Dead Fig tree, cleansed temple

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Call To Worship

Say: Let us now begin to worship the Father the Son, the Holy Spirit, Our Call to worship Comes to us from

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Introduction

300 Sermon Illustrations from Charles Spurgeon The Practicality of Faith (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9–10; Galatians 3:2)

Faith is a most practical principle in daily life. Most trade hangs on trust. When a man sows wheat he has to scatter it into the furrows and lose it, and he does so because he has faith that God will send a harvest. When the sailor loses sight of the shore, he has to sail by faith. Believing in his compass, he feels safe though he may not see land for weeks.

Faith is the hand that receives what God presents to us, and hence it is a simple childlike thing. When a child has an apple offered to him, the child may know nothing about the orchard in which the apple grew, and he may know nothing of the mechanism of his hand and arm, but it is quite enough for him to take the apple. Faith does the most effectual thing for the soul when it takes what God gives.

When God holds out to me salvation by Christ Jesus, I do not need to ask anything further about it, but just take it to myself and be at once saved, for by faith the Spirit of God is received.112

We are going to look at faith rejected and faith recived today. This will be a heady one as we are looking a bit at eschatology, a bit at the nature of Christ, and faith.

Text

Mark 11:12–26 ESV

12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. 15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city. 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Notes

Big Idea: We are going to look at living faith verse dead faith.

Observations and Background

This whole section of scripture is holy week, Jesus entered the city and now he is preparing for the Crucifixion.

While he is their he enters the city like the king he is and is received as the king he is.

In our text today we see two related events the cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple.

How to Read the Bible

Before we jump in, were going going to look at some serious eschatological (end times), and prophetic images today. You’re going to have to hold on to your boots.

When it comes to interpretation of scripture you need to read whatever type of literature your in, it its respective kind. You read letters like a letter, narrative like a story, and so on.

When it comes to symbols, you need to understand them as symbols. The Bible was written in times when various things had meanings that they may not have today.

An example would be the bible calls us to be salt and light, but you may hear someone say they’re being a bit salty.

So we need to understand what is being said in its context.

God will use the image of a tree to represent his people, he used many farming illustrations to connect with those people.

So a quick take away

Read the Bible in light of the time it was written, read symbols in light of what they meant at the time, don’t read our day into the text, and when a piece of scripture is confusing, first default to using text that is more clear to understand that which isn’t, then you can go outside of the text.

A good study Bible can help with this. I like the ESV its a big boy very good notes. The John Mac is solid, I like the reformation study Bible great notes like the ESV, and I like the Reformation Heritage Study Bible it’s great for families and is KJV if you enjoy that translation.

The Fig tree and the Temple

The Fig tree

Mark 11:12–14 ESV

12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

Mark 11:20–22 ESV

20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.

This events are prophetic and symbolic.

(explain in terms of America for symbolism)

The fig tree often represents Israel in it prosperity a couple of example

Deuteronomy 8:8 ESV

8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey,

1 Kings 4:25 ESV

25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon.

Jeremiah 8:13 ESV

13 When I would gather them, declares the Lord, there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them.”

This Fig tree

In our text the fig tree which should have had small figs at this point of the season was barren. During the spring it would have small fruit, not full large fruit that it would have later in the summer. It was fruitless and as Jesus says that which doesn’t have fruit is only good to be thrown into the fire.

John 15:6 ESV

6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

This act was a symbol of judgment on the nation of Israel. they had become fruitless and so Jesus was coming to bring judgment on them for their faithlessness and institute the New Covenant. Eleswhere Jesus says this.

Luke 13:6–7 ESV

6 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. 7 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?’

Jesus’s ministry lasted that long.

The Jewish church and largely the Jewish people had stopped bearing the fruit of their faith. So as Jesus had said repeatedly about that generation, they were going to experience judgment.

Jesus had said Matt. 16:4

Matthew 16:4 ESV

4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.

The one who would be in the belly of the ground, like the belly of the whale was telling the people of Israel to repent or be destroyed.

The result of their failure to Repent

Now they failed to Repent.

So where does that leave the Jewish people. They need Christ. Paul share this in the book of Romans 11:11-24

Romans 11:11–24 ESV

11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! 13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Now it is my belief that due to the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD the Jewish people experience the cutting of off the from the root. And we Gentiles have been grafted in.

Now if you know anything about olive trees you can’t graft in a branch, like other trees. It won’t take, this is miracle of God. You and I are now God’s chosen people, yes Christians are God’s chosen people not the Jewish people.

Now a Jewish man/women can become part of God’s chosen people, his family through faith in the messiah that they rejected.

The Bible says this

Romans 11:11–16 ESV

11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! 13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

If you’re not a believer and your hearing this, you see what men and women who believe love Jesus have and you don’t, you are experiencing this, this jelousy then you are being called to God to be his child.

(GIVE THE GOSPEL)

The cleansing of the Temple

He cleansed the temple from their unfaithfulness, they were cutting off people from God

The cleansing of the temple fulfills prophecy and demonstrates Jesus’ love for his fathers house

The priest had changed it into a den of robbers - thew word really means

Matthew, Volumes 1 & 2 The Proper Use of God’s House

More importantly, the Greek word translated “robber” (lēstēs) always carries the connotation of violent action, so that it refers to more than economic dishonesty. The word ordinarily means bandit, revolutionary, or insurrectionist, and never means thief.

So When Jesus calls them that he is condeming them fiercely.

They had cut off gentiles from God! The buy and selling was their area

These priest who managed that area had committed insurrection against God, and in 60 years they would use the temple mount as their rebbellious fortess against Rome in the Jewish was, in which Titus would say “they have been abaddoned by their God” and he would reject the victory crown because of the events that happened there.

These priest were fallen

The Fallen Priests verse the true priest (17-18)

Jesus has the priestly office, he makes atonment for the people of God. the current jewish system which wass coming to an end had transformed the court of gentiles into a den of robbers or marauders.

Today the line of high priests in lost, the sacrfical system gone, because the true high priest Jesus has come. The final sarfice has been made once and for all.

The Jewish system was judged and found sinful.

One commentator said

“Divine Judgement in history are, so to speak rehearsals of the last judgment.”

Their failure lead to the conflict in 70 AD and is a picture of the conflict at the end of days to come!

Will Men and women be faithful, will we hear the call of Jonah, three days or you will be detroyed?

The Outcome of the soon to come judgment

What he teaches because of these Judgments is this

Mark 11:22–26 NKJV

22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Prayer

(1.) Christ teacheth them from hence to pray in faith (v. 22); Have faith in God. They admired the power of Christ’s word of command; “Why,” said Christ, “a lively active faith would put as great a power into your prayers, v. 23, 24. Whosoever shall say to this mountain, this mount of Olives, Be removed, and be cast into the sea; if he has but any word of God, general or particular, to build his faith upon, and if he shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith, according to the warrant he has from what God hath said, shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Through the strength and power of God in Christ, the greatest difficulty shall be got over, and the thing shall be effected. And therefore (v. 24), “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray believe that ye shall receive them; nay, believe that ye do receive them, and he that has power to give them, saith, Ye shall have them. I say unto you, Ye shall, v. 24. Verily I say unto you, Ye shall,” v. 23. Now this is to be applied,

[1.] To that faith of miracles which the apostles and first preachers of the gospel were endued with, which did wonders in things natural, healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out devils; these were, in effect, the removing of mountains. The apostles speak of a faith which would do that, and yet might be found where holy love was not, 1 Co. 13:2.

[2.] It may be applied to that miracle of faith, which all true Christians are endued with, which doeth wonders in things spiritual. It justifies us (Rom. 5:1), and so removes the mountains of guilt, and casts them into the depths of the sea, never to rise up in judgment against us, Mic. 7:19. It purifies the heart (Acts 15:9), and so removes mountains of corruption, and makes them plains before the grace of God, Zec. 4:7. It is by faith that the world is conquered, Satan’s fiery darts are quenched, a soul is crucified with Christ, and yet lives; by faith we set the Lord always before us, and see him that is invisible, and have him present to our minds; and this is effectual to remove mountains, for at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, the mountains were not only moved, but removed, Ps. 114:4–7.

I want to point this out as well. The empire of Rome was built on seven hills. Rome was defeated by Christians in their faith, they prayed and God gave them the empire. If you’re forlorn over America, the western world’s state, God gave the Christians Rome, Our capital is built on a swamp. Mountains are harder to take. God is taking America for his possession and this temporary apostasy is just that, temporary!

And Forgiveness

(2.) To this is added here that necessary qualification of the prevailing prayer, that we freely forgive those who have been any way injurious to us, and be in charity with all men (v. 25, 26); When ye stand praying, forgive. Note, Standing is no improper posture for prayer; it was generally used among the Jews; hence they called their prayers, their standings; when they would say how the world was kept up by prayer, they expressed it thus, Stationibus stat mundus—The world is held up by standings. But the primitive Christians generally used more humble and reverent gesture of kneeling, especially on fast days, though not on Lord’s days. When we are at prayer, we must remember to pray for others, particularly for our enemies, and those that have wronged us; now we cannot pray sincerely that God would do them good, if we bear malice to them, and wish them ill. If we have injured others before we pray, we must go and be reconciled to them; Mt. 5:23, 24. But if they have injured us, we go a nearer way to work, and must immediately from our hearts forgive them.

[1.] Because this is a good step towards obtaining the pardon of our own sins: Forgive, that your Father may forgive you; that is, “that he may be qualified to receive forgiveness, that he may forgive you without injury to his honour, as it would be, if he should suffer those to have such benefit by his mercy, as are so far from being conformable to the pattern of it.”

[2.] Because the want of this is a certain bar to the obtaining of the pardon of our sins; “If ye do not forgive those who have injured you, if he hate their persons, bear them a grudge, meditate revenge, and take all occasion to speak ill of them, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” This ought to be remembered in prayer, because one great errand we have to the throne of grace, is, to pray for the pardon of our sins: and care about it ought to be our daily care, because prayer is a part of our daily work. Our Saviour often insists on this, for it was his great design to engage his disciples to love one another.

A faithful People of God

What this all means. God was preparing to create for himself a nation of people he was about to fulfill the promise of giving them a new heart

Mark 12:1–12 (ESV)

1 And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. 2 When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. 6 He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not read this Scripture:

“ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 11 this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12 And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.

What do you build your life on?

(Give the gospel again)

Benediction

Say: As we close our service of worship dear brother and sister please stand for our benediction and receive by faith this blessing from God

2 Peter 1:2 ESV

2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.