IS YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER?

Sermon Notes, February 28, 2016

Rev. Garry McGlinchy

As an introduction to today’s sermon, titled “Is Your House In Order?” Pastor Garry admitted that he likes to watch car restoration shows on TV.  In fact he’d like to take on a project car and bring it back to its original glory, but he needs a few things before he can do that: money, space to work in, proper tools, more knowledge of engines and auto body restoration, patience, more patience and even more patience.  Today’s scripture, Luke 13:1-9, talks a little about patience in the parable of the fig tree.  There are two things we can glean from this passage.  1. Everyone is subject to judgment, and repentance should be our response.  Repentance is personal, and it is a matter of life and death.  2. God is the God of second chances.

When the disciples brought up some things happening in current events—the Galileans killed by the Romans, and those who died when the Tower of Siloam fell on them—Jesus asked them if they thought those people were worse sinners than everyone else. He is more concerned about the vengeful hearts of the people than the injustice done by Pilate.  He made the argument that judgment is coming to all, so we should prepare our hearts for the Master.  Jesus message was direct and to the point: everyone is subject to judgment.  Our response to knowing this should be repentance.

Repentance is personal.  It’s something that takes place between us and God; we confess with our lips, and it requires a change of heart.  It is also a matter of life and death.  David P. Neal says “All those who refuse to respond are themselves in peril of finding themselves shut out in the streets while the banquet goes forward within.”  But God provides a way for us to take part in the great banquet!

God is the God of second chances.  At its core, the fig tree parable is a call to repentance.  Those who bear fruit are a symbol of those who respond to the call to repent.  Those who do not produce fruit are a symbol of those who choose not to repent.  These fruitless trees will be cut down and thrown in the fire. (Luke 3:7-9)  Fig trees are hard to cultivate.  They require several years of patient care from the gardener.  The fig tree is also a symbol of God’s blessings on Israel.  In this parable the fig tree is about to be cut down.  However, the patient care and hope that comes from the gardener allows the tree one more chance to bear fruit.  Throughout scripture we see that proclamation of judgment is accompanied by a second chance: Noah and the Ark in Genesis 6; the cycle from judgment to compassion in Isaiah chapters 1-5; and in this parable we can see that even though the axe is at the root, there is still an opportunity for us to grow.

Pastor told the story of a family that had a Wagner motorcycle from the early 1900s.  They were thinking of getting rid of it, but decided to have it restored on the American Restoration show.  Sure enough, with some patient care, the two men were able to get the original paint looking good, and the seat looking like new.  They also got it running.  But the best part was that as they were working on the motorcycle, they found a piece that had two letters engraved on it: C.W.  Those were the initials of Clara Wagner, daughter of the founder of the company, George Wagner.  She was the first documented female motorcyclist who became notable as an endurance racer. Can you imagine how the family who brought the motorcycle to the shop would have felt if they had decided to throw it away?

We have a lot in common with the fig tree.  We can’t become fruitful on our own.  Our fruitfulness requires us to repent.  This is the fertilizer God uses to help us grow.  And much like the old junked out motorcycle, God, the master mechanic, has patience in restoring us back into the image that He created us in.  In order for Him to begin His work in us, we must allow Him space to work in.  This space becomes available when we repent.  God is the God of second chances.  If you are a follower of Christ, there are two initials on the inside of your heart: J.C. You are His, and He’s not finished with you yet!