The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil – Genesis 2:8-3:24

1. The abundance of…

“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

“You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.” (Psalm 104:14-15)

“Too often we cultivate an austere view of God. We think of him as a close-fisted deity, who distributes gifts only sparingly and grudgingly, and reserves the best portions for himself. But the God of the Bible is not a miserly God. He does not hoard for himself. His liberality radiates outward like the rays of the sun, like water rushing from a geyser. He is a self-giving God, constantly pouring himself into creation.” (Tim Savage)

“Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11)

2. The necessity of…

2.A. God was not withholding…

2.B. God’s commands are…

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:15-19)

2.C. Our relationship with God is defined by…

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)

3. The effects of…

3.A. Our relationship…

3.B. Our relationships…

3.C. Our relationship…

3.D. Our access to…