Explicit Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree

In this part of the sermon: This section details the disciples' observation of the withered fig tree and Peter's exclamation, along with the other disciples' interrogation, which prompts Jesus' teaching…

Martin uses the example of a cut Christmas tree, which appears alive but is dead from the roots, to illustrate how a tree can appear vibrant but be devoid of life, contrasting it with the fig tree's immediate withering.

By a tree. Reached by a bush Or by a tree Only after a lengthy period of time. Now without going into the moot question Of the rightness or wrongness Of the commodity, I simply want to use it For an illustration Because it relates to most of us. Most of you know That when fir trees Are cut out of the forest And brought into the precincts Of our towns and cities And sold to the people As Christmas trees They have all of the signs of life Though they have been totally cut off From any source of sustained life.

9:09 - 9:52 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: This section expounds Jesus' statement about moving mountains, highlighting the stunning power of undoubting faith and acknowledging the hyperbole while cautioning against…

Martin uses the hypothetical example of wanting to move Mount Everest to one's backyard to illustrate the absurdity of interpreting Jesus' words as a 'blank check' for personal whims, clarifying the limits of the promise.

I think it would be nice if Mount Everest were over here in my backyard. Mount Everest, get up and come into my backyard, and if I don't doubt, it shall be done. Well, we know that our Lord is not giving a blank check to his people to rearrange his creation according to their whims. Even in this very context, he sets certain conditions upon being able to exercise that unlimited power of undoubting faith, for the passage closes with a strong emphasis upon the necessity of having no moral and ethical controversy with God or man if we are to prevail in believing prayer.

25:24 - 26:07 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that believing, prevailing prayer, and being presently right with God and man are inseparable realities; therefore, forgive.

Martin presents a hypothetical scenario of a man insulting one's family to challenge the listener's justification for unforgiveness, emphasizing that even in such extreme cases, a forgiving spirit is required for prevailing prayer.

And so ever forgive you have against and so ever and end. How are you going to wiggle out from under those words? I don't find no wiggle in space. You mean if a man comes up to me, sits in my face, calls me up, calls me a pig, calls my wife a slut, calls my kids a bunch of no-goods, that I'm not to have ill will to him?

53:46 - 54:24 Read in full sermon