moment.
Oh, don’t get me wrong.  Buildings and programs and music certainly help, but they are not the end; instead, they are the means to the end.  These things help a church reach its goal, but they are not the goal.  I mean, in a world where people are lonely and hopeless, they’re not searching for stunning architecture or a pastor who preaches in jeans.  They are looking for answers.  They want to know “who” or “what” can heal them… where they can find hope and meaning.  People who are chasing what eludes them don’t need a place; they need a relationship.
The early Church grew because those Christians focused on the message of Jesus.  They didn’t have anything else to offer except the “Bread of Life” and the “Living Water” … which is exactly what Jesus came and offered the world.  And it seems to me, here at the end of the Bible, John is leaving us with the same message.  In a world filled with lost and lonely people who are chasing an elusive “ball” – which is peace, contentment, purpose, and meaning – what they need most from the Church is the “Bright and Morning Star… the Alpha and Omega;” the Tree of Life; the Lord Jesus Himself.
If there is one lesson we should learn from this study of Revelation, it is that we do not exist as a church to make more members or grow the organization.  We exist to lead others to Christ.  Our programs, buildings, and ministries are tools we use to accomplish this.  People need Jesus, not a place.  When they find Jesus, they will finally stop chasing that ball.


[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Re 22:14-15). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Re 22:13). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Re 22:17). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 6:35). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[5] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Jn 7:38). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 2:47). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

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