SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(Hebrews 4:15) "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
(Romans 8:38-39) (38) "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) "Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Mark 11:12-14) (12) "And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:" (13) "And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet." (14) "And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it."
(Mark 11:20-22) (20) "And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots." (21) "And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away." (22) "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God."
(Luke 13:6) "He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none."
(Luke 13:7-9) (7) "(7) "Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?" (8) "And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:" (9) "And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down."
PREFACE SUMMARY
Dear reader, God reminded me of this message recently while conducting a revival in General Santos City, Philippines, and the reason this message means so much to me is that it is the very first message that I preached when I re-entered the ministry after suffering through several years of mental illness.
Beloved, this message was delivered in 1995 at the truck stop Little Grace Chapel, which is located off Interstate 80 in Milton, Pennsylvania, and what I did not know was that the lady Chaplain Kris Tackitt withe The Association of Christian Truckers had recorded my message we called God's Flower Garden, where in the message, I referred to myself as being God's flower in his garden.
Dear Saints, did you know that I had met Chaplain Kris and her husband Joe over ten years earlier at their Chapel in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where I had made the third attempt to end my life behind the cab of my truck beside their Association of Christian Truckers Chapel, but God had other plans. It may have taken more than ten years to get my life straightened out, but God, in his time, like Peter, re-instated me back into his ministry.
Dear reader, did you know that Harvest for Jesus and two other gospel tape ministries asked for and produced that message on God's Flower Garden, which God used to touch people's lives worldwide?
Beloved, I do not remember the message except it was centered on the woman at the well and how the model intercessor, the Lord Jesus, had met her in the heat of the day while sitting on Jacobs well in a land where the Jews have no dealings with the people of Samaria.
Dear reader, I remember ministering that night at that truck stop chapel on a message that was changing my life as I preached about the woman who met Jesus at a well in Samaria whose life was in pain from all her past mistakes but was used of God to touch a whole city for the kingdom of God.
Beloved, I remember speaking of how much I loved flowers, especially roses, and how often I would catch myself sitting beside a rose bush, showing signs of stress and talking to it, letting it know that my love for it is excellent. I will do everything I can to see it live to bloom in my beautiful rose garden.
Beloved, this message is somewhat along that line as we glean from the spiritual truths we can learn as we study a wild fig tree that was cursed and one that was specially planted in good soil but needed an intercessor to spare its life that it might have another chance to live and produce fruit
THE CURSED FIG TREE
(Mark 11:12-14) (12) "And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:" (13) "And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet." (14) "And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
Dear reader, in this setting, we find a wild fig tree growing by the wayside that had not been planted. Still, the Lord noticed the tree, which had large leaves, and he saw it when he was hungry. When seeing it and knowing that it was not the time for it to produce fruit, he decided to use it to demonstrate a spiritual truth to his disciples.
Beloved, did you know that the proud fig tree was cursed for its pretense of leaves, not for its lack of fruit, therefore the Lord was demonstrating to his disciples that he is not interested in those operating in a show of worked-up flesh that they use to deceive others causing them to be entertained. Still, he is interested in his children blooming where they are planted as they patiently wait for God's Spirit to produce fruit in their lives, representing the qualities of life God seeks in his children.
Dear Saints, did you know that according to scholars, the fruit of a fig tree is supposed to appear before the leaves, and a fruitless fig tree is considered worthless even if it is growing by the wayside?
Beloved reader, do you think it is a coincidence that right after the cursing of this tree, Jesus enters and cleanses the temple of the thieves and money changers making merchandise out of the house of God?
Dear Saints, this should warn all of us that the Lord gets angry when his house of worship is being abused, especially by those would-be spiritual leaders putting on a show to get rich off of God's people.
Beloved, the way the Lord is being presented today to a lost, hurting world that is looking for answers and a reason to live is nothing more than worked-up flesh putting on a show, causing the people to leave more entertained than elevated, which leads me to believe that Hollywood has joined the church.
Dear reader, did you not know that if our Holy God were actually in these one thousand-plus dollar prayer lines, he would be no different from the heathen gods of other religions?
Beloved reader, the Lord became angry at these money changers in the temple because they were selling pre-approved lambs for sacrifice to would-be worshippers when the law of God declared that the lamb was to be raised as a family pet. Then, when the yearly sacrifice would come, the houseman would tie his name around its neck and bring it to the high priest to be examined and offered for the family's sins to be carried another year.
Beloved, the bottom line to this message is "people want a neat religion they can control, one that allows the flesh to stay alive, one where there is no remorse and repentance for sins that have not only hurt God but have damaged the lives of others.
Dear reader, isn't it excellent that after deciding to destroy a fig tree that was producing a lot of leaves before bearing fruit, the Lord encountered the thieves in the temple and overturned their tables as he drove them out with a whip, declaring that they have turned the house of prayer into a den of thieves?
Beloved, may I ask you," What have we witnessed in the last forty years as preachers have fleeced the flock of God to make themselves rich as they promise God's blessing on the people, especially if they will buy them expensive cars and planes which cost thousands of dollars for upkeep all at the expense of God's people?
Saints, did you know that some of these ministries have been filmed going through their mail, removing the checks from the letters, and discarding the letters primarily older adults sent without reading them?
Dear Saints, have we not witnessed these money-hungry preachers get on TV with their promises of burning someone's debt and have a secure bonfire to burn all the letters and receipts mailed to them as if their prayer is going to put the devil in his place and release the people from their debt including delivering their people from drug habits?
Beloved, let's get real, "is all this show going to stop the harassing phone calls of creditors wanting their money, and what about the bad spending habits that got the people in a financial bind? Will this outward show by these so-called men and women of God change the attitudes & bad habits of these poor, deceived people?
Saints, do you remember, after cleansing the temple, the Lord returned through the area where he had cursed the fig tree, and do you remember reading that his disciples pointed out to him that the fig tree had dried up and withered from the roots up?
(Mark 11:20-22) (20) "And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots." (21) "And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away." (22) "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God."
Beloved, following this lesson on faith, Jesus speaks to his disciples about mountain-moving faith and beloved; there is so much more I could talk about concerning mountain-moving faith and how because we are co-creators with God, our thoughts produce atoms; therefore, when we speak, those atoms take on substance.
Saints, did you know that when we speak to the mountains, we are not speaking to the physical dirt, trees, rocks, and cliffs but to the atoms holding everything together, for everything seen and unseen was created by God out of nothing?
Beloved, did you know that an atom constantly moving will stop moving when viewed under a microscope and become a dot as if it has the intelligence to see that it is being looked at?
Saints, the bottom line we can glean from this is that Jesus was hungry when he saw the fig tree producing leaves, especially when the fruit is supposed to come before the leaves.
Beloved, even though it was not time for the tree to bear fruit, the Lord destroyed it to teach his disciples a spiritual truth concerning how powerful our words can be when spoken in faith.
LET ME DIG AROUND IT
(Luke 13:6) "He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none."
(Luke 13:7-9) (7) "(7) "Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?" (8) "And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:" (9) "And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down."
Dear reader, I do not know where to start, for this parable is unique to my life. Still, here in this setting, we find the Lord speaking about a fig tree that had explicitly been planted in a particular place and had been given the greatest care; however, the Lord speaks in this parable that three years had passed by and this unique free had been taking nutrients from the ground. Still, it was not showing any sign of bearing fruit.
Beloved, can anyone reading this message reflect on your life and see the similarities concerning this tree that had taken up space but showed no sign of giving back to the vineyard's owner?
Saints, this fig tree should have come forth with strength to bear, for unlike the one growing by the wayside which produced leaves but no fruit, which caused the Lord to destroy it where it stood, this tree had been given extra care to be planted and should have brought forth fruit.
Dear reader, three years had passed with this tree failing to produce fruit, which caused the husbandman of the plot of land where it was planted to instruct the caretaker to cut it down and put something more worthy in its place for this tree was taking nutrients from the soil and giving nothing in return.
Dear Saints, notice in this parable how we see the model intercessor clearly at work as he intercedes to the husbandman of this plot of land to give the tree one more year to show forth.
Beloved, notice his plea for this fig tree as he promises to dig around it to loosen the soil, then notice how he promises to add the fertilizer to enrich the soil with nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, especially nitrogen, which plants need to remain healthy and produce good crops.
Beloved, this touches my heart because all my life, I have loved growing flowers and planting gardens with the excitement of watching them grow for my beloved; just knowing that I am responsible for their existence brings joy to my heart that cannot be explained with words.
Dear reader, did you know that some people marvel at how serious I am when making sure that my garden's ground is prepared just the right way? I believe that my garden shows forth my personality. Did you know that I take the time to plant beautiful flowers around the edges of my garden to help attract the bees, which will help pollinate my plants?
Beloved Saints, did you know that when I plant my rose gardens, I dig deep holes in the ground and place small stones in the holes for irrigation?
Beloved, I feel so close to God as I carefully place the rose in the prepared hole while gently filling in the hole around my rose with soil mixed with fertilization and other growth stimulants.
Saints, can you see a similarity in your life as we read how the caretaker in the parable of the fig tree is pleading for more time, which would allow him to work with the unfruitful tree that is taking up space without giving anything back, and did you know that scientific studies have found that plants can tell when you love them? They can tell when you mean them harm.
Dearly beloved, did you know they placed sensitive sensors on two plants in their study and cut some branches off one while the other was in the room?
Did you know that when they returned the next day, the one that had witnessed the pruning of the other plant showed deep signs of stress in fear that they might harm it?
Beloved Saints, did you know that the spiritual truth we can glean from this parable is seeing ourselves as this tree and understanding that God is looking for repentance and fruitfulness in our lives?
Beloved, God loves his creation so much that he sent his Son to give his life on an old rugged cross, pay the ransom price for sin that he may raise him from the dead and exalt him at his right hand, giving him a name above every name both in heaven and in earth.
Beloved, God, in his mercy, caused Jesus the other Adam to die in our place, preparing the way for his mercy to be extended to humanity, his most incredible creation, that he may raise him from the dead and make him both Lord and Christ to become the head over all things to the church which is his body thus Christ the head of the church becomes the model intercessor between God and man.
(Hebrews 4:15) "For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
Dear reader, I am rejoicing inside as I think of the many times that I have messed up, but just like the caretaker that pleaded for the life of the fig tree, Christ, my wonderful counselor, represents me in heaven before the throne of the judge of all judges, pleads for my life that I might have another chance to produce fruit. You might ask, what is the fruit God is looking for?
(Galatians 5:22-23) (22) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith," (23) "Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Dear reader, just like the caretaker in the parable pleading to the husbandman of the vineyard for more time or extend another chance to the fig tree before ending its life, I find myself thinking about the times that I have come in off the road and found one of my roses showing signs of stress.
Beloved Saints, I remember sitting by it, telling it about how I carefully chose it for the place it is planted and how I carefully made sure that it had everything to show growth, but before giving up on it, beloved, I would tell it that I intend to extend it more time as I promise my rose that I know it has everything it needs for growth and I am expecting it to reach down inside to come forth and bloom.
Saints, I promise my fading rose that I will dig around it and place some more fertilization around it, but I am asking it to reach way down in its roots and pull the life-giving nutrients it needs to survive to come forth and bloom.
Beloved, did you know that while I am interceding for my rose, I am thinking about my mediator in heaven interceding for me, primarily through all those years I was suffering through a nervous condition with no happy ending in sight, but my God had other plans to intercede for his chosen vessel because he saw my heart.
Dear reader, there is so much more that I could say about Christ, our mediator. Plowing and planting my garden are hobbies I love to do all day long, even under the hot sun.
When I prepare my soil for my beautiful garden, I think about the many years God has carefully orchestrated events, both good and evil, that have helped prepare me as His evangelist to take the most significant news on earth to a hurting world that is looking for answers and a reason to live.
Beloved, did you know that after I have prepared my ground for planting, I carefully measure off my rows so that when my garden comes forth, all that pass by can see the beauty displayed in my work?
Saints, did you know that when it comes time to plant my vegetables, I do so crawling on my knees as I talk to each plant, giving it a name and personality in my garden? I spend time with each one, imagining the harvest I will receive to share with others.
Beloved, I know this message may seem far-fetched to some, but my plants seem to know that they are loved and show it in their growth.
Dear Saints and fellow peers, my beautiful garden is like a ministry, reminding me I am a flower in God's garden.
Dear reader, in closing, I can hear the caretaker (Christ the Model Intercessor) working in God's garden, interceding for all that will read and absorb the revelations contained throughout this message.
Beloved, listen as He is standing in the courts in heaven asking God to extend His grace to us as we yield to His Holy Spirit that began the work in us, and may we be hungry for more becoming obedient to his leading and may He finish the job, producing Christ in our life and ministry. Amen.
MY CONCLUSION
Dear reader, did you know that our view of God will define the relationship and fellowship we will experience with Him in our Christian walk in our everyday life, including how we view our fellow men?
Beloved, do we view him as a stern man like a father we have or have known here who is short-tempered and unapproachable, or do we see him as the model Father Jesus referred to while reciting the Lord’s prayer?
Saints, God desires that we view and receive him as a Father with open arms of unconditional love for his children, for the Lord’s most earnest desire is that we understand that we have a high priest who can be touched by the feelings of our infirmities.
Saints, when we come to the end of ourselves and sink until we have no hope in our human strength, this is when the victory of the cross comes into shining view, for God never promised any of us that after becoming a Christian, our lives would be without discomfort, discouragement, and disappointments.
Beloved, we have a mediator sitting at the right hand of God pleading our case before the judge of the universe just as the caretaker in this message pleaded for the life of the fig tree.
Dearly beloved, every one of us will experience one or the other of the discomforts mentioned. There may be times that we suffer through all of them at the same time, but beloved, we can rest in our faith, knowing that our God is faithful.
God’s word declares that he is an ever-present help in times of trouble and a saint of God; through these times of difficulty, Jesus, our mediator, becomes more real to all his children. (Psalms 46:1-2)
Beloved, the parable of the caretaker interceding on behalf of the fig tree touches my heart, and we can better understand how Jesus represents us before the throne of God when we study the prayer Jesus prayed to his father concerning the church, which can be found in John the seventeenth chapter.
Dear Saints, in this prayer, we find the Lord Jesus asking God to strengthen, protect, sanctify, unite, and glorify those that were his from the foundation of the world, and I can still hear this prayer ringing in my soul.
A few hours before his arrest, the Lord intercedes to the Father as he addresses him as a Holy Father, asking him to glorify or strengthen him as he reminds him of the dreadful hours ahead and take notice, beloved, as the Son of God humbles himself before God, praying that they might know him and Jesus Christ whom he has sent unto the world, and notice beloved as he prays that the ones that have been given unto him might know the Glory which he had with God before the foundation of the world.
Beloved Saints, listen as he prays for the ones that have never seen him, asking God not to remove them from the world but keep them from evil, and listen as he prays that they might become one in unity with God.
Saints, just as the Apostle Paul interceded for Onesimus, the runaway slave, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior interceded for his church, asking God to honor his supreme sacrifice and receive broken humanity the same way he would receive him stating before all creation that he had paid the ransom price for God's most incredible creation to be restored into fellowship into the family of God.
Romans 8:35) “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword?
(Romans 8:38-39) (38) "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) "Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
MY CLOSING PRAYER
Dear Lord, my prayer is that you stir us up and burden our hearts for true revival, yes, Lord, in every country throughout the world and demonstrate to the people in these countries that you are the Unchanging God, for your word declares it, that what you were yesterday, you are today, and will be tomorrow! (Hebrews 13:8)
Dear heavenly Father, I ask that you move to bless each who has taken time to read this message and has humbly surrendered their life more to your purpose, and I ask that you intensify the work that you have begun in their life and ministry in Jesus mighty name.
Father, I ask that you bless them spiritually, financially, physically, relationally, and emotionally so that their life may be blessed to enrich the lives of others.
Dear Lord, I ask that your will, purpose, word, and Spirit have a free course in their life and everyone they meet.
Father, I pray that all curses and words spoken against them will be broken, and I ask that you stand up for them in these last days and make their lives count.
Dear Lord, I ask you to awaken the gifts and talents placed in them at birth so they may become unified in the faith with other believers, realizing the need to work together in harmony like a fine-tuned orchestra in the master's hands.
Father, if anyone reading this prayer should need deliverance from some oppressing spirit, including some illnesses that may be attacking their body, Lord, I pray that your Holy Spirit would raise a standard against these attacks and set them free.
Lord, I pray that the power of your written and spoken word be activated through the authority made available unto us in the name of Jesus, and we apply the following scriptures to our prayer.
(John 16:23) "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you." and (Psalms 34:15) "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry."
Father, we close our prayer believing that you have heard and answered us according to your divine will and purpose, for it is in Jesus’ mighty name we pray and ask these favors. A-Men
