TEACHABLE MOMENTS—WHERE'S THE FRUIT?

March 19, 2010

TEACHABLE MOMENTS—WHERE'S THE FRUIT?

Matthew 21:18-27

Kyle Thompson

Central Truth

Faith that produces lots of "show" and no fruit is worthless and a reflection of hypocrisy.

Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, "No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered. (Matthew 21:18-19)

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.

20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

I love the way Jesus uses relevant experiences in life's journeys as an example to the disciples of the truth He has taught them. Jesus is modeling Deuteronomy 6:6-7: "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."

Jesus uses the barren fig tree as an example of how "fruitless" our Christianity is (religiosity) if it bears no fruit. One of the issues God has exposed and transformed in me is that of being a "performer." I am drawn to do and say the right things so that others will see how faithful I am. My acts of performance are rooted in pride much as the leaves on the fruitless fig tree. One of the passages God used to expose me is Psalm 51:16-17: "For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."

I am reminded of the ways God desires that my faith translate into His fruit of love in 1 John 3:17-18: "But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth."

Following Christ results in a continual transformation that bears the "fruit" of His Spirit. I’m praying my roots will grow deep into His soil, resulting in abundant, juicy, plump figs!

1. What evidence of fruit do you see emanating from your walk with Christ? Read Galatians 5:22-23.

2. Who are you trying to please? God or men? Read Galatians 1:10.

3. In what ways does your faith translate into works? Read James 2:14-18.

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. An “authority” is someone in charge. This person often makes the rules or makes sure the rules are obeyed. Who do you think gave Jesus His authority?

2. Who is in authority over you?

3. How do you respond to people in authority?