The importance of biblical marriage and the dangers of cults and false prophets are discussed, along with the symbolism of uncleanliness in the Old Testament and the concept of counterfactuals in understanding God's sovereignty. [... more]

Jesus' hunger and inspection of a barren fig tree serves as a metaphor for the nation of Israel's failure to produce spiritual fruit, highlighting the importance of repentance and faith in God's Word, and the consequences of living a life without true salvation. [... more]

God notices the ordinary and uses them for his purposes, as seen in the lives of Amos, Nathanael, and Zacchaeus, who were all called to serve despite their humble backgrounds. [... more]

Alistair Begg explores the importance of having audacious faith, where believers are prepared to ask God to do seemingly impossible things, and the connection between faith, prayer, and forgiveness. He uses biblical examples, such as the withered fig tree and Abraham's promise, to illustrate the concept of faith and its significance in the Christian life. [... more]

Alistair Begg teaches from Mark's Gospel, Chapter 11, about Jesus' encounter with a barren fig tree, symbolizing the emptiness of ceremonial religious legalism and the importance of true worship and spiritual fruitfulness. [... more]

Jesus curses a fig tree for lacking spiritual fruit, teaching a lesson about the importance of faith and forgiveness in the kingdom of God. To understand this passage, it's essential to interpret the obscure by the clear and the partial by the more complete, using the Old Testament as a guide to understanding the New Testament and its fulfillment in Jesus. [... more]

Living on borrowed time is a reality for all, and judgment is near. The fig tree parable illustrates God's patience and the consequences of spiritual unfruitfulness, emphasizing the importance of making spiritual investments and responding to God's mercy before it's too late. [... more]

Cindy was excited for her new job in a nonprofit company What an opportunity to make a difference She soon discovered her coworkers didn rsquo t share her enthusiasm They mocked the company rsquo s mission and made excuses for their poor performance as they looked elsewhere for more lucrative positions Cindy wished she rsquo d never applied for this job What looked great from afar was disappointing up close This was Jesus rsquo problem with the fig tree mentioned in today rsquo s story Mark It was early in the season yet the tree rsquo s leaves signaled it [... more]

The Bible's teachings on faith, prayer, and God's will are explored in depth, with discussions on the importance of persistence in prayer, the distinction between God's will and human desires, and the role of faith in receiving answers to prayer. The conversation also touches on the nature of God's sovereignty and the relationship between faith and obedience. [... more]

Jesus curses a fig tree for its lack of fruit, symbolizing the unfruitfulness of the nation of Israel. He then teaches about faith, using the example of the fig tree, and explains that faith is a conviction of things not seen, rooted in God's character and faithfulness. Jesus also engages in a conversation with the Pharisees about authority, using the story of John the Baptist to challenge their understanding of Jesus' identity and mission. [... more]

A story of hope and devotion during wartime, where a child's faith is strengthened by her father's pre-ordered flowers, and a prophet's words of affirmation in the face of uncertainty. [... more]

Jesus illustrates spiritual truths by using the fig tree as an object lesson, demonstrating the power of God and the importance of bearing fruit in one's life, rather than just giving outward signs of piety. [... more]

The 17th verse of Habakkuk chapter 3 speaks of a time when God withholds provision, likening it to the fig tree not blossoming. This concept is significant in understanding God's role in our growth in faith. [... more]

Dr. R.C. Sproul examines Christ's parable of the barren fig tree to answer the question of conversion and repentance, emphasizing the importance of bearing fruit and the consequences of not doing so. [... more]

Jesus curses a fig tree to teach about hypocrisy and the importance of bearing fruit, emphasizing the character of Christ and the need for faith, forgiveness, and discipline in a Christian's life. [... more]

A caller asks about the meaning of denying Jesus, and Matt Slick explains that it's not a hard and fast rule, but rather a warning to examine one's faith. They also discuss the concept of regeneration and how God's faithfulness remains even when we're faithless. Additionally, they delve into the topic of Mary in Catholicism, explaining that Catholics don't consider her to be God, but rather a vessel for God's grace. [... more]

Pastor Adriel Sanchez answers listener questions about serving in the military, the Bible's teachings on war, and the importance of discernment, charity, and gentleness in Christian relationships. He also discusses the role of clergy in the church and the value of community in understanding scripture. [... more]

A devastating storm in 1717 led to widespread flooding in northern Europe, prompting a local government to call for a prayer day. Similarly, the prophet Joel describes a massive locust swarm that devastated the land, leading the people to call out to God in prayer. In times of disaster and difficulty, people often turn to God, seeking comfort and help. [... more]

The Second Coming is a central theme in Christian living, filling the New Testament. Jesus teaches His disciples about the signs of His return, using the parable of the fig tree to illustrate the coming harvest, a time of judgment and separation of the good from the bad. The parable is an uncomplicated analogy, making it clear that when we see the signs of the end times, we should know that the kingdom of God is near. [... more]

Jesus quotes the Song of Solomon, specifically verse 13, to convey the idea of timing and the right moment for love and connection. He uses the analogy of the fig tree to illustrate the importance of being patient and waiting for the right time, just as the fig tree buds and produces fruit at the right moment. This theme is echoed in the Bible, particularly in Isaiah 61, where Jesus is described as coming to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free, and causing righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations. [... more]

Jesus quotes the Song of Solomon, using the fig tree as an analogy for timing, to emphasize the importance of being patient and waiting for the right moment. He calls his beloved to come and walk with him, using the senses of beauty to describe the experience. The passage from Isaiah 61 highlights the idea that Jesus is coming, and that there will be a time of great beauty and praise. [... more]

Carter Conlon from Times Square Church in New York City shares a message about moving beyond fig trees and praying for mountains. He explains how faith in God can move mountains and shares stories from the Bible, including the story of Hezekiah, who prayed for healing and God reversed time to heal him. Conlon emphasizes the importance of praying big prayers and having faith in God's power to move mountains and change lives. [... more]

Carter Conlon from Times Square Church in New York City emphasizes the importance of faith in God to move mountains and overcome spiritual deception. He shares the story of Hezekiah, who prayed for healing and God answered by reversing time, demonstrating God's power and ability. Conlon encourages listeners to pray big prayers and have faith that God can do exceedingly above all that they ask or think, and to step past the fig tree level of spiritual maturity to become mountain movers in their generation. [... more]

God speaks to humanity primarily through his son Jesus and the proclamation of the gospel and the Bible, what the word of God teaches. The problem is not that God is not speaking, but that we don't really know where to listen. God speaks to us first in creation, just the world around us, revealing his glory, and an even more clear word through his son Jesus, through his special revelation in scripture. [... more]

The discussion revolves around the concept of baptism and its role in salvation, with a focus on the biblical account of Jesus' teachings on the subject. The conversation also touches on the importance of faith and the Gospel in understanding the Kingdom of God. [... more]

Jesus curses a fig tree for not bearing fruit, illustrating the sin of hypocrisy and the importance of bearing real fruit in the Christian life. This object lesson demonstrates God's power over nature and the need for true devotion, rather than just outward appearances. [... more]

Jesus' cursing of the fig tree was a prophetic parallel, illustrating God's dissatisfaction with the nation's lack of spiritual fruit. The tree, which promised to deliver fruit but produced none, was a symbol of Israel's failure to fulfill its promise of holiness to the Lord. Jesus' actions demonstrated his sovereignty over creation and his disapproval of the nation's rejection of him. [... more]

C.S. Lewis initially resisted praising God, but realized it's in worship that God communicates his presence. Habakkuk also found joy in praising God, not in what he does, but in who he is, even in times of crisis. [... more]

Jesus' cursing of the fig tree serves as an object lesson about the sin of hypocrisy, and its connection to the cleansing of the temple, where Jesus denounced the commercialization of worship and the exclusion of Gentiles. [... more]

The Bible teaches that God's judgment can manifest in various ways, including disease, as seen in the story of Miriam, who was cursed with leprosy for disrespecting Moses. This raises questions about God's role in modern-day suffering and whether He punishes people with sickness and disease today. Exploring the relationship between faith, sin, and judgment can provide insight into God's character and His desire to save and redeem humanity. [... more]