Living in a World between the Gardens: The Garden of Eve and the Garden of God

We are now in the first week of August and the summer is quickly moving to a conclusion.  It is only a matter of weeks till children will return to school or college and we will busy ourselves with the routine transition in our lives.  Yet, there is no routine about the passage of time and if we pause for a moment, we wonder what will make a difference.  John Lennon said, “Life happens while you are busy making other plans.” All of us want to do what matters and makes a difference in our lives, in the lives of the people around us, and in our world, but how can we do this? The sermon this week is Living in a World between the Gardens: The Garden of Eve and the Garden of God.  The Garden of Eve represents our fallen humanity.  We understand this garden because we sense that we live in a broken world.  This means we struggle to find meaning and purpose and we lose our way in our search of the best priorities.  Then the John Lennon quote becomes too true, but the Psalm says, “Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12 (NIV)).  If we refocus our lives on moving toward the Garden of God where we will find a relationship with the living God, then it refocuses our lives on the thing that matters.  What is that thing?  This sermon will explore possibilities using the selected passages from Revelation 22 which is the Apostle John’s vision of the eternal Garden that is promised to all believers!  As you read these words from Revelation 22, it is our prayer that you will be renewed in your vision of where your life is headed and you will sense the eternal significance of every moment that you live. Excerpts from Revelation 22:   And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing (health-giving to ) of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him…There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever….    I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.