The new opportunity God has given us.

Luke 13:6~9

The new opportunity God has given us.

 

[A] God is looking for our fruit.

v. 6. “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.”(NLT)

 

○ Peace be with you all. It was a tough last year for a lot of people. Now, however, we welcomed the New Year by the grace of God. Today is the first Sunday of the New Year 2021. I hope we all walk with the Lord this year and continue to achieve the maturity of our faith.

 

○ This morning I would like to share a message about “the new opportunity God has given us.” from the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 13, verse 6 to verse 9. Today’s text says that we must repent our sins, and we must bear the fruit of our faith. Because God has given us one more last opportunity before judging us without fruit.

 

○ The reason why the owner of the vineyard planted a fig tree in his vineyard only was to get the fruit. Let’s read the verse 6. “Then he told this parable: A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.” In NLT version, “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it.”

 

○ The owner of the vineyard came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it. He came looking for fruit. In here verb ‘look for’(ζητεω present participle) is an expression of God’s patience, affection, and care for us. We should remember that God is still looking for what fruit we have.

 

○ Jesus said “You are the salt of the earth and you are the light of the world... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”(Matthew 5:13~16) And apostle Paul said “The fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.”(Ephesians 5:9).

 

○ The fruit of faith is evidence of the identity of believers. James said, “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”(James 2:17) In the same way, the faith without fruit is not a saving faith. All believers must bear the fruit and produce fruit in keeping with repentance and with faith. I hope we all bear more beautiful fruits in the New Year. So give glory to God and be praised by the people.

 

[B] A tree without fruit is useless.

v. 7. “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?”(ESV)

 

○ OK. Let’s read the verse 7. “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?’”

 

○ In the text, who is “he”? He is the owner of the vineyard. He planted a fig tree in his vineyard. He came looking for some fruit on the tree. But he found none for three years. So he ordered to his gardener “cut it down!” Jesus wanted to say in this parable: A tree without fruit is useless and even it’s just taking up space in the vineyard.

 

○ Prophet Isaiah said “He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.”(Isaiah 5:2) Isaiah rebuked the Israelites for betraying God’s love.

 

○ God warns that he will judge a each person without fruit. We have to be the ones who walk the right way. Those who do not walk the right way harm not only themselves but also many others. “I will do on my way. I don’t want to change my character and personality. I will never change.” These people are useless in God’s eyes. Listen to Jesus’ warning. “Any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire.”(Matthew 7:19).

 

[C] Do not miss the new opportunity God has given us.

v. 8. “Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer.”(NLT)

 

○ By this parable, what message does Jesus want to say? Jesus warned his listeners that God would not tolerate forever their lack of fruits. OK. Then let us read the verse 8 together. “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig(σκαψω) around it and fertilize it(βαλω κοπρια).”

 

○ The vineyard gardener eagerly asked the owner to give one more year. Have you ever been enjoying God’s special treatment without giving anything in return? If so, we have to respond the gardener’s asking. And also we have to begin the fruits God has created us to produce.

 

○ The gardener asked “give me a chance to dig around the soil and put on fertilizer.” What does this mean? The deeds of digging and fertilizing the ground are God’s request to actively participate in the means of grace and go on to perfection. This is the only way to respond to God’s opportunity.

 

○ God’s wait is God’s mind that expects us to start again. Remember! Do we deserve to ask to God for one more chance? No! Sinless our Lord Jesus Christ asked for it on behalf of us all.

 

○ Let’s not think that another new year has come because time has passed. Let’s think that God has given us one more opportunity to have a new year! Let’s respond with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind to the opportunity God has given us. Let’s think of today as the day of salvation and make more progress in our faith.

 

[D] Those who save the opportunity will be mature.

v. 9. “Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”(ESV)

 

○ God’s strictness and God’s grace go together. God does not judge without grace. Even so, God does not give us endless grace without judgment. God has already given us a lot of time and opportunity. We must remember that the purpose of God’s grace before God’s judgment was only given as the opportunity to bear fruit.

 

○ 2 Peter 3:9 says “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

 

○ Jonah preached God’s judgment to the people of Nineveh. What happened? then, Jonah 3:5 says “The people of Nineveh believed God's message. So they decided that everyone should fast, and all the people, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth to show that they had repented.” And Jonah 3:10 says “God saw what they did; he saw that they had given up their wicked behavior. So he changed his mind and did not punish them as he had said he would.”(GNT)

 

○ The apostle Paul said “not to receive God’s grace in vain... now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”(2 Corinthians 6:1~2). Beloved sisters and brothers, Remember this! This New Year is the opportunity God has given us.

 

○ If we bear good fruit, it benefits many people. Such people are used as co-workers in the kingdom of God. Such people’s lives are worth. People who try their best to bear fruit go on to perfection. Those who save the opportunity God has given will be mature as Christ.

 

[NIV]

6  Then he told this parable: A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.

7  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?"

8  "Sir," the man replied, "leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it."

9  "If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down."