And if It Bears Fruit Next Year
The sermon emphasizes the importance of bearing spiritual fruit and the consequences of failing to do so, highlighting God's offer of redemption and the need for repentance.
Erlo Stegen emphasizes the urgency of bearing fruit in our lives as illustrated in the parable of the fig tree. The owner of the vineyard represents God, who has invested in us and desires to see us flourish, while Christ, the vine dresser, intercedes for us and provides the means for our growth. Stegen urges listeners to take this moment to reconcile with God, as the opportunity for redemption is available, but warns of the dire consequences of refusing His grace. He highlights that no matter how deep one has fallen into sin, repentance can lead to transformation and fruitfulness in the coming year.
Text
Lk 13: 7 - 9:
"A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 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?' " 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' " (NIV)
This parable speaks of the work of God, the owner of the vineyard. He has planted the fig tree - He has breathed life into you, showed His love and tenderness in caring for you till this day. The Father, who owns you, has planted you to bear fruit. It is just as we've heard in the testimony by Arthur who has testified how he was fruitless, in his sins, and without hope, until Christ intervened.
Christ is the vine dresser, the One who says: Let me fertilize this plant and do everything I can do for this person. Jesus died for you. He intercedes for you.
Use this very hour to get right with God. Our Lord has done everything to redeem you and bring you to heaven. If you refuse Him, and you don't bear fruit, then the awful judgement of "then cut it down" will apply to you, in everylasting torment. Remember, hell was not created for you but for the devil and his angels. But if you insist on being fused with the devil then you have to suffer his punishment.
However deep in sin you may have fallen, as we have heard in the testimony, God can turn you around if you respond to Him and repent. Then you can be a fruit-bearer in this coming year.
Sermon Outline
- The Parable of the Fig Tree
- The Owner's Expectation
- The Vine Dresser's Intervention
- The Consequences of Failing to Bear Fruit
Key Quotes
“He has breathed life into you, showed His love and tenderness in caring for you till this day.” — Erlo Stegen
“If you refuse Him, and you don't bear fruit, then the awful judgement of 'then cut it down' will apply to you, in everylasting torment.” — Erlo Stegen
“However deep in sin you may have fallen, as we have heard in the testimony, God can turn you around if you respond to Him and repent.” — Erlo Stegen
Application Points
- Use this very hour to get right with God and take advantage of His offer of redemption.
- Recognize that God can turn us around even if we've fallen deeply into sin, and repentance is possible.
- Make a conscious effort to bear spiritual fruit by producing obedience, repentance, and a changed life.