Closing 2013 - A year of Grace

We had a good service last night. Well planned program which started with Praise and Worship. I shared the closing message for 2013  in church last night and Pst Joel gave the message for the New Year. 

I looked at 2013  from three perspectives:

1   From the view point of the world
2.  From the church point of view and
3.  From the point of view of our individual selves.

 Finally in closing I looked at the passage in Luke 13:6-9. 

1.   The owner had a purpose for the fig tree

• Verse 6 tells us that he planted the fig tree.
• He took the effort and time to plant the tree.
• It was not grown by the way side or grow in the wild.
• It was intentional. 

God has planted us in this church, in this community, in this country for a purpose

• The Bible says God has a purpose and a plan for each and everyone of us.
• Jer 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.If it bears fruit next year fine! If not, then cut it down." 

2.   He had an outstanding purpose for the fig tree.

• Verse 6 tells us that he planted the fig tree in the vineyard
• Compare the vine plant and the fig tree
• It makes the fig tree stand out
• He wants us to stand out of the crowd
• 2 Cor 5:17 – If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation
• Acts 11:26 - The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
• Our lives must be examplary

3.   The tree had potential

• To bear fruits
• That was the purpose for its existence
•  That’s why the owner planted. Otherwise He would not have wasted His time
• You have potential

4.   There was an expectation on the part of the owner

• He came three years in a row to look for fruit. But He found none.
• Its a fair expectation

5.   The owner’s disappointment

• "Cut it down, right now, and stick a match to it" cuts deeply.
• The owner has a right to be disappointed and angry at that useless tree.
• It’s no wonder he wants it destroyed.
• We are led to ask ourselves, "Am I bearing fruit? I keeping sucking up the nutrients of the soil in which I’ve been planted and when am I going to show some kind of fruit to match the years I’ve been standing in God's garden and all the opportunities I’ve been given?"

But

Jesus continued. "Leave it alone for one more year", the gardener pleads, "I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.

If it bears fruit next year fine! If  not, then cut it down." 

•          God gives us one more chance for the New Year
•          He forgives the past.
•          Works in partnership for the future

Conclusion

•        Jer 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
•        Isaiah 43:16 and Isaiah 43:18-19 - This is what the Lord says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

Pst Joel shared the New Year's message on "New Beginnings". text taken from John 5:1-10