“This Time Next Year”
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In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
“So many thousands of the people”
Jesus is never overwhelmed with a crowd.
Luke described the crowd as “trampling one another.”
A crowd of people with all different types of Spiritual, Emotional, Mental, and Physical issues.
Jesus also knew that there were some in the crowd with the wrong motives.
Trampling one another for some type of purpose…
In Luke chapter 12 Jesus begins to teach on a few subjects
He dealt with His disciples about being hypocrites
He reminds them that God has not forgotten them.
Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Someone yells out in the crowd… “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me”
He deals with covetousness…
Jesus makes a powerful statement…
“One’s life does not consist in the abundance o his possessions.”
And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Remember thousands of people were trampling over each other to hear him speak.
He wasn’t concerned about a mega church
He wasn’t concerned about the offering He could raise
He wasn’t trying to post pictures for social media
He had an audience not to fulfill His own will or agenda but an opportunity to talk to “the Garden within called the heart.”
Jesus knew that not having what you need (not having possessions) can cause you to become anxious.
And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.
Just have faith!
God will take care of you.
Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Jesus is urging the crowd and His disciples
“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,
Be on the look out for the return of the master.
Jesus tell the crowd!
He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens.
You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
Wake up! Are you trampling over each other for the right purpose?
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Jesus focus was not on the situation but on those bringing up the situation.
Repent!
Repent: to reconsider (repent) v. — to have a change of self (heart and mind) that abandons former dispositions and results in a new self, new behavior, and regret over former behavior and dispositions.
Jesus was talking to Jews that needed a change of Heart!
Repent… Change the way you think!
Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Jesus says.. What about the 18 that died from the tower falling on them…
This is a moment that reminds us of Old Testament provides before…
And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
This is a parable that represent Isreal’s unfruitful relationships to truly have a relationship with the almighty God through Jesus Christ.
For three years and no fruit…
Cut it down!
“Why should it use up the ground?”
“He answered him, Sir, Let it alone this year also, Until I dig around it and put on manure.”
I am guilty of being the fig tree…
I’m guilty of being one of the people in the crowd with the wrong motive…
I’m guilty of being a hypocrite
I’m guilty of feeling like God has forgotten about me
I’m guilty of being anxious…
I’m guilty of my faith being shaky…
I’m guilty of my heart being in the wrong place and it’s a reflection of my treasure…
I’m guilty of not being prepared or ready for His return
I’m guilty of being able to interpret every knew gossip or drama filled issue but I can’t interpret the present time!
All the man wanted to do was to enjoy the fruit of the tree He planted…
All God wants is a relationship with His creation!
I can’t be the same this time next year!!! I NEED TO BE BETTER
I WANT TO BE PRODUCTIVE
But I’m so thankful for Jesus…
The Vinedresser tells the Owner of the Vineyard
And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.
“Let it alone this year”
Until I dig around it and put on manure (Fertilizer)
All He needs from me is to Repent!
I acknowledge my guilt…
Jesus said I’ll dig around it..
I will Fertilize it
Let it alone this year!!!!!!!
Jesus knew that someone in the crowd was going to be different a year from now because they were going to have the power to produce!
I Got the power to produce now!