The fate of the Fruitless Tree...
Matthew 21:18-20
(Mark 11:12-14; 20-21)
Matthew 21:18-20
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Fig Tree Withered
18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”
TEXT: Matthew 21:18-20
TITLE : The Fate of the Fruitless Tree
SUBJECT: fruitfulness/fruitlessness
OBJECTIVE: To encourage fruitfulness.
INTRODUCTION:
A presage is an occurrence that typify some other future happenings. In this story the incident of the fig tree, though a real story is a presage of an even greater even. A presage is a happening of prophetic dimension. For incident in the Old Testament when Samuel was about to turn away from Saul, Saul grab his robe and it tare, though from the human perspective this was a simple occurrence, in the spiritual realm it was really a presage, symbolic for something's else - this symbolized how the dynasty would be torn away from Saul family.
Let look at the text before us to see what is really going on....
OUTLINE:
I. The Desire of our Savior - He desire fruits. God desire fruitfulness.
A. Jesus was hungry and he came to the tree in search of fruits.
B. the tree had been created, planted to bear fruits.
C. Similarly Jesus expects us as His children to be fruitful, to bear much fruits.
a. To make an impact in this world for His glory.
b. To walk up rightly in the land of the living.
II. The deception of the tree. The appearances of fruitfulness to the Savior.
A. From far this tree looked like it had some fruits on it. It had all the signs of fruitfulness.
a. It had the height.
b. it was green
b. It had severl branches.
c. And as the text says, it was filled with leaves - no doubt it was green and looked rosy.
B. like many Christians who look like they are truly living for God.
a. They wear the right clothing.
b. They quote Scriptures.
b. know when to says amen.
c. They are churchy
d. They are at church religiously every Sunday.
But a close look at their live will reveal something else.
III. The disappointment of the Savior.
A. As Jesus journey closer to this tree he finds out that this tree was not what it appear to be - it look fruitful but in reality was not.
B. note some one observe that it was not yet fig bearing time - but observe that just before fig bearing time fig trees would bear a kind of fruit that could have been eaten. This is what jesus was looking for. This would also indicate that the tree would bear fruit that season, but if there was none then it indicated that there would bear no fruit for that season - when Jesus came to the tree what he observe that not only did this tree not have any pre-fruit - but all indication showed that this tree would not bear any fruit this entire season - it would only take up space, thought the farmer had work tiresomely with it all year.
C. May I suggest that the savior is disappointed with many so called believers today - who profess faith in him but live unfruitful lives.
1. They are not serving in his kingdom or his church.
2. They are not sharing the gospel with others.
3. They are not living godly lives, but sinful lives and bringing a reproach upon his bride. Their lives are not reflecting the virtues of Jesus Christ. (Humility, compassion, selfless, etc.)
4. They are not displaying the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace etc.
IV. The reaction of the Savior.
A. In the incident with this tree he curse the tree, he brought judgment upon the tree.
a. The tree withered and died - somebody say poor tree - but this tree was not fulfilling any creative purpose, it had failed as a fruit tree.
B. for the believer God will discipline - God discipline those whom he loves. He will discipline to bring you to a place of fruitfulness.
a. The discipline of The Lord can be painful. But God desire you to be fruitful.
b. God will prone the tree, which can be a painful process.
C. A parent discipline his child so that he can be the best he can be - God wants you to be all he called you to be - he will deal with our unfruitfulness.
God don't wants us only looking the part, He wants us being the part.
V. The implications for Jerusalem.
A. This whole incident was about Jerusalem - God'S chosen people. God chosen them as a missionary people to bear much fruit to his glory and honor. They were to worship Him, honor him, live godly before him, and be an example to other nations.
But when Jesus came to them to assess them he found them to be far from the mark. During his first visit on this occasion to Jerusalem, he found that they had turned his father house in a den of thieves. His righteous indignation against their state is displayed in him overturning the table of the money changers and whipping them out of His father house.
B. Because of their ungodliness and disregard for God - they would face the judgment of God as their city would be invaded and many destroyed. The cursing of the fig tree is symbolic of how Jerusalem would be judge my God. This prophetic symbolism of Jesus was fulfilled in AD 70 when the Roman arms besiege the city of Jerusalem and many died.
C. As a nation we must ask ourselves in relation to God are we spiritually fruitful in his sight - Indeed God has blessed us, but are living as a people ingratitude and in a way that honors his matchless name.
VI. The Implication for the Believers. (The church)
As a individual Christian are you bearing fruits - is you spiritual life honoring God.
1. Are you truly living for God in your home, on your job, in the community.
2. Are you telling other about the gospel of Jesus Christ so that they can be saved.
3. Are you walking in love, joy and peace etc. in your life.
Is God please with your Christian walk and talk.
Obviously in the text God was not please with Israel spiritual life.
VII. The correct response.
A. If my life have been unfruitful - repentance is the correct response.
B. cry out to God and ask him to fill you with his strength and power and enable you to bring honor to him in and with your life.
C. Because israel did not repent they suffered judgment - repent, turn, make it right and lead a fruitful life for God'S glory.
CONCLUSION:
We have seen how Jesus came to this tree, it look good from afar, but as he examine it from up close, it prove to be fruitless and disappointing - what will God see if he examine your life from up close.
Allow him to search you heart today and repent where necessary and cry out to him for fruitfulness.
Allow his spirit to fill you and do a new and fresh work in you for His glory.
INVITATION:
Song - change my heart o God, make me ever true.
