
YOUTHS STS LESSON 114 REPENTANCE AND FRUIT-BEARING
TEXT: Luke 13:1-9
MEMORY VERSE: “And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish“ (Luke 13:2,3).
Our text, Christ was told about the death of some Galilaeans. In response to what He heard, Christ spoke of another event, which is more tragic than the sudden death of those Galilaeans (Luke 13:2-5). He cautioned His listeners against believing that these people who suffered greatly were more sinful than others. He made it clear that the occurrence of such tragic events, resulting in sudden death and subsequently eternal damnation, can be the portion of anyone. The only way of escape from eternal damnation is repentance and faith in Christ. Self-righteousness or good works cannot earn a sinner forgiveness, divine favour, salvation or acceptance in the presence of God.
After a sinner surrenders his life to Christ, a total change takes place. He begins to “bring forth fruit meet for repentance”. Bringing forth fruit meet for repentance, otherwise known as fruit-bearing is made possible as a converted soul abides in Christ. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (John 15:2-4). The believer is expected to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, which is the character of Christ reproduced in the Christian. The fruit of the Spirit outlined in Galatians 5:22- 24 include love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Failure to bear fruit attracts judgment and eventually leads to eternal separation from God. “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:2).
1.CALL TO REPENTANCE. Luke 13:1-5; Matthew 3:8; Luke 3:8; Mark 1:14,15; Acts 3:19,26; 2:38; 17:30,31; 2 Corinthians 5:17.
From our text, Christ debunked’ every thought of divine judgment implied by his listeners against the Galilaeans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. The Lord makes it clear that we should not judge others but be more focused on how to prepare for eternity through genuine repentance.
Question 1: What is repentance?
Repentance is the complete turning away from sin to God through Jesus Christ. It involves confession of sins, forsaking them and turning to God by faith. It is a change of mind that leads to a change in character and conduct. God commands all men to repent and turn to Him. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Act17:30). Repentance is the beginning of a walk with God. It is the departure point of the old lifestyle and the beginning of a new life in Christ (Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 55:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:9).
Question 2: What are the evidence of genuine repentance?
The evidence of genuine repentance includes: newness of life (2 Corinthians 5:17), manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), a separated lifestyle (Psalm 1:1,2), willingness to do restitution (Acts 24:16) and love for fellowship with other saved youths (Acts 2:42).
2.CONDITION FOR FRUIT-BEARING. Luke 13:6,7; John 15:1- 7,16; Matthew 3:8; 2 Corinthians 9:10; Psalm 92:13,14; James 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:8
The outcome of repentance is fruit-bearing. God is greatly concerned about believers bearing fruit. “…A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?” (Luke 13:6,7).
Question 3:
(a) From Luke 13:6,7, who do the owner of the vineyard and the fig tree signify?
(b) What is fruit- bearing?
The owner of the vineyard signifies God and the fig tree signifies humans. God expects us to bear fruit, so that we will not be cut down. Fruit bearing means showing forth the virtue of a Christian (Matthew 3:8).
Question 4: What are the conditions for fruit-bearing?
Immediately a youth repents and abides in Christ, he begins to bear fruits “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4, 5).
The Christian youth must do the following in order to bear fruit: reading and obeying God’s word daily (John 5:39), maintaining a regular quiet time (Mark 1:35), being watchful (Mark 13:37), fellowshipping with God’s people (Hebrews 10:25) and praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Question 5: What are the benefits of fruit-bearing?
Those who bear fruit will have answers to prayers, protection, provision and preservation from the Lord. There are several crowns for those who remain faithful and they include the following: an imperishable crown, crown of rejoicing, crown of righteousness, crown of glory and crown of life.
CONDEMNATION FOR FRUITLESSNESS. Luke 13:8,9; Matthew 3:10; 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 7:17-21
The owner of the vineyard came to the fig tree expecting fruit, but found none. He expressed displeasure at the fruitlessness of the tree and commanded that it be cut down but the vinedresser pleaded for more time. “Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down” (Luke 13:6-9). In the same vein, the Lord expects every sinner to repent and bring forth fruit.
The period of grace was extended due to the pleadings of the vinedresser. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). But this time of grace will soon expire and the judgment of the Lord will come upon the fruitless. During the extended period, the vinedresser added manure to the fig tree and tended it to ensure something positive happened. The Lord expects us to make efforts towards fruit-bearing. “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ“ (2 Peter 1:5-8).
Question 6: What are the consequences of fruitlessness?
There is judgment for the fruitless. Youths who have the privilege to attend church services, camp meetings and school fellowship where they hear the word of God, listen to messages on radio, television, computer and social media, but do not bring forth fruit, shall be condemned. “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore, every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Matthew 3:10).
Continuous wastage of the gift of God in the life of any youth will lead to its withdrawal by the Lord. In addition, just as the unfruitful fig tree is cast into the fire, the fruitless youth shall be cast into everlasting fire. Those who live a life pleasing to the Lord will spend eternity with Him in heaven. “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“ (Matthew 7:21).