we'll be coming from the Book of Luke chapter 13 verses six through nine and I
will ask all who are able to stand to please do so for the reading of the
scriptures this morning again the Book of Luke chapter 13 verses 6
through 9
and the Word of God reads He also spoke this parable speaking of Jesus a certain
man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came seeking fruit on it
and found none then he said to the keeper of his vineyard look for three
years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none cut it down why
does it use up the ground verse 8 but he answered and said to him sir let it
alone this year also until I dig around it and fertilize it and if it bears
fruit verse 9 well but if not after that you can cut it down why don't we pray
for our blessing in God's Word this morning loving Heavenly Father thank you
so much for giving us the opportunity to assemble in peace to hear Your Word
there is no other reason why we are here at this moment so would You bless
us with Your Word I pray that by the power of Your Holy Spirit You would just
touch us in a unique way that has never been done before make Your presence
known in this body of believers your servants are listening in the mighty
name of Jesus Christ we pray amen thank you and please be seated
so the title for today's teaching is barren or believer and a lesson will be
coming from this portion of Scripture also known as the parable of the barren
fig tree and one of the things that I want to point out and make clear is that
this parable is not the same parable that Jesus used when He cursed the fig
tree that's captured in Matthew chapter 21 and also in the book of Mark chapter
11 this is a separate parable and it's only captured here in the Book of Luke
and like many of the parables in the Word of God this parable has a dual
meaning and a dual application that we all can apply and it's funny to me
because when it comes to passages such as these and other passages in the Word
of God many people like to apply the Israel only theme meaning that this and
many other portions of Scripture are only for the nation of Israel now there
are several places in God's Word where what is being said is what it is and is
only for the nation of Israel but when we try to use this as a blanket doctrine
across the Scriptures based on the dispensation of God's Word that's
ridiculous and it's not biblical that's not rightly dividing the Word of
Truth in fact what it ends up being is a poor excuse for not abiding in or
adhering to the Word of God and many people like to do that it's also
important that we understand the objective of a parable while we
continue to examine each and every passage of it because there's a bigger
truth of the parable and that bigger truth can not get lost while this
expositional style of teaching and preaching that I love to do takes place
and that's on me to ensure that the bigger message stays intact while we
expound on the message itself and the verses but I say that because Jesus said
His word shall never pass away His word and His word encompasses the entire
Council of God Old and New Testament and I mention that because many people want
to exclude much of what Jesus said and solely focus on what the Apostle Paul
has written in accordance with Gentile living and try to say yeah the Apostle
Paul said this where Christ said it's a good idea that's dangerous it completely
neglects what Jesus has said in a sense and the power of the Holy Spirit
regarding our true growth in Jesus Christ that's a problem now let's not
make the mistake in thinking that grace does not abound because grace does abound
grace abounds we are under grace there is no question about it but let's not
also make the mistake that godly living is eradicated because of grace I hope we
all understand one another in this please allow me to read for you a
portion of scripture captured in 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verses 10 through 15
written by the Apostle Paul himself 2nd Timothy chapter 3 10 through 15 the Word
of God reads speaking to Timothy but you have carefully followed by doctrine
manner of life purpose faith long-suffering love perseverance
persecutions afflictions which happened to me at Antioch and Iconium at Lystra
what persecutions I endured and out of them all the Lord delivered me verse 12
yes and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution 13
but evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse deceiving and being
deceived but you must continue in the things which you have learned and been
assured of knowing from whom you have learned them in verse 15 and that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you
wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus he tells Timothy that
follow my lead of this godly living
follow my lead because I follow Christ we're living in
grace no question but it does not eradicate our responsibilities and we
need to truly understand that and now I completely recognize dispensation we
clearly have aspects of God's Word that are a graduating word meaning it goes
from one segment to another and has a deep er revelation at the end of it no
question portions of Scripture they are meant for specific occasions and
specific timeframes but I do believe that many aspects of this are abused and
that's our problem so with that said and with the Lord's permission and His
blessing what we're going to do is to look at the reason why this parable was
given in the first place and along with the bigger truth that it represents
then examine the associated symbolism regarding the fig tree and then read and
explain our text and expound on our text looking how all this applies to each of
us as individuals to the church and to see if we are reflecting being barren or
reflecting being believers that's the goal and I pray that the Lord will
deliver so let's look and see what prompted this parable for being spoken
in the first place if we back it up to the beginning of the
chapter 13 in the Book of Luke Jesus was told a story regarding what seemed to be
a large number of religious Galileans who apparently were executed by Pontius
Pilate why they worship in the temple and Pilate this devil man had their
blood the ones he killed mixed with the blood of their sacrifices that's
horrible that is completely messed up but that's what he did so it seems that
this story was being told to Jesus to get his opinion about why things like
this happen especially to those who are God's people and it was seeing that from
Jesus' response that these people that asked Him that question had a familiar
skewed view of sin and God's judgment so Jesus would address their story with a
question and then a story of His own to illustrate why this was and how it was
first Jesus would say to them do you suppose that these Galileans were worse
sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things do you think
they were bad sinners be because they were killed in this temple in your mind
you believe they were just the worst of sinners and
that's why it happened this is what he's asking them and then He answers it for them
by saying I tell you no but unless you repent you will all likewise perish then
Jesus would go on and tell them a story about 18 other Galileans who were killed
when a tower fell on them tower fell down and killed all of them and he would
ask this question and basically speak the same words do you think that these
Galileans that died from this tower falling on them were the worst people in
Jerusalem the worst sinners in Jerusalem and He would answer it for them saying
the same words I tell you no but unless you repent you all likewise will perish
because it would seem that they believed that bad things only happens to sinners
that was their thinking and we saw this when our pastor walked us through the
book of Job some months ago same thing and apparently these
individuals mistook misfortune of those that Pilate killed and those that were
killed by the collapse of that tower for being sinful and judgment by God this is
what they were thinking and again this is exactly what Job's so-called friends
thought they would all come to him and come to the conclusion that the reason
why all these things happen to you is because of some unconfessed sin in your
life that's why your life has been ruined this is what happens to sinners
is what their mind state was and that's how they thought back in Job's day and
now we see here Jesus is addressing it in His day and sadly we have many people
that believe that concept today but Jesus corrects this with that statement
I tell you no but unless you repent you will all likewise perish I love what's
written in a book of Ecclesiastes I talked about this often chapter 9 in
verse 11 as a Word of God reads I returned and saw under the sun that the
race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong nor bread to the wise nor
riches to men of understanding nor favor to men of skill here it is but time and
chance happen to them all this is the concept that Jesus is reinforcing time
and chance happened to them the true perishing comes from within we live in a
fallen world and it is true that suffering and pains are here because of
sin but we need to all understand that many things are going to happen that
seems so misaligned but it's not such as bad things happening to those who we
claim or see as good people we see that all the time and then those evil people
receiving fortunes it's almost like it doesn't make sense I'm not emotionally
removed from that how do you think I feel when someone that I've either
worked with or know who is a good person based off of all things that we
understand in our flesh and then they get stricken with MS and I have to watch
them degenerate over time or someone last week who was doing X Y & Z for the
Lord struck down with some illness and the person who is out there on a
murderous rampage doing well it seems all kinds of jacked up but the truth is
is that we are all bad and evil in the sight of the true and living God and
we'll all perish unless we repent just like Jesus said that's the truth so what
does that mean what does it mean to repent and is repentance only for the
Jews I will tell you this if you think that repentance is not a part of
salvation or repentance is only for the Jews then based on the authority of
God's Word I can tell you that there is something wrong with your salvation if
it exists at all which if you don't believe repenting is a part of it there
is no salvation we have to recognize that we're sinners in the first place
that's the truth and if anyone disagrees please show me the scriptures that takes
out repentance from all people help me to understand perhaps I'm wrong but I
don't believe that I am the word repent means to change one's mind that means to
regret be sorry about and in the context what Jesus is talking
about He is saying that we all must repent and change our minds regarding
sin that doesn't mean that we're never going to sin again identifying what sin
is and sometimes that's revealed slowly over time but that filling of oops
should remain once we understand what it is
and once we recognize sin guess what we start seeking the answer to it and the
only solution to sin is in Jesus Christ that's the only way to solve it He is
the firstfruits of the resurrection and when we truly come to Jesus Christ He
takes away our sinful and barren state which would have caused us to perish
but now He calls us believers because we have new hearts and then because of that
were able to bring about that fruit which identifies each of us as His own
that's why this parable was spoken you're looking at the destruction that
happens to the body and the horrors that happen to people based on time and
chance but the true horror is if you don't have salvation that perishing you
will never come back from and there's an identity marker with that bearing the
fruit of belief so with that understood verse 6 of our text He also spoke this
parable a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came
seeking fruit on it and found none first of all this certain man that is being
spoken about in the scriptures is none other than God Himself so when we keep
that in mind God had His fig tree planted in His vineyard and I think
that's very telling because it shows ownership it's mine think of it I own it
all of it so I can do with it as I please is first but look what He does
with it and first of all why a fig tree and why plant a fig tree in a vineyard
now for me this is where some factual data and some symbolism really
helps and bringing out the full understanding of our text and also this
parable so I want to first note a few things about the fig tree itself now
there are many variations of fig trees but it's very interesting that the
majority of scientists believe that the fig tree is the oldest fruit tree in the
world amazing the oldest and they say that it can live up to 200 years and
pretty much grow on any type of soil there's been reports of fig trees
growing out of the side of rocks think of it and have that picture in your mind
and their branches grow far and wide and these big leaves cover the fruit amazing
trees and when it comes to the Word of God the fig tree is the first fruit tree
ever referred to in the Bible we see this in the book of Genesis chapter 3
in verse 7 immediately after the fall of man the Word of God says this then
the eyes of both of them were opened and they knew that they were naked and they
sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings and that would be a
whole study within itself but we don't have time to get in there I could just
say that I concur with the scientist that the fig tree is the oldest fruit
tree in the world I think they were reading Genesis when they they probably spent
800 years trying to figure it out and they read Genesis said yes but they also
say that some trees can produce fruit three times a year with the main harvest
coming between the months of August and October I find that interesting fig
trees can also listen take up to three years to become mature enough to produce
any fruit but then after that every year they will be fruitful
so with that picture in our minds at least with me it really brings the point
home when the fig tree is used symbolically in Scripture we know that
the fig tree is a picture of the nation of Israel as seen in the New Testament
and even in the Old Testament is a picture of the nation of Israel's
prosperity and God did this so there was an expectation regarding this fig tree
by the owner and that expectation was to find some fruit God had deliberately
taken a nation to Himself and placed it where He knew it was good good to allow
growth to occur God knew that this tree would have the best chance to produce
fruit based on where He placed it no guessing in a vineyard the most fertile
ground I say that because as the fig tree is a symbol of the nation the
vineyard as well is in the Old Testament and that symbolizes the house of Israel
in regards to their unique spiritual connection to the true and living God
which no other nation had and we also see the vine and the fig tree paired
together in Scripture quite often so when we combine those both symbolically
it paints a picture of a chosen people being planted on fertile ground in order
to be fruitful and by that prosper that's the picture we see but what
happens is even though those conditions were ideal they did not produce and the
certain man came seeking the fruit and found none notice that it does not say
that He came seeking a lot of fruit nor does it say that he came in seeking the
biggest fruit like it was going to be a competition
at this fruit it just says He came seeking fruit and found none now it does
not take a biblical genius to see how this applies to us as Christians and we
don't want to be dogmatic about it but practical and this can go in many
directions but let's keep with the text and by doing that I think we could look
at it from this standpoint when we almost started seeking the Lord the Lord
placed us in a place that we would grow He put us in a position where we would
have the best opportunity to latch on to His word of truth and grow it is at that
point that we have the decision the initial decision to make am I going to
reject this word and eat the quail of the world or do I choose to believe in
the nutrients of the soil of God's Word so I can grow in the faith and
knowledge of Jesus Christ that's where the critical decision lies from my
perspective and from my point of view that's where our first fruits come and
that is identified by the fruit of the Spirit based on that fruit of the Spirit
that we acquire and grow in this controls all of our outwardly actions
that demonstrates who we belong to
that's what I get from the text you may find other things but that's what I see
and just like that man who comes back looking for fruit God searches the
hearts of all of us to find out is there belief there
do you possess the fruit of the Spirit that is the first indicator nothing else
can happen absent that that belief must be there and I believe because of that
we need to conduct self examinations often and also allow those trusted
brothers and sisters to do the same for us holding one another accountable it's
sad that in the church we have removed the age or error of accountability we
don't want to confess our faults to one another we don't want to expose some of
the troubles that we're going through in our faith that's a problem because if we
are our own self examiners and that's it we could become skewed in our views of
ourselves looking in the mirror beholding a different reflection than
what it really is any of you all been to a funhouse before where they have all
these weird mirrors and I don't know if you like me it's kind of big guy I go to
a mirror and I'm all skinny I'm like word check out your boy that's how it
can be for us often it takes others to say hey there's something wrong here
which is good because we need it now the fruit of the Spirit is a whole study
within itself but we can do quick examinations to ourselves of our own and
also allow our brothers and sisters to aid us in these efforts by comparing and
contrasting what takes rule in our life one commentator says it like this and
this comparing and contrasting here it is here's the test instead of love is
there hatred bitterness or even prejudice in your life instead of joy is
their constant gloom instead of peace is their turmoil instead of long-suffering
are we always impatient instead of good intent
is there an alternative motive that's a deadly one that is deadly because
typically it can be camouflaged others won't know but the Lord knows instead of
gentleness is there always a harsh response instead of faith is their
endless worry instead of meekness is there pride in
arrogance instead of self-control are we always a victim of our own passions then
he goes on to say this if so then either we do not know God at all
or a recommitment to Christ would be in order and only you would know what that
status is of course God Himself clearly knows all now we all fall and fail from
time to time in many of these areas but the question is what dominates our lives
that's where it's at is it the barren side which is the
opposite of being fruitful because if it is if that's the constant nature we're
in then how can we call ourselves believers when we act like everybody
else in the world that does not have or possess the fruit of the Spirit nine
components one fruit infused that's how we're to be something we need to pray
about think on and execute in the power of the Lord not of our own strength for
seven of our text then he said to the keeper of his vineyard look for three
years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none cut it down why
does it use up the ground now we know based on the context of these verses
that the keeper of the vineyard is a picture of Jesus the Christ
also keep in mind that Jesus is the true vine as spoke of in the book of John
chapter 15 in verse 1 and in verse 2 of that same chapter the Word of God reads
listen to this every branch in Me did you catch that
I'll say it again every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away and
every branch that bears bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit
that's another study within itself that one verse but this to me really
emboldened the overall message that we're talking about today and it goes
along with the statement made in our text of verse 7 so now we have these three
years spoken about in the scriptures and some equate this to Jesus' earthly
ministry where He for three years and His disciples would teach and preach
about the coming kingdom the kingdom of God is at hand this kingdom that could
have been established at that time if they would have borne the fruit of
belief that Jesus Christ was the Messiah
during this timeframe God expected fruit from the nation of Israel proof that
they believed in the son of the true and living God but in three years seen by
the scriptures each year He came by looking for a sign of any fruit but
found none and I think there's something to be said about that many scholars
agree with that aspect of it but when we look back to the fig tree and its
attributes I think that it may have more to do with that than anything else
basically when you put it all together there were no signs of promise zero and
because of that it would have been viewed that
it's highly unlikely that this fig tree will ever produce any fruit at all
it has no signs of promise and what's ironic is that we as Christians or
professing Christians always want to be under God's promise I know I do but
sadly sometimes we don't show any promise at all that's something that we
all have to examine ourselves with I know I do and again regarding the fig
tree let's remember that it took three years for it to fully mature in order to
produce fruit but during that three year time frame there would be signs that it's
growing properly for example start budding you can see that something's about to
happen the stems will continue to expand the leaves real bold the roots you can
see them from the top indicating they're going deep there would be some sign so
after three years if none of these signs were to occur then it's probably not
going to happen now this is where we have a couple of points to consider for
each of us and maybe not how you think but the question is do we as individuals
show or have signs of promise because if we do we should rejoice in the Lord for
them and I will tell you the signs of promise that we have is the area that we
need to cleave to for more promise and more signs that's what we need to do
because the enemy will tell all of us you're not worthy you're not worthy
you're not worthy but the Lord shows us those signs of
promise that we need to say I am worthy not me but because of my salvation and
my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ a sign of promise could be how we feel about
sin our thoughts have changed and now our thoughts are aligning to the will of
the true limit God a sign of promise could be that we're no longer
emotionally attached to what kept us from God in the first place a sign of
promise for a Christian is any bud root stem that grows in the grace and
knowledge of Jesus Christ those are signs of promise and we need to hold on
to them and the church should have signs of promise as well and a sign of promise
is not how many people attends the church that's not it
sign of promise for the church is how the Word of God is being preached and taught
in the church and that reflects in the people in the body of the church a sign
of promise for the church is how the body interacts with one another and does
it fit the biblical standpoint of the church a sign of promise in the church is
that we make sure we do not cleave to any dogmas but that we speak about the
justification and faith that's a sign of promise
it's about faith alone period that fruit is produced because faith brings about
the belief and that's the point now many Christians have a problem with
disconnection many people struggle with it not because of them as individuals
really because of the church because many churches are have a complete barren
body the whole body's barren and it sad because it does impact the individual
and if people were just taught the truth regarding the grace of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ fruit would abound but the problem is many churches are all
about barren works instead of being about fruitful belief where we need
because absent belief no matter what type of works you're doing no matter how
noble they may seem all those works are dead to Christ dead I don't care how
many people come sits in the pews if there's no belief in Jesus Christ all
those works are dead period and it's sad that so many Christians they view God's
Word and the work of Jesus Christ as a good idea it's the ideal situation to be
a part of but you know we don't have to recognize all the other stuff well they
don't see the true blessing behind it so in other words what they say and what
they believe is that hey I believe enough to make me a good person I don't
have to believe it all and this is not about not understanding the scriptures
oh I clearly see what it says but I just don't have to believe it I'm a good
person and I'm doing magnificent works for the Lord every Wednesday I do this
every Tuesday I do that and blah blah and you just keep going on I
do all these things well you might as well go ahead and put it all in a coffin
because absent belief all those works are dead but the fruit of belief will
eradicate our barrenness and it's the only way and the only answer for salvation I
also believe that these three years could represent the law the prophets in
Jesus Christ because inside the law was the standard and the only one that could
hold that standard was Jesus Christ Himself period and then you have the
prophets that spoke about Jesus Christ and then Jesus Christ is now on the
scene of His own with His own the true vine and now that period of time has
been elapsed and there's no fruit and now the order has been given to just cut
it down because it seems to be just taking up space and I don't think that
cut it down order was given in a laughing or huh it's just useless manner
it took a lot of consideration for this to be ordered to cut it down and I say
that based on God's Word captured in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 20 in verse
19 this is in regards to warfare but listen to what the Lord says when you
besiege a city for a long time while making war against it to take it you
shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them listen to this if
you can eat of them do not cut them down to use in the siege for the tree of the
field is man's food now I mentioned that because here we see trees that are
told not to be cut down why because they were fruitful but in our text what we
have is a tree that had no life-sustaining sustenance on it at all
it was deem useless so why keep it maybe this fertile ground can be used for
another tree that would produce and even if that's so the nation of Israel will
never be replaced because they have a place in God's plan but something to
consider verse 8 of our text but he answered and said to him sir let it
alone this year also until I dig around it and fertilize it now this verse is
really telling and for a few reasons but first of all it reveals the
long-suffering and patience and complete mercy of the true Living God
the words from Jesus is let it alone this year also or the vine dresser in
other words give it more time it just needs some more time to produce this is
a picture of Jesus interceding on behalf of the nation of Israel even though that
belief that was supposed to be present and produced by them did not exist and
it seemed like it never would Jesus this vine dresser but asked for more time
give it more time He would go beyond the point of mercy as we know it beyond it
because please take notice that the fig tree was planted in the vineyard the
most fertile ground there was and Jesus still asked for more time to fertilize
it even more Jesus would He would go so far as to basically put the blame on
Himself and one commentator picked up on that
and I love this read he says the mercy of the vine dresser
who pleads with this worthless tree to save it from destruction
how natural and touching are the terms in which He intercedes and does that for
man now one word He does not utter against the barren tree
not one word does He say of all the labor that He has already bestowed upon
it with a wonderful pity and condesation He seems to trace its
long unfruitfulness to His own neglect
let it alone the fault may be Mine I have not done
enough for it henceforth I will do more it shall become the special object of My
labor and care this is our God's mercy He has always been merciful He had every
right to cut this down and destroy it but Jesus interceded He had every right
to do what He wanted to with this bearing fruit tree especially when it
belongs to Him and it's supposed to be representing Him and this dialogue
between God and Jesus is not something that is on opposite terms not the case
the Father and the Son are one everything they speak to old and new
Testament is in complete agreement nothing is disagreed upon this is here
to illustrate how God harkens to the prayers of His people for his people
this is why that's there this is God's nature and we see this nature played out
throughout the scriptures one account is captured in the Book of Psalms chapter
106 in verse 23 the Word of God reads therefore He said that He would
destroyed them speaking of the children of Israel had not Moses His chosen one
stood before Him in the breach to turn away His wrath lest He destroy them
Jesus pleading to God on behalf of the nation even on the cross He did the same
thing those famous words Lord forgive them for they know not what they do and
in regards to this timeframe being one year not literally to be taken but it
was to represent a period a length an extension and many scholars and
commentators equate this to the timeframe of Jesus' resurrection all the way to
the destruction of the temple in 70 AD because during that timeframe the
kingdom was still being offered to the children of Israel still being preached
and we see that throughout the Book of Acts but again we know that the Lord is
not done with the nation of Israel and there's going to come a day when they're
going to recognize who their Messiah truly is but on this account we can learn a
valuable lesson by this vine dresser by Jesus Christ Himself and that's because
the unbelief of the nation of Israel is no different than unbelief of the world
today it's all unbelief and although we want to be caught up in the rapture ASAP
to be forever with the Lord in His presence no question about that but we
still have people who are lost that we need to be praying for this is an area
in my life that I know I need to improve on you have that boss at work that's a
jerk know that they're not saved and instead of praying for them we would
rather just pronounced a curse on them it's not the right answer
it might make us feel better but it's just not right we should be praying for them we
have family members who are not saved and instead of praying for them we want
hurry up and get out the house so I don't have to deal with you when they call we look at
so and so again don't even think about praying for them and that's a problem
look how Jesus intercedes even though this probably would not come around even
though it was highly unlikely for those who we deem highly unlikely to come to
Christ still pray for them we do not know the beginning from the end in
the Book of first Timothy chapter 2 verses 1 through 4 the Word of God reads
therefore I exhort first of all that supplications prayers intercessions and
giving of thanks be made for all men for kings and all who are in authority this
is where I get tripped up because so many Christians will not pray for our
President and if that is you it's a shame we should be praying for
him
we should be praying for all of those in authority to do what's right to judge
righteously but instead we complain and don't pray our emotions take over our party
affiliation takes over that is all hot garbage for kings and all who are in
authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
reverence verse three for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior in verse four here it is why why do this our Lord and Savior who desires
all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth but we don't want
to do it because we feel some type of way what if the Lord didn't intercede on our
behalf
He is the only mediator between God and man and yet we refuse to be mediators
between the laws and the Lord that's a problem we should be praying that their
hearts are changed and that by the way we live believing what we believe they
would see Christ in us because a time period was called out one year in order
for this tree to produce and the time period in that privilege that we live
under of grace from the church will end at some point and for those who are
producing fruit much joy to you but for those who are barren the end of verse
nine will ultimately be the faith you will face the Word of God reads and if it
bears fruit well but if not after that you can cut it down and the words are
and if it bears fruit there's no guarantee here no guarantee but if it
does and the word well in the original is not even there it just says and if it
bears fruit there's a pause but if not there's a conclusion for that one though
then you can cut it down and it would appear that all that extra work that
intercession that the Lord did and all the ministries that were done and that
time frame did not work it's not the fault of the vine dresser it was due to
the condition of the tree that was the issue and Jesus spoke about this
unfruitful attitude and unbelief on many occasions and because of that guess what
happened to the nation He would speak this to them captured in Matthew chapter
21 in verse 43 as the Word of God reads therefore I say to you the kingdom of
God will be taken from you and given to another nation bearing
the fruits of it the conclusion in a sense from that standpoint and that word
nation ethos in the Greek means people another people now again we know that
the nation of Israel has a place in God's plan they will cry out to the Lord
each of them as individual fig trees if you will and they will bear the
fruit of belief they will their barren state will be removed and replaced with
the state of belief but it is going to take a hellish situation for that nation
as a whole to get to that point and let's be clear it's going to take a
hellish situation for all who are bearing with unbelief when the Lord
gathers all of his elect up in that rapture moment those who believe because
after the rapture what's going to happen to this place is undescribable we're
under grace now we don't have time for it but think about we are under grace
now meaning we're safe under grace safe we're not under the law meaning when the
rapture happens when the Lord comes for His own we're raptured up now think about
it in the tribulation if that was the same standpoint then one would say I'm
saved today and immediately be rapture would be kind of like the thought
process we recognize that that's not the case that does not happen during the
tribulation it doesn't and that's a study for another time and I don't want
to get off topic but I hope you get my point there is no such thing as almost
saved it's either you're saved or you're not when God looks down He sees one or
the other and like those Galileans who died in those misfortunate accidents
what if something happened to one of us today
can we truly say that I bear the fruit of belief or would it be that I'm barren
because if we're barren that's how one really perishes we have the complete
Word of God what's our excuse we need to ask ourselves do we really bear the
fruit of belief hopefully we're not barren and deceiving ourselves Jesus
intercedes on our behalf how many times has He done so asking for
a little more time for each of us changing circumstances in our lives so
that we would look up to Him and begin to believe and when that vine dresser
comes and has done His last attempt to fertilize and then God comes through and
search the heart is He going to see fruit or is He going to say okay cut it
down I will tell you that no one has to be cut down because believing in Jesus
Christ our coming King will bring about that fruit acceptable to God and the
only way is by believing on the Son of God as your personal Savior
that is it by the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Gospel is that Christ died for our
sins according to the scriptures and that He was buried and that He rose
again the third day according to the scriptures and He will be returning real
soon to rule as King on this earth He's our salvation and the only way to
eternal life and those who are barren and are not saved can get there today it's
ABC simple by first acknowledging that you are a sinner in need of a savior who
is Jesus the Christ Romans chapter 3 in verse 10 says as it is written there is
none righteous no not and verse 23 says for all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God this means no one can get in with
those beautiful and wonderful dead works absent belief it doesn't happen it
will never happen and as shown in chapter 6 verse 23 the Bible says for
the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
our Lord that represents the A and the B stands for believe key word believe
that's the fruit while the C stands for confess
both are captured in the book of Romans chapter 10 verses 9 and 10 the Word of
God reads that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your
heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved for what the
heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation this is how one gets saved and begins that process of bearing
the fruit season after season and this is the only way that you can ensure that
you will not be cut down and cast into the fire the Bible says the Lord is not
slack concerning his promise as some count slackness but is again
long-suffering toward us all of us why not willing that any should perish
but that all should come to repentance
I pray that if you are not saved today is your day to permanently rid yourself of
that barren state and become fruitful forever for our coming king why don't we all
stand so we can pray
loving Heavenly Father I just pray that Your Word has penetrated the hardest of
hearts and that we all learn from this that we just take everything that You
presented today in the proper context Lord help us to be critical listeners
and critical heeders of Your Word help us to live it out better us in every
area of our walk strengthen us with the fruit of your spirit make it be known
that we belong to You and we're not barren but we're believers and we love
You and we thank You for all that You've done and will continue by the power of
Your might we ask You now Lord your blessing upon this all in the mighty
name of Jesus Christ we pray amen
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