Jeremiah 17:5-10, Psalm 1
An Audio file of the sermon is available for streaming or download at
http://www.mediafire.com/?eiggghjmjii
SYNOPSIS
To explore how we can be like "trees planted by the water, whose leaves do not wither, who bear fruit in season."
The Contrast
In Jeremiah 17, between the desert shrub that will never bear fruit and the tree planted by the water.
In Psalm 1, between the tree planted by the water and chaff which is blown by the wind.
Between mere survival and bearing fruit.
Between stability and being blown about.
"We shall not be moved"
We shall not, we shall not be moved (x2)
Just like a tree that's planted by the water
We shall not be moved.
How do we become a tree planted by the water?
The most important factor in determining a tree's growth and ability to produce leaves and bear fruit is its ROOT SYSTEM.
Roots will grow anywhere (even through sewer pipes) in search of moisture. How deep they are and what source supplies them are determining factors.
Dependence on human resources vs. Trust in God
A desert shrub is limited (as is chaff) because it is not tapped into an everflowing supply of moisture.
A person who depends only on human resources (his/her own as well as another or others) is limited, whereas one who trusts in God is now tapped into God's resources
The streams of living water that Jesus spoke about in John 4.
The River of the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 47)
All benefit from the rain...but those who trust in God seem to have an extra source that still supplies moisture even when there is no rain.
Meditate day and night on the law
Biblical meditation is not emptying one's mind using a mantra but filling one's mind with God's word. The Hebrew words for meditation involve muttering, murmuring, not total silence.
It is reading out aloud God's promises (as stated in sermon, Jan. 11--The power of the Spoken Word)
Meditation helps send out more roots to the source...however, we still cannot do it 24/7...that is where the Holy Spirit comes in, because one of his main functions is to remind us all that Jesus taught (John 14).
The Invitation...Do you wish to be like a tree planted by the water? Let us humble ourselves and admit that we cannot do it on our own power, ask the Holy Spirit to fill us and resolve to send more and deeper roots through meditating on God's Word.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUPS
1. In the sermon (listen to audio) Jeeva talked about the contrasting sight of the banana tree in his backyard and other plants or a desert shrub vs a tree in the oasis. Where have you seen such a contrast in nature?
2. Share with one another a time when your reliance on human resources (another person or your own brain or brawn) produced less than satisfactory results.
3. Share with one another a time when your trust in God pulled you through.
4. Take a time of silence ("soak" for 10 or 15 minutes) and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what kind of "tree" you are...where you're planted, your root system...and when you receive that picture, ask what you need to do to be like the tree mentioned in both readings.
5. Share your experience (in #4) with the others in your group.
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