A No Good Lying Fig Tree
Matthew 21:17-20
INTRO
A. No one likes A Liar!
1. There was a world renowned theologian and philosopher several years ago who used a story to illustrate this point.
2. It was a story about a monkey and a coon dog.
3. This world famous theologian’s name was Jerry Clower…maybe you’ve heard of him?
4. Story.
B. God’s Word tells us that even God hates a liar!
Pro 6:16-17 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: (17) A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
1. Who is my audience?
2. What is it about lying that repulses us like it does?
a. It tears down trust!
b. It insinuates we are not intelligent enough to handle truth.
c. It takes what we believe to be truth and destroys it.
d. It is hurtful…sometimes demeaning…and always ugly.
e. It is from Satan himself!
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
3. Tonight we discover Jesus was not too fond of the practice either, as we look at His encounter with a lying fig tree!
Mat 21:17-20 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. (18) Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. (19) And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently the fig tree withered away. (20) And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
4. As we look at the disciples reaction we might feel the same wonderment they felt.
5. Until we look at the deception of the fig tree.
6. It is then that we not only understand why He withered the tree, but also understand the lesson behind it.
7. Everything Jesus did was to teach the disciples a Spiritual lesson.
8. To understand what Jesus wanted to teach the disciples and us, we must look at the fig tree from Jesus’ perspective!
C. The tree promised fruit, but did not deliver!
1. Picture this in your mind.
a. Jesus is hungry as we walks toward the temple to teach.
b. As He is on the way Mark tells us He sees this fig tree from afar.
c. It is beautiful from all outward appearances…
d. Even though it is not the time for figs, it says…come to me and I will satisfy you.
e. It draws Christ towards it promising fruit.
2. Here is the problem…there was no fruit.
a. The fig tree is different from other fruit trees.
b. It puts on its fruit first…then the leaves come.
c. For a fig tree to have leaves…it was supposed to have fruit…but it did not.
d. From this, and Christ’s reaction, we can see 5 spiritual lessons that are unmistakable.
I When Jesus hungers, He comes looking for fruit.
1. This ought to have an immediate impact on all who come to realize this.
a. All of those who have been redeemed ought to be bearing fruit!
Mat 7:17-18 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
b. Note this point…all trees produce fruit of one kind or another.
c. As Christians in God’s vineyard, we are to produce GOOD fruits.
Rom 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2. In order to produce good fruit, we must stay firmly attached to the vine.
Joh 15:4-5 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.
a. The secret to producing good fruit lies in staying attached to the vine.
b. The moment a fruit is detached from the vine it begins to decay and rot.
c. It’s growing is finished!
d. So how do we stay attached? Whatsoever!!!
Php 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
e. And how do we get ourselves to think this way?
Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
f. And why is this so vital?
g. Because when Jesus is hungry, He will come looking for fruit.
II When Jesus looks for fruit, He looks among the trees that are SUPPOSED to be bearing!
1. As we have already seen, if we belong to Him, we are to be those trees!
a. Will He find fruit when He comes, or unsatisfying leaves?
b. Notice what Mark says in his gospel.
Mar 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
2. The fig tree’s deception lies in its appearance.
a. It advertised, if you will…fulfillment…nourishment…plenty.
b. When we say we are a Christian, we ADVERTISE the same things.
c. People have a right to expect to find in us the proofs that we are what we say we are.
d. They have a right to expect to see in us the fruit(s) of the Spirit.
Gal 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
e. Not only do other people have the right to find this fruit, Jesus should find it as well!
f. We have to be careful about who we say we are because sometimes our actions speak louder than our words!
1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
3. This should also serve as a dire warning to our churches and the religionists of our day.
a. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were identical to the fig tree.
b. They outwardly proclaimed they had the answers.
c. They proclaimed that salvation lay in the keeping of the law.
d. They looked religious.
e. They acted religious.
f. They even claimed victory…their claim…they were the pure sons of Abraham.
g. Look what Jesus said about them…
Mat 23:27-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
h. This same description can be said of many churches and religions today!
i. But rest assured and be aware of this one thing…
III What is to be expected will be Inspected!
1. There will come a time when Jesus Himself will inspect the tree for fruit.
a. Notice Jesus came near…
b. Jesus still hungers today…
c. But today He seeks the fruits of His people…and inhabits their praises.
d. When He hungers He will come near to partake of their fruit.
e. Many teach that this is talking about the Judgment Seat of Christ, when Christ will judge each and every believer…and while that could be…there are too many instances in the Word to dismiss the thought that we can be judged many times in this life!
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Jas 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
f. We will be accountable to the Lord for the way in which we have lived, and for the fruit we should have bared.
IV The tree will be judged by the fruit IT bears or does not bear!
1. Just like the fig tree, we will be judged by what we produce.
2. Let me ask you tonight…if Jesus decided to inspect your tree tonight, what would He find?
a. Would He find a tree that has produced satisfying fruit?
b. Or a tree that’s just full of leaves?
3. You see, we won’t be judged by what we LOOK LIKE?
a. Or by what we sound like.
b. Or even by what we believe…
c. But by the fruit we have born.
4. There are many tonight who are not ready to have our fruit inspected.
a. It’s easy to go to church.
b. Or to look like a Christian.
c. Or to talk like one.
d. But what about living the life…what about walking the talk.
e. Jesus says:
Mat 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
5. This morning we talked about the kind of love true Christians should have in their heart for their fellow man.
a. Do we have that?
b. Do we have the compassion for others like Jesus did?
c. Or do we just feel sorry for them?
d. Do we give them of what we have???
e. Or do we just nod and say…I’ll be praying for you?
f. Do we love them??? Really???
g. I think if we showed the love of God in our hearts to those in this community this house would be full!!!
h. Many will say Bro. Ron, that’s not fair!
i. Or, you’re being too harsh.
j. James said in:
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
6. Is James saying that faith alone cannot save?
a. No, but let’s look at what James IS saying!
b. James is saying, if you SAY you have faith, but it is a faith that does not move you to do good works, then it is a DEAD faith, and a dead faith does not save.
c. James says being saved is more than lip service…it is life service.
Isa 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Mar 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, (talking to the Scribes and the Pharisees) as it is written, This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Mar 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
7. We should pray today that our worship not be in vain, but would honor and magnify the Lord.
a. When He inspects the tree of our life…He will be looking for fruit…not just the appearance of fruit.
V The tree that is found to be fruitless, will be judged harshly!
1. Notice there are two things that happen to the fig tree! First, its ability to bear fruit is taken away from it! This can happen in many ways.
A. It can happen when our joy is taken away.
1. I have seen many a Christian who because of life circumstances seem to have lost their joy.
2. Once the joy of life is gone, they are no longer a blessing to anyone around them.
3. They become bitter, and often withdraw into their own world.
4. Listen to what Jesus said about joy in the book of John:
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
B. It can even result in our very life being taken away!
Joh 15:1-2 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.
1. I know that our God is a God of Love, and I know that Jesus loved us enough to die for us, but I want you to know tonight that He is also a God of Judgment.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
2. I want you to understand as God’s people we have an awesome responsibility, and that is to show God’s love to the world around us.
3. And it is a responsibility that I think all to often we take lightly…but He don’t.
4. Notice in John 15:2 Jesus says …those that beareth not fruit he TAKETH away!
5. And the ones that bear fruit He purges…or prunes…to make them more fruitful.
6. You see, there are times in our lives, even when we are bearing fruit, that He must prune us, or cut out that which is non-profitable, so that we may bear much fruit!
7. But it is far better to be pruned by the Lord, though sometimes it is painful…than to be taken away!
CONCLUSION
I The tree withers away…
1. Verse 20 tells us the disciples marveled at how quickly the tree withered.
Mat 21:20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
2. The judgment of God upon our lives is both swift and sure.
3. Are we ready to be judged?
4. Are we ready for the Savior to check among our leaves?
5. Can we satisfy our Lord’s hunger if we are called upon to do so?
II Are you putting forth leaves?
1. If you are proclaiming to be a Christian…
a. Is there fruit to back it up?
Old saying… “If You were accused of being a Christian…would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
2. If we are putting forth leaves, we are proclaiming to the world.
3. I am the real thing.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them
4. I ask you tonight…what are you known by?
