Lessons in Faith and Fruitfulness - A Deeper Dive
Scripture: Luke 13:6-9
Message Recap
Traditionally, the first part of January is a time of new beginnings. It’s a time when we make commitments to do better in the coming year. It’s when we sit down and list how we can improve ourselves. It’s when we say, “out with the old and in with the new.” We make resolutions, declarations, and promises that this year will be different. But isn’t it strange how so many of the problems we faced last year - the ones we were going to overcome - are the same ones we’re facing in the new year? Part of it is due to circumstances. Part of it is likely due to hoping for change but not taking action. Last week, we discussed the difference between hoping for and striving for change. So, we will spend the first few weeks of 2024 discussing specific things we can do to help us finish this year more like Christ than we are today.
Last week’s message was about Jesus cursing the fig tree. The story's main point was to give the disciples and us a wake-up call to work toward bearing the fruit of the Spirit. We emphasized the importance of not just hoping for the fruit to become stronger and more evident but to have a plan of action. Developing the fruit of the Spirit is so critical to our growth that we decided to spend another week digging into ways we can improve.
In this week’s scripture from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the barren fig tree. For three long years, the tree has failed to produce any fruit. The owner is understandably disappointed. He has invested in this tree, and it’s taking up a valuable spot that could be used by something that will make a profit. He decides it’s time to cut down the tree. The barren fig tree symbolizes those who may appear spiritually healthy but lack the abundance of fruit of the Spirit. If you have deeply rooted faith, it shows through the fruit you display. The owner’s threat to cut down the tree serves as a warning that a lack of fruit can have dire consequences.
There is another important part of this parable. Jesus tells us that a vineyard worker pleads with the owner for one more year. He offers to dig around the tree and fertilize it. He believes that there is still potential for this tree to bear much fruit. It just needs more care and a bit of fertilizer.
So, speaking of fertilizer, most everyone knows that manure is the base ingredient. Fertilizer spread onto a field on a warm spring day doesn’t smell very pleasant. In fact, it stinks. However, the vineyard worker decided the fig tree needed the stinky fertilizer to have a better chance of producing fruit. While it may stink, fertilizer provides the nutrients necessary for the tree to grow and become more like it’s meant to be. Stinky fertilizer can be a metaphor for us, too. Throughout the Bible, we find stories of how stinky things in life can cause God to bring about great things. Joseph was sold into slavery, but his God-given talents made him an important figure. Ruth faced many trials, but her story shows how God is at work in the day-to-day activities of ordinary people.
God can take the stinky stuff in our lives and transform it into the ingredients we need to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We all endure the stinky things in life. The car that quits working. A broken bone that slows you down when you’re the busiest. Houses that get flooded when pipes break. Children and grandchildren who get sick or start getting into trouble at school. We don’t ask for these things, yet they happen.
But instead of being discouraged and complaining about our circumstances, the Bible tells us to have faith that God can use these things and make something good. The stinky stuff is the fertilizer that makes us more fruitful. Paul explains it this way:
“3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
In our spiritual journey, we will find ourselves in the role of the vineyard worker. We’re not called to judge those who are facing difficulties. Instead, we’re called to intercede and nurture those struggling in their faith, just like the worker cared for the barren tree. It’s easy to judge others, but our role is to help walk them along wherever they are.
And this brings us to the difference between the fig tree Jesus cursed in last week’s scripture and the barren tree. In last week’s story, the tree was along the road, but no one noticed it. There was no one to intercede and suggest a way to make it fruitful. It existed at the whims of the world. The barren tree in this week’s story had someone working with it. They were willing to walk alongside and help it. Someone was willing to intercede on its behalf. Like the barren tree, we have someone working for us - Jesus. He is with us when we flourish and when we struggle. If it were up to our own performance and decisions, we would likely be cut down. Fortunately, Jesus is interceding on our behalf and giving us the time to grow.
In the verses preceding the story of the barren fig tree, we read about a mass killing of Galileens that has just occurred. The prevailing belief of the day was that when something terrible happened to a person, it directly resulted from that person’s failings. It was seen as God’s judgment. Unfortunately, many people still believe this today. When the stinky stuff happens, we often think it’s God’s way of punishing us. But Jesus sets the record straight. Unless we repent, we’re all going to perish. Sin is sin; we will all suffer unless we get to work bearing fruit. God is patient and kind, but we still need some urgency.
God wants us to live differently. He wants us to use our time and talents for his glory. He wants us to bear fruit and make a positive impact not just in our lives but in the world around us. He wants us to be like the vineyard worker, showing love, care, and support to those struggling in their faith. As a community of believers, this church can help each other grow in the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus summed it up this way, “8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8)
A Fine Line
Bad things happen to all of us. It’s inevitable. But should we assume the bad things are God’s way of punishing us for not being good enough? As mentioned earlier, the prevailing belief in ancient times was that challenges and trials directly result from a person’s failings. Unfortunately, this mindset still exists in the present day. “Perhaps you didn’t pray enough.” “Maybe you should have put more in the offering plate.” A fine line exists between empathy and judgment when helping a brother or sister through a particularly rough time.
Consider the plight of Job. He was considered a thoroughly righteous man by those who knew him. Yet, through no fault of his own, he lost everything he had - his family, possessions, and even his health. When he turned to his friends in his greatest moment of need, they assumed Job had done something to anger God. In every speech they make, the friends implore Job to admit his failings.
“7 ‘Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? 8 As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.’”
The story does have a happy ending. In the end, Job is given back everything he lost and then some. But it certainly wasn’t because of anything his friends did. There was no empathy or compassion. There was judgment and accusation. How do you respond when someone struggling with their faith comes to you? Do you assume God is punishing them, or do you walk with the person searching for answers?
“25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;”