2. The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
Luke 13:6-9

3. Introduction When disaster falls, we tend to ask “Why?”
If it happens to an individual, we may wonder what they did to deserve it
If it happens to a group, we wonder what the group did to deserve it?
Often we miss the real lesson all such disasters teach
This parable is precipitated by a disaster, but is told to teach the real lesson of disasters

4. Setting
Luke 13:1
Some reported that some Galilean Jews had been killed by Pilate
They were killed in the Temple, since their blood mingled with the sacrificial blood
Perhaps expecting Jesus to speak out or act against Pilate
Perhaps expecting an explanation of why those men died (e.g., they were evil men)

5. Setting Luke 13:2-3 Jesus’ responded
They were not any worse sinners than anyone else
The lesson is “Repent or you will all likewise perish”
Life is short, death can happen at anytime
Repent NOW, or you may not get another chance

6. Setting Luke 13:4-5 Jesus reinforces the point
Another recent calamity in Jerusalem
A tower collapsed and killed 18
Those victims were no worse sinners than others in Jerusalem
Yet they died quickly and without warning
The lesson is “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”

7. The Parable Luke 13:6-9 A man has a fig tree in his vineyard
The fig tree has not born fruit for three years
He tells the gardener to cut it down, it’s wasting space in the vineyard
The gardener persuades the owner to let him try to fertilize it and see if it will produce the next year
If not, then he’ll cut it down

8. The meaning of the parable
From Lk 13:1-5 we know the meaning
“Repent or perish”
The owner is God (as usual)
Each individual Christian (in His vineyard) is like the fig tree
God expects us to be fruitful
He is not pleased by any periods of inactivity
Just wasting space in the kingdom
If unfruitful, then eventually He will no longer consider us His children
We must REPENT NOW

9. Lessons for today
The true message in all disasters is that life is short
If we are going to repent, do it now
Consider the disasters we all know
9/11/2001
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Mining disasters
Earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, etc
Remember the lesson, REPENT NOW

10. Lessons for today God expects a return on investment Eph 1:3-12
God has granted us every spiritual blessing
He chose us in Christ
He adopted us as sons
He redeemed us
He forgave us
He made known His will to us
He gave us an inheritance
John 15:8
We need to bear MUCH fruit

11. Lessons for today The Lord is patient, but not forever
In the days of Noah, He waited 120 years while Noah built and preached
With the people of Israel, God waited over 700 years before taking away the northern tribes
He waited over 100 more years before taking Judah into captivity
2 Pet 3:3-15
Everyone and everything has a limited amount of time left

12. Lessons for today Those who are unfruitful will be cut off John 15:1-9
To be in Christ, we must bear fruit
In Christ we will bear MUCH fruit
If we bear no fruit, then we are not really in Christ
Such will be cast out and burned up
Heb 6:4-8
To reject God after being a Christian means
You are worthless and close to being cursed
The end will be to be burned up
Unless you repent, you will perish

13. Conclusion Tragedies happen all the time
Don’t think those who suffer are necessarily any worse sinners than we are
Rather learn the lesson
Life is short
Now is best time to repent
God may be longsuffering, but He will not wait forever
Won’t you make your life right with Him now?