If Your Tree Is Shaken, What Will Fall Out?
Mk. 8:22-25; Lu. 6:39-49

 
 

Mark 8: 22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
 
 

Luke 6: 39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
 
 

Intro.: What good are trees? Have you ever considered what trees are used for in our lives? So many areas they creep in. Yet God compares us as trees. Should we be useful in others lives? Should they notice us and be delighted for what we are?
 
 

First let us see what trees are used for in our lives (and how we should be useful to others)…
Trees are beneficial as well as beautiful.

Oxygen
Building
Food
Protection
Homes (animals mostly) - ecosystem
Shade
Decoration
Soil retention
Landmarks
Sense of well being
 
 
If I look at the positive items, then I should mention…
Trees can be a bit aggravating as well as advantageous Often hard to circumvent or see around - they just do not move easily
Sap - If we are alive, then there will be evidence
Falling leaves - things often change
Splinters - small problems arise
Falling branches - big problems arise
Seeds - growing new trees is not always convenient
Haven for animals - some things we attract may not be likable by everyone
The idea here is that we are not perfect, so face it as we look at others!
 
 

I would also want to examine some of the nature of trees, seeing…
Trees are changing as well as constant - ILL. #1

They are constant, but…
Growing
Getting ready to grow (gathering food/nourishment)
Flexible to peril as much as they can be (too stiff, no sway - topples)
Spreading their roots for growth and stability (are you sinking your roots deeper?)
Adjusting to the seasons
Shedding dead weight - (not easy, but needful)
Sending forth seed - (what is the best thing you can do? - Send forth seed)
 
 
When we see ourselves like trees we see our need to…
Spread broad as well as stand big
As God helps us, then so do for Him and others
As God wants us, then so do - how would you like it if your trees moved to the neighbors yard? (Grow closer to Him and stand firm where we are, not immobile)

As a helping force in peoples' lives - making a difference in their lives and their destination

In God's eye!- to glorify our Savior, not self

In our children's eye - what kind of tree do they see you as?

In the public eye (What will fall out if someone shakes your branches?)

Thorns?
Figs?
Briars
Grapes?
 
 
Gary Marcum - East 38th Street Free Will Baptist Church - 092400am