THE FLOWER GARDEN OF YOUR LIFE

INTRODUCTION:

     A. We need to mow down the grass and weeds, but keep the
flowers.     

     B.  Matthew 13:22  He also that received seed among the
thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the
deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

I. WATCH OUT FOR OVERGROWN GRASS.

     A. Grass is not necessarily bad, but it can take over a garden if
it gets out of control. These are things that we do that are not wrong by
themselves, but could become wrong if we allow them to take too
much of our time or money.

     B. Psalms 92:7  When the wicked spring as the grass, and when
all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed
for ever:

II. KILL THE WEEDS.

     A. Weeds are always a problem. They cause problems
wherever they pop up. These are the sinful things that should not be in
our lives. Even spending 1 minute or 1 dollar on them is wrong.

     B. Mark 7:21-23  For from within, out of the heart of men,
proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,  (22)  Thefts,
covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye,
blasphemy, pride, foolishness:  (23)  All these evil things come from
within, and defile the man.

III. PLANT FLOWERS.

     A. Flowers are good habits and things that make our lives
beautiful and pleasing to God. There are many different flowers. Some
we must have in our lives, but there are too many good things for one
person to be able to do them all. We must choose some and leave some
for others.

     B. Philippians 4:18  But I have all, and abound: I am full,
having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you,
an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

IV. KEEP THE FLOWERS GROWING.

     A. We need to prune our flowers to keep them pretty. - John
15:2  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.

     B. We need to protect them from pests, weeds, and even grass.

          1. Matthew 15:13  But he answered and said, Every
          plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall
          be rooted up.

          2. 1 Peter 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your
          adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
          seeking whom he may devour:

          3. Song of Solomon 2:15  Take us the foxes, the little
          foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender
          grapes.

     C. We need to keep them watered and fertilized with God's
Word. -  

          1. 1 Corinthians 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered;
but God gave the increase.

          2. Luke 13:7-9  Then said he unto the dresser of his
vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig
tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?  (8) 
And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I
shall dig about it, and dung it:  (9)  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not,
then after that thou shalt cut it down.

     D. We need to protect them from freezing or being scorched. - 

          1. Jeremiah 17:7-8  Blessed is the man that trusteth in
the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.  (8)  For he shall be as a tree
planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and
shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall
not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding
fruit.

          2. Matthew 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound,
the love of many shall wax cold.

CONCLUSION: 

     A. We must control the grass, kill the weeds, and work to keep
the flowers beautiful.

     B. How is your garden growing? Is there grass that needs to be
mowed? Are there weeds that need to be rooted out? What flowers do
you need to plant? What flowers need to be tended?