Bearing Leaves Without Fruit - Part 1 (Santosh Poonen)

Tree not sustained by hidden river of life; leaves give the appearance of life; Mark 11:12-23; Genesis 3:6-7: man-made = covering of fig leaves; God-made = covering of skin. 1. Of Man, Not of God: Fig Leaves: Matthew 23:23-28; exact obedience in external areas; Root of sin: II Timothy 3:5; Philippians 3:9; “of man, by man, for man”; Spiritual Fruit: Romans 11:36; the Divine Nature. 2. An Employee, not the Bride: Fig Leaves: Malachi 1:8; calculating employee; “What can I get out of the Lord and the Church?” Root of sin: II Timothy 3:2-4; lovers of Self, money, and pleasure. Spiritual Fruit: II Corinthians 11:2-3; Revelation 2:4-5; Bride serving endlessly out of love; “What can the Lord and His Church get out of me?” 3. Active, but not Devoted: Fig Leaves: Revelation 2:2-3; Matthew 23:13-15; ministries, “burden” for evangelism, etc.; Root of sin: Man’s great kingdom (Babel, Babylon); Spiritual Fruit: II Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 21:2; pure devotion to God : His holy city.