The Elon Challenger
ELON CHURCH OF CHRIST
New Hope, Alabama
Seeking to challenge your interest in things
spiritual & eternal (Eph. 6:10-18).
Volume 14 Number 9
May, 2017
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Table of Contents
The Parable of the Fig Tree ——————————— Mike Johnson
The Clock of Life —————————————————– Unknown
The Most Important Question ————————————Unknown
The Walls of Jericho ———————————————- R.J. Evans
“If We Love – We Will Obey” —————————–Richie Thetford
Religiously Wrong ———————————————– Dick Ward
Looking Forward to Bible Study————————-Frank Himmel
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The Parable of the Fig Tree
Mike Johnson
Fig trees are mentioned quite often in God’s Word. For example, Matthew 21 speaks of a withered fig tree; John 1 mentions a person being found under a fig tree; James 3:12 asks a question about a fig tree. The fig tree is also mentioned in Luke 13 where the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree is recorded (vs. 6-9). We will examine this parable.
The Parable
Verse six points out a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came to get fruit from the tree, but he was unable to because the tree had not produced fruit as it should have.
Fig trees were very important in the Palestine area. One reason for their importance was they produced fruit during a large portion of the year. In his book, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Book 4, p. 246), Alfred Edersheim pointed out, “According to Josephus, in favored localities the ripe fruit hung on the tree for ten months of the year, the barren months being April and May, before the first of the three crops which it bore had ripened.” However, the tree of our parable was of no importance as it was barren.
Verse seven points out the owner made a decision about the tree. He said, “Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth (use up, NASB) it the ground?” The owner obviously felt no more time and work should be wasted on this worthless tree. Also, a fruit producing tree could go into the space which the barren tree occupied. Actually, the barren tree was not only failing to produce fruit, it was also taking up the space where a fruitful tree could be planted.
Verses 8-9 points out the vine dresser (keeper) wanted to give the tree more time to produce. During the next year, he said, he would dung it and dig about it. Then he said, “ . . . for if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” The question was not whether an unfruitful tree should be cut down, but when it should be done. The vine dresser simply wanted to give it another year to produce fruit.
Immediate Application
In verse five, Jesus told the Jews, “. . . except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” This parable is designed to get the Jews to repent and produce fruit, and it foretold their doom if they did not. The symbolism seems to be that the owner represents God, the barren tree represents the Jewish nation, and the vine dresser symbolizes Christ. The three years represents the period of time the Jews had been unfruitful. The tree was given one more year to produce. This additional time span equals another period of time God would give the Jews to repent and “produce fruit,” and this demonstrates the patience and longsuffering of God. Finally, the potential for cutting down the tree shows the doom of the Jewish nation if they did not repent and start producing fruit. Thus, the parable demonstrates not only the long-suffering nature of God, but also God’s destructive capacity.
General Application
The tree under consideration had a definite purpose and this purpose was to bear fruit. The tree was disappointing to its owner having not fulfilled its purpose. Similarly, Christians have a purpose and that purpose is to bear fruit. In the Parable of the Sower, those represented by the good ground were people who heard the word, understood it, and then bore fruit.
We bear fruit by our deeds. Concerning the bearing of fruit, Thayer says, (p. 326, Greek Lexicon), “b. metaph. to bear, bring forth deeds; thus of men who show their knowledge of religion by their conduct. . . .” (Notice also Gal. 5:22, Phil. 4:17, Rom. 1:13.) John 15 points out the fate of those who do not bear fruit. Verse two says, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away . . . . “ Verse 6 speaks of the fire that awaits them.
Finally, consider that the barren tree was useless. It simply did nothing but occupy the ground. It did not produce bad fruit but produced no fruit. Thus, the owner wanted the tree cut down. Many Christians are like this also. They feel as long as they do not commit wrong acts they are pleasing to God. However, the Bible not only tells us “what not to do,” it also tells us “what to do.” The Bible not only has the “thou shall nots,” but it also has the “thou shalls.” Someone may say, “how can I be lost, I have not done anything?” This is the very point. The Christian must obey and serve God every day. He must not only keep from doing what God says not to do, but must also do the things that He says to do (Mt. 25:31-46). The Christian can’t be like a fruit tree which simply takes up space; he must produce fruit.
We can learn from the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree.
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The Clock of Life
The Clock of Life is wound but once
And no man has the power;
To say, just when the hands will stop,
At late or early hour.
To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed,
To lose one’s health is more;
To lose one’s soul is such a loss
That no man can restore.
Now is the only time you own,
So live and toil with will;
Place no faith in your tomorrow,
For the clock may then be still.
Unknown
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Kindness
The Most Important Question
During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.
Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say ‘Hello’.”
I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
–Author Unknown
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The Walls of Jericho
R.J. Evans
In Joshua 6:1-6, the Israelites were instructed by the Lord to march around the city of Jericho once each day for six days. The priests were told to bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark, and on the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times and when the priests blew the trumpets, all the people were to shout and the wall of the city would fall down flat. The remainder of chapter 6 tells of their obedience to God’s instructions, the wall falling, and the city being destroyed.
Marching around a city thirteen times in seven days, blowing trumpets and making a great shout — who ever heard of such a thing? The wall was of such considerable size that houses were built upon it (Josh. 2:15). How safe the inhabitants of Jericho must have felt. How easy it would have been for the soldiers and commanders on the walls to laugh and ridicule the marchers as they encompassed the city. But suddenly on the seventh day, there was an incredible event — the walls fell! (v. 20).
Now how did the walls fall? Was this some common military procedure that had been used successfully in the past? Absolutely not! “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days” (Heb. 11:30). Yes, it took great faith to carry out such an unusual command. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). It took faith in “things not seen” — “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
But there are skeptics who laugh and mock at the events recorded in Joshua 6. They say it is absurd to believe that the walls of Jericho fell down after the Israelites marched around them. However, let us consider the following portion of information taken from HALLEY’S BIBLE HANDBOOK, New Revised Edition, pp. 159-161: “Dr. John Garstang, director of the British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem and of the Department of Antiquities of the Palestine Government, excavated the ruins of Jericho in 1926-36. He found pottery and scarab evidence that the city had been destroyed about 1400 B.C., coinciding with Joshua’s date, and, in a number of details, dug up evidence confirming the Biblical account in a most remarkable way. ‘The wall fell down flat’ (20). Dr. Garstang found that the wall did actually ‘fall down flat.’”
There are many lessons learned from Jericho. (1) We learn that God’s ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8). Man would have planned some scheme to allow a few to enter the city and open the gates or build mounds, use sling shots to pick the soldiers off the wall, use ladders, etc. (2) We learn the meaning of grace. “And the Lord said to Joshua: ‘See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor’” (Josh. 6:2). Yes, it was a gift, but it involved active obedience. The same is true today — salvation is a gift from God (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8), yet there are certain conditions that must be met (Matt. 7:21; Jn. 6:29; Mk. 16:16; Lk. 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38; Eph. 2:10; Heb. 5:9). (3) We learn the meaning of obedient faith (Heb. 11; Jas. 2:24). (4) We learn that God’s way will work no matter how foolish (in man’s eyes) it may seem (1 Cor. 1:18-31).
The Apostle Paul told the Romans that “whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). The Israelites placed their faith and trust in God when they marched around the city of Jericho. We place our faith and trust in God when we are baptized for the remission of our sins (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). When we faithfully obey the Lord we can hope for and enjoy the blessings and rewards He has promised (Matt. 6:33; Rev. 2:10).
Again, we emphasize — “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days” (Heb. 11:30).
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“If We Love – We Will Obey”
Richie Thetford
In the family relationship children who love their parents will obey their parents. Children that purposely disobey their parents don’t love them as they should. Children are commanded to obey their parents (Eph 6:1), and they will gladly do so when they truly love them. The same is true in the realm of religion. When one says that they “love” Jesus then they will show that love through obedience to Him.
Jesus’ Instructions
In John 13:34-35 Jesus said: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Jesus taught that man MUST love one another to be accepted by Him. In these two verses He showed that in three ways: 1) By a command: “That ye love one another”. We have no option when it comes to love if we are to practice true Christianity. We must love one another. 2) By an example: “As I loved you, that ye also love one another.” Jesus showed us what love is all about through the life He lived. He loved us so much that He died for us. We must also show and practice this kind of sincere love for our brethren. 3) By necessary inference: “By this shall all men KNOW that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” When we love one another the way Jesus expects us to, then others will KNOW that we are His disciples.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
We have heard the old saying that “actions speak louder than words”. This is absolutely true. Lip service will not get an individual very far; it certainly did not impress Jesus as He called the Pharisees hypocrites saying: “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt 15:8-9). Jesus KNEW that if they truly loved Him then their actions proving so would follow. But what happened? Their heart was not set on following Jesus but after the commandments of men. Does this sound familiar? Many today say they “LOVE” Jesus, yet do not do as He says, but will follow the doctrines and commandments of men!
“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). This is especially important to understand in view of the fact that Jesus also said: “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt 7:21). Many precious souls are going to be lost because they did not OBEY the commandments of Jesus. The apostle Paul addressed this in his second Thessalonian letter when he stated: “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” (2 Thess. 1:8-9). It would sure seem to me that when one says that they “love” Jesus then they would WANT to do everything that Jesus asks them to do. Our eternal destiny depends on what we DO with our life while we live on this earth.
Let Us Abide In The Love of Jesus
In John 15:10 Jesus said: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” The only way that we can abide in Christ is to do what He has asked of us. Do you really “love” Jesus Christ? If so, then you will obey Him, knowing that it is only through Him that you will receive eternal salvation (Heb 5:9). If you have not obeyed Jesus’ command to be baptized (John 3:5), then you must ask yourself “Do I really love Jesus?” Remember, love is demonstrated through ACTION of obedience.
From Clarksville Beacon
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Religiously Wrong
Dick Ward
Did you know just being RELIGIOUS is not enough? Although the theme of many preachers is, “it does not matter, just be religious; choose the church of your choice; one faith is as good as another; etc.,” the Bible offers no comfort to such religious propaganda. The Lord demands unity and gives the plan for obtaining it. Denominationalism is division and by its very nature condemns its own existance. Yes, it is true – the very ones (religious people) we expect to uphold truth are often its most zealous opponents. This fact can educate us if we will let it.
RELIGIOUS BUT RELIGIOUSLY WRONG
Just being religious is not enough to satisfy God. Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom, set up “religious” activity in his kingdom. He had appointed Dan and Bethel as places for his citizens to worship God; he ordained priests from among the lowest of the people; set up the 15th day of the 8th month as a religious feast (I Kings 12:25-33). Was Jeroboam very religious? Yes, he was religious. But he was obviously religiously wrong! What made his religion wrong? Well, we might sum it up by saying Jeroboam practiced the unauthorized. God had set up Jerusalem, not Dan and Bethel, as the place of special worship. The Lord specified priests to be from the sons of Levi not from other tribes much less the lowest of the people. The feast was appointed to be the 15th day of the 7th month and not the 8th month. Friends, it becomes clear to all Bible believers – one may be religious but religiously wrong!
Jesus spoke of those who were active, religiously, but who were spiritual rejects. These religious zealots claimed to have “prophesied, cast out devils and done many wonderful works” IN HIS NAME. Surely, if just being religious is sufficient, these folks would have had God’s approval. Well, Jesus said of them and their religion, “I never knew you, depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23, see :23). Friends and good neighbors, if you are seriously seeking to enter the kingdom of heaven you must take the Lord at His word when He said, “Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.” (Matthew 7:21).
Religion is not something you GET but it is something you DO. Keep in mind, though, it is important WHAT you do! Doing the will of God with the proper attitude is the only way to make your religion worthwhile.
From The Religious Instructor
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Looking Forward to Bible Study
Frank Himmel
Kids like to go to Bible class. They come into the building and head straight for their classrooms. When they come out they can’t wait to show Mom and Dad what they did. I’ve seen considerable disappointment on some little faces, and at times even tears, when on Sunday evenings they march off to class, only to be told this is not class time.
How about adults? Do we have the same enthusiasm for Bible study? Some do. They always read the text and answer questions ahead of time. Their questions and comments indicate they have been thinking about the text, either forming an opinion or perhaps wondering what something means. Others show less interest. They rarely bring their lesson books, and when they do the book is likely blank. Some are just as likely to be absent as present. They view the worship hour as mandatory but the Bible study hour as optional. When such little value is placed on public study, it would be surprising indeed if much private study takes place.
The psalmist eagerly awaited nightfall, when “the daily grind” ended and he was free to reflect on God’s word. What do you do with your spare time?
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The Elon Challenger is published monthly by the church of Christ meeting at 4021 Hobbs Island Road in Owens Cross Roads. The mailing address is PO Box 149, New Hope, AL, 35760 where any comments, questions, or requests for further information can be sent. The Challenger is also distributed monthly to the Elon congregation as an eight page, paper publication. The editor is Mike Johnson.
The website address is www.elonchurchofchrist.com.
Evangelist & Editor: Mike Johnson
www.seekingthingsabove.org