Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
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Overview
The Story
Jesus enters Jerusalem and looks at the temple
Left for Bethany since it was late
Saw a fig tree, went to it, only saw leaves
Jesus curses the fig tree
Easter Intro
Today we celebrate the beginning of the passover celebration where Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly!
Prayer - to bless this message and to help prepare
Father, please bless this message and open our hearts and minds to the understanding of Your Word.
Guide me with the Holy Spirit to rightly exposit Your Word for Your purpose.
In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!
3 Questions
Historical - what did this mean to the original audience?
Theological - what is this supposed to teach us about God? and how we are to act towards Him?
Implication - what is the application for us as New Testament believers?
Historical
Background
This episode is covered in Matthew and Mark
Jesus' only destructive miracle recorded in the Bible
I remember studying this with my brother, Wade, many years ago and he particularly liked this verse because it showed that Jesus had a sense of humor for zapping the fig tree with a curse!
However, if a passage seems out of place, we need to look at it more closely and carefully so that we do not miss the point
Fig Trees
Ask if know fig tree, eaten one?
Fig trees often used in the Bible, 59 passages
Adam and Eve attempted to cover their nakedness with fig leaves
It didn't work too well.
Fortunately God, in his great mercy, made them more fitting clothing soon after
Wide range of fig trees, some types take 3 years for the fruit to reach maturity.
In some, fruit comes before leaves, etc
The consensus among biblical scholars is that there is no consensus, except that Jesus:
Expected to find fruit based on the leaves
Was then disappointed to find that it had none
Fig trees often represent God's judgement in the Old Testament
Represents false prophets, teachers, and religious zeal
False prophets and followers - Represented by fruits
Trees and their fruit
Represents works
Parable Baren Fig Tree- must produce good works
Theological
Now we are ready to look at the theological meaning of Jesus cursing the fig tree
Theological meaning
What is this supposed to teach us about God and how we are act towards God?
Look at the larger picture
Mark 11 (follows similarly with Matthew.
Mark was more chronological than Matthew)
Triumphal entry - palm leaves - looks at temple
Returned to Bethany
Jesus is hungry and curses the fig tree
Cleanses the temple (commercial activity didn't leave much opportunity for actual prayer and worship)
Disciples notice fig tree
Parable of the tenant farmers in the vineyard
Differences between Mark and Matthew
Matthew places the cleaning of the Temple before the cursing of the fig tree
Matthew also has the fig tree withering immediately
This is not a contradiction.
Mark was more brief (much more brief), but was written in a more chronological order
Mark doesn’t state when the fig tree withered, but when the disciples noticed it.
The temple is mentioned both prior and after the passage with the fig tree
Temple - fig tree - temple cleansing - fig tree
The fig tree represents the temple in Jerusalem
The leaves represent outward religious zeal or activities
The fruit represents the heart, what one truly believes- which is missing
Summary
God's judgement on Israel because of false scribes and priests
God’s judgement on Israel for false worship (focusing on the act of sacrifice rather than believing with the heart)
Quoting from the Baker's Knowledge Bible Commentary
“The promising but empty fig tree symbolized Israel's spiritual barrenness despite God's favor and the impressive outward appearance of their religion”
In summary, here we see represented the spiritual emptiness of God's chosen people- Israel— and His judgement
They were blessed above all other nations
They continually turned from him
The same people who shouted Hosanna to the King of kings (and laying palm leaves) later shouted- Crucify!
Crucify!
tangent- how wishy washy we as humans are.
Many of these later came back to have faith in Christ - Acts
Since the fig tree (Israel) had no fruit, it will wither and the blessings Israel had been given would pass away
Where God blesses, God requires fruit!
To honor God, we must first have our heart set on him
although details in worship are not to be neglected.
But purity of heart comes first!
(cover in the next section)
Implication
What is the meaning for us?
I do not like eating fig trees, or fig fruits, or even know what the correct name for a fig fruit is.
figlicious
Overview
Is our church genuine?
Is our individual relationship with Christ genuine?
Church
Does our church glorify God and treat Him as holy?
Do we worship and honor God or do we focus on tradition and religiosity?
Jerusalem was very religious, along with the scribes and pharisees, but was detestable to God
Detestable offerings
Claim to be religious but kills the prophets- including the Son of God, Jesus
Why- they hate the truth
Does our church, local congregation, take a stand for truth?
Or are we moved by the culture?
Luke Warm
Individual
God cares about details
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