Thank you Rev. P.W.Larue
SUBJECT: "CUT IT DOWN"
Matthew 21:17-22 Verse 17, "And he left them and went out of the city into Bethany: and he lodged there."
Luke 13:6, 7 "Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard. Behold these three years I come seeking fruit on the fig tree and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?"
CUT IT DOWN
My brothers and sisters, these are the words of Jesus, the master teacher. These are the words of a parable spoken by Jesus to convey an important message to a group of people. Now, a parable is a visible set over against an invisible, so that the invisible may be seen by the visible. In other words, a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. This parable is easy to understand because it is taken from a fig tree.
Now, in the Gospel according to St. Matthew 21:17-22 Jesus went out of the city. He left the temple in Jerusalem in route to Bethany. For you see, He had grown tired and weary. And as Jesus traveled to Bethany, He hungered on the way, for He had taken upon Himself our flesh. And He thirsted as we thirst. He hungered as we hunger. He suffered as we suffer. He got tied as we tied. And, the feeling of our infirmities touched him.
There in Bethany He would always find lodging perhaps in the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, where they would feed him a home cooked meal that was fit for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Perhaps they would feed Him his favorite meal, fish and fig pie. Or perhaps Jesus would just make a shelter under a shade tree. For you see, Jesus had no place to lay His head. "Foxes have holes and birds have nests. But the Son of Man hath no where to lay His head."
Now, in the Gospel of St. Luke 13:6,7, He spoke a parable and this parable tells us about a "certain" man. Now, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, in fact throughout the New Testament, the word "certain" is used quite often. A "certain" ruler, a "certain" scribe, a "certain" king, a "certain" man had two sons, a "certain" poor widow, a "certain" household, a "certain" woman who has an issue of blood. A "certain" beggar, a "certain" Jew, a "certain" lame man, a "certain" blind man, a "certain" poor man, a "certain" maid, a "certain" sedition, a "certain" season, a "certain" centurion, a "certain" vessel, a "certain" sorcerer, a "certain" damsel, a "certain" priest, a "certain" Samaritan, a "certain" man went down from Jerusalem and he was beat-up, passed-up, picked-up, laid-up, and paid-up.
"A certain man had a fig tree," and the owner has become angry and
frustrated concerning the fig tree that he planted in his vineyard. Now, a fig tree is a conspicuous object that was planted by the vineyard dresser. This tree stood alone in the corner of the vineyard, protected by its walls and nourished by its specially prepared soil. A fig tree has been planted;
Not an Oak tree;
Not an Elm tree;
Not a Maple tree;
Not an Ash tree;
Not a Sycamore tree;
Not a Pine tree;
Not a Cedar tree, but a Fig tree.
For you see, the record tells us the owner did not plant an apple tree, a peach tree, a pear tree, or a cherry tree, but he planted a fig tree. And believe me when I tell you, there were two things that Jesus loved to eat and that was figs and fish. Jesus would always go down by the sea shore of Galilee and get some Fish-N-Chips. And then He would stop along the roadside and get some figs, for His dessert. Jesus loved figs. But, He has become extremely disturbed and highly disgusted with the fig tree. The man, "a certain man," the owner of the vineyard, is angered. And when you look at it, the owner represents God.
The vinedresser or the gardener represents Jesus Christ.
The Vineyard represents the Church.
The fig tree represents man. The fig tree that the owner is angry with represents humanity.
And oh brothers and sisters, the record tells us that the owner has come to the vineyard year after year. The owner has stopped by that location for three years in a row. But I think I ought to tell you that God owns us - God is the owner. He owns the silver and gold, He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and holds the whole wide world in His Hand.
He owns every bank, savings and loan, every stock, mutual savings fund, CD, Federal Reserve, every checking and savings account, every purse, wallet, Rolex Timex, Rolls-Royce, Jeep, Jaguar, house, apartment and condo. God owns every Gucci bag and every Wal-Mart special. We have been bought with a price.
Jesus said "a certain man" has made a third trip for the third year to the same tree. "A certain man" came upon this fig tree expecting fruit, but the tree was fruitless. For three years I came looking for figs. The first year I was "...seeking fruit." It was full of leaves and it appeared to have figs on it, but it had none, it was barren. This fig tree stood alone in the corner of the vineyard protected by its walls and nourished by its specially prepared rich and fertile soil. The owner deliberately placed it where it ought to be, can you hear him think out loud? So it could get the proper sunlight and the proper rain. I put it near some moist soil. The second year I came seeking fruit, but I suffered disappointment. The third year I waited patiently. I've come here three years in a row and found not one fig.
This tree is a blessed tree!
This tree didn't sprout wild by the roadside overnight.
This tree has an advantage over many other trees because it was planted in a vineyard.
This tree had all the privilege and the attention that the other trees had in the garden. It had good soil; rain, sunshine and the gardener probably put a little Miracle Grow around the tree. And this tree ought to bear figs.
Figs are supposed to appear before the leaves. Figs were expected from every tree in the vineyard. For you see, for three years Jesus came to this corner of the vineyard expecting to see fruit. He did not send anyone. He came looking for himself. And for three years He observed and suffered disappointment.
For you see, in this parable Jesus realized there is no tree more commonly fruitful than a fig tree. A fig tree bears choice fruit year round. And God wants every one of His children in His vineyard to be fruitful and multiply. Now, God expects fruit from each one of us. Because, "we are known by the fruit we bear."
Every year Jesus said, "a certain man" stopped by, but he was met with disappointment.
Every year Jesus said, "a certain man" stopped by, but he was let down.
Every year Jesus said, "a certain man" stopped by, but he found no figs. This tree is in debt to the owner, because it owes him three years worth of figs.
And oh my brothers and sisters, Jesus said, "a certain man" was highly disturbed! I'm tired of giving to this tree and it gives me nothing back! Well, some folks are just like that with God. Not only with God, but also with children and parents, Church and members, shepherd and sheep. Children won't take out the garbage can, won't clean up their room or make the bed they sleep on. They are constantly wanting and receiving but giving nothing in return.
Some members don't come to Church half the time and every time you look around, they want something from God. They are constantly wanting and receiving but give nothing in return. The shepherd wants something out of the sheep and the sheep want something out of the shepherd. They are constantly wanting and receiving, but giving nothing in return.
Yes, God give us so much and we give Him so little. We received from Him life. We receive from Him another day's journey. We receive from Him the sun, moon and stars. We receive from Him a reasonable portion of health and strength. We are constantly receiving from Him, but we are never giving back to the Lord. We receive from Him the air that we breathe and the blood that runs warm in our veins. God has given us so much but some people give God so little and sometimes nothing at all!
God gives us so many blessings and some Church folks come to Church wearing God's fine clothes, wearing God's fancy shoes, money in their pocket, beautiful houses, gold and diamond rings, Mercedes-Benzes, Lexus' and BMW's. Some of them come into God's House and sit down on the pew and won't even give God praise! They won't even say Hallelujah, thank you Jesus. No fruit is given! They won't give their tithes and offering.
Jesus said, for three years in a row, "a certain man" came seeking fruit from this tree at the right time and at the right season. And I've searched every leaf and under every limb and found none. My patience has run out. "Cut it down." The question rises, why would a man fall out with a tree? Why would a man get angry, upset, frustrated and disturbed with a tree? The owner is upset with this fig tree, because the owner had great anticipation.
The owner had high hopes and great aspirations for that tree. Well, I think I ought to tell you that God has hopes and high aspirations for you and I. God has great plans for you and me. The owner was anxious to cut the tree down, because the tree had failed to live up to his expectations. The tree had let him down. For you see, there have been times in my life that I let God down. And if you're really honest about yourself, you have let God down also in life.
I don't care how long you've been in Church.
I don't care how much you've attended Church.
I don't care how much you give to the Church.
I don't care how righteous thou art or pretend to be.
There have been times when you let Jesus down. I can hear "a certain man" saying in essence, "For three years I've stopped by here and I've timed my stops. I've waited until I knew that it was fig-bearing time. I didn't stop by in the heart of the winter. I came by at the right season when I knew there would be figs on the trees.
Every year that I've stopped by, I was displeasure.
Every year that I've stopped by, I was dissatisfaction.
Every year that I've stopped by, I was displeasure.
Every year that I've stopped by, I was unhappiness.
Every year that I've stopped by, I was annoyed.
Every year that I've stopped by, I was frustration.
Every year that I've stopped by, I was angry.
Every year that I've stopped by, I was irritated.
Every year that I've stopped by I was let down.
Every year that I've stopped by I found no figs!
This tree is in my debt.
This tree owes me.
This tree owes me three years worth of figs and it hasn't paid off yet.
This tree owes me three seasons worth of figs and I have yet to recover my loss from this fig tree.
This tree owes me the pain and suffering that I had to encounter.
Oh brothers and sisters, this tree was like investing your stock in Enron, you gain a loss. I can hear the owner saying, I've invested a lot of time in this tree! I came here for three years in a row during the season for figs. I searched every limb and looked under every leaf and did not find one fig! And the hurting thing to me is, that I can go down the road and see some stray fig trees laden with figs. And the punishment to this fig tree is - Cut It Down!
Because this tree is a bad example to other trees - cut it down!
This empty tree is soaking up sun, air and water - cut it down!
This tree is no good to me. It's just taking up space in the vineyard that could be used by a productive tree - cut it down.
Well, there are many marriages that are empty. The love and the thrill are gone! And you feel like you're ready to quit! I'm not happy on my job! My peers do not respect me! All the challenge is gone! I'm tired of constantly being disappointed! I'm tired of business as usual. And, the record informs us that "a certain man" was very clear in his action when he said cut it down, cut this fig tree down.
And oh brothers and sister, one cannot mistake or misinterpreted the instructions. "Cut it down!" The tree was fruitless and received the final judgment! "Cut it down!" The tree had no value, none whatsoever. "Cut it down!" And you know my brothers and sisters, after meditating and praying over this text; I couldn't help but be moved by the fact that there was another voice in this parable. Thank God for His Son Jesus! The tree was fruitless and had been a constant disappointment to the owner. Now, I told you at the outset of the message, who the vinedresser or the gardener of the vineyard represents - Jesus. And the record is that the Lord said, "...let it alone."
I know it deserves to be cut down, but "let it alone."
I know it has failed you, but "let it alone."
I know it has been a constant source of heartache and disappointment, but "let it alone."
I know you have given the tree three years, but "let it alone this year also," and give it one more year. The old folks used to say, give it another chance to "straighten up and fly right."
I'm asking you to "...let it alone this year also..." and let me work with it and give special attention and plenty of fertilizer to the tree. Let me use some TLC - Tender Loving Care. And if it does not bear fruit after that, then cut it down. The Lord could have cut us down a long time ago, while we were yet still in sin. But He said to the Father "let it alone this year also!" I was walking contrary to his will, but I heard Him say, "Let it alone this year also!" I was doing my thing, but He said, "Let it alone this year also!" God gave us:
Time after time.
Day after day.
Week after week.
Month after month.
Year after year.
Chance after chance.
Favor after favor.
Privilege after privilege.
Opportunity after opportunity.
Goodness after goodness.
Love after love.
Mercy after mercy.
Hope after hope.
Grace after grace.
"Let it alone this year also!" Don't "Cut it down!" I can do more with it than you can.
Let me have it, I can do more with it than you can!
Let me work with it!
Let me feed it!
Let me nurture it!
Let me water it!
Let me give it some spiritual Vitamin A-C, Calcium and Iron so it can grow and be strong.
And, that's what the Lord is saying to us - give him/her to me! And I will set you Free from sin! A tree was cut down so that Jesus could carry it up to a hill call Calvary with all...of the weight, of the world sin upon His shoulder. This tree was cut down and made into a T-cross. And they crucify Jesus on that tree.
Now, the tree was cut down one time for Jesus to be crucified on. But a tree want be cut down any more for your sins and my sins. No More trees will be cut down for mankind sin. Jesus hung on a tree and died one time for all of us. The old preacher use to say and He ain't gonna died no more.
He died that we might live.
He died that all might be set free from the bondage of sine.
He died that the axes head of life can't "Cut us Down for our past – present and future sin anymore."
He died…but He didn't stay dead.
He got up out of the grave with all power
