Genesis 2:4–15 Building Strong Hearts, Cultivating Deep Life!

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 thistles for you, and you will eat the plants 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 thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.” [TNIV]

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

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 …. 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…. “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 I DO GOOD THINGS, my life is productive! The key is … when I DO GOOD THINGS, my life is productive!

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…. “... 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, 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….

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 Garden with Adam. God shared this Garden with Adam. supplied the seeds to be planted. expected Adam to do the work and take care of that Garden.

God will not be pleased IF we just sit there! God will not be pleased IF we just sit there!

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 in his 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 in his 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 abound in every good work.” 9 As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad 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 abound in every good work.” 9 As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad 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]

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, ….

…. 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]