The Tree Church

Jesus was without sin so His life was the perfect sacrifice. 

He sacrificed His life in exchange for ours.

At His death there was an earthquake which ripped the veil of the temple allowing us to connect with God without a barrier.

1 Peter 2

4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We now have a calling,  through Him, as a holy priesthood. We are being built up, molded and shaped,  into the image of Jesus by the power of Holy Spirit.

Correction is part of the process. 

We offer spiritual sacrifices by making God a priority in our life. 

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

We show others His goodness by our actions.

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Malachi:2

2 “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you.

2 If you will not hear,

And if you will not take it to heart,

To give glory to My name,”

Says the Lord of hosts,

“I will send a curse upon you,

And I will curse your blessings.

Yes, I have cursed them already,

Because you do not take it to heart.

Out of His will He will get in our way…His correction is meant to bring us back to Him!

4 Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you,

That My covenant with Levi may continue,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

5 “My covenant was with him, one of life and peace,

And I gave them to him that he might fear Me;

So he feared Me

And was reverent before My name.

6 The law of truth was in his mouth,

And injustice was not found on his lips.

He walked with Me in peace and equity,

And turned many away from iniquity.

In living our life for His glory there is peace and eternal life. 

8 But you have departed from the way;

You have caused many to stumble at the law.

You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

9 “Therefore I also have made you contemptible and base

Before all the people,

Because you have not kept My ways

But have shown partiality in the law.”

God shows no partiality. When our lives care more about our personal comforts than the prejudices and inequality for the poor and the oppressed of our world we dishonor God.

10 Have we not all one Father?

Has not one God created us?

Why do we deal treacherously with one another

By profaning the covenant of the fathers?

God will not tolerate idols in our life. An idol is anything that we desire in place of Him. 

17 You have wearied the Lord with your words;

“Yet you say,

“In what way have we wearied Him?”

In that you say,

“Everyone who does evil

Is good in the sight of the Lord,

And He delights in them,”

Or, “Where is the God of justice?”

The destruction of idol always proceeds authentic worship to God!

God desires and requires the focus of our lives to be on Him. Every major decision we make should be rooted in how we honor or dishonor Him. 

Our life should be in the loving pursuit of the Father. 

The whole of our life should be in thankgiving for the gift of salvation we have been given.