“Through the Looking Glass” The Kingdom of Heaven as seen through the parables of Jesus
“For now we see through a glass…” – I Cor. 13:12
“Let’s Get Figgy With It!”
Barren Fig Tree: Luke 13:1-9
13 1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” 6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
WE LIKE COMPARING OURSELVES TO OTHERS’ BARRENNESS WHEN WE OUGHT TO BE CONTRASTING OURSELVES BY OUR “FRUIT.”
2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no!”
- “MORE RIGHTEOUS” RATHER THAN “LESS GUILTY.”
GOD HOLDS ME ACCOUNTABLE FOR MY “FRUIT.”
3 “…unless you repent, you too will all perish.
7 “‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down!’”
- THE FRUIT OF REPENTANCE
GOD PROVIDES ALL I NEED TO BE “FRUITFUL.”
8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.’”
- DEATH ON CROSS
- HADES, KEYS OF HADES WITH HIM
- HIS AUTHORITY
- HIS HOLY SPIRIT
- SPIRITUAL GIFTS
GOD PROVIDES ALL WE NEED TO BE “FRUITFUL.”
JESUS’ MINISTRY WAS ABOUT THREE YEARS… ALLUDING PROPHETICALLY TO HIS MINISTRY ON EARTH?
7 “‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree…
8 ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.’”
THE CHURCH GIVEN A YEAR TO PRODUCE FRUIT?
GOD’S “DIGGING AROUND” CMCN:
- Willing ministry leaders!
- Mortgage Reductions: $5,000/month in the last 4 years!
- Inspired “Seasonal Servants”
- Water from a dry well… manna… quail!
LET’S “GET FIGGY WITH IT!”
IF HE COMES BACK NEXT YEAR, WILL HE FIND US “FIGGY?”
“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” – Matthew 11:15