Last Sunday's sermon comes from Matthew 21:12-22 and we are presented with 2 major events:
Jesus cleansing the temple and Jesus cursing the fig tree. In the first section we see Jesus’ righteous anger caused by the manner the temple has been treated. It was no longer a place of worship but had become a bank and shopping mall. David presented us with the question then, “are you a trader (one that gives to God only as much as God “gives” to them), buyer (makes educated purchases and wants the purchase to benefit them in some way), seller (seeking others' praise, they are there not to worship but to be worshiped), or worshiper?” Man, if I really examine my heart, I think it is easy for me to fall into the category of seller, as difficult as that is to admit. I want people to see what I am doing or what and who I know, as opposed to entering with a heart of pure worship. I want to be liked, I am a people pleaser. I think we need to often check our hearts and our intentions in why we are doing things. We must beg that the Lord would remove those stumbling blocks that hinder us from genuinely worshiping our Creator.
In the second section that we studied (Matthew 21:18-22) we see this story of Jesus cursing a fig tree because it did not have fruit. From a distance the tree looked appealing and full of life. In my head I picture this tree with lots of bright vibrant green leaves. When Jesus approached the tree to find fruit to eat, he finds that there isn’t any. The tree that looked so promising from the distance had nothing to offer because there was no fruit. The purpose of the tree was to produce fruit and it had none. So Jesus curses this tree and it withers instantly. The disciples were confused as to why the tree would wither. They did not realize what Jesus was teaching them given what had happened just before at the temple. Jesus was giving the disciples a visual about how our lives must produce fruit. John 15:8 says “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” Like the seemingly thriving tree but lack of fruit, the Jews at the temple looked good from the outside, but when Jesus approached the temple he was able to see what was really going on.
From these verses (Matthew 21:12-22) we see the condition of the temple and can assess what role one might play; trader, buyer, seller, or worshiper. Then we see that Jesus is saying, if there is no fruit, there is no proof of being one of HIS disciples. That is scary. Especially if we can walk in and out being a seller or buyer. A seller or buyer uses the temple for their benefit and self-righteousness not as a place of worship. That is “me” centered. David mentioned that scripture says, if a tree does not bear good fruit it is cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 3:10). I remember the first time this concept really started clicking with me. We were at the first iGoglobal.org conference a few years back and it wrecked me. I thought I had understood it before but for some reason that night, it hit me. Our lives must bear fruit in order for it to be known that we are disciples of Christ. It is not about a prayer or an experience one summer, it is a continual process of growing and bearing fruit. I think of friends and close family members that don’t seem to produce any fruit but claim Christ. It is the hardest thing to watch them be so content with their lives when they are dead. Like David said, we need to be praying “God, I want to be more joyful, seeking the good of others, kind, loving toward my co-worker, gentle with a frustrating friend.” We need to pray that the Lord would cut out the diseased parts of our hearts so that we will produce good fruit. Verse 22- “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
--C3 Member - Lauren Bullard
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