How Will We Survive Destruction and Crop Failure?

Intro. Imagine a wartorn city. Imagine the screams of pain of those who are perishing. It isn’t hard to imagine, it is on every news outlet seeming every day. It is hard to watch. Yet, it is hard to look away. We get caught up in the stories as we watch from a safe distance. Thoughts race through our minds. It is these very thoughts that we want to talk about today.

It is Easy to See Others’ Guilt

(ESV)

Luke 13:1 NIV84

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

How many times have we heard someone say, “I wish ‘so and so’ would have been there to hear that sermon?”

Perhaps we have said it ourselves.

It isn’t necessarily a bad thought.

It shouldn’t be our first thought though.

What is our first thought when we hear about a disaster?

Our first thought might give as an indication as to where our heart is.

Jesus Wants Us to Evaluate Our Own Hearts

(ESV)

Luke 13:2–5 ESV

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. 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.”

Luke 13:2 NIV84

Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?

2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 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? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?

What was on the Disciples mind?

(ESV)

Did they have a idea of Karma? What horrible must have these people done?

3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Were they filled with compassion or contempt?

(ESV)

Did they give any thought to their own guilt before God?

4 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?

(ESV)

When disasters come, do we take the opportunity to take inventory our lives?

5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

It is impossible for us to sort out what events are chance, evil, or God’s judgement. The disciples didn’t know.

Jesus seems to indicate that these folks were no more guilty than others.

HT

Their time came to face God.

Our will come as well.

If our first thoughts are those of compassion and introspection, we are where God wants us.

You see, Jerusalem will be destroyed in AD 70 and at some point, the entire world will pass away.

We need to see that our day is coming as well

Jesus Tells Us a Story of His View of the News

(ESV)

Luke 13:6–8 NIV84

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.

Luke 13:6–8 ESV

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.

Luke 13:6–7 NIV84

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

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?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Who is the owner of the vineyard?

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?’

God? Jesus?

Let’s assume God is the owner of the vineyard for a moment.

He planted vines (us).

He has the right to expect a return for his effort.

He looks at this world and expects to see us bearing fruit in our lives.

Certainly we don’t need to look far to find those who don’t seem to have fruit (or at least good fruit).

We are tempted focus only on others.

Are they really worse sinners than we? Historically? Currently?

The truth is that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

We have at least moments of sin in our current lives.

We deserve destruction!

If we are in Christ, we have passed out of God’s crosshairs.

Yet, we are the “saved.”

We recieved grace!

We didn’t become morally superior!

We need the humility that comes with our true evaluation of ourselves so that we can see others clearly.

If i don’t see myself as I really am, how can I see others clearly?

We Have the Opportunity to Help Others

(ESV)

Luke 13:8–9 NIV84

“ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”

8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

I believe Jesus is the Vine Keeper in his story.

Jesus was trying to get folks to evaluate their lives…their standing with God.

When Jesus heard of the attack on the Galileans by Pilate, he was struck with the finality of their lives.

He was struck with the importance of his mission.

It was too late for these.

It wasn’t too late for those hearing him.

It was just that his disciples didn’t put themselves in the story!

They didn’t “read the news” through the “lens of God”…the “lens of eternity.”

We are in the story twice I believe.

First, we are the hearers of disasters that need to ever stand ready to repent…to refocus our lives.

Secondly, we are either the vinedresser today or we are representatives of him.

I am reminded of another of Jesus’ parables...”first get the log out of your own eye, then you can see clearly how to remove the piece of sawdust from your brother’s eye.”

I want us to notice what Jesus said that he was doing as the vine dresser.

He was interceding on behalf of the fig trees (us).

He was digging and fertilizing.

Digging might imply breaking up the soil. He said some things that were designed to disturb someone’s “soil.”

We need to learn to say things that get people thinking.

He was fertilizing. He made sure they had the nutrients needed in order to grow,…he taught.

We need to teach.

He knew that eventually, we all face the owner of the vineyard…time is running out.

We see in Jesus an interesting combination of patience with and anxiety for the vines.

(ESV)

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Let Us Constantly Evaluate Ourselves While Helping to Grow Others

Let Us Be Fruitful