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TITLE: Nothing But Leaves
TEXT: Mark 11:12-26
PROPOSITION: Many talk the talk, but do not walk the walk.
QUESTION: What?
KEY WORD: Applications
READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:
         1.        Jesus was hungry. He saw leaves. He expected fruit.
2.        Quote from McGarvey. (See below)
3.        Study this passage with three applications.
                A. Jesus        B. Jews        C. Christians today

Jesus Sought and Seeks
         1.        Jesus - fig tree should had figs - fruit
2.        Jews - God's chosen - should show fruit
3.        Christians - saved by God's grace - should show fruit
                  A.        John 15:1-5 ? abide in vine, bear much fruit
B.        Romans 7:4 ? that we should bring forth fruit to God

Jesus Found and Finds
         1.        Jesus - nothing but leaves - outward display only
2.        Jews - outward display - no inward results
3.        Christians - leaves
        A. Speak where Bible speaks        1 Pet. 4:11
                Requires study        Acts 17:11        2 Tim. 2:15
        B. Lord's Supper ? partakes but not remember, not discern
        C. Teach but do not practice what they teach
        C. Worship in spirit and truth        John 4:24
                Attend ? but they don't worship
                Give - not as prospered
                Sing ? but without spirit, without understanding, listen to others sing
                Pray - lack faith, life filled with doubt
                Communion ? partakes but does not remember Christ, discern, examine

Jesus Did and Will Do
         1.        Jesus - cursed the fig tree
2.        Jews - cursed the nation
3.        Christians - cursed the goats on the left        Matt. 25


The fact that if was not yet fig-time made it worse for this tree. On this kind of fig tree the fruit forms before the leaves, and should be full grown when the leaves appear: so this tree, by putting on its foliage before the time for figs, was proclaiming itself superior to all the other fig trees. This made it a striking symbol of the hypocrite, who, not content with appearing to be as good as other people, usually puts on the appearance of being a great deal better.
A Commentary on Matthew and Mark, J. W. McGarvey, p. 335-6



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