Give It Another Chance

Luke 13:6–9 [NIV]

6 Then He [Jesus] told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Luke 13:6–9 [NIV]

19 “Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed…”

Leviticus 19:19 [NIV]

12 May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace…

Psalm 144:12 [ESV]

19 The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Mark 4:19 [NIV]

23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

Romans 3:23 [NIV]

What Grace Says Through Unfruitful Seasons. 

1. Give It More Time.

8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year…”

Luke 13:8a [NLT]

​​21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” 22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow Me.”

John 21:21-22 [NLT]

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Peter 5:10 [NIV]

9 God isn’t late with His promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining Himself on account of you, holding back the End because He doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.

2 Peter 3:9 [MSG]

2. Dig Deeper.

8 “… and I’ll dig around it…”

Luke 13:8b [NIV]

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Mark 4:39 [NIV]

3 As He was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do You say?” 6 They were trying to trap Him into saying something they could use against Him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with His finger.

John 8:3-6 [NLT]

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

2 Corinthians 4:7 [NKJV]

3. Care For It.

8 “… and fertilize it.”

Luke 13:8c [NIV]

8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 [NIV]

9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 [NIV]

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord…8 They will be like a tree planted by the water…It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” 

Jeremiah 17:7–8 [NIV]

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunesso that it will be even more fruitful…4 Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.”

John 15:1-2, 4 [NIV]