The Teachings of Christ “Show Me the Fruit!”
# 5 in Series Mark 11:12–14; 20–25
INTRODUCTION
One of the biggest movies of 1996 was Jerry Maguire. This movie starred Tom Cruise as Jerry, a high powered sports agent who left his firm to go out on his own, and Cuba Gooding Jr. as Rod Tidwell, a mid–level NFL player who Jerry needs to represent to keep his dream alive of starting his own firm.
After all of his high profile accounts have turned him down to stay with the firm he used to work for, Jerry is working hard to ensure that Rod stays with him. After many promises Rod asks Jerry to do one thing for him, SHOW ME THE MONEY! Jerry responds with a lackluster performance of the phrase but Rod is persistent and finally Jerry is yelling over the phone, SHOW ME THE MONEY! Rod is convinced and Jerry’s firm is on its way to success.
In Mark 11, Jesus performs a miracle/parable to teach his disciples a lesson about discipleship and service. In essence, Jesus is telling the disciples that they need to SHOW ME THE FRUIT!
• Jesus is walking and becomes hungry. In the distance he sees a fig tree in leaf. Finding no fruit on the tree he curses the tree and it dies.
• This has always sparked curiosity among the casual reader of the gospels because, as Mark records, it was not the season for figs.
• Was Jesus a little harsh with this tree? Surely, he of all people would have known that it wasn’t fig season.
• But by being “in leaf” the fig tree was showing itself to all who could see that it should have fruit. (On the fig tree the fruit precedes the leaves.)
• Jesus is teaching his disciples that he expects more from us than just the ordinary. So what if it wasn’t fig season, if you are showing yourself to have fruit then you should have fruit.
• The Christian life is more than just showing up at services on Sunday. Anyone who lives with this mind set is merely a fig tree showing its leaves.
How can we avoid becoming a fruitless and cursed fig tree?
MAIN BODY
I. Have Faith in God. Mark 11:22–23
A. Righteousness comes through faith. Romans 1:16–17
B. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6
C. Faith that is pleasing to God bears fruit. James 2:14–26
II. Engage in Powerful Prayer. Mark 11:24
A. Prayer is both powerful and effective. James 5:15–16
B. God hears and answers faithful prayer. 1 Peter 3:12
III. Practice Radical Forgiveness. Mark 11:25
A. Forgive as God forgave you. Colossians 2:13; 3:13
B. Forgive to be forgiven. Matt. 6:14–15
C. How radical should our forgiveness be? Matt. 18:21–35
CONCLUSION
“Showy” Christianity will not satisfy God.
God wants faithful, prayerful, forgiving people who bear fruit in his service.
