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I. Three Pictures … of Freedom in Faith 1. A picture of legalism     Galatians 2:1—10.  Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up [a]by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God [b]shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, [c]Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do. 2.  A picture of hypocrisy   Galatians 2:11-14 11 Now when [d]Peter had come to Antioch, I [e]withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing [f]those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, [g]why do you compel Gentiles to live as [h]Jews? 3. A picture of faith Galatians 2:15—21 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not [i]justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” II. Faith Alone Through faith in Christ, we are accepted before God. Through faith in Christ, we are alive to God. God’s pleasure in you is based on Christ’s performance for you.

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A.Jesus’ Humanity

  “He was hungry.

  ”Shows His true humanity even as the divine King.

1. The Roadside Fig Tree

  Fig trees were common in Israel.

  This tree was unusual because it had leaves early in the season.

  Leaves indicated that fruit should have been present.“

  He found nothing on it but leaves only."

• The Parable in Action: The Cursing of the Fig Tree (Matthew 21:19)

1. The Symbolism of the Fig Tree

  In Scripture, the fig tree often represents Israel.

  Leaves = outward religious activity.No fruit = spiritual emptiness.

1. Jesus’ Pronouncement

  “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever.”

  A symbolic act of judgment.

  The tree withers immediately.

1. A Living Parable

  The fig tree mirrors Israel’s condition.

  Outward religion without inward righteousness.

  A warning against hypocrisy.

• The Prophetic Meaning: Judgment on Fruitless Religion
• A. Israel’s Long History of Fruitlessness
• God expected obedience and spiritual fruit.
• Deuteronomy 28: Blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience.
• Isaiah 5: God planted a vineyard expecting fruit but found none.
• B. Jesus’ Ministry and Israel’s Response
• Three years of teaching, miracles, and calls to repentance.
• Yet the nation remained spiritually barren.
• The curse on the fig tree foreshadows the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
• C. Modern Parallels
• Religious activity without true faith still exists today.
• Outward rituals cannot replace inward transformation.
• The Principle for Today: God Desires Fruit, Not Leaves

1. Fruit as Evidence of Salvation

  Matthew 7: “By their fruits you shall know them.”

  Matthew 13: Good soil produces fruit.

  John 15:5: “He who abides in Me bears much fruit.”

1. The Danger of Empty Religion

  Busyness in religious activity does not equal spiritual life.

  God sees beyond appearances.

  True faith produces obedience, repentance, and love.

1. A Call to Self-Examination

  Are we bearing fruit or merely displaying leaves?

  Is our worship genuine or performative?

  Are we abiding in Christ daily?

• The Promise of Faith (Matthew 21:20–22)

1. The Disciples’ Amazement

  They marvel at how quickly the tree withered.

  A reminder of Jesus’ divine authority.

1. The Power of Faith

  Jesus teaches that faith can move mountains.

  Prayer rooted in God’s will is powerful.

1. Encouragement for Believers

  God responds to genuine faith.

  Fruitfulness comes through trusting Christ.

• Conclusion

The fig tree teaches that God desires authentic, fruitful faith.

Jesus confronts empty religion and calls His people to bear spiritual fruit.

Let us seek lives that reflect genuine devotion, obedience, and the transforming power of Christ.

Application Questions

What “leaves” in my life may be masking a lack of spiritual fruit?

How is God calling me to deeper obedience and repentance?

Am I abiding in Christ daily so that I may bear lasting fruit?

• Grace Baptist Church of Second

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15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to break camp. (Exodus 4:15) Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.  The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. (Exodus 4:21-23)  26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back on the Egyptians, on their chariots and horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal depth. While the Egyptians were trying to escape from it, the Lord threw them into the sea. (Exodus 4:26-27) 

Luke 2:8—20

11 Today, a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” 1

Luke 2:7 

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