Title: Faith that restores essence
Contents
Title: Faith that restores essence
Bible: Luke 13:6-9
Starting Point of the Word>>
This time, I would like to share a message with the title of “Faith that restores the essence”.
In the dictionary meaning of the word “essence”, it is said to be “a word that refers to the unique existence of a thing as a thing that is distinct from other things”.
To put it in one word, it means that each object has its own unique characteristics.
Everything has an essence, and if the essence is healthy, the purpose will become clear, and the fruits of that purpose will follow.
For example, the essence of food lies in its taste.
Delicious restaurants are rumored to be popular and attract a large number of customers.
We can see the appearance of the following restaurants of poultry.
The crumbling hut was rumored to taste good, and the number of customers increased.
Then, the owner of the restaurant built a building and greatly expanded the business to open a business in Xinjiang, but the restaurant is often not as good or even closed.
Where is the Yiwu?
This is because they lost the essence of the original taste of food and only paid attention to the exterior.
However, the importance of this essence has a very important meaning for us believers who are living the life of faith.
What do you think is the most important essence of faith for believers?
Some will talk about worship, prayer, service, offering, etc.
However, the important thing is that the essence of this kind of faith must be accompanied by something that is the fruit of faith.
The essence of worship, the essence of prayer, the essence of service, the essence of giving donations In any act of faith, we must become believers who bear the fruit of faith.
It should also bear a lot of healthy fruit.
Today's text speaks about the nature of our faith by using the parable of the fig tree.
In the name of the Lord, I ask that this will be a precious time to listen to the Word and examine the essence of our faith through realization.
Go to Word>>
Today's text is Jesus' parable about the nature of the fig tree.
He said that everything that exists in the world has an essence, and that there is a purpose that follows that essence.
And I said that the purpose determines the value of existence, and that fruit must be obtained as a result.
Then, what is the essence of the fig tree in today's text and its purpose?
Why did the owner plant a fig tree today?
Although each tree has a different purpose, the fig tree is useless as an ornamental tree, timber, or even a flowering tree.
Although most trees bear fruit after flowering, fig trees bear the name ‘fig’ because they produce fruit right away without any flowers.
So this fig tree has only one purpose: to bear fruit.
The essential purpose of the fig tree's existence is, in a word, to bear fruit.
Today, the figure of the owner waiting for fruit from the fig tree is the figure of God.
Ladies and gentlemen, there are many demands for us to bear the fruit of faith.
To what extent do we comply with the demands of worship, prayer, service, and evangelism?
Are you living your life without bearing any fruit by making excuses and making excuses every now and then?
A psychologist named [Adler] said,
“People have several safeguards to protect themselves against external demands.”
Says
① This is an excuse.
It is a human being to make excuses even for clearly agreeing with one's own conscience.
② This is an attack.
When someone criticizes you, you attack immediately.
There is a psychological attack that says, ‘You did it too’ or ‘Because of you.’
③ You are trying to protect yourself.
‘Let’s wait a little longer.’ ‘It’s still too early.’ It’s a mind that keeps procrastinating.
④ Any request is excluded altogether.
What I mean is, it doesn't matter at all.
It is this kind of psychology that excludes people saying, ‘Am I the only sinner?’ and not thinking about whether I need to do the worship, service, prayer, and evangelism that no one else does.
It is really difficult to expect fruit if you do not even think about the essence and purpose itself, or try to protect yourself for one reason or another.
This fig tree in today's text was planted for the owner's clear purpose.
Its purpose determines the existence value of the fig tree.
But if there is no fruit, there is no value in existence.
The fig tree in today's text is in such a situation.
But there is something surprising.
They didn't cut it right away because there was no fruit, but after waiting for 3 years, there was still no fruit.
This fact ensures that there can be no more excuses or complaints.
We, who were created in God's image, must also remember that God has a purpose.
Even though I wonder what I will do when I get old, living up to this time means that I have to live on this earth because there is still work to be done and there is a purpose.
And he wants to bear fruit.
God is waiting for the fruit.
It means that there is a fruit that God is waiting for, that is, there is a purpose for each event, each person, each person, and everyone.
And fulfilling that purpose is the essence of us as saints.
But what we are truly grateful for is that God waits for us just as the owner waits for three years for the fig tree today.
What I am more grateful for is not waiting blindly, but waiting while watering, fertilizing, and caring for.
He actively waits for us to bear fruit to be enlightened, to act, to be diligent, to be sincere, to humble, and finally to bear fruit.
But what are we doing now?
Are we not pursuing a vain and vain life by exploiting the love of God that awaits us?
We must restore our essence as soon as possible.
For God's purpose, we must become saints who bear the fruit of our essence.
There are two graces we should not forget through this fig tree.
The first is the fact that the master planted fig trees in the vineyard.
Of course, it is right to plant grapes in the vineyard.
If they had planted vines on the site, they would have harvested a lot of grapes, but fig trees that took up space were planted in the vineyards of that precious land.
This can only be a great grace for us as saints.
It is said that it is grace in itself that we are useless before God today.
And another grace is that the fig tree is still uncut and is taking its place.
So far, it has never yielded fruit.
At the very least, it should bear fruit even for one year after another, but this fig tree has lost its essence.
Guys, are the attention and love we have received from God not as good as this fig tree?
God's devotion to us is perhaps incomparable compared to the devotion the vineyard owner poured into the fig tree.
Nevertheless, why do we not have the fruit that God desires?
It is because they lead a life of faith that has no essence.
There can be no fruit in a life that is selfish, formal, and reluctantly imitated.
Example>>
The French hero Napoleon was patrolling the soldiers' barracks during battle.
As I was passing by a barracks, I heard soldiers swearing at Napoleon.
As Napoleon enters the barracks, bewildered, the bewildered soldiers tell the truth.
The story is that there was a soldier with the same name, Napoleon, who had a very bad temper.
So, because of that man, many soldiers were in a bad mood, so they were cursing Napoleon.
So Napoleon called the soldier right away and shouted like this.
“Come on, change your name right now or change your conduct!”
Everyone, now we are believers in Jesus, and we too are people who live in the name of Jesus.
We are all people with the same name, “Christians.”
They are also people who live under the name of God, “Children of God.”
Therefore, we must live as saints who restore the essence of being children of God.
At the end of the speech>>
Organize your words.
What kind of essence are you living for now?
If you live a faith that has lost its essence, a faith that is fruitless, but there is no shame or remorse at all, it is a big deal.
The owner who waited for three years for a fig tree that did not bear fruit today also told him to cut down the fig tree that was finished.
What will God do to us if we lose the essence of faith and live?
In the name of the Lord, I ask that you become wonderful believers who please God by restoring the essence of our faith during this time.
In the name of the Lord, I bless you that you will become believers who pray for our essence and listen to God's word.