Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 16 hours ago
Let's start this morning by reading the Parable of the fig tree in Luke 13:6-9:
“And he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, “Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?” And he answered him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”’”
There are a few things I want us to focus on today as we devote some time to this story.
Jesus expects all of us to produce fruit.
This isn't a picture of a curated landscape in a Williamson County backyard. This is a picture of a garden that sustains life. Jesus plants each of us inside of that garden to produce fruit for the world. Jesus, of course, was using this fig tree as a reference for the Pharisees who produced nothing, but also as a standard for the future church. That leads us to point number two.
He planted you to produce.
For three years Jesus waited for the tree to produce. That tree was using the soil and the nutrients and the oxygen and the water to produce nothing. The hard truth is that you are 100% expected to produce fruit with your life. The gifts and abilities God gave you are to serve the people around you and the mission of Jesus Christ. The good news is that you don't have to do it alone. Look at the text: Jesus not only gives you the soil but He will put on fertilizer. Maybe this year you have been through a lot of "manure," but I want to encourage you to turn that into a reason to grow, to produce, and to be a blessing. Not only do you not have to do it alone, you simply can't do it on your own. You have to be attached to the vine. (If you want a bonus devotional today, go spend some time reading John 15:1-17.)
You are saved by grace through faith, but because you are saved, Jesus expects you to produce. (Ephesians 2:8-9 & James 2:14-17).
Please do not be deceived into thinking that Ephesians 2:8-9 means that there is nothing else expected. Remember the words of Jesus: “Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' but don't do what I say?"
Jesus fully expects His church to do what He commanded them to do. Jesus expects our lives to produce fruit for the Kingdom of God. Here is why I want us to remember this claim:
Trees that don't produce fruit are dead trees.
Jesus told us in Matthew 7:15-20 that "every healthy tree bears good fruit" and that "every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
This is a picture of the mindset of Jesus and the way that He judges. The pressure is off of our shoulders to come up with the fruit we produce, as Jesus has already set us up to walk in those (see Ephesians 2:10). The pleasure is ours to serve the King of Kings. If He took our sin on His body and suffered for our sake, we can certainly live for His cause. If you are in a season of fruitlessness or stagnation, I want you to know this great encouragement:
Whatever Jesus touches comes alive.
Let this be the year where you come alive! Invite Jesus to own more of your mind and more of your heart. Let Him breathe pneuma into your lungs. Pray and ask for more of the Holy Spirit.
And then GET READY, because the fruit is coming.
Our Gardener makes dead trees come back to life.
In Jesus,
Eric Newberry
Missions Pastor & Young Adult Pastor
__
#conduitchurch #worship #Jesus #God #Franklin #Tennessee #churchonline #mission
__
To be a conduit of Jesus to the community in front of us and the world around us. Conduit Church has a campus in Franklin, Tennessee.
__
Join us every Sunday for Conduit Livestream at 9:45am CST, and you can also join us in person at 8am, 9:45am, 11:45am or 5pm.
__
*Get the CHURCH CENTER app for all the latest events and info. Download in your app store and search Conduit Church
Let's start this morning by reading the Parable of the fig tree in Luke 13:6-9:
“And he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, “Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?” And he answered him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”’”
There are a few things I want us to focus on today as we devote some time to this story.
Jesus expects all of us to produce fruit.
This isn't a picture of a curated landscape in a Williamson County backyard. This is a picture of a garden that sustains life. Jesus plants each of us inside of that garden to produce fruit for the world. Jesus, of course, was using this fig tree as a reference for the Pharisees who produced nothing, but also as a standard for the future church. That leads us to point number two.
He planted you to produce.
For three years Jesus waited for the tree to produce. That tree was using the soil and the nutrients and the oxygen and the water to produce nothing. The hard truth is that you are 100% expected to produce fruit with your life. The gifts and abilities God gave you are to serve the people around you and the mission of Jesus Christ. The good news is that you don't have to do it alone. Look at the text: Jesus not only gives you the soil but He will put on fertilizer. Maybe this year you have been through a lot of "manure," but I want to encourage you to turn that into a reason to grow, to produce, and to be a blessing. Not only do you not have to do it alone, you simply can't do it on your own. You have to be attached to the vine. (If you want a bonus devotional today, go spend some time reading John 15:1-17.)
You are saved by grace through faith, but because you are saved, Jesus expects you to produce. (Ephesians 2:8-9 & James 2:14-17).
Please do not be deceived into thinking that Ephesians 2:8-9 means that there is nothing else expected. Remember the words of Jesus: “Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' but don't do what I say?"
Jesus fully expects His church to do what He commanded them to do. Jesus expects our lives to produce fruit for the Kingdom of God. Here is why I want us to remember this claim:
Trees that don't produce fruit are dead trees.
Jesus told us in Matthew 7:15-20 that "every healthy tree bears good fruit" and that "every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
This is a picture of the mindset of Jesus and the way that He judges. The pressure is off of our shoulders to come up with the fruit we produce, as Jesus has already set us up to walk in those (see Ephesians 2:10). The pleasure is ours to serve the King of Kings. If He took our sin on His body and suffered for our sake, we can certainly live for His cause. If you are in a season of fruitlessness or stagnation, I want you to know this great encouragement:
Whatever Jesus touches comes alive.
Let this be the year where you come alive! Invite Jesus to own more of your mind and more of your heart. Let Him breathe pneuma into your lungs. Pray and ask for more of the Holy Spirit.
And then GET READY, because the fruit is coming.
Our Gardener makes dead trees come back to life.
In Jesus,
Eric Newberry
Missions Pastor & Young Adult Pastor
__
#conduitchurch #worship #Jesus #God #Franklin #Tennessee #churchonline #mission
__
To be a conduit of Jesus to the community in front of us and the world around us. Conduit Church has a campus in Franklin, Tennessee.
__
Join us every Sunday for Conduit Livestream at 9:45am CST, and you can also join us in person at 8am, 9:45am, 11:45am or 5pm.
__
*Get the CHURCH CENTER app for all the latest events and info. Download in your app store and search Conduit Church
