In the Garden man formed fig leaves together to “cover” their nakedness before a righteous God. This was man’s first attempt at religion. God, quickly clothed them in”tunics of animal skins” to show that only blood could cover or “atone” for sins. When the Nation of Israel was in its glory under the reign of Solomon, Israel was a nation trusting in religion and every man “sat under Solomon’s fig tree”. Thus, the fig tree came to represent the Nation Israel – A nation under religion. One day when Jesus was hungry, he saw a fig tree but the fig tree had no fruit. Jesus cursed that fig tree and it withered and died. Religion produces NO fruit. After the death of Jesus, Israel would be banned from the land for 1,900 years and it would appear that the Church would replace Israel because the Church would have fruit. Unfortunately, the Church has been grafted from the same tree of religion. Today’s message will ask the question – Are we into a religion just like our sister Israel? Or, do we have a relationship with the True and Living God? Do we desire theblessings of our God or do we deserve the curses that He gave to the fig tree -Religion or Relationship?
Pastor Wayne