Are we fruitful trees?

1. Are we fruitful trees? Luke 13:1-9

2. The Parable vv. 4-6 A certain man had planted a fig tree in his vineyard. He has come seeking fruit and for the third year has found none He orders the vine-keeper to cut it down After all why should it continue to use up resources, time, and space. The groundkeeper intercedes and requests another year to work with the tree. If after that year the tree produces fruit, then all will be well and good. If the tree still does not produce fruit, then the owner may cut it down.

3. The Imagery The Owner: Represents God the Father Has a relationship with and knows this tree Has an expectation of return on his investment The Vine Keeper: Represents Jesus Christ Works with the tree to provide the conditions for the tree to produce fruit Acknowledges that there is a time limit to his efforts The Fig Tree: Represents Israel in classical Biblical metaphors. Can represent the nation, a sub-group, or even an individual Always represents a close personal relationship The Fruit (Figs): It is the production of fruit that keeps the tree from being cut down It becomes central to this lesson that we understand what the fruit represents in order to avoid our own destruction

4. The Fruit (Figs) • What does the fruit of the fig tree represent? • Works? • This application does not work for we know that works do not lead to salvation • Repentance: • Verses 3 and 5 state: • ‘unless you repent, you will all likewise perish’ • Matthew 3: John the Baptist preaches repentance saying: • v3: Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance • v10: The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire • Jeremiah: God calls for repentance or destruction will come

5. Repentance • Repentance is called for throughout the Bible: • God is always looking for the repentant heart • Repentance does not originate with Christianity; • It is the most important theme running over the entire story of God’s relationship with humankind

6. Repentance • Is a summons to a personal, absolute, and ultimate unconditional surrender to God as sovereign ruler of the universe • Requires complete change of direction toward God • More than just compliance with God’s will • More than just obedience to God’s law • Is a change of heart and desire • God has promised a NEW HEART • We are NEW Creatures in Christ

7. Repentance • Completes the Forgiven/Repentance cycle that renews and repairs the relationship between God and man • Sets the stage for all other fruit we will bear. • With our heart, desires, and wills now aligned toward God, we can do the ‘good works’ that He has ordained for us to do • Without repentance: • We can still do great things, but we will not have a real relationship with God • Matthew 7:21-23 ‘I knew you not’

8. The Unrepentant Heart • Feels ‘sorry’ for the things they have done. • May overcome the action of sin, but never conquers the desire of sin • May do the good works of God out of obligation or obedience, not out of desire to please God • Withholds themselves from surrender to God and His sovereignty • Wants it both ways: • They call themselves Christian but want to continue doing their own thing

9. The Repentant Heart • Feels sorrow, remorse, and contrition • Desires to change the course of their lives • Desires to set right the damage done • Wants the removal of the desire to sin • This is the new standard that Jesus establishes, that what is in the heart is also sin: • Matthew 5 • 1 John 3:15 • Surrenders everything to God and trusts Him in all things

10. The Repentant Heart • Is the fruit that God desires when he plants His garden • REPENT or perish • Not, do good works or perish • Is a heart after God’s own • King David sets the example: • Repentant (Psalm 25:11) Obedient (Psalm 119:34) • Faithful (Psalm 23:6) Devoted (Psalm 4:7) • Loving (Psalm 18:1) Trusting (Psalm 27:1) • Respectful (Psalm 31:9) Reverent (Psalm 18:3) • Humble (Psalm 62:9)

11. Application • God has invested in you: • Love, time, property, and His Son • You are the only thing God has ever PURCHASED • God has an expectation that this pays off in a repentant heart. It is His desire to have a close, loving, personal relationship with you • We must be able to look within and ask: • Am I repentant, turning back toward God and surrendering to Him? • Am I producing the fruit that God is seeking when He enters the Garden, a repentant heart?

12. Application • Repentance is a multistage process. • Part of sanctification • It is fully possible to be repentant in one area, and working on another, while another remains ‘hidden’. • Jesus will work with us to become repentant over all our sin desires. • Just as the vine keeper worked with the Fig Tree. • Is there a change in our attitude, desires, outlook, and faith as we hand over to God more of ourselves?

13. Application • Can the vine keeper say, “YES, this tree is producing the fruit you desire, and I expect it to produce more next year”? • The Repentant Heart: • will maintain a close, loving relationship with God • will produce great fruit to serve God and others • will, with great love, proclaim the truth to the lost and dying • will stare into the face of persecution and death and declare ‘Jesus is Lord’