Faith, Fruitfulness, and the Warning of Hypocrisy
Summary
In Matthew 21:18-22, we encounter a profound lesson on faith and fruitfulness through the curious incident of Jesus cursing the fig tree. This event, occurring during Passion Week, is one of the rare instances where Jesus destroys rather than heals or restores. The fig tree, full of leaves but devoid of fruit, symbolizes the spiritual barrenness and hypocrisy of Israel, a nation that outwardly appeared devout but was inwardly empty. This act serves as a stark warning against hollow religiosity and the danger of appearing fruitful without genuine spiritual substance. Jesus' actions remind us that God values true spiritual fruit over mere appearances. The fig tree's withering is a call to self-examination, urging us to assess our own spiritual lives for authentic fruitfulness.
The passage also transitions into a powerful teaching on faith and prayer. Jesus uses the withered fig tree to illustrate the potential of faith-filled prayer. He assures His disciples that with genuine faith, they can move mountains, emphasizing that prayer is not about the size of our faith but the greatness of our God. This teaching challenges us to trust God for the impossible, to pray with confidence, and to align our requests with His will. Jesus' example of prayerful dependence on the Father throughout His ministry serves as a model for us to follow. As believers, we are called to cultivate a prayer life that is rooted in faith, trusting in God's promises and His power to accomplish His purposes.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Danger of Hypocrisy: The fig tree, full of leaves but lacking fruit, represents the danger of spiritual hypocrisy. It warns us against having an outward appearance of faith without genuine spiritual substance. God desires true fruitfulness, which comes from a heart transformed by His Spirit, not just external religious activities. [03:39]
2. God's Sovereignty in Creation: Jesus' act of cursing the fig tree highlights God's sovereignty over creation. It reminds us that God can use any part of His creation to teach us spiritual truths. This incident challenges us to recognize the infinite value of human souls over material things and to prioritize spiritual growth over worldly concerns. [05:06]
3. Faith and Prayer: Jesus teaches that faith-filled prayer can move mountains. This emphasizes the power of prayer when aligned with God's will. True faith is not about the size of our belief but the greatness of our God. We are encouraged to trust God for the impossible and to pray with confidence, knowing that He hears and answers according to His purposes. [31:59]
4. The Importance of Spiritual Fruit: Genuine faith is evidenced by spiritual fruit. This passage challenges us to examine our lives for authentic fruitfulness, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. True fruitfulness is a result of abiding in Christ and allowing His Spirit to work in us. [22:16]
5. The Role of Faith in Overcoming Challenges: Jesus' teaching on faith and prayer encourages us to face life's challenges with confidence in God's power. By trusting in His promises and relying on His strength, we can overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable. This faith is rooted in a deep relationship with God and a commitment to His will. [54:05]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:55] - The Curious Incident of the Fig Tree
[03:39] - The Symbolism of the Fig Tree
[05:06] - God's Sovereignty and Creation
[08:43] - Lessons on Faith and Fruitfulness
[10:33] - The Warning of Hypocrisy
[12:24] - The Danger of Empty Religion
[15:55] - The Call to Genuine Fruitfulness
[18:42] - Examining Our Spiritual Lives
[22:16] - The Evidence of True Faith
[25:26] - The Power of Jesus' Words
[28:21] - Transition to Faith and Prayer
[31:59] - The Potential of Faith-Filled Prayer
[33:57] - Trusting God in Difficult Times
[36:08] - The Example of Hudson Taylor
[40:25] - Understanding True Biblical Faith
[42:58] - The Object of Our Faith
[44:22] - The Nature of Faith in Jesus
[48:08] - Praying with Confidence
[49:40] - Aligning Prayer with God's Will
[51:07] - The Power of Believing Prayer
[54:05] - Facing Life's Challenges with Faith
[57:16] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 21:18-22
Observation Questions:
1. What was the condition of the fig tree when Jesus approached it, and what did He do to it? [05:06]
2. How did the disciples react to the withering of the fig tree, and what question did they ask Jesus? [29:35]
3. What promise does Jesus make about faith and prayer in this passage? [31:59]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the fig tree symbolize in the context of Israel's spiritual state, and how does this relate to the concept of hypocrisy? [12:24]
2. How does Jesus' teaching on faith and prayer challenge the disciples' understanding of God's power and their role in it? [33:57]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that true faith is demonstrated through spiritual fruitfulness? [22:16]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual life. Are there areas where you might be showing "nothing but leaves"? How can you cultivate genuine spiritual fruit? [20:36]
2. Jesus emphasizes the power of faith-filled prayer. What is one "mountain" in your life that you need to trust God to move? How can you begin to pray about it with faith? [31:59]
3. The sermon warns against hollow religiosity. What steps can you take to ensure your faith is not just an outward show but is rooted in a genuine relationship with God? [12:24]
4. Consider the role of prayer in your daily life. How can you make prayer a more integral part of your routine, and what specific prayers can you start with? [48:08]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of aligning our prayers with God's will. How can you discern God's will in your prayer life, and what resources or practices might help you in this process? [49:40]
6. Think of a time when you faced a significant challenge. How did your faith influence your response, and what might you do differently in the future to rely more on God's promises? [54:05]
7. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you feel called to develop further. What practical steps can you take this week to grow in that area? [22:16]
Devotional
Day 1: The Peril of Spiritual Hypocrisy
The fig tree, full of leaves but lacking fruit, serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual hypocrisy. It represents the danger of having an outward appearance of faith without genuine spiritual substance. This is a warning against hollow religiosity, where external religious activities mask an empty heart. God desires true fruitfulness, which comes from a heart transformed by His Spirit. The withering of the fig tree is a call to self-examination, urging believers to assess their own spiritual lives for authentic fruitfulness. This reflection challenges us to move beyond mere appearances and cultivate a deep, genuine relationship with God. [03:39]
Isaiah 29:13 (ESV): "And the Lord said: 'Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life might you be focusing more on outward appearances rather than genuine spiritual growth? How can you begin to cultivate a more authentic relationship with God today?
Day 2: Recognizing God's Sovereignty
Jesus' act of cursing the fig tree highlights God's sovereignty over creation. This incident serves as a reminder that God can use any part of His creation to teach us spiritual truths. It challenges us to recognize the infinite value of human souls over material things and to prioritize spiritual growth over worldly concerns. By understanding God's sovereignty, we are encouraged to trust in His divine plan and to seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives. This perspective helps us to align our priorities with God's will and to focus on what truly matters in our spiritual journey. [05:06]
Psalm 24:1-2 (ESV): "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers."
Reflection: How can you better recognize and submit to God's sovereignty in your daily life? What steps can you take to prioritize spiritual growth over material concerns?
Day 3: The Power of Faith-Filled Prayer
Jesus teaches that faith-filled prayer can move mountains, emphasizing the power of prayer when aligned with God's will. True faith is not about the size of our belief but the greatness of our God. This teaching encourages believers to trust God for the impossible and to pray with confidence, knowing that He hears and answers according to His purposes. By cultivating a prayer life rooted in faith, we can experience the transformative power of God's promises and His ability to accomplish His purposes in our lives. This perspective challenges us to deepen our trust in God and to rely on His strength in all circumstances. [31:59]
Mark 11:24 (ESV): "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you need to trust God for the impossible? How can you begin to pray with confidence and faith in His promises today?
Day 4: Evidence of Genuine Faith
Genuine faith is evidenced by spiritual fruit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This passage challenges believers to examine their lives for authentic fruitfulness, which is a result of abiding in Christ and allowing His Spirit to work in us. True fruitfulness is not about external achievements but about the transformation of our character and the impact of our faith on others. By focusing on spiritual growth and cultivating the fruits of the Spirit, we can live out our faith in a way that honors God and reflects His love to the world. [22:16]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you feel is most lacking in your life right now? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this fruit and allow God's Spirit to work in you?
Day 5: Overcoming Challenges with Faith
Jesus' teaching on faith and prayer encourages believers to face life's challenges with confidence in God's power. By trusting in His promises and relying on His strength, we can overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable. This faith is rooted in a deep relationship with God and a commitment to His will. As we navigate the difficulties of life, we are reminded that God is with us, guiding and empowering us to overcome any challenge. This perspective encourages us to deepen our relationship with God and to trust in His ability to lead us through every trial. [54:05]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing that feels overwhelming? How can you rely on God's strength and promises to overcome this challenge with faith?
Quotes
"We return to Matthew 21, turn to the 21st chapter of Matthew, we come to a short little five-verse section packed with wisdom and truth for us this morning, Matthew 21, verses 18 through 22, a message I've entitled, Figs, Mountains, and Faith, Figs, Mountains, and Faith, Matthew 21, 18 through 22, probably it's Tuesday morning of Passion Week, based on the parallel account from Mark, who is a little more focused on chronology than Matthew, it would seem Matthew is silent. It's about Passion Monday." [00:00:06] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Palm Sunday was packed full, if you remember the last 17 verses of this chapter and previous sermons, Jesus' triumphal entry, cleansing the temple, healing the blind and lame, defending the children's choir, where we left off last time, verses 15 through 17, and now he curses an innocent fig tree, as we're about to read. Surely one of the most bizarre. And strange things Jesus ever did. Have you wondered that? You've read it and you thought, hold on, what's up with this?" [00:00:57] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"All of Jesus' other miracles are about restoring and healing, raising up the lame, giving sight to the blind, not destroying. Why? Why this? Why now?" [00:01:15] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Where else in all four Gospels do we see Jesus destroying his own creation? I can think of one other place. Anyone else have in mind what I'm thinking of? A herd of 2,000 pigs? It didn't end well. It didn't end well for them that day because Jesus prioritized the redemption of one human life over the preservation of a herd of 2,000 pigs into whom he sent that legion of demons when he saved the Gerasene demoniac." [00:02:10] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"In this tree-hugging, nature-worshiping, plant-exalting age we live in, we need to notice God uses non-human things for the redemption of human souls who are of infinite value." [00:03:17] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Uses inanimate creation to warn people who are the crown of His creation. More important than all the plants and animals put together, made in His image with everlasting souls unlike any other creature. So a dead tree outside Jerusalem still speaks to us today. For those who have ears to hear." [00:03:33] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Critics love to use this fig tree incident to try and prove that the Bible is fallible. It must be legend or fable or Jesus' sin somehow and acting so rashly." [00:03:55] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"However, have you noticed that when parts of the Bible make critics squirm, for us as believers, it's usually another indicator that this is not a man-made book?" [00:04:07] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Because if it was just a human invention, then it would all make sense and we wouldn't have these moments where we would be like, oh, this is a man-made book. We would be in moments where we feel really awkward and we say, whoa, no human would have cooked this up. We're dealing with something supernatural here, a God-breathed, in fact, a fully inspired, infallible book." [00:04:17] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Do we not serve a God, as Scripture says, whose thoughts are not our thoughts, whose ways are not our ways, right? Isaiah 55. These controversial passages show the absolute uniqueness of Christ, that Jesus also was no mere human invention." [00:04:35] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Mine would never have conceived of a God-man with a fully divine and human nature, as we're going to see a few in numerous ways in this passage, as we saw last week, a lion-like lamb and a lamb-like lion." [00:04:52] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Let's read the text and then pray. Please stand in honor of God's Word, if you can. Verses 18 and following, follow along in your Bibles. Matthew 21, 18. Now, in the morning, when he was returning to the city, Jesus became hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, he came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only. And he said to it, no longer shall there be any fruit from you. And at once the fig tree withered." [00:05:06] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, how did the fig tree wither all at once? And Jesus answered and said to them, truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, be taken up and cast into the sea, it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer." [00:05:33] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"believing, you will receive. Gracious Father, Almighty Lord, God of the impossible, thank you for such a very practical, extremely helpful text. Who of us here does not need to examine our fruitfulness and usefulness to you if we profess the name of Christ, if we wear the label of a Christian before a watching world, and most of all, in your eyes, risen Lord, and who among us here doesn't need to learn to pray more in faith and trust you for great things to be done in your service, which seem like massive mountains of impossibility." [00:05:54] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Lord, it is our prayer, it's my request that your killing of a tree would bring life to some dead soul here today. That your cursing of one plant would bring blessing to many lives in this room. Lord, you took Aaron's dead rod and you made it blossom. Do that in many lives. In our hearts and in our midst as a church this hour. For Christ's sake we ask it. Amen. You may be seated." [00:06:37] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Put yourself in Jewish sandals, beloved. Let this sink in. What Jesus has already done early on in Passion Week to monumentally significant acts back to back. Cleansing a temple, cursing a fig tree. In other words, condemning the entire Jewish system of worship in one fell swoop when he cleansed the temple and then condemning the whole nation because they all knew what a fig tree represented when he curses this tree. And yet about 24 hours or so earlier they're shouting their hosannas, celebrating the Jewish liberator. You think of the scenes of late when a nation, in some ways rightly, but ultimately, it's hopeless without Christ of any eternal value when they're sure the next president and the next whoever is going to fix everything? Well, if ever there was such a moment, this was their view of a political earthly Jesus who would finally fight for them and defend and protect them and then suddenly he turns against them and he goes on the offensive aiming at them." [00:07:05] (76 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Inconceivable to their Jewish minds. Assaulting our temples, withering this tree, denouncing our worship, condemning our nation. No wonder these are his final days. No wonder he won't live to see the end of the week. Away with such a false messiah. Away with this blasphemer. Give us Barabbas. Crucify him. He's no friend of Israel. He has become our foe." [00:08:24] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"That's about the mood of the moment. That's where this movie is going in Passion Week. Here's our outline this morning, friends. Two lessons. Two lessons from Christ on faith and fruitfulness." [00:08:43] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Two lessons on faith and fruitfulness from Christ. And with each, there will be an application slogan. You could say a saying that I will attach to each of them from the text. First, we'll look at bearing fruit and then believing prayer." [00:08:56] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Bearing fruit and then believing prayer. Let's look at the first lesson, verse 18 and 19, bearing fruit. And here's the key phrase, nothing but leaves. Nothing but leaves. It's a warning you never want written. It's like an Ichabod over your soul. Nothing but leaves. Look at the text. Remember the sequence, by the way. A barren temple precedes a withered tree." [00:09:01] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Two pictures, two parables, two striking object lessons, two graphic displays of what God is about to do in AD 70 to the Jews when Titus and his Roman armies roll into Jerusalem in fierce and dreadful judgment. If you ever doubt it, God hates you. He hates hypocrites who honor him with their lips while their hearts are a million miles away. Look at the text, verse 18. Now in the morning, when he was returning to the city, he became hungry. Hold on. I thought he stayed with his friends, Martha and company. Over in Bethany, would they not make breakfast for the Lord?" [00:09:41] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Or had he been up early in fervent prayer, knowing his hour had come? Or was it after the significant walk, from Bethany up and over the Mount of Olives, back down the Kidron Valley, and then up into Jerusalem?" [00:10:19] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"You might have worked up an appetite by then as well." [00:10:32] (4 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We don't know why Jesus was hungry, but we do know he's fully human in every way except for sin. And so he, too, had earthly, physical appetites like you and like me. And ultimately, we know this is for the purpose of a visual parable to teach an unforgettable lesson to his disciples and to us. Keep reading. Verse 19." [00:10:37] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, he came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only." [00:10:58] (0 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Mark even adds in his account, for it was not the season for figs. And you say, now I'm really confused." [00:11:04] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"What's going on here, Tim?" [00:11:12] (2 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Why would you be looking for figs if it wasn't even fig season?" [00:11:16] (3 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Imagine the curiosity of the disciples, again, at the latest disturbing move of their master and their teacher. What's going on here? What's Jesus doing? And Muslims love to use verses like this, by the way, to tell us the Bible has errors and Jesus was mistaken. But there's no need to come to that conclusion whatsoever." [00:11:17] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"What angers Jesus clearly is not that the tree has no fruit when it was out of season. What angers him is that the leaves, the foliage, pretended to be having early fruit. You normally, according to fig farming, of which I, you know, have a wealth and decades of experience and spoken, to tons of fig scholars and figologists." [00:11:37] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"You can read any basic land of the Bible or any basic understanding of Palestinian agriculture." [00:12:00] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"When you have those kind of leaves, you'll have some figs with it. It's either both or it's neither. Don't make a promise you won't deliver on. Don't be guilty of false advertising. That's the point." [00:12:06] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Don't have an empty, hollow, lying profession." [00:12:18] (5 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"This tree was a portrait of hypocrisy, as they say in Texas, of a loud-mouthed but failed rancher. He's all hat, no cattle." [00:12:23] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"He's all sizzle, no steak, right? You might say, oh, she's all flash, no cash, right?" [00:12:44] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"This is all religion but no reality." [00:12:48] (3 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Just like the nation of Israel, boasting of their temple that Jesus just cleansed, proud of their law, confident of their circumcision, talking all day and night about their circumcision. And they know what a fig tree portrays. They knew their Old Testament. Pick your prophet. Go to Hosea. Go to Micah. Go to Jeremiah more than once. Go to Joel." [00:12:50] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Look down even in this chapter at verse 33." [00:13:17] (4 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Soon our Lord gives a parable of a vineyard, similar to a fig tree, depicting God's anger toward Israel." [00:13:21] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Who are often called his vine and his fig tree because they don't bear fruit, like the prophets of old, like
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