SEMESTER 6
290 – The Illustration of the Tree and its Fruit
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY VI LESSON # 90
SERMON ON THE MOUNT
THE ILLUSTRATION OF THE TREE AND ITS FRUIT
Read: Mat. 7:16-20
INTRODUCTION:
1. This is one of the clearest ways of determining biblical identity.
III: By the common statement, “I just inspect fruit.”
2. Our Lord’s instruction here is very clear:
i. Beware, i.e., identify and be careful. (Verse 15)
ii. Use fruit as a means of that identity. (Verse 16)
3. He then gives this illustration to tell us how we are to do this.
I. THE ISSUE IS KIND OF FRUIT NOT QUANTITY
1. Existence of fruit is indeed an assumed necessity. (Mat. 21:17-19)
2. Yet a common error is to see only how much is being accomplished.
III: By this criteria the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons would be prime disciples.
3. Some of the most productive people alive are tares producing tares.
III: Wherever the seed is sown, Satan is planting tares. (Mat. 13:24-28)
4. Activity is not necessarily progress, nor increase necessarily good.
III: I knew I was selling at a loss – get a bigger truck. (Hear on tape.)
III: Ye compass land and sea to make one proselyte.
5. A small crop of wheat is better than a huge field of wild grass.
II. THE ISSUE IS KIND NOT QUALITY
1. Conversely, we may wrongly judge a man evil because of rotten or unsavory fruit.
2. I used to wonder at this parable, having seen rotten apples on a good tree.
3. The issue here is the kind of fruit, not necessarily the condition. (Mat. 7:16)
III: No apple tree bears possum grapes or vice versa.
4. That is the real issue. Is the prophet’s fruit, men whose faith is in the blood and that alone?
III. THE ISSUE IS PROOF NOT CAUSE
1. Frequently, men misunderstand this as an admonition to bear fruit, more fruit, or better fruit. They think they would thus, become true disciples.
2. No such admonition appears in Scripture.
i. It is God’s will that we bear fruit.
ii. God purges so that we bear more.
iii. All this is the work of God, not us.
3. Harassing, or instructing a bramble about fruit bearing, will not make him a branch in Christ.
III: By whipping or scolding a tree for failure to bear good fruit.
4. You rather make sure of its variety, then nurture it to health.
5. The formula for increased fruit is improved attachment. (Joh. 15:4-5)
6. Your and my admonition is found in Galatians 6:7-10.
III: By the ministry of Adoniram Judson.
Conclusion: Let us be not weary in well doing.