What would Jesus say about your garden?

Psalm 139:23–24 KJV 1900

I23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Title: What would Jesus say about your garden?

My grandfather always had huge, magnificent gardens…

When you got to Grandpa’s, if the weather was nice, the first thing that was done - before you even went in the house - you got a tour of the garden… what was being grown. What was doing well. What was not.

I preached a couple weeks ago in our Unity service and asked the question: What is growing in your garden?

We looked at scripture and saw how focused on growing things that God is… the first thing he did was plant a garden and then plan man in the garden to grow not only plants but themselves.

I build the scriptural case where not only is God the great gardener, the pastor and five fold ministry in our lives are gardeners, BUT we are the first gardener… the most important gardener…

IS ME! I am the one that decides what grows in our garden!

I feel God is asking us some questions about our gardens… AND I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS THIS MORNING!

If God came walking through our gardens, would he like what he sees growing?

Before we ask what should we do, we must ask what is happening?

What is God seeing?

In Rev 2-3 God takes a stroll through the churches and observes good and bad

Ephesus: worked hard, doctrinal discernment and rejected false prophets BUT left their first love COMMANDED to remember, repent and return.

Smyrna: faithful, spiritually rich while physically poor BUT had no rebuke COMMANDED to continue in faith.

What would Jesus correct if he walked through TLC? What would he be happy with?

Where have we left our first love while keeping our routines?

Are we faithful—or merely going through the motions?

Is God pleased with our spirit, our actions, our lives?

Homework: We need to read Eph 4 do a checkup on ourselves!

Are we walking worthy of our vocation?

By whose power are we operating?

“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit…” (Zech 4:6)

Are we truly serving God —or managing religious experiences?

Do our services require the Holy Ghost —or could they function without Him?

When was the last time we waited on God - NO OTHER PLAN?

Are altar moments moments for response or just part of the agenda?

Do we leave and do what has been taught? Or forget by the start of the workday Monday?

Have we replaced prayer with planning?

Proverbs 3:5–6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.”

When trust leaves, performance always fills the gap.

More Questions…

What are we unwilling to risk?

Are we protecting people from discomfort—or leading them into repentance and transformation?

Questions of Doctrine

2 Timothy 1:14 “14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”

Are we preaching the whole counsel of God or curated truths?

Where have we softened truth to avoid tension?

Are we forming disciples or church attenders?

Is repentance still normal? Does it lead to change?

Are people learning to discern God’s voice?

Are they responding to it?

A church that avoids conviction will eventually avoid conversion.

Questions of Holiness

“Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

Is holiness modeled from the pulpit and leadership?

Is holiness lived in the pew?

Do we preach victory over sin—or just forgiveness of it?

Are people being delivered, healed, restored?

Is spiritual authority evident—or just charisma?

Is the fear of the Lord present?

Questions of Love and Shepherding

“Do you love Me? Feed My sheep.” (John 21)

Do you recognize when brothers and sisters are abssent?

Do you do anything about it or assume pastor will?

Who is quietly drifting without pursuit?

Are leaders shepherding or supervising?

Do we protect the wounded or the gifted?

Are difficult conversations avoided or embraced?

Questions of the Next Generation (Legacy)

“We will tell the next generation…” (Ps 78:4)

Are young people inheriting life and excitement, or complacency and apathy?

Do they see authenticity role models or hypocrisy?

Are we training them to have a relationship with God or just behave?

Who is intentionally pouring into them?

What spiritual DNA are we passing on?

Programs don’t raise disciples—spiritual fathers and mothers do.

Questions of Obedience and Cost

“Take up your cross…” (Luke 9:23)

What has God clearly asked us to do that we haven’t done?

What would obedience cost us—reputation, finances, comfort?

Are we willing to decrease so Christ increases?

Are we choosing what is safe over what is right?

If revival came, would our systems support it—or resist it?

Revival disrupts everything it touches.

Questions of Eternal Measure

“What will last?” (1 Cor 3:13)

What are we building that heaven recognizes?

What would still matter if persecution came?

Are we preparing people to stand—or just attend?

Are we equipping saints for suffering, not just success?

If this year were our last, would we change anything?

Eternity exposes urgency.

The Most Dangerous Question

What if we do nothing different this year?

Will prayer increase?

Will holiness deepen?

Will boldness rise?

Will God’s glory be more evident?

If not—why not?