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THE CHRISTIANS TREE: HOSEA 14:8 Introduction The Celts: Celtic tribes worshiped the "tree of immortality" Leaves never die Color remains green The Romans: the Romans covered evergreens with gifts and decorations during the festival, "Saturnalia." The Germans: it is believed the Germans imposed Christian symbolism on this tradition. The Normands: the medieval French play, Le Jeu d'Adam (1165), tells the story of creation. The first evidence of Christian symbolism dates back to this play. One stage prop was the "paradise tree," a fir tree hung with apples The play closed with the prophetic promise of Christ The tree was subsequently presented during Advent as the promise of the coming Christ. The European symbolism: the tree began to be used in people's personal celebration of Christmas around the 16th century. The tree: the cross The bulbs (apples): sin The lights (candles): humans carrying Christ's light The star: star guiding the wise men The Americans: The Germans and other European immigrants imported the tradition. I. THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL A. Accessibility to all (free will) Gn. 2:9 B. Limited freedom (all but one) Gn. 2:16,17 1. Decision to be a voluntary slave Gn. 3:3 2. Agreement to obey His wishes. 3. Renouncement of knowing evil C. Temptation and fall (man's weakness) Gn. 3:6 D. Confrontation (focus on the sin) Gn. 3:11 E. Consequence of sin (price to pay) Gn. 3:17 II. THE TREE OF SACRIFICE A. The new tree The world's counterfeit 1. Symbol of beauty: True nature ornamented 2. Pleasure: Life for me 3. Compromise: An improved self-life 4. Success theology: Outer blessing: materialism 5. Good will: Respect and acceptability B. The old tree The biblical original 1. Thing of death: True nature exposed Ac. 5:30 2. Accusation: Repentance Ac. 10:39 3. End of old life: Beginning of new life Ac. 13:29 4. Curse: Inner blessing: spirituality Ga. 3:13 5. Wounds: Healing I Pe. 2:24 III. THE FRUIT-BEARING TREE A. Its nature: First, be Christ-like Mt. 7:17-19 1. It is reflected by its fruit. Mt. 12:33 2. It may not be immediately recognized. B. Its fruit: Then, do Christ-like works Lk. 6:43-44 1. Results come from our nature 2. Human effort does before it is. 3. Spiritual effort is before it does. C. Its grafted branches: Non-Jewish Christians Rm. 11:24 D. Its look-alike: Nominal Christians 1. The artificial tree 2. The cosmetic appearance 3. The outer change without the inner reality IV. THE TREE OF LIFE A. Accessibility 1. Originally destined for everyone Gn. 2:9 2. Destined for those who need healing Re. 22:2 3. Given to those who overcome Re. 2:7 4. Given to those who wash their robes Re. 22:14 B. Non-accessibility 1. To those knowing good and evil Gn. 3:22,24 CONCLUSION God is like our Christmas Tree should be. Ho. 14:8 The forgiveness for our theft comes from Him. The sacrifice for our condamnation comes from Him. The fruitfulness of our lives comes from Him. The gift of eternal life for our faith comes from Him. What kind of tree are you putting up for Christmas? Accept the tree of sacrifice. Be the fruit-bearing tree. Taste the tree of life. |