Genesis 2:4–15 Genesis 2:4–15

Building Strong Hearts, Cultivating Deep Life!

Building Strong Hearts, Cultivating Deep Life!

Genesis 3:17b-18…. Genesis 3:17b-18….

“17b … Cursed is the ground because of you; through

painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistlesfor you, and you will eat theplants of the field.” [TNIV]

“17b … Cursed is the ground because of you; through

painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistlesfor you, and you will eat theplants of the field.” [TNIV]

… because Eden was literally“a garden of pleasure.” … because Eden was literally“a garden of pleasure.”

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But there was work that has to be done. Genesis 2:15 says….

But there was work that has to be done. Genesis 2:15 says….

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden

to work it and take care of it.”

[TNIV]

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden

to work it and take care of it.”

[TNIV]

Adam was placed in the Garden ….

Adam was placed in the Garden ….

• To WORK.

• To be PRODUCTIVE.

• To do something

worthwhile with his life.

• To WORK.

• To be PRODUCTIVE.

• To do something

worthwhile with his life.

Ephesians 2:10…. Ephesians 2:10….

“For we are God’s

workmanship, created in

Christ Jesus to do good

works, which God prepared

in advance for us to do.”

[TNIV]

“For we are God’s

workmanship, created in

Christ Jesus to do good

works, which God prepared

in advance for us to do.”

[TNIV]

i) God CREATED Adam in His own image.

ii) God PREPARED something for Adam

to do.

The key is … when IDO GOOD THINGS,

my life is productive!

The key is … when IDO GOOD THINGS,

my life is productive!

Genesis 1:27-28…. Genesis 1:27-28….

“27 God created man in His

own image, in the image of

God He created him; male

and female He created them.

28 God blessed them; and

God said to them, ….

“27 God created man in His

own image, in the image of

God He created him; male

and female He created them.

28 God blessed them; and

God said to them, ….

…. ‘Be fruitful and multiply,

and fill the earth, and

subdue it; and rule over the

fish of the sea and over the

birds of the sky and over

every living thing that moves

on the earth.’ ”[NASB]

…. ‘Be fruitful and multiply,

and fill the earth, and

subdue it; and rule over the

fish of the sea and over the

birds of the sky and over

every living thing that moves

on the earth.’ ”[NASB]

God expects us to live

our lives as Christians.

He gives us little gardens

of responsibility to teach us

how to be faithful.

God expects us to live

our lives as Christians.

He gives us little gardens

of responsibility to teach us

how to be faithful.

Matthew 10:42…. Matthew 10:42….

“... if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of

these little ones who is known to be my disciple,

truly I tell you, that person will certainly

be rewarded." [TNIV]

“... if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of

these little ones who is known to be my disciple,

truly I tell you, that person will certainly

be rewarded." [TNIV]

even in the smallest of

things is important to God, because – if we are

obedient in the small things

– we can be trusted with

bigger responsibilities.

even in the smallest of

things is important to God, because – if we are

obedient in the small things

– we can be trusted with

bigger responsibilities.

America poet, authorAmerica poet, author

“Nobody can do everything,

but everybody can do

something, and

if everybody does

something,

everything will get done.”

“Nobody can do everything,

but everybody can do

something, and

if everybody does

something,

everything will get done.”

& songwriter once observed….& songwriter once observed….

Genesis 2:15…. Genesis 2:15….

“The LORD God took the

man and put him in the

Garden of Eden to work it

and take care of it.”[TNIV]

“The LORD God took the

man and put him in the

Garden of Eden to work it

and take care of it.”[TNIV]

God shared this Gardenwith Adam.

God shared this Gardenwith Adam.

supplied the seeds to be planted.

supplied the seeds to be planted.

expected Adam to do the work and take care of that Garden.

expected Adam to do the work and take care of that Garden.

God will not be pleasedIF we just sit there!

God will not be pleasedIF we just sit there!

2 Corinthians 9:6-10…. 2 Corinthians 9:6-10….

“6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows

generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should

give what he has decided inhis heart to give, not reluctantly or under

compulsion, ….

“6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows

generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should

give what he has decided inhis heart to give, not reluctantly or under

compulsion, ….

…. for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly (make all grace

abound to you), so that in all things at all times, having all

that you need, you will aboundin every good work.” 9 As it is

written: ‘He has scatteredabroad his gifts to the poor; ….

…. for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly (make all grace

abound to you), so that in all things at all times, having all

that you need, you will aboundin every good work.” 9 As it is

written: ‘He has scatteredabroad his gifts to the poor; ….

…. his righteousness endures forever.’ 10 Now he who

supplies seed to the sower and bread for food (we’re

sharecropping with Him) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge

the harvest of your righteousness.” [TNIV]

…. his righteousness endures forever.’ 10 Now he who

supplies seed to the sower and bread for food (we’re

sharecropping with Him) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge

the harvest of your righteousness.” [TNIV]

1 Corinthians 3:11-15…. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15….

“11 For no one can lay any

foundation other than the one

already laid, which is Jesus

Christ. 12 If anyone builds on

this foundation using gold, ….

“11 For no one can lay any

foundation other than the one

already laid, which is Jesus

Christ. 12 If anyone builds on

this foundation using gold, ….

…. silver, costly stones, wood,

hay or straw, 13 their work

will be shown for what it is,

because the Day will bring it

to light. It will be revealed

with fire, and the fire will test

the quality of each person’s

work. 14 If what he has built

survives, ….

…. silver, costly stones, wood,

hay or straw, 13 their work

will be shown for what it is,

because the Day will bring it

to light. It will be revealed

with fire, and the fire will test

the quality of each person’s

work. 14 If what he has built

survives, ….

…. he will receive his reward.

15 If it is burned up, the

builder (he) will suffer loss

but yet (he himself) will be

saved – even though (but

only) as one escaping

through the flames.” [TNIV]

…. he will receive his reward.

15 If it is burned up, the

builder (he) will suffer loss

but yet (he himself) will be

saved – even though (but

only) as one escaping

through the flames.” [TNIV]