The Question Jesus Asked and Did Not Require an Answer

Matthew 21: 18-20

          18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

• Jesus was hungry- this shows his humanity and ability to understand our human needs. 

• the tree had the opportunity to fulfill it's obligation to Jesus in providing fruit.  It did not, and when it did not,  it withered and died. 

1. There is an opportunity for spiritual fruit in the life of every believer. 

   2 calls from God:

          1. Call to come to salvation

         2. Call to service 

2. There is an expectation of spiritual fruit in the life of every believer. 

     •Because of me being alive today, whose life is better because of it?

     •Because if my being alive today, what in the world is better because of it?

     • where's the fruit from yesterday?

3. There's an accountability for the spiritual fruit in each believers life. 

     • You will give an account of your fruit to God! 

     • Busyness is not a fruit! Don't mistake leaves for a spiritual fruit. Leaves are not the fruit, they are the leaves!

Potter’s Clay Fellowship Membership Covenant

"upon this rock I will build my church"

1. I will protect the unity of my church

     Romans 14:19

          Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

     • by acting in love toward other members

     • by refusing to gossip 

     • by following the leaders

2. I will share the responsibility of my church. 

     Luke 14:23

          And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

     • by praying for it's growth

     • by inviting the unchurched to attend 

     • by warmly welcoming those who visit 

3. I will serve the ministry of my church

     1 Peter 4:10

          As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

     • by discovering my gifts and talents 

     • by being equipped to serve by my pastors

4. I will support the testimony of my church 

     Hebrews 10:25

           Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

     • by attending faithfully 

     • by living a Godly life

     • by giving regularly 

How to Fully Surrender to God and Be Used By Him

How To Fully Surrender To God And Be Used By Him

     Isaiah 6: 8

          Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

A faith that fizzles before the finish was faulty at the first. -Adrian Rodgers

1. ASK "where", not "how" questions

     • When focusing on the how, we are doubting God! 

2. SAY "Here am I, Send me" 

3. HAVE a "Yes, God" Spirit

Jesus Is Passionate About His Church

Matthew 21:12-16

12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Observations:

1. Jesus longs for us to come to His house. 

2. Jesus longs for us to get rid of the junk once we get to His house. 

3. Jesus longs for us to connect with Him once we get to His house. 

     • Prayer brings focus on truth. 

     • When we pray, we remember what we need and where to find it. 

     • When we pray we find focus not on our brothers sin, but on our sin. 

4. Jesus longs to bring healing to us once we get to His house. 

5. Jesus longs for us to worship Him once we get to His house. 

Birds Of A Feather Flock Together

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

1. They focused on unity. 

2. They focused on God. 

3. They focused on scripture. 

4. They focused on their mission. 

5. They focused on the miraculous.