LESSONS FROM THE GARDEN
John 18:1-9
INTRODUCTION
a. My grandfather planted a garden every year. He won many prizes for his garden's produce. Nearly every year he would win the awards where he worked for 1) Fewest tomatoes or potatoes in 100 pounds. One year he did not enter - said he didn't want to have to cut a potato.
b. Growing up I got to stay on the farm with him many nights. he taught me to plow with a horse drawn plow. Planting though was his domain.
c. I remember one incident as if it were yesterday, Dicky Lewis, The preacher's son and I had spent the night. We had played in the fields and ridden the horses and as we walked past the tomatoes there were some that were rotten and lying on the ground - before you know it we were in a massive rotten tomato battle. Soon the rotten ones were used up and we turned to those still on the vine. What happened next was not a pretty sight - My grandfather whipped both of us all over the garden - I remember when he told the preacher what happened and his response - the preacher said, "Clyde, when Dicky is here and needs it, whip him like your own."
d. That day I learned a very clear and valuable lesson - You do not create havoc in the garden. I hate to think that I have anything in common with the Devil but I do. Satan learned the same lesson: Don't mess around with a garden - especially a garden that belongs to the Father
I. STORY OF TWO GARDENS
a. Bible is a story of two gardens, Eden and Gethsemane.
1. In the first Adam took a fall - In the second Jesus took a stand
2. In Eden God sought Adam - In Gethsemane Jesus sought God
3. In Eden Adam hid from God - In Gethsemane Jesus emerged from the tomb
4. In Eden Satan led Adam to a tree that led to his death - In Gethsemane Jesus went to a tree that led to our life
II. WHAT HAPPENED IN EDEN
a. Satan was never invited into Eden - He did not belong there and was not wanted there
1. He slithered in as a snake and infected God's children
b. That's all he has done since - Hasn't he entered some of your holy gardens
c. Think with me about some holy places he has infected
1. We call it "Holy Matrimony" - The first wedding took place in the first garden - It was God's idea and ideal for mankind - that makes no difference to the devil. He snakes his way into every home with one desire - to destroy
2. Sexual intimacy is God's gift - Virginity is a rose plucked from the garden, given by God, and to be shared with your forever partner - Satan mocks such loyalty - He is the father of incest and abuse - The author of immorality - the pimp of the garden
3. In personal relationships we make promises to be a good parent, loyal friend, faithful companion, honest worker - Satan's head turns when he hears a pledge - The father of lies smirks as he says, "We'll see about that."
4. To God a child is holy - There was never a moment when Jesus turned away a child - but there has never been a child that Satan didn't despise
a. He was killing babies to kill Moses - He was killing babies to kill Christ - His tactics haven't changed - Millions of babies are still aborted and thousands are abused - Jesus said Satan "was a murderer from the beginning"
5. Is there any realm untouched by Satan
a. The Church - look at discord and fussing
b. The Government - abuses of power - corruption
c. Purity - Are there real virtues any longer
6. You and I are called holy - We were set apart to be holy - Prized flowers in God's garden - Not one of us have been spared by the intruder
III. WHAT HAPPENED IN GETHSEMANE
a. What Satan did in Eden he does today and for that reason we need to know what Jesus did in Gethsemane. He does today
b. Let's look at what happened in Gethsemane
1. Satan planned a mighty coup - He recruited muscle from each significant group in the drama - Romans, Jews, Apostles
a. "Group of soldiers" Word used indicates a minimum of 200
b. "some guards" Temple police - the finest the Jews had
c. "Judas" one of Jesus' own
2. Satan had every base covered and Jesus had no route to escape
3. Jesus had no desire to run - He had not come to the garden to retreat - What the guard found was no coward but rather a conqueror
4. These approach and yet standing close do not recognize Jesus
a. When He reveals himself - all the guard fall down - like dominos - The finest in the land fall at a word from the Savior
b. Don't miss the symbolism here - "When Jesus speaks Satan falls"
5. Jesus again asks "Whom do you seek" When they answer he says, "If it is me then let the others go"
6. Here Satan has entered another Garden - but here God stands and Satan doesn't have a prayer
IV. LESSONS FROM THE GARDEN
a. Satan falls in the presence of Christ
b. Satan is silent in the proclamation of Christ - can only speak when invited - before Christ Satan has nothing to say
c. Satan is powerless against the protection of Christ - Jesus protected those with Him and continues to do the same
d. When Jesus says he will keep you safe - He means it. Hell will have to get through Him to get to you.
e. That is the message of the meal Jesus shared with His disciples just before He went to Gethsemane
1. He gave them something to help them remember
a. He gave them bread - His body broken - payment for sin
SHARE THE BREAD
b. He gave them the cup - His blood - the new covenant of grace and faith - eternal life - forgiveness of sin
SHARE THE CUP
f. One last question - Has Satan invaded a garden in your life
1. Has he profaned your marriage, purity, honesty - Has he taken away from you a rose God gave - Let Jesus claim it back today
BOW IN PRAYER
HYMN # 511 "VICTORY IN JESUS"