This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
(Luke 13:6-9 NKJV)
6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’
8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also until I dig around it and fertilize it.
9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that, you can cut it down.’ “
So, what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. You have the grace to be YOU!
All the owner of the fig tree wanted from the fig tree was for it to be a fig tree!
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to officiate a retirement ceremony for my good friend and Brother in Christ, CW5 (now retired) Craig Watts. During the ceremony, I had a chance to speak about Craig, his life, service, family, and faith. Afterward, one of my Warrant Officer friends, who had not seen me in over 20 years, came up to me to express how surprised he was with me. He said, “Wow, you were very comfortable up there. You were comfortable talking in front of people. It seemed like you were not nervous. You were very articulate.” He was around several of my other Warrant Officer buddies, but they all knew me (better than this person), and none of them were surprised. I guess they know who I am and what I am called to do. I had to remember that this person knew me when I first started preaching, and he had never been exposed to this side of me.
The point I am making here is that when I have a mic standing in front of people, I am in my most comfortable state. When I am doing Today’s Word and the stream goes LIVE, I am in my most comfortable state. Why? Because I was born to do this. I don’t have to struggle to be me. It is natural to me because I have the grace for it. You, too, have the grace for your assignment.
— The simplicity of embracing who you are in God eliminates the stress and strain of trying to be something you’re not. It allows you to rest in His grace, assured that He is working in and through you to accomplish His purpose.
— Embracing the grace to be you allows you to walk in a level of freedom and joy that is contagious. It’s not about putting on a show; it’s about living in the reality of God’s love, grace, and purpose every single day.
— When you are simply you, you are not in competition with anyone. Your race is uniquely yours, and God graces you to run it with perseverance, joy, and a fruitful outcome.
— The grace to be you is a grace to be free – free from the expectations of others, free from the pressure to conform, and free to live in the fullness of who God has made you to be. It’s in this freedom that your life will bear much fruit, to the glory of God.
— In the simplicity of being you, there’s a purity and clarity that emanates from your life. It’s a clarity that makes the gospel attractive to others because they see it lived out authentically in you.
— Being authentically you means that your life will naturally glorify God. Your fruit will be genuine and will remain. It will impact others in a way that brings them closer to Jesus, and that’s the ultimate goal.
— Embracing the grace to be you is about living a life of authenticity, simplicity, and fruitfulness, where you are free to be who God has created you to be, enjoying a fulfilling and impactful journey with Him.
Although the retirement ceremony is over, I am staying in Texas because I will preach to men tomorrow morning (in English and Spanish) and then preach an English and Spanish service on Sunday before I go home. I am doing this because I have the grace to do it. It is natural to me. And I am doing it because I love it. My heart is in my service. I love being the man God called me to be. However, some fight against their call. That’s what I will discuss next.
2. God has made you so free that you have the freedom to REJECT whom He called you to be.
(Isaiah 1:19, 20NKJV)
“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword”; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
— The fig tree had the inherent ability to produce figs, yet it chose not to. Similarly, we have the inherent ability to produce spiritual fruit, yet we can choose not to.
— God’s love is so profound that He grants us the autonomy to accept or reject His will for our lives. He does not force or manipulate us into compliance but allows us to choose our path.
— The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates this perfectly. The Father allowed his son to go his own way, even though it was detrimental. Yet, His arms were open wide when the son chose to return.
— The danger in rejecting our divine design is that we forfeit the abundant life God has planned for us. We may survive, but we won’t thrive as we would by living in alignment with His will.
— When we reject our calling, we essentially tell God that our way is better than His. This is a dangerous position to be in, as it places us outside of God’s protective covering and divine strategy for our lives.
— The grace to be you is not a license to live outside of God’s will. It’s the freedom to fully embrace His design for your life, knowing that in doing so, you will experience the fullness of joy and purpose He has for you.
— When we reject who God has called us to be, we not only hinder our destiny but also impact those whom God intended us to influence and bless through our obedience.
— The freedom to choose should lead us to a place of humble surrender, recognizing that God’s ways are higher than our ways and His plans are for our good and His glory.
3. It’s not what you are CAPABLE OF; it’s what you are WILLING TO DO!
(Isaiah 1:19, 20NKJV)
“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword”; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
— The grace of God on our lives is God’s gift to us. Our willingness to submit to His will and His grace is our gift back to God. It’s a heart posture that says, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” aligning our desires with His.
— The fig tree in the parable was more than capable of producing figs, but it refused to, so the owner wanted it cut down!
— Willingness is not about ability but availability. The fig tree was able, but it was not willing!
— The widow with the two mites (Mark 12:41-44) gave out of her lack, demonstrating that it’s not about the magnitude of what we can do but the magnitude of our surrender to do what we can with what we have. She gave 100% of what she had, and she was commended by Jesus!
— Our willingness to obey God, even in the small things, creates a pathway for Him to move mightily in and through our lives. It’s in our surrender that His power (or His grace) is made perfect in our weakness.
— Our willingness to say “yes” to God, even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or counter-cultural, is a testament to our trust in His goodness and sovereignty.
— Our willingness to obey is a direct reflection of our love and reverence for God. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Our obedience is an expression of our love and trust in Him.
— Willingness is about laying down our agenda, our preferences, and our understanding to fully embrace God’s will and purpose for our lives, knowing that His plans are always for our good and His glory.
— I teach a lot about grace. God’s grace is on you to do what He birthed you to do. But like the fig tree, it’s not about what you are capable of doing. It’s about what you are WILLING to do! Many believers are capable (graced) to do much more than they are willing to do! Don’t let this be you.
In closing, the grace of God on your life is a free gift from God, but your willingness and obedience are your gift back to Him. In our surrender and willingness to say “yes” to God, we step into the fullness of our calling and experience the joy of co-laboring with Him on the earth.
May our lives be marked by a heart posture that says, “Here I am, Lord, send me” (Isaiah 6:8), fully surrendered and available for His use.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
I am fully and authentically me by Your grace.
I embrace Your design, rejecting any path outside Your will.
My obedience, which is a true reflection of my love for You, is unwavering.
I am not just capable, Father, I am willingly surrendered to Your purpose.
My life loudly declares, “Here I am, Lord, send me,” in every action and word.
In every season, I am a fruitful, impactful, and joyful co-laborer with You in the earth.
I walk with You, and You walk with me. I do so willingly, and You use me to change the world!
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
