The offense of the Gospel message - Luke 13 - Borrowed Time – Luke 13:6-9
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.’”
Hey Jesus, How much borrowed time will God give me?
Hey Jesus, what kind of holy and just God lets us live?
Exodus 34:6 (NKJV) 6 And the LORD passed In front of Moses and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abounding in goodness and truth,
Psalm 103:8 (NKJV) The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
Jonah 4:1 (NKJV)1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry.
Psalm 103:17–18 (NKJV) 17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
Romans 2:4- 5, 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath…
Hey Jesus, Can’t I just wait until I’m old or on my death bed to repent?
Genesis 6:3, " My Spirit shall not strive with man forever.”
Hosea 4:17 (NKJV) 17 “Ephraim is joined to idols, Let him alone.
Hosea 5:6 (NKJV) 6 “With their flocks and herds They shall go to seek the LORD, But they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.
Micah 7:18 (NKJV)18 Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.
The tree in our parable was an individual tree….
The next thing to keep in mind is that the judgment is near.
The Borrowed time is not due to your worthiness.
Borrowed time is not permanent.
