Pastor Timothy L. Dortch
Subject: “Make Good or Make Room”
Primary Scripture Reference: Luke 13:6-9
Sermon Notes/Nuggets
- After the warning Jesus gives His audience in verse 3 of Luke 13, Jesus spoke a parable that illustrates 3 principles of God’s judgement.
- God looks for fruit.
- A fruitful tree (in the Old Testament) was often used as a symbol of godly living.
- Psalm 1
- Jeremiah 17:7-8
- Matthew 7:16-20
- If you want to know what kind of tree it is, look at its fruit.
- The fruit of our lives reveals what kind of person/tree you are.
- What kind of fruit is God looking for?
- He is looking for the fruit of the Spirit.
- Galatians 5:22-23
- God is patient in judgement.
- Cumbereth (verse 7) = just using up the ground/taking up space.
- The tree in the parable was given special care.
- God can take waste and use it fertilizer.
- God says… What you thought was waste, I can use to make you grow.
- No root, no fruit. If there is a fruit problem, mostly likely there is a root problem.
- God will help us in producing fruit, if we will just endure the manure.
- God has been showing some of us special care and we have been enjoying it, but we don’t want to give Him anything.
- God is just in His judgement.
- God looked for fruit for 3 years, and then gave it another chance.
- If the tree bears fruit… well. If the tree does not bear fruit, cut it down.
- Matthew 3:8-10
- Mark 11:12-13
- God looks for fruit.
- God is not going to continue to allow a lack of productivity.
- Stay connected to the vine.
- Either produce good fruit, or make room for someone else.
- John 15:1-6
- The only way you can bear fruit is if you abide in the Him. He is the true vine.