A Tour of the Kalon-dendron Orchard
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Kids’ Corner- Defining Idols-
Last Sunday, I talked with the children about something that is happening is some parts of our country. It is a way of thinking, that has permeated our culture “Cancel Culture” It is the idea, that we need to remove any talk or recognition of things from the past or people of the past, who did something offensive. I expressed that I believe that is a bad idea, but we also can’t make idols out of our Founding Fathers, or People or anything like that. Isaiah 46:5-7 talks about the danger and foolishness of worshipping idols
This week I want to talk about idols some more.
Am I willing to sin to get it?
Am I willing to sin to keep it?
Do I run to it for refuge and comfort, instead of to God?
Walking with Jesus into the Kingdom of God
Walking with Jesus into the Kingdom of God
A Tour of the Kalon-dendron Orchard
A Tour of the Kalon-dendron Orchard
John the Baptist will guide us into this orchard, and throughout Luke’s Gospel, Jesus continues to help us identify the Kalon-dendron. The Good Trees. There are specific criteria, that must be met, for a tree to be called “Good”. It takes some expertise, to understand and recognize these trees. There are several things that make a tree a good tree, and this morning we are going to look at a few of those things. We are going to learn some things as we tour the orchard. Maybe some of you have toured the Kalon-dendron orchard before, while others of you maybe have never been here before. Well, in either case, I hope you enjoy the tour, but much more importantly, I hope you exit the orchard renewed, refreshed, rejuvenated for the rest of our walk toward the Kingdom of God.
7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
Remember last week, our focus was on the role John the Baptist, and we are called to. The role of Making Straight a Pathway for the Lord, I asked if you would level with me. Walking in such a way, that we do not obstruct the glory of the Lord, the salvation of the Lord from being seen by others. Now Luke shows us some of the way John the Baptist went about leveling the path. He preached without pulling any punches.
Let’s break down the verses we read, a section at a time.
Who told you?
Who told you?
John’s focus is on the Holy One, which means he cannot help but proclaim the message that he proclaims to this group of snakes.
If he were to refer to some people today in that terminology, they would probably need a safe place to sit down for a while, because their feelings would be hurt, or he would get ostracized for taking such a bold, judgmental approach to those in the crowd. The crowds, likely we made up of many Pharisees and Sadducees, as per Matthew’s account of this day.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Snakes- Poisonous, dangerous, deadly vipers
Snakes- Poisonous, dangerous, deadly vipers
Who warned you that you need to flee from the wrath of God. Who is trying to sell you a get out of hell free card? Logically, the presumed answer to John’s rhetorical question is “Not John!” This also implies, such a concern is not a proper motive for approaching God the Father, seeking His grace.
34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
Bear Fruit
Bear Fruit
Produce something real, legitimate and measurable.
8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
Good Fruit from a “Kalon-dendron”
Good Fruit from a “Kalon-dendron”
Fruit that is in keeping with repentance, which only comes from a good tree. Good from the inside out. Kalon-Dendron (good tree).
43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.
6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
What does that mean? What does, “in keeping” mean?
What does repentance mean?
In Keeping
In Keeping
consistent with. . . suitable . . . appropriate with . . . aligns. . . of the same kind. . .
With Repentance
With Repentance
Responsibility
Regret
Resolve
Repair
Genuine repentance is not grief over the threat of punishment
9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Genuine Repentance & Fiduciary Faith are inseparable
The “act” of repentance takes place, as God reveals Himself and His will to us, opening our eyes, to reveal our sinfulness our deadness, and convicts us and convinces us of our desperate need to be made alive, which is only done by our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our redeemer, the sacrificial lamb, that was slain, yet conquered death.
Listen to the description of the Ninevites belief and repentance as they became aware of their sinfulness.
5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.
8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”
Evidence/Fruit (Kalon-dendron fruit)
Pseudo-Kalon-Dendrons Beware!
Pseudo-Kalon-Dendrons Beware!
9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
9 And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?”
The axe is at the root of the tree that doesn’t bear fruit
White-washed tombs, Hypocrites are just different descriptions of these fruitless trees.
Genuine Regeneration, by the work of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Over the last few weeks, we have read, Luke’s description of the trinitarian view of God, who works to His good pleasure for His glory, in the production of good fruit, which bears witness of His goodness.
39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did,
This is not the result of our family tree, nor of our desire to escape God’s wrath.
The inward change that is necessary for one to become a “Kalon-Dendron or a “Good Tree” that bears Good FRUIT is a work of God. It is an inner transformation. It is the result of God taking our hearts of stone, and giving us hearts of flesh. It is the regenerating work of God bringing our spiritual corpses to live. wherein we comprehend our sin, cast off our sin, , and the trust in our flesh, and turn about, cast the full weight of our trust upon Jesus’ redemptive work, and only His work.
Look at the picture John the Baptist paints in his response to the people inquiring about the baptism of repentance, that he has been preaching.
10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”
The fruit that is in this orchard is . . . Generous & Compassionate
The fruit that is in this orchard is . . . Generous & Compassionate
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
2nd example or identifying characteristic of Kalon-dendron trees
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.”
The fruit that is in this orchard is . . . fair, just, honest, faithful to one’s duty
The fruit that is in this orchard is . . . fair, just, honest, faithful to one’s duty
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.
See here there is a definite turning about, that must take place. There is a believing God and trusting in Jesus, that was not evidenced in the of the first brother, but the second brother, bore the fruit of repentance.
And John told the tax collectors, to only collect what they are authorized to do. Obey the Law, do your job in a fair, honest and just manor. It would have been easy for them to lie, cheat and steal from those they were collecting from, but that is not in accord with the law of God. God tells us to submit to governing authorities and to not covet what other people have. To treat others as we would want to be treated.
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.”
John essentially repeats those two sets of identifying characteristics of a Good Tree, that is bearing fruit that is in keeping with repentance in verse 14.
It is in verse 14 of Luke 3, that the third group of people questioned John the Baptist as to how they should live.
14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
Kindness vs. Bullying or extortion.
Honesty vs. False accusations
Contentment vs. Greed.
Someone who is bearing the fruit of repentance, Is not an extortioner or cheat. Is not covetous or greedy, does not take advantage of others.
Fruit in Keeping with Repentance is GOOD Fruit
Fruit in Keeping with Repentance is GOOD Fruit
Kind
Generous
Compassionate
Honest
Fair
Just
Faithful
It is fruit that has the qualities of kindness, compassion, generosity, serving and meeting the needs of others. It is fruit that is lawful, honest, fair, just. It is considerate of others and does not take advantage of people. It comes as a result of the grace of God, giving life to the lifeless.
Good fruit is evidence of the spiritual birth, which simultaneously results in one turning away from trusting in their own understanding and trusting in God’s wisdom and God’s ways. This is not the Gospel that is being preached in many churches today. Many pastors and teachers, small group leaders, teach an “Easy-Believism”. If you just believe, you have your “get out of hell, free card. Others preach that one attains eternal life by obeying the law, which is impossible.
Thank God, that He has given us a way to freedom, by simply shifting our weight, so to speak, from trusting in ourselves to trusting in Jesus the Messiah.
We can bear good fruit, He has made it possible for us to become a Kalon-dendron tree by turning around and walking in His light. Which in turn makes the path straight for the Lord, which raises up the low areas, and knocks down the mountains and hills, and brings glory to the One who has freed us, or more accurately, made us alive.
The Owner of the orchard is coming to identify the good trees in the orchard.
The Owner of the orchard is coming to identify the good trees in the orchard.
Good Fruit or Bad Fruit
Good Fruit or Bad Fruit
Take a good look at the fruit of your life, while you are able
Warn others, while you are able. The axe is at the root of the tree, which is not bearing good fruit. This doesn’t have to be communicated in a harsh way, simply encourage others as John the Baptist did, when he said, “Bear Fruit in Keeping with Repentance.” It may be unwelcome news, but it is GOOD NEWS. Good trees bring good news because it is not about them or their desires, that is how it works.
The Biblical Illustrator: St. Luke, Vol. I Vers. 43, 44
Without a change of nature, men’s practice will not be thoroughly changed. Until the tree be made good, the fruit will not be good. Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles. The swine may be washed, and appear clean for a little while, but yet, without a change of nature, he will still wallow in the mire. Nature is a more powerful principle of action than anything that opposes it: though it may be violently restrained for a while, it will finally overcome that which restrains it. It is like the stream of a river, it may be stopped for a while with a dam, but if nothing be done to dry the fountain, it will not be stopped always; it will have a course, either in its old channel, or a new one. Nature is a thing more constant and permanent than any of those things that are the foundation of carnal men’s reformation and righteousness. When a natural man denies his lust, lives a strict, religious life, and seems humble, painful, and earnest in religion, it is not natural, it is all a force against nature; as when a stone is violently thrown upwards. But that force will be gradually spent; nature will remain in its full strength, and so prevails again, and the stone returns to the earth. As long as corrupt nature is not mortified, but the principle left whole in a man, it is a vain thing to expect that it should not govern. But if the old nature be indeed mortified, and a new heavenly nature infused, then may it well be expected that men will walk in newness of life, and continue to do so to the end of their days.
What takes place is God gives us a new nature, as new creations in Christ, we are then able to to walk in His way, journeying to the Kingdom of God, glorifying Him as we go.