Rock Family Church of Morgantown WV
The Ten Virgins 1
- Background: Call to Repentance
Luke 13:1–5 NLT 1 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. 2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? 3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. 4 And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? 5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”perish = G622 - hellThe Barren Fig Tree – 3 years, 3 opportunitiesLuke 13:6 NLT 6 Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.Owner = GodGardener = JesusFig tree = IsraelPlanted = Echo(ESV = had) = G2192 = ECHO = “to be” (like Him)Life Lesson: God wants us to sound like HimFig tree = Israel· Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves to cover themselves after the fall· valuable product – food, medicine· sign of peace and prosperityGarden = vineyard“again and again to see if there was ANY” (fruit) = G2212· seek for in order to find· demand something from someone· desire· craveLife Lesson: God expects positive results from our lives· He’s seeking in order to find it – it should be easy to find and obvious· We re to be a lamp on a stand, city on a hill, living epistles – read and known of all men…· Even a single one…Natural fruit symbolizes personal and national fruit (or church fruit)· fig tree - Bears 3 times a yearo Early ripe fig – June – drops as soon as it ripens – Nahum 3:12o Summer fig – Augusto Winter fig – green fig - ripens in springPersonal Fruit = results· Fruit = G2590 resulto Natural = fruit of one’s property – trees, vines or fields – nature should respond, bring resultso Family = fruit of one’s relationships (loins) – children should respond, bring resultso Spiritual = fruit of one’s heart - praises due to God§ God is rarely ever given the praise He is due from His investment in humanity“he was always disappointed” = G3756 = ouch· Like any father, God loves us as people but can be disappointed with our behavior at the same time.Luke 13:7 NLT 7 Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’· Finally He said = G3004 – command, directo Spiritual principle: Unfruitfulness changed the direction!· Gardener = G289 = vinedresser = Jesuso Husbandman—one whose business it is to cultivate the ground. It was one of the first occupations, and was esteemed most honourable (Gen. 9:20; 26:12, 14; 37:7, etc.). All the Hebrews, except those engaged in religious services, were husbandmen.· Waitedo G2212 – seek in order to findo G2064 – make one’s appearance – show itselfo G575 – separation until fellowship is destroyed· 3 years – patient opportunitieso Prophetic number of completiono 3 years = Length of Jesus’ ministry – enough time for Israel to recognize Him as LordLife Lesson: Grace does not guarantee infinite opportunities· Hasn’t been a single fig = G3756 – OUCHo No when yes was expectedo from a total of 9 possible harvests – WOW· Cut it down = G1581 – cut off occasiono sentence passed, time expired – the return as no longer worth the investmento cut your losses – boundaries – line is drawno wisdom protects from perpetual failure· Taking up space in the garden = G 2673 – unemployed, inactive, inoperative (out of order?)o No more influence, no powero Inefficient – like the 10 talents given moreo To do away withLuke 13:8 NLT 8 “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer.Intercession – dealing, buying more time, mercy – similar to when Abraham convinced God from destroying the city of Sodom if there were 10 righteous people in the city.Give it One more chance – leave it one more year = permission for 3 harvest opportunitiesI’ll give it special attention· G906 - to give over to one’s care uncertain about the result[1]· Special attention = G4626 – Dig aroundand plenty of fertilizer· G2874 = manureLife Lesson: God’s help should be appreciated, no matter the form.Luke 13:9 NLT 9 If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’ ”· If we get figs = G4160 – work, bear, fulfill, perform, produce, commit· Grace – bonus time – 4th year· delayed but not denied· If = conditional – outcome is based on performance· Apparent Agreement – “man” did not refuse the request of the gardenerEnd of the story = BAD – no figsIsrael rejected Jesus as Messiah after his 3-year ministry with them.“tree” of Israel was “cut down” in AD 70 by the Roman empire – Temple destroyed, Jews driven into exile for 1900 years.· Israel cut down, but not cut off – roots remain· Church age –o Gentile branches grafted in until the natural Jewish branches are grafted back in· (Romans 11) All Israel saved in the end![1]Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.
Rock Family Church of Morgantown WV
304-292-1128
3 members