Sermon—Parable of the Fig-Tree
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Dear brethren, He who has given you talents, has by these sacred
trusts made you capable of bearing precious fruit to his glory. Through
Christ, God has opened heaven before you, and all needful grace is
brought within your reach. The Saviour died that by his grace you
might become partakers of the divine nature. He expects you to bear
fruit. With what interest has he watched and waited for some returns
for his great sacrifice.
Consider, I pray you, the solemn lesson of this parable. The dresser
of the vineyard pleads for a respite for the doomed fig-tree; but if it
still bear no fruit, he himself declares, “After that thou shalt cut it
down.” May not this be the position of some now before me? May they
not be even now receiving the last trial? The divine illumination, the
example of perfect goodness, are granted us. From time to time, new
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opportunities, new lessons, are given. And what will be the result? If
we are careless and neglectful, we know not how soon the word may
be spoken of us, “Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?”
How many years have we been in the Lord’s garden? and what
profit have we brought to the Master? How are we meeting the in-
specting eye of God? Are we increasing in reverence, love, humility,
confidence in God? Do we cherish gratitude for all his mercies? Are
we seeking to bless those around us? Do we manifest the spirit of
Jesus in our families? Are we teaching his word to our children, and
making known to them the wonderful works of God? The Christian
must represent Jesus by both being good and doing good. Then there
will be a fragrance about the life, a loveliness of character, which will
reveal the fact that he is a child of God, an heir of heaven.
Brethren, be no longer slothful servants. Every soul must battle
against inclination. Christ came not to save men in their sins, but
from their sins. He has made it possible for us to possess a holy
character; do not, then, be content with defects and deformities. But
while we are to seek earnestly for perfection of character, we must
remember that sanctification is not the work of a moment, but of a
lifetime. Said Paul, “I die daily.” Day by day the work of overcoming
must go forward. Every day we are to resist temptation, and gain the
victory over selfishness in all its forms. Day by day we should cherish
love and humility, and cultivate in ourselves all those excellencies of
character which will please God and fit us for the blessed society of
heaven. To all who are seeking to accomplish this work, the promise