Jesus Comes To Church
Notes
Transcript
INTRO
INTRO
Just this past week we saw one of the biggest YouTube and Instagram stars who had millions of followers, who was a millionaire, come out as a complete fake. He is now on the way to prison for fraud! He had the appearance of success, had millions of people that wanted to be like him but upon closer look everything was fake. We live in a culture and in a world that is consumed with appearance and image. Fake it until you make it. In a similar way Jesus is going to confront a group of religious people who had the appearance of spiritual life, but were actually spiritually dead. The danger is that false spirituality sometimes can look “alive” but is in fact dead. How can we be people who are spiritually alive? Producing fruit? Let’s read the text:
The next day when they went out from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, he went to find out if there was anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And his disciples heard it.
第二天他們從伯大尼出來，耶穌餓了。他遠遠看見一棵長滿了葉子的無花果樹，就走過去，看看是否可以在樹上找到甚麼。到了樹下，除了葉子甚麼也找不著，因為這不是收無花果的時候。耶穌對樹說：「永遠再沒有人吃你的果子了！」他的門徒也聽見了。
UNFRUITFUL空的
UNFRUITFUL空的
Dead works have the appearance of life but internally they are bankrupt (verses 12-18)
Dead works have the appearance of life but internally they are bankrupt (verses 12-18)
Lets look at the context. In verse 11, it says that at evening Jesus entered the temple looked around but since it was already late, He went back to Bethany. This is key, because that means Jesus already saw everything that was happening in the temple. So in verse 12, Mark tells us “the next day when they went out from Bethany he was hungry”
This is key for us to see. Mark is telling us that Jesus had a desire, had a need that needed to be satisfied. If you’re hungry, you look for food to satisfy that need.
“So seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves he went to find out if there was anything on it. When He came to it he found nothing but leaves for it wasn’t the season for figs.”
Okay so Jesus is hungry and in the distance He sees this fig tree with leaves on it. This is important because fig trees in the bible represent peace and prosperity. So here is a fig tree, and from a distance it seems as if this fig tree is going to meet the desire of Jesus’ hunger. So He approaches the tree.
But as He gets closer and comes to the tree, He finds nothing but leaves on the tree, for it was not the season for figs. So Jesus said to the tree “May NO ONE EVER EAT FROM YOU AGAIN!”
This sounds harsh! Many people have tried to explain away this parable, because they think Jesus is just being angry and because He is hungry and the fig tree didn’t provide food HE cursed the tree in His anger. But we know that that isn’t what Jesus is doing. So what is really going on here?
When Mark tells us that the fig tree had leaves, it means that it should have had pieces of fruit on the tree. Passover which is the time for this story happened during the month of April, but in the month of March BEFORE LEAVES GREW ON THE TREE, fig trees began to sprout these small pieces of fruit, not fully ripe one’s for harvest, but smaller one’s that were often eaten by people as a snack. So people knew that if a fig tree had leaves, these small pieces of fruit were sure to be on the tree. An absence of these small pieces despite the tree’s green leaves promising their presence, indicated it would bear no fruit that year. It was a barren tree.
We see this tree becomes a symbol for what Jesus is going to do at the temple. This tree has the appearance of a fruit bearing tree, it is even promising through it’s appearance that it will satisfy your hunger, that it will provide the fruit that it was created to provide, but what happens when it is inspected? It’s found to be a complete sham. All appearance, no substance.
A tree in full leaf at Passover season is making a promise it cannot fulfill; just like Israel.
ILLUSTRATION/STORY
Picture of Big Mac real vs fake.
TEMPLE:
“They come to Jerusalem and he went into the temple” There is a lot happening here, so put yourself back in this time in their shoes. At this time of passover it is said that over 2 million people would travel here during this week to offer sacrifices at the temple. They would travel all over from the Roman Empire. This Jewish Temple was one of the wonders of the ancient world. It was beautiful, magnificent. And the temple had different levels or layers to it. The innermost part was called the Holy of Holies that only the high priest could enter once a year with a rope tied around his ankle just in case he died. But the outer most part of the temple was called the court of the Gentiles. This was as far as the Gentiles could go as they pray and offered sacrifices to God.
And everything we are about to read, the selling, the buying, the money changers are all happening in this outer court, the court of the Gentiles.It would be the same as if we had a court of the Wai guo ren’s here in church. And as they could go, was in that hallway. And this where they had to worship to pray to sing, but I don’t if any of you have been in that hallway before or after service? It’s not the most peaceful place, kids running around, but what if that’s all they had in terms of worship. This is what’s happening to the Gentiles.
Look at your bible, Jesus walks into the temple, already seeing it last night, this probably midday now, and begins to go MMA style on everything. This is meek and mild Jesus right? The disciples have got to be shocked. Now this isn’t the first time Jesus has done this in the temple, but when He did it before it wasn’t during Passover, the busiest time of the Jewish year. It would be similar to someone, walking down to Guan Yin Temple during Chinese New Year and beginning to flip over tables and kick people out.
Last week the crowds were shouting Hosanna Hosanna, why? They were expecting Jesus to overthrow Rome, but what does He overthrow? The religious establishment. The temple!
What does this show us? It reminds that Jesus is not only the lamb who dies for our sin, but He is the lion, who will and who does judge our wickedness. He comes into His fathers house and begins to take authority. The word for “throw out” here is the same word in Greek as the word used to “expel” demons. This is a violent act, an act of spiritual warfare, that Jesus does as HE cleanses the temple. Who does He begin to throw out?
“ money changers” these would have been people who were tasked to help foreigners exchange their money. There was only one currency that the temple would take, and so people would have to bring and exchange money so that they could pay the temple tax. Often times these money changers would increase the rates and would rip people off.
“those selling doves” These were people who would be selling acceptable sacrifices to people. Doves were usually sold to the poor. But basically if you brought a sacrifice from home there would be a chance the priests would say it’s unacceptable and make you buy one there anyway, so people often just didn’t go through the trouble of bringing one, and just bought them there.
This marketplace, this money making scheme under the approval and authority of the Chief Priests is happening in the temple, in the outer court of the Gentiles. Now imagine you were a Gentile. You’ve traveled from a long way off, you’ve paid money to stay in Jerusalem, this is your one chance to come and pray and offer sacrifices to God and your only place to do that, is a chaotic, corrupt marketplace. The Chief priests were literally robbing them of their opportunity to worship and come before God.
Do we see how the temple is the same as the fig tree. It has the appearance, the glory of being the place of God’s presence, of God’s prosperity, of God’s peace, but when you come to it, you discover it is internally corrupt, and spiritually bankrupt. So Jesus comes as a judge.
When many people read this story and preach this sermon. It can easily turn into a “social justice” sermon. People will say that Jesus hates that poor people and others are being taken advantage of, and so because of that He comes and HE destroys a system of injustice. While Jesus does hate corruption and injustice, that IS NOT HIS PRIMARY CONCERN.
Notice verse 15. He threw out not only those who sold, but also those who bought. Both the buyers and the sellers kicked them out, then prohibited no other goods to come through temple. If Jesus’ primary concern was for the comfort of people or the injustice of people, He could could kicked out the sellers made them change their rates. Jesus wasn’t like oh this is great, there is a gift of entrepreneurship operating in the church! NO! He started kicking people out, left and. Right.
Look at verse 17 “He was teaching them” “Is it not written my house will be called a house of prayer”. Now I don’t know if as Jesus is flipping over tables and throwing people out He’s also teaching them, but it says that what consumed Him, wasn’t the injustice of individuals, it was the robbing, the blaspheming of the name of God.
This text isn’t primarily about “that these thing shouldn’t be done to these people,” it’s “THESE THINGS SHOULD NOT BE DONE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE”. These things are just an injustice towards people, they are an offense to the glory to the holiness of God.
This text isn’t primarily about “that these thing shouldn’t be done to these people,” it’s “THESE THINGS SHOULD NOT BE DONE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE”. These things are just an injustice towards people, they are an offense to the glory to the holiness of God.
Church, as horrible as sin is, every sin, every injustice, abortion, systemic racism, pride, greed, sex slavery, although incredibly horrible to an individual, and God hates that, and He will judge that, however, ultimately the worst part about sin, about injustice, is that it is an INSULT, and AN OFFENSE TO THE GLORY OF GOD. The glory of God is the most precious thing in the universe. I hope we know that. It’s not that we aren’t valued and have dignity or worth, but compared to the all surpassing glory of God, we are like small stones next the most priceless diamond. The glory of God is what consumes Jesus. Bringing glory to His Father is what drove Jesus.
Church, as horrible as sin is, every sin, every injustice, abortion, systemic racism, pride, greed, sex slavery, although incredibly horrible to an individual, and God hates that, and He will judge that, however, ultimately the worst part about sin, about injustice, is that it is an INSULT, and AN OFFENSE TO THE GLORY OF GOD. The glory of God is the most precious thing in the universe. I hope we know that. It’s not that we aren’t valued and have dignity or worth, but compared to the all surpassing glory of God, we are like small stones next the most priceless diamond. The glory of God is what consumes Jesus. Bringing glory to His Father is what drove Jesus.
What is driving you? What consumes us? If it isn’t the glory of Jesus, then our hearts will be captured by something else. Could be comfort, our own glory. Our marriages, our jobs, our businesses, the way we live our lives, are meant to bring Glory to God. In all that way we do! This church exists to bring glory to God. These religious rulers in Jerusalem allowed something else, other than bringing God glory, to rule their hearts. Look at what happened:
They are thinking this: 2 people are coming to Jerusalem. You know what, let’s take advantage of this situation. Let’s turn the outer court of the Gentiles, it’s convenient, gets a lot of foot traffic, and lets set up a marketplace. We can make some money on the side.Jewish leaders thought this was a good gig! Their selfishness their greed for their own glory, had taken the place of their desire to see the name of God glorified.
Where have we done this? Church sometimes this looks professional. It’s looks like a good idea, sometimes it even makes money, but it is spiritually bankrupt.
Not JUST Chief priests and scribes but look at Jesus talking to the church:
in Revelation:
“Write to the angel of the church in Sardis: Thus says the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works; you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.
「你要寫信給在撒狄教會的使者，說： 『那有 神七靈和七星的這樣說：我知道你的行為，你有名聲，說你是活著的，其實你是死的。
Jesus knows your works. He knows my works. There’s not enough facebook posts we can make, there’s not enough Instagram filters we can put on, there’s not enough small group meetings that we can attend, there’s not a place we can go, that can hide our hearts before the Lord. Our hearts are naked before Jesus. HE knows.
He says you have “the appearance” of being alive but you are dead. Everyone else thinks that things are going well, your serving, your teaching, your ministering, your leading, your got 100 likes on Facebook, BUT YOU ARE DEAD! Your heart is cold, and dead.
There were two preachers in America who were considered to be the greatest preachers of the 1900s. One was Billy Graham, and another one was named Charles Templeton. Now most of you have never heard of Charles Templeton. He was said to be the most gifted of the new young evangelists. Even surpassed Billy Graham. In 1946, The National Church they held a vote called “The Best Used By God”lol, and Charles was at the top. He was winning 150 converts a night. He preached to crowds of 100,000 people. Then one day several years later he got up in front of everyone and said that he no longer believed in the faith he preached. He didn’t believe in the God of the bible and didn’t even believe that Jesus existed.
There are these verses in the Scriptures that tend to keep me up at night, one of them is
On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’
到那日，必有許多人對我說：『主啊，主啊！難道我們沒有奉你的名講道，奉你的名趕鬼，奉你的名行過許多神蹟嗎？』但我必向他們聲明：『我從來不認識你們；你們這些作惡的人，離開我去吧！』
Many, Jesus says, many, will say on that day ‘didn’t we do these things that had the appearance of fruit.” Jesus will say I never knew you. Here is where I get on my knees and pray for you, because Jesus says that churches will be full of people who have all the external appearance of being alive, but HE CONSIDERS THEM SPIRITUALLY DEAD!
So we have here, a beautiful temple, a leafy fig tree, a talented preacher, a growing church, having the appearance of being alive, yet spiritually dead.
Fruitful Through Faith透過信心有果子
Fruitful Through Faith透過信心有果子
These good works are produced by faith. Some of us are attempting to do this in our power.
These good works are produced by faith. Some of us are attempting to do this in our power.
So how do we go from being fruitless, withered fig trees. How are we changed from having the appearance of being alive, to actually becoming spiritually alive producing real fruit?
The answer is: “These good works are produced by faith”
Look at verse 20-22.
“Have faith in God”
Praise be to God because Jesus isn’t only a judge who judges wickedness, but He is a savior who resurrects spiritually dead people.
Praise be to God because Jesus isn’t only a judge who judges wickedness, but He is a savior who resurrects spiritually dead people.
Jesus died to turn your deadness into life!
Jesus died to turn your deadness into life!
Jesus rose to turn your defeat into victory!
Jesus rose to turn your defeat into victory!
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
你們因著自己的過犯和罪惡，原是死的。那時你們在過犯和罪惡中行事為人，隨著時代的潮流，也服從空中掌權的首領，就是現今在悖逆的人身上運行的靈。我們從前也都和他們在一起，放縱肉體的私慾，隨著肉體和心意所喜好的去行；我們與別人一樣，生來都是可怒的兒女。然而 神滿有憐憫，因著他愛我們的大愛，就在我們因過犯死了的時候，使我們與基督一同活過來，（你們得救是靠著恩典，）
“We are justified by faith alone(因信稱義), but not by a faith that is alone.”
Good works are the FRUIT of our salvation, BUT NOT THE ROOT(the basis) of our salvation. 做良善的事，是信福音的結果，並不是救恩的基礎。
So what is fruit in the life of the Christian? Paul tells us in
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.
但聖靈的果子是仁愛、喜樂、平安、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實、溫柔、節制；這樣的事，是沒有律法禁止的。
Unlike the gifts of the Spirit which look different in every believers, the fruit of the Spirit should be evident in ALL believers. But that doesn’t mean we will have all of these qualities perfectly and fully throughout our life, that only happens when we see Jesus face to face. Just like fruit on the tree, sometimes they are very small to see at first, some seasons are more full than others, but they are always there.
The call of every disciple is to be a fruit bearing Christian. But this fruit only comes through our relationship and trust in Christ. Intimacy with Jesus.
Could you imagine if I walked outside to the tree in my backyard and began to nail or tape apples to the tree? Does that make tree, an apple tree? No the tree itself has to be changed made into a apple tree in order to produce apples. I wonder how many of us, are trying to staple these things in our lives, trying to fake it until we make it, instead of running by faith to the one WHO ALONE can make, and grow us into fruit bearing Christians?
Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
你們要住在我裡面，我也就住在你們裡面。枝子若不連在葡萄樹上，自己就不能結果子；你們若不住在我裡面，也是這樣。我是葡萄樹，你們是枝子。住在我裡面的，我也住在他裡面，他就結出很多果子；因為離開了我，你們就不能作甚麼。人若不住在我裡面，就像枝子丟在外面枯乾了，人把它們拾起來，丟在火裡燒掉了。
But sometimes this pruning and growing in our lives is painful, and being honest, sometimes we might look like a withering fig tree, but the point is that our roots, our hearts are trusting in the One who in His timing allows us to bear fruit as He sees fit. We have to be careful, because there are teachings at there that say UNLESS your fruit looks like miracles, or social justice, or ect, you are a lower class Christian. But I know many of us have heard stories of people whose lives or ministry seemed to be failures, only to find out that the seeds of the Gospel, the fruit of their obedience to Jesus came after they had passed away!
so church, HAVE FAITH IN GOD.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
What if we don’t do this? What if we just continue to be content with looking okay, but understanding our hearts are cold, are dead, or indifferent to Jesus? What will happen?
1.You will burn out. Without the power of the Holy Spirit that comes from relationship with Jesus you and I will burn out quickly.
2.You will become a statistic. You will live your life believing that as long as you have the reputation of being a good Christian, you will compromise sin in your life in the hidden places, and then pretty soon, those places will catch up and sin will trap you. You become another Christian leader or person who fell into sin and destroyed their witness.
3.You will make a shipwreck of your faith. You “on that day” might just be found out to have been a false Christian, a false convert.
APPLICATION:
So I want to do, what Jesus says here: Believe in God, pray with a trusting heart, but also repent and walk in forgiveness. Seems like these are the marks of the fruitful Christian that Jesus is calling us to.