Playlist:

playlist Go to the Fruit, Not Bearing (topic) playlist

All Leaves, No Fruit

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Jesus cursed the fig tree because it lacked fruit and produced only leaves. It symbolized pharisaical hypocrisy, where works and talk are not in alignment.


Responding to God's Pruning Is Not Passive (Part One)

Sermon by David F. Maas

Our Heavenly Father, the Vine Dresser, has provided His junior partners some valuable tools to assist in pruning and cultivating His emerging spiritual crop.


Producing Fruit

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

To be made clean only prepares us for producing fruit. If we stand still, simply resting on our justification, the dark forces will pull us backwards.


Responding to God's Pruning Is Not Passive (Part Two)

Sermon by David F. Maas

Briars, thistles, thorns, and weeds are visible emblems of sin or its consequences, which we must pull up by the roots for the balance of our physical life.


The Cursed Tree

'Ready Answer' by Dan Elmore

Jesus' cursing of the fig tree has puzzled and even disturbed Bible readers for centuries, as it just does not seem to be something our Savior would do.


A Time to Grow

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

Horticulture is not so easy as merely planting a seed and watching it grow. Tending and keeping implies continually watering, fertilizing, and cultivating.


Lessons From Roots (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Fruit is not produced immediately; it is produced only when a plant is both mature and stable enough that mere survival is no longer its top priority.


The Vinedresser - Revisited

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Dr. Bruce Wilkinson explains that 'takes away' should be more properly rendered 'takes up,' meaning new grape vines are lifted out of the dirt.


Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

In the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, Jesus does not attribute tragedy directly to any person's sins as the Jews did; instead, He affirms the sinfulness of everyone.


Conditions of Discipleship (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Mike Fuhrer

If our worship of God ends in slavish obedience, so does our salvation! While He wants us to obey, God is not looking for obedient drudges but loyal children.


The Vinedresser

CGG Weekly by Clyde Finklea

John 15:2 may seem to say that the Vinedresser cuts off every barren branch, but the Greek behind "takes away" shows something else. Here is what God does.


Lessons From Roots (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Imagine a man studying the Bible for two hours a day. But if he then spends his other waking hours watching cartoons, he will derive little benefit from study.


Our Heavenly Citizenship

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

The rampant disorder in America may encourage God's people to choose political sides, but doing so may place them in a position of opposing God's will.


Why Did Jesus Curse a Fig Tree (Mark 11:12-14)?

Bible Questions & Answers

Outward appearance does not count with God. Instead, what really counts is whether or not one produces godly fruit in his or her life.


Parable of the Sower

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

When the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God is preached in all the world, the ears that hear it are not always receptive of this priceless knowledge.


Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen

'Ready Answer' by John O. Reid (1930-2016)

God's calling and predestination can be confusing, especially the verse that 'many are called, but few are chosen'. Why does God not just choose everyone?


Hear the Word

Sermonette by Mark Schindler

We must invest as much energy into understanding the messages as went into preparing them, regardless of the idiosyncrasies of those delivering them.


Hebrews (Part Fourteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Without a meaningful relationship with Christ, God's people cannot possibly bear fruit. Our responsibility is to yield to God's creative work in our lives.


Weeds!

Article by Mike Ford (1955-2021)

We must weed out detrimental habits that choke our lives. If we want to produce quality fruit, we must weed our garden.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Book of Hebrews is a must-read for all members of God's church who seek the key for spiritual growth through a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.


Line Upon Line

Sermonette by Levi W. Graham

Peter has given us an incremental set of building blocks (II Peter:1-5), describing God's direction for mankind, moving from easier to harder steps.


God Expects a Return on His Investment (Part One)

Sermon by David F. Maas

We have the obligation to bear spiritual fruit, heeding the lessons of the cursing of the fig tree, and the parables of the barren fig tree and the talents.


Teachings From Tabernacles

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David C. Grabbe

If we neglect our cultivation of spiritual fruit during the year, the harvest will reflect that. The fruit of one's labors will be evident at harvest time.


Matthew (Part Twenty-Seven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem fulfilled prophecies. The crowds welcoming Jesus were actually choosing the Paschal Lamb of God on Abib/Nisan 10.


What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Neglecting to feed the flock has been detrimental to preaching the gospel to the world. Because of neglect, members succumb to feeling insignificant.


Five Easily-Neglected Doctrines

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Here are five easily neglected doctrines, which, if carelessly observed or distorted, could jeopardize the salvation of God's people.


Don't Stand Still!

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The best way to conquer evil is to do righteousness, serving God and mankind. Sins of omission are every bit as devastating as sins of commission.