Why Cumbereth the Ground?

Evaluations

I spent a lot of time this week asking myself how to set expectations. What unit of measurement is there to determine how we are doing spiritually, how the church is performing. And that is not an easy answer. If we were talking about many other aspects of life we would have an easier time quantifying success.

It is easier when success is something that is a yes or no or a pass fail. When the results don’t have to be measured. If you are racing somebody, unless it is a photo finish it is typically pretty easy to determine who the winner is. It’s the person who crossed the finish line first. Somethings are a matter of judgment. Art judged by personal taste and many sports are judged by the observation of panel and their individual assessments.

In the workplace we will often have reviews, and we are evaluated based upon our performance, based upon our meeting the expectations of our evaluators. Typically, I realize it's not always the case, but typically we are striving to meet the goals they have been already established. Goals that are outlined in a job description or in the organization's policy manual. Sometimes we're meeting production goals that are set out at various times. It is very helpful for us to have the goals and expectations communicated clearly, so that we know what we are striving to achieve.

It is a little less cut and dry when we start looking at things spiritually. Let's say for instance somebody comes to Christ, how long thereafter do we expect to see the marks of Christian maturity? How long thereafter do we expect to see them engaging in ministries and being a productive member of the body of Christ? How do you evaluate how well someone's doing in a ministry position? For that matter, how do you determine the effectiveness of a ministry – or a Church?

These are questions I've been asking myself a lot lately. And I find myself coming to this passage or couple of passages and scripture, and they make me wonder. So, we are not going to be in the book of Hebrews today. This morning if you have your Bibles turn them over to Luke chapter 13 and we are going to be looking at verses 6-9 at a parable Jesus told.

Luke 13:6–9 KJV 1900

6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Our message this morning is entitled “Why Cumbereth the Ground?”

Let’s Pray

Production

Looking at a fruit tree that isn't producing usually comes down to one of three things: How much sunlight is the tree getting? how much water is the tree getting? how is the tree being fertilized? What are those things? They’re input. The tree has no control over its water or fertilizer or sun, but it needs all of those things in the right amount in order to thrive. But not only does it need those things that needs it in the right amount. I think it's obvious to us what two little water would do for a plant or two little fertilizer too little sun. But what may be less obvious are the effects of two much of those things. Too much sun is going to burn up the plant, too much water stops the roots from being able to absorb oxygen and too much fertilizer can burn the roots. So there has to be a balance.

What is true of plants is true of Christians. We can become out of balance, fed too much of something and expected to grow. If all your overtime is Grace then you might fail in obedience, if all you are taught are rules and obedience then you will become legalistic. If we over-emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit then we can start to hold our faith in a selfish way, only considering what we can get out of our faithfulness — But if we don’t consider the work of the Spirit at all, then we neglect to appreciate the power of God.

Some of that can fall to the responsibility of the elders in a church. At the end of the day our Christian growth is our own responsibility. We can't blame others because we don't put the work in. You can't live a Christian life that is utterly without prayer and expect to grow, likewise you can't neglect church and hearing preaching and fellowship, nor can you neglect time in scripture. Now I do think that there is a strong point to be made that Christians up onto the point of the printing press did not have the luxury of owning a personal Bible for which they could study daily. And even really until modern times if I wasn't affordable. But now that really isn't much of an excuse because she could get a Bible or a dollar store, if you don't have a Bible I will give you one there are probably a dozen at least in my house right now. — and he could argue that since Christians of times Pastor didn't have such access to scripture than you and I don't need to spend the time in scripture that is often emphasized in churches, and I would agree if we spent the time in church that those historic Christians suspect. Many Christians throughout history wouldn't just go to church on Sunday or maybe to a midweek service but we're in church every single day. They may not have had a copy of God's word personally but they were hearing God's word constantly.

Million Dollar Question

The million dollar question is a the end of Luke 13:7

Luke 13:7 (KJV 1900)

… why cumbereth it the ground?

This word καταργέω (katargeō) in the Greek, that we read translated cumbereth is translated ‘abolish’ — We find this used elsewhere, In 2 Timothy 1:10 we read

2 Timothy 1:10 KJV 1900

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Christ — Abolished — Death. He made death useless and futile because in it’s place Christ brings us immortality through the gospel.

When we read this question in Luke 13:7

Luke 13:7 (KJV 1900)

… why cumbereth it the ground?

Why does this tree make this spot of land useless by its presence. It's taking up resources, it gets the rain he gets the nutrients from the soil in the sunshine's down on it but what is it producing? Now, that is a big question in the case of a vineyard. This tree wasn't just for show, or something to have as a novelty dash to go out and pick figs off of once in a while. — no, a vineyard is there for the livelihood the one who owns the vineyard.

I was out to dinner with the owner of a company that my employer does business with and he was telling me about his second home in Spain. This home sits on a vineyard that was neglected and so when he purchased the property he spent some time rehabbing that vineyard and making it produce grapes again. See, a vineyard that has not been taken care of, it hasn't been pruned on a regular basis and tended to, stops producing fruit. It is of no good to the owner of the Vineyard. Now, caring for in nursing this vineyard back to health is certainly the preferable way forward, it's less expensive and it's a lot less work. But after a time if this vineyard does not begin to produce the way that it is expected to put all of those vines need to be ripped out and replaced with new plants. While the non-producing plants are still there that ground is useless.

Ask the Question

I think the what you and I as Christians need to continually be asking ourselves is this: why Cumbreth you the ground? Why do you continue to take up Gods air, and Gods soil — God's resources? What benefit are you cause of Christ, and if you can't think of anything did ask yourself this why on earth would God continue to invest in you, to continue to bless you? Why cumberth you the Ground?

No Reason

The Lord of the vineyard asked the dresser or the caretaker of the Vineyard this question, and you know what the caretaker didn't have an answer. There was no reason why this unproductive fig tree should continue taking up space.

Remediation

The response we do get is in Luke 13:8-9

Luke 13:8–9 KJV 1900

8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Give me a year he said to get down to the roots and too take extreme measures to make this tree what it ought to be. Wait until then — If it isn’t producing then — cut it down.

This is a serious threat and we see it illustrated again by Jesus in the final days of his Ministry before the crucifixion — 2 days, in fact, before the Lord’s Supper, when Jesus cleanses the temple.

Follow along with me in Mark 11 starting in v11

Mark 11:11–14 KJV 1900

11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. 12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

And I want you to keep this in context with the beginning of the next verse:

Mark 11:15 (KJV 1900)

And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple ...

When we read scripture sometimes we can take things out of context. I don't know that we often consider the cursing of the fig tree as part of the story about Jesus cleansing the temple. The fig tree was foreshadowing. The fig tree was both a condemnation and a verdict.

Since Jesus came to the fig tree in expectation. He hungered and desire to eat. The purpose of the fig tree was an order to provide fruit to eat, but there was nothing there. So Jesus not getting what was expected out of the tree cursed it. Then enter the temple, Vinny over turned the tables of the money changers, then he told them all that they had turned his house, the house of prayer, into a den of robbers.

Then as Jesus and His disciples left the temple, look what we read in v20-22

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.

The temple no longer served its purpose. There was no reason for it to be encumbering the ground. As a matter fact Jesus will go on to prophecy that the temple would be destroyed and in 70 A.D. we saw that prophecy come true. But as a foreshadowing in judgment we see this tree representing what have become of the religion of Judaism. Something that no longer bear fruit to the master, and so it was removed so something else could grow.

How Much Time?

As I said earlier I truly believe that we need to evaluate our lives, we need to evaluate our ministries and we need to evaluate our churches the question why “Cumbereth it the ground?”

As a believer, why do you take up space in the pew (or chair as we have them). What part of the body of Christ are you? Maybe you like the vine dresser can't answer that question. But that doesn’t mean it’s too late. There is still time to fertilize and nourish your faith, but you have to recognize that there is a problem. Too many people are fig trees without fruit I don't really care. They are satisfied as long as they have the opportunity to take sunshine upon their leaves and pour water and nutrients from the ground. After a certain point they are going to need to be removed for something healthy to grow in their place.

I ask myself the same question of this church. This little church plant in Ross Ohio. Why cumbereth it the ground?

I think I have an answer that. We are Young church and we're trying to reach the people in this community for Christ. We haven't been sitting on our hands, we've been putting in the work. I don't think this church has been a waste of resources or time, but I do think it is something that needs to be evaluated. I would also say that the fig tree was three years old before the question was even posed.

I think that it is a fair thing and I think it is a modeled thing to wait three years before making an evaluation. I believe that a new Christian you should wait three years before you try to get them to be more active in ministry and you start considering the fruit of their spiritual life. Now if there is no fruit after three years then maybe it is time for some sort of intervention, but there's no need yet to consider it a lost cause. — our church is coming up on its second anniversary. Our name is getting out there in the community people are starting to know who we are. We had some very encouraging developments and opportunities come up, even in the last few months. — I don’t think it is time to expect a great deal, yet. Other than to grow and develop a strong base on which to bear the load of fruit — In a year, if nothing is happening, then I think we need to re-evaluate and then maybe try for some sort of intervention.

I am concerned, but I hope we get that opportunity. I can answer the question of this church why combereth it the ground. I can't answer the question of myself why cumber I the ground. The greatest question but I think you need to ask I need to have an answer for is why combereth you the ground.

Let’s Pray