After that Thou Shalt Cut it After that Thou Shalt Cut it Down Down

A Study of Luke 13: 6 - 9A Study of Luke 13: 6 - 9

Luke.13.6 - 9Luke.13.6 - 9

Parable - Fig TreeParable - Fig Tree

He spake also this parable; A certain man had He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? why cumbereth it the ground?

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: dung it:

And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. that thou shalt cut it down.

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Sound Fruit & Found NoneSound Fruit & Found None

"A "A certain mancertain man," He continued, "had ," He continued, "had a a fig-tree plantedfig-tree planted in in his vineyardhis vineyard; and he ; and he came and came and sought fruit thereonsought fruit thereon, and , and found nonefound none. Then said he unto . Then said he unto the the dresserdresser of his vineyard, Behold, these of his vineyard, Behold, these three yearsthree years I come I come seeking fruitseeking fruit on this on this fig-tree, and fig-tree, and find nonefind none: : cut it downcut it down; ; why cumbereth it the groundwhy cumbereth it the ground?" (Luke 13: ?" (Luke 13: 6 & 7)6 & 7)

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Not MisUnderstandNot MisUnderstand Christ's hearersChrist's hearers could not could not

misunderstand the application of misunderstand the application of His wordsHis words. David had sung of . David had sung of Israel as Israel as the vine brought out of Egyptthe vine brought out of Egypt. Isaiah had . Isaiah had written, "The written, "The vineyard of the Lord of vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israelhosts is the house of Israel, and the , and the men men of Judah His pleasant plantof Judah His pleasant plant." Isa. 5:7. ." Isa. 5:7. The The generation to whom the Saviour had generation to whom the Saviour had comecome were were represented by the fig tree in represented by the fig tree in the Lord's vineyardthe Lord's vineyard -- -- within the circlewithin the circle of of His special careHis special care and and blessingblessing. .

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God’s PurposeGod’s Purpose

God's purpose toward His peopleGod's purpose toward His people, and the , and the glorious possibilities before themglorious possibilities before them, had been , had been set forth in set forth in the beautiful wordsthe beautiful words, "That they might be called trees of , "That they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified," Isa. 61:3. The dying Jacob, be glorified," Isa. 61:3. The dying Jacob, under the under the Spirit of inspirationSpirit of inspiration, had said of , had said of his best-loved sonhis best-loved son, , "Joseph is a "Joseph is a fruitful boughfruitful bough, even a , even a fruitful boughfruitful bough by a by a well; whose branches run over the wall." And he said, well; whose branches run over the wall." And he said, "The "The God of thy FatherGod of thy Father" "" "shall help theeshall help thee," the ," the AlmightyAlmighty " "shall bless thee with blessings of heaven shall bless thee with blessings of heaven aboveabove, , blessings of the deep that lieth underblessings of the deep that lieth under." Gen. ." Gen. 49:22, 25. 49:22, 25. So God had planted Israel as a goodly vine So God had planted Israel as a goodly vine by the wells of lifeby the wells of life. . He had made His vineyard "in a He had made His vineyard "in a very fruitful hillvery fruitful hill." He had "." He had "fenced itfenced it, and , and gathered out gathered out the stones thereofthe stones thereof, and , and planted it with the choicest planted it with the choicest vinevine." Isa. 5:1, 2. ." Isa. 5:1, 2.

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Wild GrapesWild Grapes

"And He looked that it should bring "And He looked that it should bring forth forth grapesgrapes, and it , and it brought forthbrought forth wild grapeswild grapes." ." Isa. 5:2. The Isa. 5:2. The people of Christ's daypeople of Christ's day made a made a greater show of pietygreater show of piety than did the than did the Jews of Jews of earlier agesearlier ages, but they were , but they were even more even more destitute of the sweet graces of the Spirit of destitute of the sweet graces of the Spirit of GodGod. The . The precious fruits of characterprecious fruits of character that that made the life of Joseph so fragrant and made the life of Joseph so fragrant and beautifulbeautiful, were , were not manifest in the Jewish not manifest in the Jewish nationnation..

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Instead of SalvationInstead of Salvation

God in His Son had been God in His Son had been seeking fruitseeking fruit, , and had and had found nonefound none. . Israel was a cumberer Israel was a cumberer of the groundof the ground. . Its very existence was a Its very existence was a cursecurse; ; for it filled the place in the vineyard for it filled the place in the vineyard that a fruitful tree might fillthat a fruitful tree might fill. . It robbed the It robbed the world of the blessings that God world of the blessings that God designed to givedesigned to give. . The Israelites had The Israelites had misrepresented God among the nationsmisrepresented God among the nations. . They were not merely uselessThey were not merely useless, but , but a a decided hindrancedecided hindrance. . To a great degreeTo a great degree their religion was misleadingtheir religion was misleading, and , and wrought ruinwrought ruin instead of salvationinstead of salvation. .

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If It Bear Fruit, WellIf It Bear Fruit, Well

In the parable In the parable the dresserthe dresser of the of the vineyardvineyard does not question the sentence that does not question the sentence that the treethe tree, , if it remained fruitlessif it remained fruitless, , should be should be cut downcut down; but ; but he knows and shares the he knows and shares the owner's interest in that barren treeowner's interest in that barren tree. . Nothing Nothing could give him greater joycould give him greater joy than to than to see its see its growth and fruitfulnessgrowth and fruitfulness. . He responds to the He responds to the desire of the ownerdesire of the owner, saying, ", saying, "Let it alone Let it alone this year alsothis year also, , till I shall dig about ittill I shall dig about it and and dung itdung it; and ; and if it bear fruitif it bear fruit, , wellwell." ."

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Greater CareGreater Care

The The gardener does not refusegardener does not refuse to ministerto minister to so unpromising a to so unpromising a plantplant. . He stands readyHe stands ready to give it to give it still greater carestill greater care. . He will make its He will make its surroundingssurroundings most favorablemost favorable, and , and will lavish upon itwill lavish upon it every attentionevery attention. .

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Every MeansEvery Means

The ownerThe owner and and the dresserthe dresser of the of the vineyard vineyard are one in their interestare one in their interest in the in the fig treefig tree. . So the So the Father and the SonFather and the Son were were oneone in their love for the chosen people in their love for the chosen people. . Christ was saying to His hearersChrist was saying to His hearers that that increased opportunities would be given increased opportunities would be given themthem. . Every meansEvery means that the love of God that the love of God could devisecould devise would be put in operationwould be put in operation that they might become trees of that they might become trees of righteousnessrighteousness, , bringing forth fruitbringing forth fruit for the for the blessing of the worldblessing of the world. .

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Mercifully ForewarningMercifully Forewarning

Jesus did notJesus did not in the parable in the parable tell the tell the result of the gardener's workresult of the gardener's work. . At that At that pointpoint His story was cut shortHis story was cut short. . Its Its conclusion restedconclusion rested with the generation with the generation that heard His wordsthat heard His words. . To themTo them the the solemn warning was givensolemn warning was given. "If not, then . "If not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.“(v.9) after that thou shalt cut it down.“(v.9) Upon Upon themthem it dependedit depended whether the irrevocable whether the irrevocable wordswords should be spokenshould be spoken. . The day of wrathThe day of wrath was nearwas near. . In the calamitiesIn the calamities that that had already had already befallen Israelbefallen Israel, , the ownerthe owner of the vineyard of the vineyard was mercifully forewarning themwas mercifully forewarning them of the of the destruction of the unfruitful treedestruction of the unfruitful tree. .

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Not Seen in Your LifeNot Seen in Your Life The The warning sounds downwarning sounds down along the along the line to usline to us in in

this generationthis generation. . Are youAre you, , O careless heartO careless heart, , a fruitless a fruitless tree in the Lord's vineyardtree in the Lord's vineyard? ? Shall the words of doom Shall the words of doom erelongerelong be spoken of you be spoken of you? ? How long have you How long have you received His giftsreceived His gifts? ? How long has He watched and How long has He watched and waited for a return of lovewaited for a return of love? ? Planted in His vineyardPlanted in His vineyard, , under the watchful care of the gardenerunder the watchful care of the gardener, , what what privileges are yoursprivileges are yours! ! How often has the tender How often has the tender gospel message thrilled your heartgospel message thrilled your heart! ! You have takenYou have taken the name of Christthe name of Christ, , you are outwardlyyou are outwardly a member of a member of the churchthe church which is His bodywhich is His body, and , and yet you are yet you are consciousconscious of of no living connection with the great no living connection with the great heart of loveheart of love. . The tide of His life does not flow The tide of His life does not flow through youthrough you. . The sweet graces of His characterThe sweet graces of His character, , ""the fruits of the Spiritthe fruits of the Spirit," ," are notare not seen in your lifeseen in your life. .

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Barren Tree ReceivesBarren Tree Receives

The The barren tree receivesbarren tree receives the rainthe rain and and the sunshinethe sunshine and and the gardener's carethe gardener's care. . It It draws nourishmentdraws nourishment from the soilfrom the soil. . But its But its unproductive boughsunproductive boughs only darken the only darken the groundground, , so that fruit-bearing plantsso that fruit-bearing plants cannot cannot flourish in its shadowflourish in its shadow. . So God's giftsSo God's gifts, , lavished on youlavished on you, , convey no blessing to convey no blessing to the worldthe world. . You are robbing othersYou are robbing others of of privilegesprivileges that, that, but for youbut for you, , might be might be theirstheirs. .

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Pitying SaviourPitying Saviour

You realizeYou realize, , though it may be but dimlythough it may be but dimly, , that that you are a cumberer of the groundyou are a cumberer of the ground. . Yet in His Yet in His great mercy God great mercy God has not cut you downhas not cut you down. . He He does not look coldly upon youdoes not look coldly upon you. . He does not turn He does not turn away with indifferenceaway with indifference, or , or leave you to destructionleave you to destruction. . Looking upon youLooking upon you He criesHe cries, as , as He cried so many He cried so many centuries ago concerning Israelcenturies ago concerning Israel, "How shall I give , "How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? . . . I will not execute the fierceness of Mine Israel? . . . I will not execute the fierceness of Mine anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim; anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I am for I am GodGod, and , and not mannot man." Hosea 11:8, 9. ." Hosea 11:8, 9. The pitying The pitying SaviourSaviour is is saying concerning yousaying concerning you, Spare it this year , Spare it this year also, also, till I shall dig about it and dress ittill I shall dig about it and dress it. .

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Unwearied Love Did ChristUnwearied Love Did Christ With whatWith what unwearied love did Christ ministerunwearied love did Christ minister

to Israelto Israel during the period of added probationduring the period of added probation. . Upon the cross He prayedUpon the cross He prayed, "Father, forgive them; for , "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:24. After His they know not what they do." Luke 23:24. After His ascension the gospel was preached first at Jerusalem. ascension the gospel was preached first at Jerusalem. There the Holy Spirit was poured out. There the There the Holy Spirit was poured out. There the first first gospel church revealed the power of the risen Saviourgospel church revealed the power of the risen Saviour. . There Stephen--"his face as it had been the face of an There Stephen--"his face as it had been the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15)--bore his testimony and laid down angel" (Acts 6:15)--bore his testimony and laid down his life. his life. All that heaven itself could give was All that heaven itself could give was bestowedbestowed. ". "What could have been done more to What could have been done more to My vineyardMy vineyard," Christ said, "that ," Christ said, "that I have not done in I have not done in itit?" Isa. 5:4. ?" Isa. 5:4. So His careSo His care and and labor for youlabor for you are not are not lessenedlessened, , but increasedbut increased. . Still He saysStill He says, ", "I the Lord I the Lord do keep itdo keep it; ; I will water it every momentI will water it every moment; ; lest any lest any hurt ithurt it, , I will keep it night and dayI will keep it night and day." Isa. 27:3. ." Isa. 27:3.

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Cut It DownCut It Down

"If it bear fruit, well; and if not, then "If it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that"-- after that"--

The heart that does not respond The heart that does not respond to divine agenciesto divine agencies becomesbecomes hardened until it is no longer hardened until it is no longer susceptible to the influence of the susceptible to the influence of the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit. . Then it is that the word is Then it is that the word is spokenspoken, ", "Cut it downCut it down; ; why cumbereth why cumbereth it the groundit the ground?" ?"

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Today He Invites YOUToday He Invites YOU

TodayToday He invites youHe invites you: "O Israel, return : "O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God. . . . unto the Lord thy God. . . . I will heal their I will heal their backslidingbacksliding, , I will love them freelyI will love them freely. . . . . . . . I I will be as the dewwill be as the dew unto Israelunto Israel; ; he shall he shall grow as the lilygrow as the lily, and , and cast forth his rootscast forth his roots as Lebanonas Lebanon. . . . . . . . They that dwell under They that dwell under his shadowhis shadow shall returnshall return; ; they shall they shall reviverevive as the cornas the corn, and , and grow as the grow as the vinevine. . . . . . . . From Me is thy fruit foundFrom Me is thy fruit found." ." Hosea 14:1-8Hosea 14:1-8. .

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Consider the parable of the fig Consider the parable of the fig tree:tree:

"A certain man had a fig tree planted "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." Luke 13:6-9. Luke 13:6-9.

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Lesson For AllLesson For All

""Then after thatThen after that." ." In these words In these words there is a lesson for allthere is a lesson for all who are who are connected with the work of Godconnected with the work of God. . A period A period of probationof probation was was granted to the tree that granted to the tree that bore no fruitbore no fruit. And . And in like manner God in like manner God bears long with His peoplebears long with His people. . But of But of those who have had great advantagesthose who have had great advantages, , and and who are standing in positions of who are standing in positions of high and sacred trusthigh and sacred trust, and , and yet bear no yet bear no fruitfruit, He says: "Cut it down; why cumbereth , He says: "Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?"it the ground?"

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Conniving at WrongConniving at Wrong Let those connected with the Lord's Let those connected with the Lord's

special instrumentalitiesspecial instrumentalities rememberremember that that He He will call for fruitwill call for fruit from His vineyard. from His vineyard. Proportionate to the blessings bestowedProportionate to the blessings bestowed will be the returnswill be the returns requiredrequired. . Heavenly angels Heavenly angels have visitedhave visited and and ministered in every placeministered in every place where God's institutions are established. where God's institutions are established. Unfaithfulness in these institutionsUnfaithfulness in these institutions is a is a greater singreater sin than it would be elsewherethan it would be elsewhere, , for for it has a greater influenceit has a greater influence than it would than it would elsewhere haveelsewhere have. . UnfaithfulnessUnfaithfulness, , injusticeinjustice, , dishonestydishonesty, , conniving at wrongconniving at wrong, , obstruct obstruct the light which God designsthe light which God designs shall shine shall shine forth from His instrumentalitiesforth from His instrumentalities. .

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World is WatchingWorld is Watching The The world is watchingworld is watching, , ready to ready to

criticizecriticize with keennesswith keenness and and severity severity your wordsyour words, , your deportmentyour deportment, and , and your your business transactionsbusiness transactions. . EveryoneEveryone who who acts a part in connection with the work of acts a part in connection with the work of GodGod is watchedis watched, and , and is weighed by is weighed by the scalesthe scales of of human discernmenthuman discernment. . ImpressionsImpressions, , favorablefavorable or or unfavorable to unfavorable to Bible religionBible religion, are , are constantly made on constantly made on the minds of all with whom you have the minds of all with whom you have to doto do. .

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Advanced TruthAdvanced Truth

The The world watchesworld watches to to see what fruitsee what fruit is borneis borne by by professed Christiansprofessed Christians. . It It has a right to lookhas a right to look for self-denialfor self-denial and and self-sacrificeself-sacrifice from those who from those who claim to believeclaim to believe advanced truthadvanced truth. .

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Sermon--Parable of the Fig-Sermon--Parable of the Fig-Tree.Tree.

"A certain man had a fig-tree planted in "A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it; and if it bear fruit, well; and if not, dung it; and if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." then after that thou shalt cut it down." Luke 13:6-9. Luke 13:6-9.

HS.180.003HS.180.003

Their Last TrialTheir Last Trial The The Jewish nationJewish nation was was represented as the fig-treerepresented as the fig-tree

which which God had planted in his vineyardGod had planted in his vineyard. . This people This people he had taken unto himself as his ownhe had taken unto himself as his own. . They had been They had been greatly favored with temporal and spiritual blessingsgreatly favored with temporal and spiritual blessings, , and and he looked to them to bring forth the fruits of he looked to them to bring forth the fruits of righteousnessrighteousness. . Year after year he had come to them Year after year he had come to them hoping to find fruithoping to find fruit, , butbut had found nonehad found none. . HeHe had been had been long forbearinglong forbearing. . JusticeJustice had urgedhad urged, "Cut it down; why , "Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?" cumbereth it the ground?" But mercyBut mercy pleaded for still pleaded for still another trialanother trial. . The DresserThe Dresser of the vineyard will put forth of the vineyard will put forth yet one more effort to save the fruitless treeyet one more effort to save the fruitless tree. . The Son The Son of Godof God will come in person to plead with the chosen will come in person to plead with the chosen peoplepeople. . He will take upon himselfHe will take upon himself humanityhumanity, and , and set set before them the examplebefore them the example of his own lifeof his own life. . If this fails to If this fails to bring thembring them to repentanceto repentance, , it is their last trialit is their last trial. "After . "After that thou shalt cut it down." that thou shalt cut it down." In the terrible In the terrible destructiondestruction which came upon the Jewish nationwhich came upon the Jewish nation we we read the fateread the fate of theof the unfruitful treeunfruitful tree..

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Symbol of the Fig TreeSymbol of the Fig Tree

Under the Under the symbol of the fig-treesymbol of the fig-tree, , Christ representsChrist represents, , not the Jews onlynot the Jews only, , but allbut all who have neglected to who have neglected to improve the gifts of Heavenimprove the gifts of Heaven. . He has bestowed He has bestowed upon us greater blessingsupon us greater blessings than were granted to than were granted to his ancient peoplehis ancient people, and , and he claims of ushe claims of us fruit fruit corresponding to the gifts bestowedcorresponding to the gifts bestowed. . What is What is this fruitthis fruit? ? It is a pure and holy characterIt is a pure and holy character; ; godlinessgodliness, , self-denialself-denial for others' goodfor others' good, , meeknessmeekness and and lowliness of heartlowliness of heart. . Jesus claims Jesus claims penitencepenitence, , faithfaith, and , and obedienceobedience. . He came to leave He came to leave for men afor men a perfect model of characterperfect model of character. . He was He was obedientobedient to allto all the requirements of his Fatherthe requirements of his Father. . If we follow himIf we follow him, , we shall in our life carry outwe shall in our life carry out the precepts of God's holy lawthe precepts of God's holy law. .

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Through ChristThrough Christ

Dear brethren, Dear brethren, He who has given He who has given you talentsyou talents, , has by these sacred trusts has by these sacred trusts made youmade you capable of bearing precious capable of bearing precious fruit to his gloryfruit to his glory. . Through ChristThrough Christ, , God God has opened heavenhas opened heaven before youbefore you, and , and all all needful grace is brought within your needful grace is brought within your reachreach. The . The Saviour diedSaviour died that by his that by his grace you might become partakers of grace you might become partakers of the divine naturethe divine nature. . He expects you to He expects you to bear fruitbear fruit. . With what interest has he With what interest has he watchedwatched and and waited for some returns waited for some returns for his great sacrificefor his great sacrifice. .

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Solemn LessonSolemn Lesson

ConsiderConsider, , I pray youI pray you, , the solemn lesson of the solemn lesson of this parablethis parable. The . The dresser of the vineyarddresser of the vineyard pleads for a respite for the doomed fig-treepleads for a respite for the doomed fig-tree; ; but if it still bear no fruitbut if it still bear no fruit, , he himself declareshe himself declares, , "After that thou shalt cut it down." "After that thou shalt cut it down." May not this May not this be the position of some now before mebe the position of some now before me? ? May they not be even now receiving the last May they not be even now receiving the last trialtrial? ? The divine illuminationThe divine illumination, , the example of the example of perfect goodnessperfect goodness, , are granted usare granted us. . From time to From time to timetime, , new opportunitiesnew opportunities, , new lessonsnew lessons, , are givenare given. . And what will be the resultAnd what will be the result? ? If we are If we are careless and neglectfulcareless and neglectful, , we know not how we know not how soon the word may be spoken of ussoon the word may be spoken of us, ", "Cut it Cut it downdown; ; why cumbereth it the groundwhy cumbereth it the ground?" ?"

HS.181.001 HS.181.001

Heir of HeavenHeir of Heaven How many years have we been in the Lord's How many years have we been in the Lord's

gardengarden? and ? and what profit have we brought to the what profit have we brought to the MasterMaster? ? How are we meeting the inspecting eye How are we meeting the inspecting eye of Godof God? ? Are we increasing in Are we increasing in reverencereverence, , lovelove, , humilityhumility, , confidence in Godconfidence in God? ? Do we cherish Do we cherish gratitude for all his merciesgratitude for all his mercies? ? Are we seeking to Are we seeking to bless those around usbless those around us? ? Do we manifest the spirit Do we manifest the spirit of Jesus in our familiesof Jesus in our families? ? Are we teaching his word Are we teaching his word to our childrento our children, and , and making known to them the making known to them the wonderful works of Godwonderful works of God? The ? The Christian must Christian must represent Jesus by both being good and doing represent Jesus by both being good and doing goodgood. . Then there will be a Then there will be a fragrance about the fragrance about the lifelife, , a loveliness of charactera loveliness of character, , which will reveal the which will reveal the fact that he is a child of Godfact that he is a child of God, , an heir of heavenan heir of heaven. .

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Promise is Very PreciousPromise is Very Precious Brethren, Brethren, be no longer slothful servantsbe no longer slothful servants. . Every soul must Every soul must

battle against inclinationbattle against inclination. . Christ came not to save men Christ came not to save men in their sinsin their sins, , but from their sinsbut from their sins. . He has made it possible He has made it possible for us to possess afor us to possess a holy characterholy character; ; do notdo not, then, , then, be be content with defects and deformitiescontent with defects and deformities. But . But while we are to while we are to seek earnestly for perfection of characterseek earnestly for perfection of character, , we must we must remember that sanctification is not the work of a momentremember that sanctification is not the work of a moment, , but of a lifetimebut of a lifetime. Said Paul, "I die daily." . Said Paul, "I die daily." Day by day the Day by day the work of overcoming must go forwardwork of overcoming must go forward. . Every day we are to Every day we are to resist temptationresist temptation, and , and gain the victory over selfishness in gain the victory over selfishness in all its formsall its forms. . Day by day we should cherish love and Day by day we should cherish love and humilityhumility, and , and cultivate in ourselves all those excellencies of cultivate in ourselves all those excellencies of charactercharacter which will please Godwhich will please God and and fit us for the blessed fit us for the blessed society of heavensociety of heaven. . To all who are seeking to accomplish To all who are seeking to accomplish this workthis work, , the promise is very preciousthe promise is very precious, "He that , "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.“ angels.“ (Rev.3.5)(Rev.3.5)

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Love Souls as He Has Loved Love Souls as He Has Loved UsUs

Every Christian will have a missionary Every Christian will have a missionary spiritspirit. . To bear fruit is to work as Christ To bear fruit is to work as Christ workedworked, , to love souls as he has loved to love souls as he has loved usus. . The very first impulse of the renewed The very first impulse of the renewed heartheart is to bring others also to the is to bring others also to the SaviourSaviour: and : and just as soon as a person is just as soon as a person is converted to the truthconverted to the truth, , he feels an he feels an earnest desire that those in darknessearnest desire that those in darkness should see the precious light shining should see the precious light shining fromfrom God's wordGod's word. .

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Christ Spoke a ParableChrist Spoke a Parable Christ spoke a parableChrist spoke a parable to convey to the to convey to the

people a truthpeople a truth which which would ever be would ever be rememberedremembered. He said: "A certain man had a fig . He said: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none; cut it down; why cumbereth tree, and find none; cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it; and if it bear fruit, well; about it, and dung it; and if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." down." For three years Christ had carefully For three years Christ had carefully sought for fruitsought for fruit among the Jewish peopleamong the Jewish people. . Rich Rich opportunitiesopportunities and and privileges had been privileges had been granted themgranted them. .

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He Constantly Refreshed He Constantly Refreshed HumanityHumanity For three years and a half Christ had For three years and a half Christ had tabernacled tabernacled

among menamong men. "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt . "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt [tabernacled] among us (and we beheld his glory, the [tabernacled] among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.“ (John.1.14) and truth.“ (John.1.14) He was as the shadow of a great He was as the shadow of a great rock in a desert landrock in a desert land, , where no water iswhere no water is. . He constantly He constantly refreshed humanityrefreshed humanity by opening to men the cool by opening to men the cool streams of the brook flowing from Lebanonstreams of the brook flowing from Lebanon. . He was ever He was ever seeking to refreshseeking to refresh his vineyardhis vineyard. . He sought to leave his He sought to leave his imprint upon the heartsimprint upon the hearts and and characters of his followerscharacters of his followers. . He identified his interest with that of fallen He identified his interest with that of fallen humanityhumanity. . Their weakness was his weaknessTheir weakness was his weakness. . Their Their necessity was his necessitynecessity was his necessity. . As a humble suppliantAs a humble suppliant who sought divine strength from the hand of his who sought divine strength from the hand of his FatherFather, , he took the attitude of petitionerhe took the attitude of petitioner, , that he that he himself might be invigorated and refreshed by himself might be invigorated and refreshed by converse with Godconverse with God. .

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Communion With GodCommunion With God

Christ took upon himself human natureChrist took upon himself human nature, , but but daily he linked it with the divine daily he linked it with the divine naturenature. . He devoted whole nights to He devoted whole nights to prayerprayer, , leaving an example for all leaving an example for all humanityhumanity; ; for as he relied upon Godfor as he relied upon God, , the Source of all strengththe Source of all strength, , so are we so are we to be invigorated and refreshedto be invigorated and refreshed, , to be to be strengthened for duty and braced for strengthened for duty and braced for trialtrial, , through communion with Godthrough communion with God. .

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Christ LaboredChrist Labored Christ labored for his vineyardChrist labored for his vineyard. . The Prince of The Prince of

heavenheaven, , he was yet the intercessor for manhe was yet the intercessor for man, and , and he had power with Godhe had power with God, and , and prevailed for himselfprevailed for himself and and for his peoplefor his people. . Morning by morning he Morning by morning he communicated with his Father in heavencommunicated with his Father in heaven, , receiving from him daily a fresh baptism of the receiving from him daily a fresh baptism of the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit. . The Lord awakened him from his The Lord awakened him from his slumbers in the early hours of the new dayslumbers in the early hours of the new day, that , that his soul and his lips might be anointed with his soul and his lips might be anointed with gracegrace which he should impart to otherswhich he should impart to others. . His His words were given him fresh from the heavenly words were given him fresh from the heavenly courtscourts, , words that he might speak in seasonwords that he might speak in season to to those that were weary and oppressedthose that were weary and oppressed. . Of Christ Of Christ we readwe read, "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of , "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know to speak a word in the learned, that I should know to speak a word in season to him that is weary; he wakeneth morning by season to him that is weary; he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned." (Isa.50.4)learned." (Isa.50.4)

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Human AgentHuman Agent The The Son of GodSon of God, , having humanity upon having humanity upon

himhim, , lived in our world as a human agentlived in our world as a human agent. . He passed over the ground which man must He passed over the ground which man must traveltravel. . He supplicated for suffering humanityHe supplicated for suffering humanity till his humanitytill his humanity was was charged with a charged with a heavenly currentheavenly current that should connect that should connect humanity with divinityhumanity with divinity. . He uttered He uttered supplications for a peoplesupplications for a people over whom the over whom the prince of darkness was striving for masteryprince of darkness was striving for mastery. . He healed the sickHe healed the sick, , relieved the suffering relieved the suffering and oppressedand oppressed, , consoled the bereavedconsoled the bereaved, , and and restored the backsliderrestored the backslider, , seeking and seeking and saving that which was lostsaving that which was lost. . Christ worked Christ worked for his vineyardfor his vineyard, , speaking words in speaking words in seasonseason. .

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Ominous SentenceOminous Sentence But what an ominous sentence is But what an ominous sentence is

thisthis--"And if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then --"And if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down"! after that thou shalt cut it down"! Our Our Saviour was calling the Jewish nation to Saviour was calling the Jewish nation to repentancerepentance. . To them he saidTo them he said, ", "Except ye Except ye repentrepent, , ye shall all likewise perishye shall all likewise perish." ." (Luke.13.3 & 5) In the parable of the vineyard (Luke.13.3 & 5) In the parable of the vineyard Christ represented to them the manner Christ represented to them the manner in which God had dealt with themin which God had dealt with them. . He He showed them the blessings that God had showed them the blessings that God had given themgiven them; ; for the vineyard was a symbol of for the vineyard was a symbol of the Jewish nationthe Jewish nation. .

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What Mean These WordsWhat Mean These Words Well might the Jewish nation inquireWell might the Jewish nation inquire, ", "What What

mean these wordsmean these words, And after that thou shalt , And after that thou shalt cut it down." They might have been answered, cut it down." They might have been answered, "O inhabitants of Jerusalem, this is your day of "O inhabitants of Jerusalem, this is your day of opportunity and privilege, your day of merciful opportunity and privilege, your day of merciful visitation." visitation." It was still time for them to know It was still time for them to know the thingsthe things which belonged unto their peacewhich belonged unto their peace. . Jesus was in the midst of themJesus was in the midst of them, , the only the only one who had power to save themone who had power to save them; ; but but their unbelieftheir unbelief, , their resistancetheir resistance, , was bringing to was bringing to them its sure results of hardness of heart and them its sure results of hardness of heart and impenitenceimpenitence, and , and was filling them with was filling them with stubbornness and rebellionstubbornness and rebellion. .

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Irrevocable WordsIrrevocable Words Jesus was diffusing lightJesus was diffusing light, , scattering his scattering his

blessings upon every handblessings upon every hand, , showering showering mercies upon the unthankful and the evilmercies upon the unthankful and the evil. . His His mercies were unacknowledgedmercies were unacknowledged, and , and JesusJesus, , the the LightLight, , the Waythe Way, and , and the Truththe Truth, , was rejectedwas rejected. . Still a brief space was theirs before the Still a brief space was theirs before the irrevocable words should be spokenirrevocable words should be spoken. . Shall the Shall the season of trial closeseason of trial close, and , and after that the after that the mandate from heaven be pronouncedmandate from heaven be pronounced. ". "Cut it Cut it downdown; ; why cumbereth it the groundwhy cumbereth it the ground?" ?" They had They had fulfilled the wordfulfilled the word, ", "They would none of My They would none of My counselcounsel; ; they despised all My reproofthey despised all My reproof.“ .“ (Pro.1.30) (Pro.1.30) They had none to blameThey had none to blame but but themselves if they perished in their sinsthemselves if they perished in their sins. . Jesus Jesus had said to themhad said to them, ", "Ye Ye will not comewill not come unto me unto me, , that ye might have lifethat ye might have life." (John.5.40)." (John.5.40)

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Wrought Ruin Instead of Wrought Ruin Instead of SalvationSalvation The The Lord had often punishedLord had often punished the enemies of the the enemies of the

Jewish nationJewish nation, and , and had saved his people when their had saved his people when their foes purposed to destroy themfoes purposed to destroy them. . As a mighty As a mighty warriorwarrior he had raised his hand to press back the he had raised his hand to press back the powers of darknesspowers of darkness, , working in behalf of his peopleworking in behalf of his people in order that the Jewsin order that the Jews and and that other nationsthat other nations might might have an opportunity to see the character of Godhave an opportunity to see the character of God as represented in Christ Jesusas represented in Christ Jesus. . He gave them an He gave them an opportunity to repentopportunity to repent and and to believe on the only-to believe on the only-begotten Son of Godbegotten Son of God. And "as many as received him, . And "as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John.1.12) even to them that believe on his name." (John.1.12) He He bore long with the Jewish nationbore long with the Jewish nation, , even when they were even when they were given up to idolatrygiven up to idolatry. . He saw them not as fruit-He saw them not as fruit-bearing treesbearing trees, , but as cumberers of the groundbut as cumberers of the ground. . These These were not merely uselesswere not merely useless, , but decided hindrancesbut decided hindrances. . Their religion was misleadingTheir religion was misleading, and , and wrought ruin wrought ruin instead of salvationinstead of salvation. .

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Great TeacherGreat Teacher But the great TeacherBut the great Teacher had undertaken the task had undertaken the task

of correcting the evilof correcting the evil that existed in the worldthat existed in the world. . He He sought to break the spell which paralyzed every sought to break the spell which paralyzed every spiritual energyspiritual energy. . With what authority he spokeWith what authority he spoke, , with what winning grace he gave his invitationswith what winning grace he gave his invitations, , his assuranceshis assurances, and , and promisespromises! ! His commands and His commands and denunciations were alike clothed in language that denunciations were alike clothed in language that was elevating and upliftingwas elevating and uplifting. . His utterances were His utterances were the expression of paternal tenderness and lovethe expression of paternal tenderness and love. . In In no instance did he lower the standard of the law no instance did he lower the standard of the law of Godof God. . He came to show the world its valueHe came to show the world its value, , its its elevated characterelevated character. . He was the Desire of nationsHe was the Desire of nations, , the world's only hopethe world's only hope, and , and was obedient to all the was obedient to all the commandments of Godcommandments of God, , thus showing forth the thus showing forth the divine characterdivine character. .

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He Came to TestHe Came to Test

He came to test the Jewish nationHe came to test the Jewish nation, , to try them to try them after the plan of Godafter the plan of God. . If they persisted in If they persisted in continuing in transgressioncontinuing in transgression, , they would they would miserably perishmiserably perish. . This will be the fateThis will be the fate of all of all who turn a deaf earwho turn a deaf ear to the words of to the words of invitationinvitation and and warning sent of Godwarning sent of God. . Those Those who refuse to listen in this their day of test who refuse to listen in this their day of test and trialand trial, , will have to meet the results of will have to meet the results of their own perversitytheir own perversity. . They may grasp They may grasp eagerly for the treasures of the eartheagerly for the treasures of the earth, , seek seek its honors and pleasuresits honors and pleasures, , but what a scene but what a scene will the judgment present when the books will the judgment present when the books are openedare opened, and , and every man is rewarded every man is rewarded according as his works have beenaccording as his works have been! !

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Soul’s ValueSoul’s Value The soul's valueThe soul's value is estimatedis estimated by the cross of by the cross of

CalvaryCalvary. The . The Lord appreciates the souls for whom Lord appreciates the souls for whom he diedhe died, and , and wants them to be the subjects of his wants them to be the subjects of his kingdomkingdom; ; butbut the god of this world blinds the the god of this world blinds the perceptive powers of men so that they do not see perceptive powers of men so that they do not see their periltheir peril. . To themTo them Christ is sayingChrist is saying, "If thou , "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!" the things which belong unto thy peace!" (Luke.19.42) (Luke.19.42) He is still pleadingHe is still pleading that they may that they may understandunderstand the day of their visitationthe day of their visitation, saying, , saying, as did the gardener concerning the unfruitful treeas did the gardener concerning the unfruitful tree, , "Let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, "Let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it, and if it bear fruit, well; and if not, and dung it, and if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." (Luke.13.8 then after that thou shalt cut it down." (Luke.13.8 & 9)& 9)