Six Teachings of Jesus - Part 6

The Fig Tree

During this week I am  focusing on six different teachings of  Jesus that have the potential to change your whole life and lifestyle.  Although many of you will have heard these teachings before, I would challenge you during this week to ask yourself if you have really put these teachings into practice in your life - and where you have not then do something about it.  Matthew 11:29-30 says:  

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  

God never asks of us anything that is too much - and whatever He asks He will give us the strength to fulfil.

Today's Teaching: "The World Will Hate You."

Today's Teaching: "Watch For The Signs"

Deadlines.  How do you handle deadlines?  Some people hate them.  They can't stand the pressure.  Other people like them - they wouldn't get anything done otherwise.  I'm part of the later category.  I work best under pressure and deadlines give me that pressure.  When the deadline is far away somehow I just can't get down to it.  However, when I know that time is up it is amazing how quickly I can get things done. Do you remember what it was like in school?  Projects were assigned but the deadline seemed so far away.  At university most of my professors would hand out the term project at the beginning of the term.  They were all due at the end of the term....but that seemed so far away.  I could never get it through my mind that they were all due at the same time and if I wanted to get them all in on time I would have to get some done soon....even if the deadline wasn't for a couple of months.  

Just like we think deadlines will never arrive, so some have concluded that the kingdom of God will never arrive either. We say things like: "I've got too much life to live yet to think about the things of God.  When I get older I'll worry about that.....I've got lots of time - after all Jesus has not returned in the last two thousand years so I don't think it will happen today either."  The Kingdom of God may be here sooner than we think.  Jesus said: "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.  Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it (the kingdom of God) is near, right at the door."  (Matthew 24:32-33)

Are you ready?