Notable Christians - - Posted 03-03-2010
Jesus spoke the parable in Luke 13:6-9 concerning the “unfruitful fig tree”.
Let us read this together.
“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. 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? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year
also, till I dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”
Have you ever noticed the words of Jesus in this passage?
Jesus clearly says that a certain man had a “fig tree planted in his vineyard.” Odd is it not? What is a fig tree doing in a
vineyard?
Normally, fig trees are not planted in vineyards. Grapes vines are, but fig trees are not. So, what did Jesus have in mind
when He taught this parable?
You can be a fig tree. In the midst of the grape vines, there are fig trees.
This fig tree represents a “notable Christian”. The vineyard is the church. The certain man is God. The dresser of the
vineyard is Jesus Christ.
The called and elect of God should be different from those around them. Even if it would require Christ himself to refer to
them as “fig trees” in the “vineyard or church of God”. You must stand out in the church if you are to be effective in reaching
souls.
Some will ask, “What do you mean stand out?”
God has called His children to be a peculiar people. A chosen generation. A royal priesthood. They must be different.
Separate.
Apostle Paul wrote in II Corinthians 6:17,
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will
receive you,”
This is not a suggestion, friend. It is a commandment. God requires separation from the ungodly ways and ideas of this
world.
Apostle John believed in this doctrine. Read I John 2:15-16.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in
him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is
of the world.”
You must stand out. Period.
But, notice in Luke the sadness of the parable.
This special fig tree, the one planted in the vineyard; had no fruit. This was especially sad for the dresser of the vineyard
because he had been working with this fig tree for three years, trying to help it become fruitful.
What a picture of the Lord’s longsuffering and mercy.
As a Christian, your peculiarity will not overshadow your unfruitfulness.
In other words, although you live holy and righteous before God, this will not eliminate the necessity for you to bring forth fruit
for the sake of God’s kingdom.
You must be both righteous and fruitful. You must become that “fig tree planted in the vineyard.” But in return, you must bear
fruit for the Master’s harvest.
Examine closely the fruit of your life. Are you fruitful? Or, are you fruitless?
By allowing the Lord God Almighty to change your heart today, you can become a "notable Christian."
II Corinthians 6:2 says,"...behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.” (emphasis mine)
Accept Christ Jesus into your life today. It's as simple as this small prayer...
Jesus, I realize and admit that I am a sinner, living as my flesh desires. I have not done as your Word instructs, and I am
sorry. I plead with you right now, to hear my humble prayer and I invite you to become the center of my life. I realize now, O
God, that I cannot make it in this life without you. I've tried for too long...
Please come into my life and abide in my soul...in my spiritual man. I need you to help me live as your Word commands. In
the name of Jesus...Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer...God has heard you.
Find a Bible-teaching church...and start attending.
Begin daily Bible reading...this is how God speaks to man.
And make time each day to pray to the Lord, in the name of Jesus, for this is now the spiritual lifeline with your Saviour.
Praise the Lord!!!
Evangelist Craig H Wright
Jesus spoke the parable in Luke 13:6-9 concerning the “unfruitful fig tree”.
Let us read this together.
“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. 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? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year
also, till I dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”
Have you ever noticed the words of Jesus in this passage?
Jesus clearly says that a certain man had a “fig tree planted in his vineyard.” Odd is it not? What is a fig tree doing in a
vineyard?
Normally, fig trees are not planted in vineyards. Grapes vines are, but fig trees are not. So, what did Jesus have in mind
when He taught this parable?
You can be a fig tree. In the midst of the grape vines, there are fig trees.
This fig tree represents a “notable Christian”. The vineyard is the church. The certain man is God. The dresser of the
vineyard is Jesus Christ.
The called and elect of God should be different from those around them. Even if it would require Christ himself to refer to
them as “fig trees” in the “vineyard or church of God”. You must stand out in the church if you are to be effective in reaching
souls.
Some will ask, “What do you mean stand out?”
God has called His children to be a peculiar people. A chosen generation. A royal priesthood. They must be different.
Separate.
Apostle Paul wrote in II Corinthians 6:17,
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will
receive you,”
This is not a suggestion, friend. It is a commandment. God requires separation from the ungodly ways and ideas of this
world.
Apostle John believed in this doctrine. Read I John 2:15-16.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in
him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is
of the world.”
You must stand out. Period.
But, notice in Luke the sadness of the parable.
This special fig tree, the one planted in the vineyard; had no fruit. This was especially sad for the dresser of the vineyard
because he had been working with this fig tree for three years, trying to help it become fruitful.
What a picture of the Lord’s longsuffering and mercy.
As a Christian, your peculiarity will not overshadow your unfruitfulness.
In other words, although you live holy and righteous before God, this will not eliminate the necessity for you to bring forth fruit
for the sake of God’s kingdom.
You must be both righteous and fruitful. You must become that “fig tree planted in the vineyard.” But in return, you must bear
fruit for the Master’s harvest.
Examine closely the fruit of your life. Are you fruitful? Or, are you fruitless?
By allowing the Lord God Almighty to change your heart today, you can become a "notable Christian."
II Corinthians 6:2 says,"...behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.” (emphasis mine)
Accept Christ Jesus into your life today. It's as simple as this small prayer...
Jesus, I realize and admit that I am a sinner, living as my flesh desires. I have not done as your Word instructs, and I am
sorry. I plead with you right now, to hear my humble prayer and I invite you to become the center of my life. I realize now, O
God, that I cannot make it in this life without you. I've tried for too long...
Please come into my life and abide in my soul...in my spiritual man. I need you to help me live as your Word commands. In
the name of Jesus...Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer...God has heard you.
Find a Bible-teaching church...and start attending.
Begin daily Bible reading...this is how God speaks to man.
And make time each day to pray to the Lord, in the name of Jesus, for this is now the spiritual lifeline with your Saviour.
Praise the Lord!!!
Evangelist Craig H Wright
| The Truths of God's Word An Outreach of Great Commission Holiness Ministries |
| "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." -- John 8:32 |
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