Bailey Methodist Church
3/23/2025
  • Grace Greater Than Our Sin
  • Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
  • Oh How He Loves You And Me
  • Jesus, What A Beautiful Name
  • Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow!
  • Luke 13:1–9 ESV
    1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” 6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘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?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
    Good morning, church! It is a joy to gather together in the presence of the Lord, to open His Word, and to seek His truth for our lives. Today, we will dive into Luke 13:1-9, where Jesus calls us to repentance and fruitfulness. This passage reminds us of the urgency of turning to God and the expectation that true repentance will bear spiritual fruit in our lives.
    Too often, we assume we have all the time in the world to make things right with God. We procrastinate on repentance, believing that tomorrow is guaranteed. However, Jesus challenges this mindset, warning us that time is short and urging us to examine our hearts. Are we living in genuine repentance? Are we producing the fruit that reflects a life transformed by Christ? These are the questions we will explore today as we seek to align our lives with God’s will.

    1. There is an urgency of repentance. (vs. 1-5)

    that tragedies occur only to those who deserve them as a punishment for sinful behavior. This belief is exemplified in the book of Job, where his friends repeatedly question him about the sin that led to his suffering. We also see this in John 9, where the disciples ask Jesus whether a man who was blind from birth sinned or if his parents were to blame.
    The reference to Pilate’s actions in Jesus' teaching is somewhat unclear, as there is no external evidence of the specific event described. However, it aligns with what we know about Pilate's character and ruthlessness.
    Jesus challenges the mindset that tragedy befalls only those who sin by emphasizing that all are sinners in need of repentance. The Galileans murdered by Pilate were not singled out for a horrific death because they were greater sinners than anyone else. Jesus calls on everyone to repent, stating, “Unless you repent, you too will perish.” This warning is not about physical death; instead, Jesus is referencing the final judgment and eternal punishment. While no one can escape physical death, those who repent will not experience the "second death" mentioned in Revelation 20:6: “Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” It is the eternal death that we should fear, and the only way to avoid it is through repentance and conversion.
    Some people will die unexpectedly, as the Galileans did. James 4:14 reminds us, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.' What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” Tomorrow is not guaranteed. We must always be prepared. Jesus emphasizes the fragility of life and the urgency of repenting while there is still time. Life is short, and we should not delay in getting our hearts right with God. Repentance is both a once-for-all event (justification) that shapes our lives and a daily practice (sanctification) that helps us turn away from sin.
    Are we putting off repentance, thinking that we have more time? Jesus warns us that time is short and urges us to turn to Him today.

    2. There is an expectation of fruitfulness. (vs. 6-7)

    Jesus follows His warning with a parable about a fig tree that has not borne fruit for three years. The owner rightfully expects it to be productive, yet it remains barren. This represents God's expectation that those who repent will bear spiritual fruit.
    Fig trees typically produce fruit for about ten months of the year. In the biblical context, fig trees and vineyards are common metaphors for Israel. In Isaiah 5, a parable is presented about a vineyard that illustrates God's care for His people, Israel. Isaiah 5:2 states, “He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.” Israel was unproductive because they turned to other gods and did not return to the Lord. The first section of Isaiah emphasizes this metaphor.
    Jesus uses the parable to highlight that those who repent are expected to produce spiritual fruit. There must be clear evidence of repentance, as John the Baptist told the Pharisees and scribes. If there is no fruit, then there is no true repentance, and one remains lost in sin. True repentance leads to changed behavior. When a person's heart changes, it will manifest in altered attitudes and actions. The evidence of this transformation confirms our salvation.
    Fruit should naturally result from planting a fruit-bearing tree. The expectations outlined in the parable are reasonable. The issue is not that the farmer sought something unreasonable; instead, it is that the tree failed to fulfill its purpose.
    God looks for fruit as a natural outcome of those who have repented. The fruit of the Spirit is the result of the new life we gain when we are regenerated and experience the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Paul identifies this fruit as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” While the fruit of the Spirit may not yet be fully mature in us, it should be evident and growing. God has every right to expect that when He seeks this fruit in us, He will find it. The idea that we can accept Christ and continue living as we always have is not compatible with the teachings of Christ. Being unfruitful invites judgment.
    Are we producing the fruit of repentance in our lives—love, kindness, humility, and obedience? If we are not, we must seek God's grace to make the necessary changes.

    3. God has great patience and mercy for us. (vs. 8-9)

    Despite the fig tree’s lack of productivity, the vineyard keeper pleads for more time. He hopes that with proper soil treatment, the tree will produce better results next year, giving it one last chance to bear fruit. However, the vineyard keeper acknowledges the reality of the situation. If the tree still does not bear fruit, that will be the end of the matter. Yet, rather than saying, “I will cut it down,” he says, “you can cut it down.” He does not want to take the initiative in destroying it. The absence of immediate punishment for wrongdoing does not mean that God approves of sinful behavior; it indicates that God remains merciful to the very end. This illustrates God’s patience, providing us with opportunities to repent and grow. However, patience is not infinite. There will eventually be a final call.
    God is always willing to extend mercy and offer opportunities for growth. If we fail to respond, those opportunities will cease, and even mercy will come to an end. The prophet Jeremiah states in Jeremiah 21:8, “And to this people you shall say: ‘Thus says the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.’” God will give us a chance. There is a breadth to God’s mercy. 2 Peter 3:9 also tells us, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” However, we should not view God’s patience as a license to continue in our sin, thinking that He will overlook it.
    In the “Song of the Vineyard” found in Isaiah 5:1-7, the unproductive vineyard of Israel is destined for destruction. The punishment for sin is severe. A righteous and holy God cannot permit sin to go unpunished. God’s holiness is one of His unchanging qualities. These aspects of God's character are immutable; He is always holy, while we are unholy and unrighteous because of sin. However, through repentance in Jesus, we can be restored to right standing with God. As mentioned earlier, this restoration is both a one-time event when we are justified, and a continual process as the power of the Holy Spirit sanctifies us. Judgment for sin is still forthcoming, and Jesus urges us that the time to repent is now while we still have the opportunity. After death, there will be no more chances. We have this one life to turn to Christ and bear the fruit of the Spirit.
    Are we responding to God's mercy with genuine change? God grants us time, but we must not take this time for granted.
    As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded of God's great mercy and patience toward us. Like the fig tree in Jesus’ parable, we have been given time to grow and bear fruit. But this time is not unlimited. God's patience is an invitation, not a license, to remain unchanged.
    Jesus calls us to:
    1. Repent today – do not delay in turning to God.
    2. Bear fruit – let repentance be evident in our lives.
    3. Recognize God’s mercy – He is patient, but His call is urgent.
    The question we must ask ourselves is this: Are we genuinely responding to God's call to repentance? Are we bearing the fruit of a transformed life—love, joy, kindness, humility, and obedience? If not, the time to turn to Christ is now. Let us not take God's mercy for granted, but instead, embrace His grace, seek His forgiveness, and commit to living a life that reflects His glory.
    May we be a people who bear fruit in keeping with repentance, bringing honor to God in all that we do. Amen.
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Bailey Methodist Church
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