God Didn't Remove the Tree

By Bruno Borges – Director of Men's Ministry

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 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.” (Genesis 2:15-17 ESV) 

I don't know about you, but one of my favorite moments in a church service is the time designated for worship and praise through song. I am always so moved by the beautiful music, as well as the idea of coming together as a group to raise up our voices in worship of the Lord our God. This time offers us a dedicated space to reflect, pray, repent, or just be still before the King of Kings.  

Although these times of song and verbal response play an important role in our praise of God, many people tend to associate the word “worship” solely with this particular moment in a church service. However, I would argue that worship—or rather "true worship"—cannot be confined to a Sunday service, but instead should be defined as the action of choosing God as the best response to our temptations. 

In my walk with those who seek to be healed from their same-sex attractions (SSA), I am repeatedly asked, "Why won't God just take these feelings from me?" I myself asked this question numerous times at the beginning of my journey with Jesus. Could He not simply reach inside of me, yank these feelings out, and wipe my memories clear forever? Absolutely! We know that He can do anything. However, the bigger question is why would he choose to do it? 

In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve everything they could possibly want, and a whole lot more. They had dominion over the whole garden, as well as every living creature. Additionally, they possessed an unending supply and variety of food. This would be the equivalent of being able to eat out every day, at any restaurant, for. God placed only one limitation upon them, they could not eat from one particular tree that God Himself placed in the garden, or else they would die.  Wow! Talk about temptation!

Some have argued that in placing this prohibition on Adam and Eve, God acted out of a vindictive spirit, setting up our first parents for failure despite his foreknowledge of the fall. Even when accounting for God’s foresight, I would argue the complete opposite. He both created us and equipped us for complete success. The following, although not exhaustive, are some of the ways He prepared Adam and Eve to triumph over the temptation of the tree: 

1.   As He created our world, and everything in it, He declared that, "it was good." He created a paradise, essentially giving Adam and Eve the keys to this real estate with the mortgage, utilities, and property taxes already paid for life.  

2.   He made humanity according to His image. Not just any image, but His image (Genesis 1:27). The implications of this one verse are staggering. God made us with amazing attributes and potential, and thus there are no limitations to the wonderful things God can do in and through those who are truly seeking Him with all their hearts.  

3.   He then gave Adam dominion over everything and authority to establish order over all living creatures (Genesis 1:28-31). (I don't know about you, but I think I would have loved to come up with crazy names for all the animals, plants, and objects around me.)  

4.   When Adam felt lonely, God decided that it was not good for him to be alone. In response to Adams need, God creates an amazingly beautiful woman and tells them to "be fruitful and multiply."

Dwell for a moment on the significance of these four truths about the creation. In his goodness, God provided for every need and desire that Adam and Eve could have ever possibly felt. To put it simply, God told Adam that he did not have to work in order to live in what was essentially an all-inclusive resort, nor would he ever have to pay any unexpected bills. To top it off, Adam was commanded to have sex.  

However, amongst all this amazing provision, God places the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, a huge temptation, in the midst of this paradise. Genesis 2:9 says:  

"And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."  

Genesis goes on to describe the tree God forbade as “a delight to the eyes.” This description begs the question, do the other trees in the garden pale in comparison to this one? Given God’s declaration of goodness over the rest of creation, I would venture to say no. Yet, is this not exactly how sin works even today? The other trees of the garden were just as beautiful, just as pleasant; however, they were not as desirable as the one they could not have. We exhibit this same logic in our own struggles with sin. Are we not typically blinded by prohibited desires with such veracity that we simply no longer see or recognize the amazing provision that we already have access to? This way of thinking poses such a danger to us. If we follow this logical strain, we find ourselves in moments where we are willing to risk everything that God has already given us for seconds of pleasure.  

So, if this tree was so dangerous, why did God not simply remove it? Why could He not prevent the fall of men from ever happening in the first place?  

The reason is that he did not plant that tree (our temptation) in order that it might be taken away. He planted it, rather, that we might humble ourselves and choose Him. He planted it as a reminder that we do not live by our feelings or desires, but only by the truth found in His Word. He planted it that we might know His true definition of Worship, that we choose Him, and everything He's already done for us, over our temptations. 

So, it's about time we stop asking God to cut down whatever trees we have in our lives. The reality is that He placed that tree where it is. Now, it’s our choice to recognize it as sin—however it may manifest in our lives— and run from it by digging deeper in our relationship with God through Christ, His Word, and Holy Spirit. 

As we seek a more intimate relationship with Christ, and healing in areas where trees have been planted, We must keep in mind what Ricky Chelette, LHM Executive Director oftens says, “Healing is not the absence of temptation, but rather the ability—through the power of Chrsit—to choose God.” Now that's true worship!

                                                                                                  

The Big Announcement

by Ricky Chelette, Executive Director

Birth announcements are important. They herald the arrival of new life into the world and are both delivered and met with exuberance. Historically, the more important the person, the grander the announcement, from simple word of mouth for the peasant to the ringing of bells and feasting for a prince. When baby George was born on the 22^nd of July 2013 to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the birth was announced outside Kensington Palace by a brightly costumed town crier, complete with scroll, official words from Queen Elizabeth II, and the ringing of church bells.  Hundreds gathered and thousands watched by television to hear the birth of the heir to the throne.

It seems only fitting that the advent of the Son of God into our world would be met with similar extravagance, and indeed it was, but not in the way you or I might expect. Luke’s gospel records it this way:

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.  And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” (Luke 2:8-11, ESV)

The magnificence of this moment—an instant in which the glory of the Lord shines upon the creation—is almost incomprehensible. The cosmos seems almost to pause for a moment as the angel appears in all its splendor to proclaim the beginning of the world’s restoration, news longingly anticipated for thousands of years. While this divine proclamation contains numerous multifaceted truths, it can be broken down into three primary announcements:

1. The angel announces “good news of great joy for all the people.”  Good news because finally we, estranged from God and enslaved by our sin, can be reconciled to Him and freed from our bondage. This freedom could not be gained through our own effort, for we had proven our inability to do so through our failure to uphold the law. Such liberty brings joy, hope, and life.
   
2. The angel also declares, “unto you is born… in the city of David a Savior…” Unlike the angel who made the announcement, Jesus did not simply appear, but instead experienced birth. He was born like any other human because he was human.  He had a genealogy that not only connected him to humanity, but to the fulfillment of ancient prophecies long awaited.  Additionally, note that the angel does not say that Jesus will become a savior, but that He was born a savior.  The very purpose of Jesus coming was not to become something, but to reveal who He already was and to display the fullness of God in His person for all the world to see and believe (Col. 2:9).
   
3. The angel concludes his announcement by referring to Jesus’ title “Christ the Lord.” This is the first and only time this combination—χριστὸς κύριος or Christ Yahweh—is used in scripture. It boldly identifies this baby as both the long-awaited Messiah, who had been spoken of in ancient scripture, and the incarnation of I Am.

Despite the majesty of this message, the juxtaposition of announcer and recipient in this text cannot be overlooked.  The angel delivered this world altering news to shepherds. Shepherds. These men were not scholars, nor aristocrats. No, they were not the leaders of anything but sheep. They were simple, ordinary men, doing honest work in an ordinary way.  They were watching, waiting, and anticipating something, but certainly not expecting the message they received.

So, what are we to make of a resplendent message delivered to the most ordinary of men? This apparent incongruity of announcement and audience actually foreshadows the very mission of Christ, a one-of-a-kind Sovereign announced to the common man to bring the most uncommon redemption. His ministry consistently demonstrated His ability to defy the expected for the extraordinary, to transform the lives of sinners to saints and murderers to martyrs for his Kingdom. The power of the Gospel transforms lives for God’s glory! 

This Christmas, the announcement of the Christ-child calls you to action.  It invites you out of bondage and into freedom. It invites you to abandon your way of thinking and living for a new way of believing and loving that will transform you and the community in which you live. It was the only hope of the ancient world and it is the only hope for our modern one as well.  Don’t get lost in Christmas-business and miss the Christ-baby. Be like the shepherds.  Heed the message of the coming King and run to Him.  See Him with new eyes and an open heart. The shepherds did, and they were never the same again.

The Unsung Hero of Advent

by Ricky Chelette, Executive Director

Not much is written about his life. Most scholars treat him as a minor character in the most amazing drama in history – the birth of Jesus. Church pageants portray him as a dutiful helper to Mary, with few if any lines, but not much more. He was a good man and he had a heart that was sensitive to the things of God.

We know him as Joseph, the earthly father of the Son of God.

Ponder the significance of that eight-word description.  Let it linger in your mind for a moment. Can you imagine the weight of such an assignment? Most father’s feel ill-equipped to raise a child, but to raise the Son of God was a task no one could have even anticipated!

However, Joseph was up for the task. Like many men in a new experience, Joseph rose to the occasion. His response, fortified by his faith in God, gives insight and direction for us all.

Though Joseph is only mentioned in Matthew chapters 1 and 2, Luke 2, and John, 6:42-43, these few passages give us deep insight into his character and what it means to be a godly man and father. 

1. Joseph was a just and kind man who honored women.

“And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” (Matt. 1:19 ESV)

Joseph had every right to put Mary away, to disgrace her publically, and even to have her stoned.  After all, Mary’s guilt was ostensibly apparent given that no one had ever become pregnant without a sexual relationship. Yet, Joseph’s concern for Mary and her future showed his heart of compassion and love.

2. Joseph believed and obeyed God.

“But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’” (Matt. 1:19-21 ESV)

“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” (Matt. 1:24-25 ESV)

Despite what was seemingly impossible, Joseph trusted the words of the angel of the Lord and, by faith, obeyed.  Furthermore, realizing the significance of the birth which was about to take place, Joseph exercised incredible restraint in his relationship with Mary, abstaining from all sexual relations with his wife for the first nine months of their marriage.

3.  Joseph was a faithful father who loved his son.

“Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it…” (Luke 2:41-43 ESV)

“And when his parents’ saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.’” (Luke 2:48)

A rhythm of faith permeated the life of Joseph and his family.  Notice that “every year” and “according to custom,” Joseph consistently led his family to spiritually engage with God. His willingness to leave his business, travel to another city, and participate in the Feast of Passover further attests to the priority Joseph placed on the spiritual growth of his family.

Additionally, Joseph was engaged with and attuned to Jesus.  Knowing that Jesus was the son of God, it would have been easy for Joseph to disconnect from Jesus, but he did not. Verse 48 indicates both Mary and Joseph were searching for Jesus and both were distraught over his whereabouts. This offers us a small glimpse into the many ways Joseph was a good father.

As the pageants are delivered and the applause are given this Christmas season, few will notice the steady and faithful father Joseph, but Jesus did.  Jesus was shaped in his earthly manhood by his earthly father just as we are. He learned a skill and a craft from hours at the feet of Joseph.  He saw faith and sacrifice lived out through a simple, faithful builder, who loved God and loved Him. Not everyone lives in the spotlight or has the starring role in the drama, but we each play a significant role in God’s cosmic saga of redemption, just like Joseph.

Today you may feel unnoticed, unseen, or even forgotten, yet God knows and sees you.  There are no bit parts in His story.  Your life matters and others are observing you to see if you reflect the faith you say you believe and the God whose name you claim.  Live carefully and faithfully. You might be an unsung hero!