10 years ago

Bearing Leaves Without Fruit - Part 2 (Santosh Poonen)

Matthew 7:15-23

Gifts without Life: Fig Leaves: Matthew 23:5,29-31; Matthew 6:1-18; public: religious talk, meetings, prayer, fasting; secret: anger, gossip, anxiety, complaining; Root of sin: Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15; James 1:26; ungratefulness; attitude of bitterness; Spiritual Fruit: II Cor. 4:10-11; Phil. 3:10-11; Eph. 4:29; daily dying with Jesus => prophecy. 5. Oppressive, not Merciful: Fig Leaves: Matthew 23:4; Root of sin: II Timothy 3:2-3; unloving, arrogant, brutal, irreconcilable; Spiritual Fruit: Matthew 23:23; love, meekness, faithfulness, mercy. Trees Without Fruit: Matthew 15:12-14: not planted by the Father; Jude 1:12: hidden reefs in your love feasts! trees without fruit; clouds without water; caring for themselves. The Way of Cain (Jude 1:11): religiosity: Genesis 4:4-5; Cain’s deeds were evil (I John 3:12); still offered religious sacrifice; offer anything but yourself (Heb. 10:5-9); hates spiritual (Matt.23:35; Gal.4:28-31); spirituality: Abel offered himself by faith (Heb. 11:4); secret to the anointing and fire. The Error of Balaam (Jude 1:11): religiosity: Numbers 22; 31:16; love of money and honor; still served God; Demas went elsewhere (II Tim. 4:10); spirituality: secret “manna” and “name” (Rev. 2:14-17). The Rebellion of Korah (Jude 1:11): religiosity: Numbers 16; priest of God; competition with others over ministry; rebelling against God-appointed authority; using religious language; in the home, and in the church; defiles many others; spirituality: seek only God’s interests (Phil. 2:21). Radical! Mark 11:20-23; radical = “from the roots up”; have faith in God to move this mountain.