Sermon at the Haynes Street church of Christ on January 11, 2015. Title: "Parable of the Barren Fig Tree" Preacher: Steven Matthews

1. WELCOME TO THE
HAYNES STREET
CHURCH OF CHRIST
Times of Services
Sunday:
9:30 a.m. Bible class
10:30 a.m. worship
Wednesday:
7 p.m. Bible class

2. PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG
TREE
 Luke 13:6-9: No matter what walk of life
you’re talking about, you’re expected to be
productive.
 Jesus’ parable is frightening but also
comforting.
 Lesson #1: The Master expects fruit.
Luke 8:5-8, 11-15: Parable of the sower.
Gal. 5:22-23: Fruit of the Spirit.
Matt. 9:36-38: Look at the lives of others.
John 15:1-8: The vine and the branches.
God does not want barren trees; He wants
fruitful ones.

3. PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG
TREE
 Lesson #2: The Master is patient with us.
Two sides: Frightening and comforting.
II Pet. 3:9, 15: Fruit-bearing is a
growth process.
God’s delay in judgment isn’t due to
laziness.
II Pet. 3:3-4: Mockers and scoffers.
Luke 13:1-5: The need for repentance
led Jesus to teach this parable.
But patience was running out.

4. PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG
TREE
 Lesson #3: A time is coming when the
Master’s patience will run out.
Eventually, the unfruitful tree will be cut
down.
Matt. 12:30: If we are not bearing fruit for
the Lord, we are simply using up the
ground.
II Pet. 3:10: We don’t know when
judgment is.
Therefore, we need to bear fruit – all the
time.

5. PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG
TREE
 Lesson #4: The Master will help us bear
fruit.
II Pet. 1:2-3, 20-21: God provides all that
we need for life and godliness.
I Cor. 12:18: God provides relationships
with one another to help us.
Heb. 10:24: We are here to stimulate one
another to love and good deeds.
Phil. 4:13: “I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.”
 Remember: God is Judge and His patience
will run out at some point. So, lean on
Him and grow.

6. THE PLAN OF SALVATION
 Hear (Romans 1:16; 10:14, 17)
 Believe (John 8:24; Mark 16:16; Hebrews
11:6)
 Repent (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30)
 Confess (Romans 10:9-10; Matthew
10:32-33)
 Be baptized (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark
16:16)
 Live faithfully (Revelation 2:10;
Matthew 6:33; Romans 12:1-2; I
Corinthians 15:58)

7. THE PLAN OF SALVATION
 Hear (Romans 1:16; 10:14, 17)
 Believe (John 8:24; Mark 16:16; Hebrews
11:6)
 Repent (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30)
 Confess (Romans 10:9-10; Matthew
10:32-33)
 Be baptized (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark
16:16)
 Live faithfully (Revelation 2:10;
Matthew 6:33; Romans 12:1-2; I
Corinthians 15:58)