Figs; the Real Smart Food

Series Through Matthew • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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The fig tree teaches us that while we may recognize seasons, we cannot know the exact hour the Lord will return. Our response ought to be preparedness.

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End Times Context

Jesus had said that he would destroy the temple and raise it up again in three days

This concerned the Jewish people and his closest followers

The temple was a sacred place where the people would meet with God

They asked him to elaborate on this

Today in our study, Jesus is still answering a 3 part question from

English Standard Version Chapter 24

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Earlier in our series Jesus answered began answering the WHEN by describing what it would not look like (vs 4-14)

There would be wars and rumors of wars

Man will continue to fight and hate each other

He described some of the things he would endure on the cross (vs 15-

He also warned of false teachers (vs 15-28)

Many would come and lead people astray

They would pervert the Gospel

Some would even claim to be Him

We must not follow any of those false teachers

He answered the WHAT will be the sign (vs 29-31)

That he would appear on the clouds in an unmistakable fashion

There will be wondering about the sign; it will be crystal clear

We also discussed some of the different interpretations some hold of these events

Our method is a truth & charitable method

Keep the plain things the main things

That is what is clear in the text is what we stand on

And

And its sinful to part fellowship over the mysterious things of our faith

Jesus is describing his coming into the kingdom, that is his death burial and resurrection as well as the end of time

That is the time between the cross and the end of times

That is the already begun but not yet complete...

That is the time we are in at the moment

Jesus being a great teacher often helped his disciples understand things by comparing the spiritual realm to something physical

He does this here

He uses a fig tree to help us understand what he is saying

The Fig Tree

The fig tree was common in the area

It was one of the few trees that actually dropped its leaves every year

One could be sure of the arrival of summer when they saw the buds for the leaves develop on the fig tree

The fig tree did not make summer come, but was a sure sign that summer was around the corner.

English Standard Version Chapter 24

32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

We can recognize seasons

This generation will not pass away...

Jesus cannot mean that the entirety of end times will be completed within the lifetimes of those hearing him. A more careful reading reveals that “all these things take place” is referencing his parable in determining the “season” of end times.

In other words this generation will not pass until we enter into this season of end times

Jesus is also careful to remind us that all created things precede the Word of God;

We can recognize seasons

That is they came forth from the very Word of God and so it makes sense that all created things will not out last the Word of God

God’s Word will remain

God’s Word was before and will remain after

English Standard Version Chapter 24

36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Jesus goes right from the lesson of the fig tree to a reminder that no one knows the day or hour

The Son, that is Jesus, does not know the exact day or hour

Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and the Father are all the same God but in different distinct personages

The Father is often viewed as the creator in the Bible

Jesus is often viewed as the acting agent within creation Bible

The Holy Spirit is often viewed as the mysterious presence of God in the Bible

In this passage we can see that in the Father’s distinct role, He is the only one that knows when the end will come

Every generation there are some that rise up and claim they have figured it out

Whether its some Bible code

Or revelation

Or reading of the signs

I am not sure how much more clear this can get

NO ONE KNOWS

In fact it will be

Just like the days of Noah

English Standard Version Chapter 24

38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

English Standard Version Chapter 24

40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

The world will carry on like it does

English Standard Version Chapter 24

The world will carry on like it does

Remember the story of Noah

The world will carry on like it does

We are not sure how long it took to build the ark; but given the task it must have taken a pretty long time

Then the flood came unexpectedly (for most) and swift

Jesus compares this to a robbery

If the master of the house (the one about to be robbed) believed that a robber was coming that night at 11:00 pm he could get ready to stop him at 10:45 pm

But since he does not know the exact hour he needs to stay up all night in wait for him

A long prep time to catch a sudden event

The long prep time in either case is worth it as to be ready for the sudden event

God’s timing is not man’s timing

You will not (you cannot) expect it

So we are told to always be ready

English Standard Version Chapter 24

Contrary to popular belief the imagery of the two women grinding at the mill and two men in the field where one is taken and one is left is not referring to a rapture

Jesus is comparing this event to the great flood

Those that are taken, that is outside the ark, are killed not saved

The imagery highlights the suddenness and unexpectedness of the events

Jesus then asks a question that is on the minds of the people and then answers that question for them and for us

English Standard Version Chapter 24

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Blessed is the faithful and wise servant that does the will of his master because he loves the master

He takes care of the masters things because he loves the masters things; not because he is worried about the master coming back and checking on him

That is his heart; a servants heart; the heart of Christ

The one that does out of selfish gain; will be unpleasantly surprised to turn and find his master had been watching him the whole time

The Fig Tree and Noah

Lessons pulled from the fig tree and Noah apply to us

You can see the season we are in

Are you ready?

Do you love the master’s things?

Jesus will further elaborate with 2 parables then describe the final judgement

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