GARDENING AND GUARDING (5 OF 15)
by Zach Terry
Scripture: Colossians 1:28-29, Colossians 2:1-5
This content is part of a series.
Gardening and Guarding (5 of 15)
Series: Colossians
Zach Terry
Colossians 1:28-2:5
Throughout the Word of God we see a dichotomy of work -
- Adam was commissioned by the Creator to both WORK the garden and to KEEP it.
- What is the difference between working and keeping the garden?
- WORK emphasizes the aggressive, optimistic, forward leaning work of the gardner wherein he plants, waters, irrigates, fertilizes in anticipation of the harvest.
- KEEP emphasizes the defensive posture of the gardner wherein he knows that weeds are present and must be dealt with. There are unwelcome visitors that will invade the garden and someone must drive them away.
You see Eden was only one small garden and Adam was given the commission of spreading Eden over the whole of the habitable earth. Outside the garden was an unruly wilderness waiting to be tamed.
- So Adam had to be both a Gardener AND a Guardian of Eden. He failed in the 2nd category - unable to guard the garden from the satanic influence of the serpent.
We see this same paradigm carried throughout the Word of God.
- David was the Shepherd of Israel leading the flock to greener pastures. But as a good shepherd at times he had to take up sling and kill the lion, the bear, and the occasional giant. Circumstances demanded he do the work of a Gardener as well as a Guardian of Israel.
- Nehemiah instructed the people to take up both the SWORD and the TROWL. Oh that we could build unhindered - but the enemy would not allow it. So every wall builder had to also be a warrior. They had to BUILD and BATTLE. Garden and Gaurd.
This same principle carries over into the ministry of the local church.
- Like Adam - Pastor's and Leaders must plant seeds and pull weeds.
- Like David - We must feed the flock and drive out the wolf.
- Like Nehemiah - We need every member wielding the sword of the spirit as well as the Gospel Trowel.
Colossians 1:28 - 2:10 is Paul's first century attempt ...
Series: Colossians
Zach Terry
Colossians 1:28-2:5
Throughout the Word of God we see a dichotomy of work -
- Adam was commissioned by the Creator to both WORK the garden and to KEEP it.
- What is the difference between working and keeping the garden?
- WORK emphasizes the aggressive, optimistic, forward leaning work of the gardner wherein he plants, waters, irrigates, fertilizes in anticipation of the harvest.
- KEEP emphasizes the defensive posture of the gardner wherein he knows that weeds are present and must be dealt with. There are unwelcome visitors that will invade the garden and someone must drive them away.
You see Eden was only one small garden and Adam was given the commission of spreading Eden over the whole of the habitable earth. Outside the garden was an unruly wilderness waiting to be tamed.
- So Adam had to be both a Gardener AND a Guardian of Eden. He failed in the 2nd category - unable to guard the garden from the satanic influence of the serpent.
We see this same paradigm carried throughout the Word of God.
- David was the Shepherd of Israel leading the flock to greener pastures. But as a good shepherd at times he had to take up sling and kill the lion, the bear, and the occasional giant. Circumstances demanded he do the work of a Gardener as well as a Guardian of Israel.
- Nehemiah instructed the people to take up both the SWORD and the TROWL. Oh that we could build unhindered - but the enemy would not allow it. So every wall builder had to also be a warrior. They had to BUILD and BATTLE. Garden and Gaurd.
This same principle carries over into the ministry of the local church.
- Like Adam - Pastor's and Leaders must plant seeds and pull weeds.
- Like David - We must feed the flock and drive out the wolf.
- Like Nehemiah - We need every member wielding the sword of the spirit as well as the Gospel Trowel.
Colossians 1:28 - 2:10 is Paul's first century attempt ...
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