SERMON NOTES
“Faith Produces Fruit”
The Fig Tree (11:12-14, 20-21):
- An enacted parable to help us further understand the temple incident
- Demonstrates the fruitlessness of the temple despite it’s ‘leafy’ appearance
The Temple Incident (11:15-18):
- Jesus condemns extortion
- Jesus condemns the commercial activity that was limiting prayer
- Jesus condemns the temple system
- Jesus condemns the religious leaders
- Isaiah 56:6-8
- Jeremiah 7:1-15
The Response (11:22-25):
- Faith can move the (temple) mountain
- The fruit Jesus desires:
- Concern for the lost
- Salvation apart from works
- Faith in prayer
- Forgiveness of others
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY: Explain the meaning of the fig tree and the meaning of Jesus’ actions in the temple in your own words. How did Jesus’ actions signify the end of the temple system? What was Jesus condemning the religious leaders for? In what ways have you/are you busy with religious activity but not actually producing fruit?
