Got Fruit? buds? anything?
Mark 11:13-14 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.And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
Bro. Marcus covered this Sunday morning. He showed the relationship of the tree to Israel. When I read this, I see that it is still the state of our churches today. We have leaves but no fruit and no potential for fruit. We are so busy with maintenance (keeping members happy), because of a lack of pruning that we produce no fruit. Anyone who raises a a garden, fruit trees or even just tomatoes can tell you the you get more fruit by pruning. While the thought of this is scary to many, it should not be as it is scriptural. First we need to prune the sinful things from our lives. (Matt 7:3 - "And why beholdest thou the mote(twig) that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? " ). Many times when someone in a church does something someone in a position of authority doesn't like then we see the "He/She's gotta go!" mentality! No opportunity is given for reconciliation. Someone's feelings are hurt, and they just want someone to pay! This is not "Pruning", but the work of Satan! Pruning may involve asking people not to come back (2 Cor 5:5 - To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus), but never with that attitude. Discipline is about teaching, not punishment.
When was the last time some one was baptized at your church? If it has been more than a month, then that should mean that there is none lost in the community where you live. I think it is safe to say that no matter where you live that is not the case. We as Christians are not doing what we are called to do ( Matt 28:19-20 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." ). Most of us do not appear different from the world, except than on Sunday Mornings. Are you a "Sunday Morning Christian". Does the world simply see you as a "Good Person" by man's standard? Let's hope not!
If you were put on trial for being a "Christian" how hard would it be to convict you? How many people outside the church could testify that you are indeed a Christian?
In the time it took you to read this 20 people died and went to face God! Who will be next? Your next door neighbor? A co-worker? A family member? Or YOU OR ME?
We do not know how much time we have.
Go and share the Gospel before it is too late!
Remember gospel tracts are available at
www.livingwaters.com
Bro. Marcus covered this Sunday morning. He showed the relationship of the tree to Israel. When I read this, I see that it is still the state of our churches today. We have leaves but no fruit and no potential for fruit. We are so busy with maintenance (keeping members happy), because of a lack of pruning that we produce no fruit. Anyone who raises a a garden, fruit trees or even just tomatoes can tell you the you get more fruit by pruning. While the thought of this is scary to many, it should not be as it is scriptural. First we need to prune the sinful things from our lives. (Matt 7:3 - "And why beholdest thou the mote(twig) that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? " ). Many times when someone in a church does something someone in a position of authority doesn't like then we see the "He/She's gotta go!" mentality! No opportunity is given for reconciliation. Someone's feelings are hurt, and they just want someone to pay! This is not "Pruning", but the work of Satan! Pruning may involve asking people not to come back (2 Cor 5:5 - To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus), but never with that attitude. Discipline is about teaching, not punishment.
When was the last time some one was baptized at your church? If it has been more than a month, then that should mean that there is none lost in the community where you live. I think it is safe to say that no matter where you live that is not the case. We as Christians are not doing what we are called to do ( Matt 28:19-20 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." ). Most of us do not appear different from the world, except than on Sunday Mornings. Are you a "Sunday Morning Christian". Does the world simply see you as a "Good Person" by man's standard? Let's hope not!
If you were put on trial for being a "Christian" how hard would it be to convict you? How many people outside the church could testify that you are indeed a Christian?
In the time it took you to read this 20 people died and went to face God! Who will be next? Your next door neighbor? A co-worker? A family member? Or YOU OR ME?
We do not know how much time we have.
Go and share the Gospel before it is too late!
Remember gospel tracts are available at
www.livingwaters.com
posted by Gary Godard at
11:40 AM
|
0 comments
