“REPENTANCE REQUIRED”    

 

INTRODUCTION:

1. scripture – Luke 13:1-9…

      -a. simply, one of the great parables set forth by our Lord.

 

     -b. within this parable, although the Jews are SPECIFICALLY addressed, the same lessons

               will pertain for US TODAY.

 

    -c. the Jews had received numerous blessings as the people of God thru the years(Deut.4:33-34)

            but because of their constant “turning from God”, their days of privileges were soon

            to terminate.   “JUDAISM WAS ABOUT TO END”

 

   -d. They had been given so much, but had not grown,

                                                                       had  not matured,

                                                                      had not been productive,

                                                        even to leading others astray.-i.e. acceptance of the true savior

 

 -e. Christ calls for their “REPENTANCE”

 

2. In Luke 12, Christ had set forth the Jews “sinfulness”,

           their need to change, to repent.

                Luke 12:48..

                      “from everyone that has been given much, much shall be required…”

 

     -a. in seeking to “change the conversation”, “to ignore what Christ had said about them”

           two events are introduced

           -1-. Some Galileans had been slain -vs.2

           -2-. Some were killed by the tower that fell -vs.4          apparently well known events

       

    -b. there had always been the belief that;

           sinners are punished by God in this world

           faithful are blessed with many things in this world

                                                                                   “worldly physical things, possessions”

                                               FALSE!!!

            Note; “Health-Wealth” tele- evangelist preachers make a fortune from their teachings”

                                       God repays you, rewards you, for your faithfulness… good health and wealth

                                       So, God pays you back with things

 

         -1. A very worldly view

         -b. but not biblical!

                 Remember Job’s friends when all things in his life fell apart?

                        Job.11:4-5…11-15

 

     -c. So back to Christ responding to the two events” in Luke 13:1-4…

             -a-. Christ asks his disciples,

                       if these that suffered were “worse sinners than all others”,

                         and is that WHY these things happened to them?

 

            -b-. Christ said “NO”, that they are no more sinners than anyone else – vs. 3, verse 5

            -c-. but they perished, and you will to, if you don’t repent

                                          they perished physically

                                          but yours will be eternal

 

    -d. BUT, back to them main topic, “you Jews need to repent”

                         Jews thought themselves so superior to all others.

 

    -e. Now, a parable seeking to bring “repentance” from them

 

3. The immediate context is about this “tree in the garden”

 

      -a. vs. 6 – this “fig tree” represented Judaism, possibly Jerusalem specifically,

                           for whatever happened to Jerusalem affected all Judaism

 

     -b. vs.6 – “the care” was God’s watchfulness over this nation for hundreds of years

 

    -c. vs.7 – “three years of maturity” possibly the time that the nation of Israel had been

                              created for,

                              -1-.the three years of the teaching of the Messiah, the Christ

                              -2-. nation of Israel’s purpose was to bring savior into this world- Rom.10:4

                              -3-.  Christ’s teaching ministry lasted for three years – starting at age 30 – Lk.3:23

 

 

    -d. vs.8 – “Lord let it alone” as the final ability, “avenue for salvation”

                    for the Jews to be saved would, that being,  the sacrifice of Christ

 

 4. In Luke 13;

          -a. the first five verses(1-5) call for repentance

          -b. the following four verses(6-9) speak of the fruit bearing that should result from

                        repentance, and the patience of God that gives us additional(but uncertain)

                        time to produce

 

THOUGHTS:

(I) “FAVORABLE POSITION”

   1. As the “fig tree” was shown favor, so were the Jews –

            -a. Deut.4:33-36…33:29

            -b. God’s favor over Israel was not because;

                                  they were a great nation in number – Deut.7:7

                                  they were a good, righteous people – Deut.9:5

 

           -c. their “favor” was to ensure the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham     

                          

   2. But what about Christians?

           -a. Matt.11:11

                    -1-. as great as John was

                    -2-. those in the kingdom are so far greater blessed

 

   3. God’s favor in eternity, is for those who sought him in this life – I Timothy 4:10

     

 

   4. As the apostle Paul, and others set forth as stated  in Eph.1:3, “blessings in Christ”

            -a. acceptable prayer unto the Father – Mat.6:9-ff

            -b. redemption – Eph.1:7

            -c. forgiveness – Acts 2:38

            -d. eternal inheritance – I Pet.1:9

                 I Pet.1:4 …an inheritance undefiled

                                                               fadeth not away

                                                               reserved in heaven...    awaiting our arrival

 

            -e. I John 2:1-2

                     -a. “propitiation”(sacrifice) for all men’s sins – Heb.2:9

                     -b.  but an “Advocate”(helper) ONLY for Christians   - I Jn.2:1

 

                           -1-. an offering for all – I Tim.2:6

                           -2-. but a “high priest” in approaching the Father, ONLY for Christians – Heb.9:24

 

 5. Yes, far greater blessings than anyone has ever been granted, as Christians

                 God’s favor has been exercised on our behalf!

 

 

------------------------------           ------------------------------------       ------------------------------

(II) “EXPECTATIONS REQUIRED”

   1. Luke 13:6…

           -a. much care, time, effort has been exerted for this “tree

           -b. therefore, a “return” was expected”……………………(Jewish nation accepting the savior)

           -c. that is a “right” the land owner had…

                            BUT…… John 1:11…  “they that were his own received him not…”

 

           -d. is it wrong to “expect” something in return for all that God has done?

                                                                              Romans 2:4-5

 

             ILL. if we go buy a new car, have we not the right to expect

                       all will work correctly?    Our civil laws even accept this thought…  “Lemon laws”

                       possibly a high priced rifle

                                        nice washing machine

 

   2. Rom.6:17-18…

            -a. you “were”

            -b.  “but now”, servants of righteousness

            -c. “instruments” which are to carry out righteous deeds -Rom.6:13

 

   3. It’s really not a judgment against a “tree”, rather

                     -a. for the Jews in Christ’s time

                     -b. for US, if opportunities are not used

 

 

  4. And what will “save the tree?”

                  -a. changing from what it was

                  -b. to what it can/should be………….Col.3:9-10

                                                                                            “put off the old man

                                                                                              put on the new man” 

 

--------------------------------           -------------------------------            ---------------------------------

(III) “DISAPPOINTED MASTER DEMANDS JUSTICE”

   1. Owner addresses the vinedresser – verse 7

 

   2. Owner had been patient, and as time passed,

            there should have been “fruit being produced”

 

   3. As we apply this “principal” to our lives, God is just, and “has a right”

            to one day set forth that “justice shall be applied”!

            -a. based on “blessings we have been granted”

            -b. there should be “fruit being produced”

 

                  “if we desire the blessings, are we not obligated to give back by our fruits?”

 

 4. For the “tree” to require attention, and not produce,

          brings a “just judgment” upon it – Lam.3:39

 

 5. To the Hebrews, we read in Hebrews 6:7-8

-------------------------------          ------------------------------           ------------------------------

(IV) “REQUEST FOR TIME COMES”

   1. Lk.13:8-9…

             -a. time is ask for, that a “change” might come to pass

             -b. the pleading of the vine dresser could not always “put off justice meted out”

        *  -c. SO, what was going to save this “tree?”

 

   2. So often, isn’t that what we are asking for…  “another chance?”

 

   3. As sin shall occur, thru

                              -a. confessing our sins – I John 1:9

                              -b. repenting(change of mind resulting in change of actions) – Acts 8:22

                              -c. promise to forgive us as Christ intercedes – Rom.8:34

 

   4. Christ approaches the Father on our behalf

                    Heb.7:25..

                    Heb.9:24            Christ’s request for our forgiveness will not be turned down

 

 

   5. As this parable ends, verse 9

                     “ONLY TIME WILL TELL THE OUTCOME”

 

 

  6. Eventually, as Christ spoke about the same “thought” in Matthew 3:10

           -a. about the unrepenting Jews

           -b. for not bearing fruit, the axe was about to cut the tree down

-------------------------------          -------------------------------       ---------------------------------

CONCLUSION:

1. We know not when “all things shall be brought to an end” – Matthew 24:36

 

2. Nor when “our life” shall come to an end – James 4:14

                                          “whereas ye know not what shall be the morrow…”

 

3. We must use our time to make the changes necessary,

         whereby we are productive                                    

         and do not treat the blessings of God in vain

 

              Romans 6:20-22

                   When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. ²¹What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! ²²But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.                                                             “REPENTANCE REQUIRED”    

 

INTRODUCTION:

1. scripture – Luke 13:1-9…

      -a. simply, one of the great parables set forth by our Lord.

 

     -b. within this parable, although the Jews are SPECIFICALLY addressed, the same lessons

               will pertain for US TODAY.

 

    -c. the Jews had received numerous blessings as the people of God thru the years(Deut.4:33-34)

            but because of their constant “turning from God”, their days of privileges were soon

            to terminate.   “JUDAISM WAS ABOUT TO END”

 

   -d. They had been given so much, but had not grown,

                                                                       had  not matured,

                                                                      had not been productive,

                                                        even to leading others astray.-i.e. acceptance of the true savior

 

 -e. Christ calls for their “REPENTANCE”

 

2. In Luke 12, Christ had set forth the Jews “sinfulness”,

           their need to change, to repent.

                Luke 12:48..

                      “from everyone that has been given much, much shall be required…”

 

     -a. in seeking to “change the conversation”, “to ignore what Christ had said about them”

           two events are introduced

           -1-. Some Galileans had been slain -vs.2

           -2-. Some were killed by the tower that fell -vs.4          apparently well known events

       

    -b. there had always been the belief that;

           sinners are punished by God in this world

           faithful are blessed with many things in this world

                                                                                   “worldly physical things, possessions”

                                               FALSE!!!

            Note; “Health-Wealth” tele- evangelist preachers make a fortune from their teachings”

                                       God repays you, rewards you, for your faithfulness… good health and wealth

                                       So, God pays you back with things

 

         -1. A very worldly view

         -b. but not biblical!

                 Remember Job’s friends when all things in his life fell apart?

                        Job.11:4-5…11-15

 

     -c. So back to Christ responding to the two events” in Luke 13:1-4…

             -a-. Christ asks his disciples,

                       if these that suffered were “worse sinners than all others”,

                         and is that WHY these things happened to them?

 

            -b-. Christ said “NO”, that they are no more sinners than anyone else – vs. 3, verse 5

            -c-. but they perished, and you will to, if you don’t repent

                                          they perished physically

                                          but yours will be eternal

 

    -d. BUT, back to them main topic, “you Jews need to repent”

                         Jews thought themselves so superior to all others.

 

    -e. Now, a parable seeking to bring “repentance” from them

 

3. The immediate context is about this “tree in the garden”

 

      -a. vs. 6 – this “fig tree” represented Judaism, possibly Jerusalem specifically,

                           for whatever happened to Jerusalem affected all Judaism

 

     -b. vs.6 – “the care” was God’s watchfulness over this nation for hundreds of years

 

    -c. vs.7 – “three years of maturity” possibly the time that the nation of Israel had been

                              created for,

                              -1-.the three years of the teaching of the Messiah, the Christ

                              -2-. nation of Israel’s purpose was to bring savior into this world- Rom.10:4

                              -3-.  Christ’s teaching ministry lasted for three years – starting at age 30 – Lk.3:23

 

 

    -d. vs.8 – “Lord let it alone” as the final ability, “avenue for salvation”

                    for the Jews to be saved would, that being,  the sacrifice of Christ

 

 4. In Luke 13;

          -a. the first five verses(1-5) call for repentance

          -b. the following four verses(6-9) speak of the fruit bearing that should result from

                        repentance, and the patience of God that gives us additional(but uncertain)

                        time to produce

 

THOUGHTS:

(I) “FAVORABLE POSITION”

   1. As the “fig tree” was shown favor, so were the Jews –

            -a. Deut.4:33-36…33:29

            -b. God’s favor over Israel was not because;

                                  they were a great nation in number – Deut.7:7

                                  they were a good, righteous people – Deut.9:5

 

           -c. their “favor” was to ensure the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham     

                          

   2. But what about Christians?

           -a. Matt.11:11

                    -1-. as great as John was

                    -2-. those in the kingdom are so far greater blessed

 

   3. God’s favor in eternity, is for those who sought him in this life – I Timothy 4:10

     

 

   4. As the apostle Paul, and others set forth as stated  in Eph.1:3, “blessings in Christ”

            -a. acceptable prayer unto the Father – Mat.6:9-ff

            -b. redemption – Eph.1:7

            -c. forgiveness – Acts 2:38

            -d. eternal inheritance – I Pet.1:9

                 I Pet.1:4 …an inheritance undefiled

                                                               fadeth not away

                                                               reserved in heaven...    awaiting our arrival

 

            -e. I John 2:1-2

                     -a. “propitiation”(sacrifice) for all men’s sins – Heb.2:9

                     -b.  but an “Advocate”(helper) ONLY for Christians   - I Jn.2:1

 

                           -1-. an offering for all – I Tim.2:6

                           -2-. but a “high priest” in approaching the Father, ONLY for Christians – Heb.9:24

 

 5. Yes, far greater blessings than anyone has ever been granted, as Christians

                 God’s favor has been exercised on our behalf!

 

 

------------------------------           ------------------------------------       ------------------------------

(II) “EXPECTATIONS REQUIRED”

   1. Luke 13:6…

           -a. much care, time, effort has been exerted for this “tree

           -b. therefore, a “return” was expected”……………………(Jewish nation accepting the savior)

           -c. that is a “right” the land owner had…

                            BUT…… John 1:11…  “they that were his own received him not…”

 

           -d. is it wrong to “expect” something in return for all that God has done?

                                                                              Romans 2:4-5

 

             ILL. if we go buy a new car, have we not the right to expect

                       all will work correctly?    Our civil laws even accept this thought…  “Lemon laws”

                       possibly a high priced rifle

                                        nice washing machine

 

   2. Rom.6:17-18…

            -a. you “were”

            -b.  “but now”, servants of righteousness

            -c. “instruments” which are to carry out righteous deeds -Rom.6:13

 

   3. It’s really not a judgment against a “tree”, rather

                     -a. for the Jews in Christ’s time

                     -b. for US, if opportunities are not used

 

 

  4. And what will “save the tree?”

                  -a. changing from what it was

                  -b. to what it can/should be………….Col.3:9-10

                                                                                            “put off the old man

                                                                                              put on the new man” 

 

--------------------------------           -------------------------------            ---------------------------------

(III) “DISAPPOINTED MASTER DEMANDS JUSTICE”

   1. Owner addresses the vinedresser – verse 7

 

   2. Owner had been patient, and as time passed,

            there should have been “fruit being produced”

 

   3. As we apply this “principal” to our lives, God is just, and “has a right”

            to one day set forth that “justice shall be applied”!

            -a. based on “blessings we have been granted”

            -b. there should be “fruit being produced”

 

                  “if we desire the blessings, are we not obligated to give back by our fruits?”

 

 4. For the “tree” to require attention, and not produce,

          brings a “just judgment” upon it – Lam.3:39

 

 5. To the Hebrews, we read in Hebrews 6:7-8

-------------------------------          ------------------------------           ------------------------------

(IV) “REQUEST FOR TIME COMES”

   1. Lk.13:8-9…

             -a. time is ask for, that a “change” might come to pass

             -b. the pleading of the vine dresser could not always “put off justice meted out”

        *  -c. SO, what was going to save this “tree?”

 

   2. So often, isn’t that what we are asking for…  “another chance?”

 

   3. As sin shall occur, thru

                              -a. confessing our sins – I John 1:9

                              -b. repenting(change of mind resulting in change of actions) – Acts 8:22

                              -c. promise to forgive us as Christ intercedes – Rom.8:34

 

   4. Christ approaches the Father on our behalf

                    Heb.7:25..

                    Heb.9:24            Christ’s request for our forgiveness will not be turned down

 

 

   5. As this parable ends, verse 9

                     “ONLY TIME WILL TELL THE OUTCOME”

 

 

  6. Eventually, as Christ spoke about the same “thought” in Matthew 3:10

           -a. about the unrepenting Jews

           -b. for not bearing fruit, the axe was about to cut the tree down

-------------------------------          -------------------------------       ---------------------------------

CONCLUSION:

1. We know not when “all things shall be brought to an end” – Matthew 24:36

 

2. Nor when “our life” shall come to an end – James 4:14

                                          “whereas ye know not what shall be the morrow…”

 

3. We must use our time to make the changes necessary,

         whereby we are productive                                    

         and do not treat the blessings of God in vain

 

              Romans 6:20-22

                   When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. ²¹What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! ²²But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.