GOD’S WARNING AND CHANCES

 

Our reading scripture today is Luke 13. This chapter have presented us the both warning and chances of the Lord given to us.

In verse 5, He warned us to repent -  ⁵ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

He used the two disasters experienced by the Galileans to warn them to repent for we do not know what may happen like the Galileans who perished in the disasters.

WHY SHOULD WE REPENT DAILY?

Because God offers us His mercy everyday – we must avail it or else we will perish – spiritual death. Unrepented hearts always experience disasters – they are the ones who always have problems, who are always depressed.

WHAT SHOULD WE REPENT?

-          You received a blessing; God has helped you with the task you cannot do and you were victorious but you did not say “thank you” to our Lord instead we complained. REPENT

-          You were given a responsibility, no matter how big or small it is – you must not murmur – if we do, REPENT.

-          You were supposed to read the scripture and pray but you did not because you are busy. REPENT

-          You ignored the chance to evangelize to people. REPENT.

-          You cursed, lied, did terrible things to others, arrogant to your leaders because you feel downplayed or you think you are better than them. REPENT.

-          You think you are the most skilled, talented and they need you most so you withdrew your support or you stopped participating – you want to know if they will survive without you – that’s pride. REPENT.

There are so many things that we do, that needs repentance. We thought it is normal but it’s not because we are committing a sin.

After this warning to repent or perish, Jesus showed us how God will judge us on Judgement day through the parable of the barren fig tree.

⁶ He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. ⁷ Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' ⁸ But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. ⁹ And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "

The first point was simple: GOD LOOKS FOR FRUIT.

 

-          The fruit of our life shows what kind of person we really are. An apple tree will bring forth apples, not watermelons. If Jesus Christ has truly touched our life, it will show in the fruit we bear – even if it takes a while for the fruit to come forth.

 

-          What fruit is God looking for? It certainly has to begin with the fruit of the Spirit, mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

The fig tree was barren so the Lord decided to cut it off for it is occupying space and is useless BUT the gardener (Jesus in our case) interceded and asked for another year and promised to nurture and fertilized it more.

Jesus, always intercedes for us. He always mediates for us and God gives us second chance. When Jesus mediates, He sends us to the church, or sends us people to help us grow in faith and be fruitful.

Because Jesus loves us so much, He sends us to a church where we can grow, be useful and fruitful for the Lord but are we growing in spite of all the fertilizers (equipping, prayer sessions, meetings, sermons and bible study) our church is giving us?

How long have you been in the church? Are you growing or you are just occupying a space?

The church has offered everything for you to grow, are you availing it?

YOU ARE NOT BEARING FRUIT IF:

-          You require a transport to go to church and refuse to have fellowship because you are always on the phone and you always want to go home first – no considerations of the servants who are serving you.

-          You always think of yourself, your feelings, your comfort and your advantages.

-          You only come to church if you do not have other appointments like part time jobs.

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE BEING FRUITFUL?

-          After a month or two or more – you are now serving – a worker and a leader.

-          You make sure you are not a burden to the church anymore – you do not murmur, complain or even cause division among the flocks.

-          Your heart is now for the lost – you evangelize and bring souls to the Lord.

 

Let us take heed of God’s warning and chances for us. We may not have more time to change and it is already our FINAL JUDGEMENT!