The Garden of Church

By Apostle Aje Pelser

(Preached at Clarion Call Church 7/11/09 and Harvester Reformational Church 14/11/09)

Reading the account of the Garden of Eden one sees may parallels between a garden and a church that will enrich our communion with God.

 Read through the first 3 chapters of Genesis to get the background –  I have highlighted these scriptures:

Genesis 1:2         God’s Spirit is potrayed as brooding or incubating over creation

Genesis 1:26-30  Man is made in God’s image; blessed; provided for; fruitful

Genesis 2:2         Rest was implemented

Genesis 2:7          God forms man… Jesus was also formed in Mary, God breathed His Spirit into Adam – Jesus also received the Holy Spirit at baptism; Church also filled with God’s breath at Pentecost – a mighty rushing wind

Genesis 2:8         God plants a garden

Genesis 2:15      Man placed in the garden, to tend and keep it; instructions given

Genesis 2:21-25 A helper comparable to Adam – Eve; picture of communion of marriage; refer to Christ and Church. (Rev. 21:9-11; Eph. 5:25,26)

Genesis 3:22      Tree of life guarded after fall of man…

Dominion

Dominion over nature was give to Adam, but lost through sin. In Christ we will rule and reign in the new heaven and earth. Now we start to gain ascendency over the fleshly nature, spiritual forces of wickedness, and we regain our spiritual dominion. Nature is groaning for the revealing of the true sons of God again, because wickedness has destroyed the earth. But we see a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells.

Stewardship

Eph 3:2  if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, Eph 3:3  how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, Eph 3:4  by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),Eph 3:9  and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; Eph 3:10  to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,Stewardship (dispensation) oikonomia G3622oy-kon-om -ee'-ahFrom G3623; administration (of a household or estate); specifically a (religious) “economy”: – dispensation, stewardship.

As Adam had responsibilities so we carry responsibility in God’s kingdom, but specifically the garden of Church! Apostle Paul understood the stewardship of hte mystery of hte fellowship of Church, and described it in various ways, including the mystery of marriage.

Provision

Everything Adam needed was in the garden.

A church reveals God’s provision like no other entity on earth. If we see each other according to the spirit, know each other according to the spirit, it reveals the riches of the inheritance of the saints. There is so much wealth in regarding others higher than self and drawing from the grace in a person’s life. It’s not just about money. It is about taking a sincere interest in ordinary people that reveals the extraordinary!

In the Book of Acts no one lacked because people looked after each and the apostles distributed as needed.

Act 4:31  And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Act 4:32  Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. Act 4:33  And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Act 4:34  Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,

Act 4:35  and laid <