September 1, 2024 • Jeff Lee • Revelation 22, Genesis 2—3
Who wants to live forever? The Bible tells us that we were designed to live and dwell with God forever. The Tree of Life was a gift of God given to God’s people so they might enjoy an everlasting relationship with him in perfect harmony. But what happened to the Tree of Life that was placed in the Garden of Eden? Why don’t we have access to it now? Will we regain access to it? Reading Genesis 2-3 and Revelation 22 will reveal God's plan. There is light up ahead but sometimes it can be hard to see living in a dark world. In Christ, creation will be regained and paradise lost will be found. Join us at http://cefc.church
The Tree That Needs Help
August 25, 2024 • Shad Baker • Luke 13:6–9
People often wonder if God is impatient and violent toward people. In response to this question, Jesus told a story about a fig tree that did not bear fruit. Rather than cut down the unfruitful tree, time and care were given to the tree so that it might become fruitful. God takes that same response toward us. He gives us time and encouragement to be spiritually fruitful. However, Jesus gives a clear warning that God’s time and patience have an expiration date. How are we responding to God’s encouragement to be fruitful? Are we showing others the patience and encouragement that God has given us? This passage calls us to godly fruitfulness. Join us at http://cefc.church
The Tree Recognized By Its Fruit
August 18, 2024 • Trevor Steele • Matthew 7:15–20
In Matthew 7, as part of Jesus' teachings, he warns that false teachers pose a serious threat to a healthy Christian life. He uses the example of trees as a way to recognize such teachers. By using trees, he contrasts healthy, good fruit-bearing trees with diseased, bad fruit-bearing trees. We will bear good fruit as we build our lives on the teachings of Christ, who always provides God's truth and wisdom. By doing so, we will be able to discern false teachers and avoid being misled. Join us at http://cefc.church
The Tree Planted By Streams Of Water
August 11, 2024 • Shad Baker • Psalm 1
In Psalm 1, we encounter two paths: one leading to life and spiritual prosperity, the other to death and emptiness. The psalm contrasts chaff, which is blown away by the wind, with a tree planted by streams of water, flourishing and bearing fruit. This imagery presents us with a choice: will we be like the chaff, lifeless and fleeting, or like the tree, deeply rooted and fruitful?
The progression of sin is depicted as walking, standing, and sitting with the wicked—leading to a fruitless life that ultimately perishes. In contrast, righteousness is a reverse progression: sitting in Christ, standing firm in God’s Word, and walking in the Spirit, resulting in a life that prospers. Join us at http://cefc.churc
The blessed person delights in God's law, meditates on it, and avoids the counsel of the wicked. This person finds true rest and fulfillment in Christ, the only one who has perfectly resisted sin. The choice before us is clear: to embrace a life rooted in Christ, like the tree by the streams, or to drift away like the dust in the wind.
The Tree Of The Knowledge Of Good And Evil
August 4, 2024 • Shad Baker • Genesis 2
The book of Genesis begins with two people standing in the midst of a garden before two trees: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. These trees represent a choice: to trust God or to turn away. This choice is just as relevant to us today. We face the same decision: to trust God's word or not. It's a simple choice with profound consequences—life or death, both physical and spiritual, hanging in the balance.
Like the first people in the garden, we often find ourselves tempted to doubt God's goodness and choose what He has forbidden. When we make that choice, we need a cure for the consequences of our sin. That cure is found in Christ, who was crucified on a tree for our sake. The Bible begins with a tree and a choice and ends with a tree of healing. So, the question is: what tree will you choose? Join us at http://cefc.church
