3 Ingredients for Growth

Nov. 3, 2024  Pastor Sam Goins  

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.                             Romans 8:1-2

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 around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”                            Luke 13:6-9 NIV

TRUTH – Reveals the Reality of the Situation

Expectation of fruit – requires digging below the surface.  It’s often seen as judgement, reveals what is wrong, how it doesn’t measure up.     

14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate....   22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[e] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?  Romans 7:14-15, 22-24 

GRACE – Remedy to Heal the Situation

Fertilizer – the outside power to enable growth.           

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)             Ephesians 2:4-5 

TIME  - Restores Purpose

Necessary ingredient to accomplish what we are created to do.

8 “ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.                                  Luke 13:8