Grace Baptist Church, KS

09/07/2026

CREED, noun [This word seems to have been introduced by the use of the Latin credo, I believe, at the beginning of the Apostles creed or brief system of Christian faith. See creed ]
1. A brief summary of the articles of Christian faith; a symbol; as the Apostolic creed
2. That which is believed; any system of principles which are believed or professed; as a political creed CONFES'SION, noun
1. The acknowledgment of a crime, fault or something to one's disadvantage; open declaration of guilt, failure, debt, accusation, etc.
With the mouth confession is made to salvation. Romans 10:10.
2. Avowal; the act of acknowledging; profession.
Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession 1 Timothy 6:13.
3. The act of disclosing sins or faults to a priest; the disburdening of the conscience privately to a confessor; sometimes called auricular confession
4. A formulary in which the articles of faith are comprised; a creed to be assented to or signed, as a preliminary to admission into a church.
5. The acknowledgment of a debt by a debtor before a justice of the peace, etc., on which judgment is entered and ex*****on issued.
FORM'ULARY, noun [from Latin formula.]
1. A book containing stated and prescribed forms, as of oaths, declarations, prayers and the like; a book of precedents.
2. Prescribed form.

Verbal Inspiration
Virgin Birth
Vicarious Suffering
Victorious Resurrection
Visible Return

Mark 8:27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? [28] And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. [29] And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. [30] And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. [31] And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. [69] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Bible School 6 September 2026

09/06/2026

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. [2] It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. [3] Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. [4] As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. [5] Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Sunday 6 September 2026

08/31/2026

Keep Calm and Carry On

Bible School 30 August 2026

08/30/2026

John 6 begins with a miracle of multiplied bread and ends with a crisis of discipleship. The chapter moves from physical hunger to spiritual hunger, from signs to saving faith, and from popular enthusiasm to costly commitment. Jesus feeds the multitude, walks on the sea, confronts shallow motives, declares Himself the Bread from heaven, promises resurrection life, and calls for a faith that receives Him fully. In light of John 1:14, the Bread of Life discourse is also an incarnation sermon: the living Word was made flesh, and that flesh is given for the life of the world. The crowd wants bread for the body, but Jesus offers Himself as Bread for the soul. They want a king who satisfies immediate desires, but He reveals Himself as the Son sent by the Father to give eternal life.
The central revelation is that Jesus is not merely a giver of bread; He is the Bread. He is greater than Moses, greater than manna, greater than every temporary provision. To come to Him is to never hunger; to believe in Him is to never thirst. His flesh given for the life of the world points forward to His sacrificial death, and His promise to raise believers at the last day shows that He gives life that death cannot overcome. John 6 therefore exposes every inadequate reason for seeking Jesus and invites hearers to receive Him as the only true source of eternal life.

Because Jesus is the Bread of Life, every hearer must move beyond seeking what He can provide and come to Him for who He is: the living Word made flesh, the Bread of God sent from heaven, the Savior given for the world, and the Lord whose words alone are spirit, life, and eternal hope.
Text: John 6:11, 23

Big Idea: Thanksgiving is not a decorative religious habit but an act of faith that recognizes the Father as the source, receives the present provision with trust, and prepares the heart to see Christ multiply what seems insufficient.

Twice in John 6, the chapter remembers that Jesus gave thanks: once before the miracle of multiplication and once when the place of provision is described as the place where “the Lord had given thanks” (John 6:23).

1. Giving thanks recognizes the true Source — Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks before the increase was visible, showing that provision begins with the Father, not with the size of the supply (John 6:11).
2. Giving thanks receives the present provision by faith — Five loaves and two small fishes looked inadequate, but thanksgiving treated the little as a gift already in God’s hands.
3. Giving thanks precedes multiplication — The thanksgiving came before the distribution and before the fragments were gathered, teaching that gratitude is faith before sight.
4. Giving thanks marks the place of miracle — John later identifies the location as the place where they ate bread “after that the Lord had given thanks” (John 6:23), showing that thanksgiving left a spiritual memory on the moment.
5. Giving thanks points beyond the bread to Christ — The greatest gift is not the multiplied loaves but the Bread of Life Himself, who teaches grateful dependence on the Father.

Jesus distributed to the disciples to minister unto the multitude. He does the same with the Word. The true bread of life. The believers receive and are expected, after they have eaten and benefited, to pass along with joy the blessings among the people without being aliens to the commonwealth of faith. Following the Pattern of Giving Thanks. Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Application: Give thanks before the increase is visible, trusting the Father with what seems small and looking beyond the provision to Christ Himself.

John 6 is remembered for multiplied bread, the stormy sea, the Bread of Life discourse, and the crisis of discipleship. Yet tucked inside this chapter is a quiet but powerful emphasis: Jesus gave thanks. John tells us that “Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples” (John 6:11). Later, when the location is described again, John calls it the place “where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks” (John 6:23). The miracle is not remembered only as the place where bread increased; it is remembered as the place where the Lord gave thanks.

That matters because Jesus gave thanks before the need looked solved. The multitude was still hungry. The disciples were still limited. The loaves were still few. Andrew had already asked, “What are they among so many?” (John 6:9). But Jesus did not wait until the baskets were full to give thanks. He gave thanks while the provision still looked insufficient. Thanksgiving, in the hands of Jesus, was not denial of the need; it was confidence in the Father.

There is real power in giving thanks because thanksgiving recognizes the true Source. The bread did not begin with the boy, though the boy offered it. It did not begin with the disciples, though they distributed it. It did not begin with the crowd, though they received it. Provision begins with God. When Jesus gave thanks, He lifted the moment above human limitation and placed it under divine sufficiency.

Giving thanks also receives the present provision by faith. Gratitude does not say, “This is already enough in my hands.” Gratitude says, “This is from God, and in His hands it is enough for His purpose.” The five loaves and two small fishes did not become impressive before Jesus thanked the Father. They became useful because they were received, blessed, and distributed according to the will of Christ.

Giving thanks precedes multiplication. John is careful with the order: Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and then distributed (John 6:11). Many people want to give thanks after the answer, after the increase, after the evidence, after the baskets are full. But faith learns to thank God before sight catches up. Thanksgiving becomes a confession that the Father is good, even while the visible supply still seems small.
Giving thanks marks the place of miracle. John 6:23 does not just say the people ate bread there. It says they ate bread there “after that the Lord had given thanks”. That detail turns gratitude into a memorial. The place was remembered by the Lord’s thanksgiving. A thankful heart does the same in our lives: it marks ordinary places as holy reminders of God’s provision.

Finally, giving thanks points beyond the bread to Christ. If we stop at the loaves, we miss the Lord. The same Jesus who thanked the Father before multiplying bread would later declare, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). The highest form of thanksgiving is not merely gratitude for what Christ gives, but worship for who Christ is. He is the Bread of God, the true Bread from heaven, the living Bread who gives life to the world.

Practice thanksgiving before the increase is visible. Give thanks with little in your hands. Give thanks when the need is larger than the resource. Give thanks when the crowd is many, and the loaves are few. Thanksgiving does not make God faithful; it confesses that He already is. And in John 6, the place of insufficiency became the place of abundance because the Bread of Life stood there, gave thanks, and revealed the Father’s glory.

Sunday 30 August 2026Bread

08/24/2026

John 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. [65] And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. [66] From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. [67] Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? [68] Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. [69] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
I generally do NOT like to lead off with questions, but in this case it is needful to engage our minds in the process of discovering a Bible definition for two distinct pieces of information within this text; first, who are these disciples that went back and walked no more with Jesus (what, if any, was their relationship to Christ or did they have a living relationship at all); and second, what is the right word to apply to these people that went back and walked no more with Jesus? Adam (Humanity) parted company with God when they ate the fruit of the tree that was set apart by God. Adam separated himself from God because of his own disobedience. God affirmed Adam’s choice in judgment for the sin. Humanity as a whole departed from a relationship with God in the person of Adam.
These Disciples that went back and walked no more with Him had, at best, only a passing fancy for Christ, as He said, “Because ye ate of the loaves and were filled.” They never committed to anything beyond themselves and their bellies. It was the Fad to follow this itinerant preacher from Nazareth in Galilee. Much like mission work today, the Church is moved with pictures and testimonies of things unimaginable, but then the missionary leaves and everything returns to normal. There is no real commitment. Truly, there is only a short-lived emotional response; here today and gone tomorrow.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: [13] (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. [14] Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. [15] But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. [16] And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. [17] For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) [18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. [19] For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. [20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: [21] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
DISCIPLE, noun [Latin , to learn.]
1. A learner; a scholar; one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another; as the disciples of Plato.
2. A follower; an adherent to the doctrines of another. Hence the constant attendants of Christ were called his disciples; and hence all Christians are called his disciples, as they profess to learn and receive his doctrines and precepts.

Bible School 23 August 2026Bread

08/23/2026

John 6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? [61] When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? [62] What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? [63] It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. [64] But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. [65] And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. [66] From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. [67] Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? [68] Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. [69] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. [70] Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? [71] He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. [35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. [36] And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. [37] He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. [39] He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. [40] He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
His disciples said this is an hard saying
His disciples murmured
The dividing line
The Spirit quickeneth
The Words they are Spirit, and they are Life
No man can come except IT were given unto him of my Father
Peter’s confession of FAITH (Forsaking All I Trust Him)
Thou hast the words of eternal life.
We believe and are sure
That thou art that Christ,
The Son of the living God

Faith is a gift. You are not born with a little spark. You are born with a big hole. The only thing that can fill the hole is God, and that by faith. And we know faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. John 1:14, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth." The Bible definition of the word Faith is found in Hebrews 11, and it states simply that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." It is the material part, that which you have to hang on to of your expectation. Not of desire or wishes or of thoughts, but of what you know by what you have. You have the word of God, and it is the evidence of things not seen. He said it and that settles it. I cannot see it with my eyes, but I see clearly through his word.


The Dividing Line
Many of His disciples said, “This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” They murmured because they understood not the spiritual meaning of His words. Jesus answered, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
This is the dividing line. No man can come unto Christ except it be given him of the Father. Yet Peter confessed the truth: “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” “We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Faith is a gift of God. It is not a little spark in man by nature. By nature, man has a great want, and only God can fill it. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines faith as “that confidence in God and in His word, which leads to obedience.” Thus, faith is not mere opinion or wishful thought, but firm reliance upon the truth of God.
We do not walk by sight, but by faith. We may not see with the eye, yet we see clearly through His word. He hath spoken it, and that settles it.

Sunday 23 August 2026Bread Series

08/21/2026

The Bible is not pro choice. The Bible is pro life. The facts published here make it clear Hamilton is not on the same side as God.

United Methodist Church Pastor Adam Hamilton has released his views on four major policy issues as he seeks election to the U S Senate

08/17/2026

Preparing for elections

While Republicans deliver secure borders, a stronger economy, safer streets, and renewed American strength - Democrats are surrendering to the far left, communism, and much worse.From their dangerous policies to their radical candidates, we are giving voters a clear choice this election with one cle...

08/17/2026

Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: [23] Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. [24] So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. [14] For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. [15] She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. [16] Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. [17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. [18] She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. [19] The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Jesus is the Tree of Life
John 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. [26] For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; [27] And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. [28] Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, [29] And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
John 11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. [24] Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. [25] Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? [27] She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. [2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. [3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Jesus is the Tree of Life
Theme: The Pattern of the Tree of Life spanning from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus Christ as the source of eternal life, wisdom, and spiritual fruitfulness.
Key Definitions from Webster's 1828 Dictionary
• Tree (n.)
• Etymology: Saxon trew, treow; Danish trae; Greek δρυς (drys), an oak.
• Definition: A plant containing a woody trunk, perennial in duration, which rises to a considerable height before it divides into branches.
• Life (n.)
• Etymology: Saxon lif, lyf; German leben; from the root meaning to remain, continue, or be animated.
• Definition: That state of an animal or plant in which its natural functions and motions are performed; animation; supreme felicity or eternal happiness in heaven.
• Wisdom (n.)
• Etymology: Saxon wisdom, from wis (wise) and the termination dom (jurisdiction/state).
• Definition: The right use or exercise of knowledge; choice of laudable ends and of the best means to accomplish them. In Scripture, the knowledge and fear of God, and true religion.
• Wholesome (adj.)
• Etymology: From whole, Saxon hal, sound, healthy.
• Definition: Tending to promote health; favoring morals, religion, or prosperity; sound; salutary.
Part I: The Separation from the Tree (Genesis)
In the beginning, God placed physical types in the Garden of Eden to signify higher spiritual realities.
• The Original Placement (Genesis 2:9):
"And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil."
• Principle: The Tree of Life was positioned in the midst (the direct center) of the garden. It represents the central source of life sustained by God.
• The Fall and Guarded Way (Genesis 3:22-24):
"And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden... So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life."
• Principle: Sin immediately cut off humanity's access to the Tree of Life. To "live for ever" in a fallen, sinful condition would be an eternal curse. Therefore, God blocked "the way" using a flaming sword. To get back to the Tree of Life, the sword of judgment must first be satisfied.
Part II: The Tree Portrayed in Practical Wisdom (Proverbs)
The Old Testament poetic books pick up this imagery, explicitly linking the "Tree of Life" to spiritual and moral choices that mirror the character of God.
• Wisdom is the Tree (Proverbs 3:13-19):
"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding... She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her."
• Principle: True spiritual Wisdom—which is later revealed as the person of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24)—replaces the loss of Eden. Laying hold of Her brings length of days and supreme felicity.
• The Fruit of Righteousness (Proverbs 11:30):
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."
• Principle: A life aligned with God bears life-giving effects that can snap others out of spiritual death.
• Desire Fulfilled (Proverbs 13:12):
"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life."
• Principle: Mankind longingly "hoped" for a return to life across millennia of spiritual sickness; the arrival of Christ satisfies that deep desire.
• The Wholesome Tongue (Proverbs 15:4):
"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit."
• Principle: Webster’s 1828 defines wholesome as "salutary" or "favoring religion." Pure, truth-filled words foster spiritual life.
Part III: Jesus Explicitly Reveals Himself as the Tree (The Gospels)
In the New Testament, the imagery of the Old Testament trees and life transforms into concrete, physical claims made by Jesus Christ.
• The Source of Voice and Resurrection (John 5:25-29):
"For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;" (v. 26)
• Principle: Jesus does not merely borrow animation; He possesses self-inherent life just like the Father. He is the repository of life that animates the spiritually and physically dead.
• The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:23-27):
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall live:" (v. 25)
• Principle: Confronting the absolute finality of physical death at Lazarus' tomb, Jesus identifies Himself as The Life. He is the true antidote to the curse of Genesis 3.
• The Only Way Back to Eden (John 14:6):
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
• Principle: Recall Genesis 3:24, where God set a flaming sword to "keep the way of the tree of life." Jesus announces that He is that very Way. He walked through the flaming sword of judgment on the cross to open up what was barred.
• The True Vine / True Tree (John 15:1-5):
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman... I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (v. 1, 5)
• Principle: Jesus uses a botanical metaphor. He is the central trunk/vine providing vital sap and nutrients. Humanity cannot produce "the fruit of the righteous" or live eternally unless they are grafted into Him.
Part IV: The Restored Access to the Tree (Revelation)
The Bible closes by returning to exactly where it started—the Garden—showing the complete reversal of the Fall through Christ.
• The Promise to the Overcomer (Revelation 2:7):
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
• Principle: What was forbidden to Adam in Genesis is openly promised to the believer in Christ. It remains in its proper location: "in the midst."
• The New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:2-14):
"In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." (v. 2)

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (v. 14)
• Principle: The ultimate state of heaven features the Tree of Life as an unblocked, infinitely productive source of health and nourishment. By cleansing our robes and trusting His work, we gain a lawful "right" to enter the gates and eat freely of Jesus—our eternal Tree of Life.

📝 Class Discussion Questions

• Etymological Connection: Knowing that the root word of life means "to remain, continue, or be animated," how does John 15:5 ("He that abideth in me...") perfectly illustrate Christ as our life?
• The Metaphor of the Sword: Why did Jesus have to say "I am the way" (John 14:6) in light of the way being blocked by a flaming sword in Genesis 3:24?
• Fruit Inspection: Based on Proverbs 11:30 and John 15:5, what kind of "fruit" should naturally show up in the daily life of someone who is connected to the Tree of Life?