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Week:09, Season:1,
2013
Posted on Saturday by PCT
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Seize Opportunities in Your Life
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Scripture：《
Luke 13:1-9
》
13：1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
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Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them – do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.’ 6 Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig-tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, “For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig-tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?” 8 ‘“Sir,” the man replied, “leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig round it and fertilise it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.”’
Fig trees are commonly planted in Palestine, and usually bloom between April and May. Some Bible scholars suggest that, in Palestine, a yard bearing various fruits is called an orchard, while one only growing grape is called vineyard. When a vineyard grows a fig tree, it brings trouble to the gardener, as he has to spend extra time to care for the fig tree. Therefore, to avoid trouble, some gardeners will immediately cut fig trees down. In the parable told by Jesus, the gardener kept this fig tree, took care of it and waited for it to bear fruit. It takes 3 years for a fig tree to grow. In the parable the owner of the vineyard had waited for 3 years for this fig tree to bear fruit. We can therefore assume that the gardener had been taking care of this tree for 6 years. Finally, the owner decided to take it down as this fig tree had wasted his land for 3 years without bearing any fruit. But the gardener asked to dig round the fig tree and fertilise it for another year.
What is the purpose of this parable? If we do not pay attention, repent, and bear the fruit of faith, we will be like the fig tree, and be cut down. Our Lord is merciful and righteous, and will make his judgement. His wait for sinners has a time limit. This parable warns us we must live up to our mission and do our best in the position given to us by God. There is no fate awaiting someone. All things are in God’s plan. Wherever we are, the only chance we have is to seize the moment , fulfil our duty and, in time, respond to the love of God!
Where are the opportunities in life?
A fig tree grows in a vineyard where it not supposed to be but still receives care from the gardener. If it can bear fruit, it will find its home and settle down. In our lives, we may also travel to strange places by accident. Perhaps the current job we have is not our favourite one; the person we married is not the most beautiful one; the appearance we have is imperfect…it seems what we have does not fit the bigger environment.
In the most difficult situations, if you can carry on without complaints, change your attitude to see God’s wonderful purpose and humble yourself, you will be able to present your unique beauty and become the essential one in the place you stand. Those who used to look down on you will change their minds.
Love and judgement
The love of God is generous and patient. But his waiting still has a limit. Eventually, all of us will face judgement of our sins. A fig tree that absorbs nutrients from the land but cannot bear any fruit owes the world for its life. Do we want to receive grace but refuse to give it out? Why don’t we cherish the past? Why don’t we notice that God was waiting for us with love? When many Christians think of eternity, their brains are empty. They rarely think and practise. It takes time and effort to serve God, yet many Christians put serving God as their last priority. Only when they are old and weak do they start to realise the time lost and that busyness only brings a void.
Many Christians grow in a loving church environment with development, care and spiritual support. However they forget to respond to God’s love and do not bear fruit of the Spirit. They forgot to share the wonderfulness in their life with other people. Day after day God’s love and waiting sustains them, but soon the day of judgement will arrive.
Even a fig tree bears fruit
At the age of 17, a young man, Liu, Shi-Sheng from Keelung Zhongshan Church, killed someone innocent. The victim, at age 30, had refused [D1]a toast from a 17-year-old gang. The gang were angry and stabbed a broken wine bottle into the victim, causing his immediate death. Liu, Shi-Sheng had joined the gang at a young age. His violence warned other people away from him. After this crime he made friends with even more criminals in prison. After he left the prison he started an illegal business and lived a dissolute life of alcohol, sex, and violence.
Both of Liu’s parents are members of Keelung Zhongshan Church. His father is the former president of the church foundation. But Liu, Shi-Sheng left God and his home at a young age to seek excitement. His mother worried and prayed for him with tears every day. But one day his eyes hurt very much and came back to his home in Keelung. His parents welcomed his return home. While he stayed at home to recover, he attended a prayer meeting at church. Suddenly he felt greatly moved by the beautiful hymns people sang. He was also touched by words from the sermon, “I am a sinner! How deep is my sin!” God’s hands laid on him and made his heart struggle. He finally repented and returned to God. His was determinate to make changes and serve the Lord. Today he is a vigorous and gifted minister in Puli area. His decision and change has surprised many of his previous friends in the gang!
Keelung Zhongshan Church is located in Xian Dong area near the west pier of Keelung Harbour, where temples and gangsters gather and the quality of life is low. Even in such a place, the cross of Christ at church still shines brightly and brings light and hope in the dark places. Liu, Shi-Sheng was once lost to a place far away from God where he did not belong. His mother’s prayers, her tears and the mercy of the Lord saved him! Praise the Lord that the seeds of love finally grew and bore fruit by making Revd Liu a servant to proclaim good news and message of love in many places.
Christians are chosen by God
Dear friends, where are you now? Do you feel you are a fig tree occupied the land but not producing anything? Do you know that there are many people who care about you and wish to invite you to joining in God’s orchard and bear fruit? Do you know that Christians are like fig trees in the vineyard which are chosen by God? Please cherish the land you stand in; cherish those who care about you and encourage you with love and faith. Please fulfil your duty and shine for God; become the chosen precious vessel!
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For discussion：
1. Have you experienced the feeling of not fitting in the environment you stood in and felt sad about it? How did you deal with this situation? Have you been accepted with patience from other people in difficult times?
2. Please share any experiences of regret at not seizing an opportunity, or experiences of when you felt lucky at seizing an opportunity.
Please pray for：
1. For Christians at your church. May each of them cherish love and generosity; often respond to God’s love; bear the fruit of the Spirit and make the church a place of glory.
2. For your neighbours. May we become opportunities for them to know gospel. May we treat them with generosity and patience. May they cherish and seize opportunities to know God.
Prayer：
Our Lord, we thank you for your arrangement and plan for each of our lives. Please teach us to seize the time to bear the fruit of gospel in the place you put us and become blessing to others while we still can. We want to seize the opportunity. Your love and waiting for us is long-standing, but finally we will face the judgement. Please help us to have eyes of wisdom, to look after our days, to seize the opportunities in life and to make our best choices and efforts. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Something you can do：
1. Give out the booklets of “Reading the Bible with New Eyes” to your neighbours. If they are happy to have some company, please spend time reading with them and get to know their thoughts.
2. Share you spiritual experience with your friend. Share the joy you have in Christ. Share your experience of being accepted and loved by the Lord.
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