Moses and the FIg Tree
Notes
Transcript
God is not a cliche such as “Well it must have been God’s will or it wouldn’t have happened.
God is not a cliche such as “Well it must have been God’s will or it wouldn’t have happened.
It seems that its not a matter of changing the mind of God, but a matter of recognizing that we too often treat circumstances as if they were God. We give divine status to things-as-they-are, which increases the power of the difficulties that confront us.
It seems that its not a matter of changing the mind of God, but a matter of recognizing that we too often treat circumstances as if they were God. We give divine status to things-as-they-are, which increases the power of the difficulties that confront us.
Read Exodus 32
Read Exodus 32
But Moses didn’t look at it that way. The dialogue here is one that requires genuine boldness but also a powerful understanding of who God is.
But Moses didn’t look at it that way. The dialogue here is one that requires genuine boldness but also a powerful understanding of who God is.
This dialogue ends with one of the most powerful prayers in the Bible
This dialogue ends with one of the most powerful prayers in the Bible
But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!”
Moses doesn’t ask God to change His mind but to change the way His Will gets done.
Moses doesn’t ask God to change His mind but to change the way His Will gets done.
Moses wasn’t saying, “God please change your mind. But God I know your nature and destroying the nation, Israel does not fit your will.
Moses wasn’t saying, “God please change your mind. But God I know your nature and destroying the nation, Israel does not fit your will.
Perhaps Moses and the gardener understood the hard fact about our universe: that a judgement always hangs, somewhere over our human race, and over us as individuals. Basically, we are always in danger of destruction.
Perhaps Moses and the gardener understood the hard fact about our universe: that a judgement always hangs, somewhere over our human race, and over us as individuals. Basically, we are always in danger of destruction.
Black plague verses polio, verses COVID19.
Black plague verses polio, verses COVID19.
War is a constant. We are always either just coming out of one or on the brink of a new one.
War is a constant. We are always either just coming out of one or on the brink of a new one.
Now let’s take a look at the parable of the fig tree
Now let’s take a look at the parable of the fig tree
Read Luke 13:6-7
Read Luke 13:6-7
Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’
This is typical of the world, then and today. We tend to give up too easy. If we don’t have success at one thing, we scrap it and find something else.
This is typical of the world, then and today. We tend to give up too easy. If we don’t have success at one thing, we scrap it and find something else.
It takes 2-5 years for a fig tree to bear fruit. It can take a lifetime for a person to bear the fruit God has meant for them. That is why in 1 Corinthians 13:4 the first definition of love is patient.
It takes 2-5 years for a fig tree to bear fruit. It can take a lifetime for a person to bear the fruit God has meant for them. That is why in 1 Corinthians 13:4 the first definition of love is patient.
We all to often assume God has given up on someone or some ministry because it isn’t bearing fruit so we find a new cause. And that is why the most quoted passage in the Bible includes, “THY WILL BE DONE.”
We all to often assume God has given up on someone or some ministry because it isn’t bearing fruit so we find a new cause. And that is why the most quoted passage in the Bible includes, “THY WILL BE DONE.”
Read Luke 13:8-9
Read Luke 13:8-9
“The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’ ”
Two lessons we can learn from the gardener in this parable.
Two lessons we can learn from the gardener in this parable.
Discipleship/witnessing/evangelism/ministry all take work if we are going to see fruit.
Discipleship/witnessing/evangelism/ministry all take work if we are going to see fruit.
Don’t give up so easy, God is not through working with you or the ones you are witnessing to.
Don’t give up so easy, God is not through working with you or the ones you are witnessing to.
And the over ridding lesson from Moses and the fig tree.
And the over ridding lesson from Moses and the fig tree.
Seek God’s will in all things and trust that HE has a plan far greater than the vision you have.
Seek God’s will in all things and trust that HE has a plan far greater than the vision you have.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.