Bible Materials

Matthew 21:18-32

by Paul Choi   11/08/2015   Matthew 21:18~32

Message


If You Believe And Pray

Matthew 21:18-32

Key Verse: 21:22 “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

  The last several weeks were some of the busiest weeks of my life. We had the Bible Symposium at Wash U. on Oct 22nd.  Right after that, I flew to LA in order to attend the KIMNET conference. Last week I was invited to a spiritual seminar for three days which was held in a local church in St. Louis. And I attended Leader’s Development Workshop in Chicago this weekend and came back Friday night. I thank you for your prayers for my safe trip. Through these conferences and meetings God opened my eyes to see all churches and ministries in the world as one body of Christ, and this lit a fire in my heart for world mission vision and new expectations for our ministry. Let us pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in our ministry, in the St. Louis area, and in the whole world.

  Today’s passage contains three different events, but it has one message - of Jesus for his disciples and the religious leaders. Jesus also teaches us what we have to do as Christians for our generation and for the world.

First, Jesus curses a fig tree (18-22) Look at verse 18. “Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.” There is a difference in the chronological order between Matthew’s gospel and Mark’s gospel. Matthew wrote of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and his clearing the temple on the same day, which is Sunday. Mark wrote of Jesus’ cursing a fig tree and clearing the temple on the same day, but Monday. (Mk 10:12-19)  We may discuss about which one is right, but Matthew and Mark wrote about the same events with different viewpoints. Matthew wrote using topical arrangement whereas Mark did it with chronological arrangement. According to Matthew’s gospel Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey on Sunday. That day he went into the temple court and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, saying, “It is written; My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it ‘den of robbers.’” (12-13) Also Jesus saw a blind and lame man at the temple and healed him. All that Jesus did in the temple courts was Messianic work to the eyes of Matthew. Matthew saw Jesus as the Promised Messiah who would establish a Messianic kingdom and save all lost souls. Jesus revealed his heart’s desire for restoration of the kingdom of God by clearing the temple and healing the sick.

After this Jesus left the temple and went to Bethany, where he spent the night. Next morning Jesus was on his way back to Jerusalem and he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. (19) We may wonder why Jesus cursed an innocent tree to die. According to Mark’s gospel it was not the season for figs. Fig trees in Jerusalem generally bear fruit in June. If Jesus was really hungry, he could have found other trees in order to staunch his hunger. But Jesus’ cursing the fruitless fig tree has a symbolic meaning. In the Bible fig trees symbolizes Israel. (Jer 8:13, 24:1-8) Absence of fruit and bearing bad fruit refers to the unfaithful Israelites who failed to produce fruits of faith and righteousness. (Is 5:1-7) According to the flow of Jesus’ teaching, the fruitless fig tree indicates the corrupted religious leaders in the temple. The fig tree had many leaves but no fruit. The fruitless fig tree was useless. The religious leaders, such as chief priests, teachers of the law, and Pharisees, had a form of religion, but they had no content in practicing God’s love and justice. They were hypocrites.

 The temple is the place where we worship God and meet him. God said that he would dwell in the temple and his eyes and heart would always be there. (2 Chr 7:16, 1Ki 9:3) The temple is the holy place. Jesus said that the temple is the house of prayer for all nations. (Mt 21:13, Mk 11:17) But the religious leaders made this temple into a den of robbers. They made the holy temple to be a stock market where they could make money. Their hearts were corrupted with greed, pride, deceit, and self-righteousness. Jesus compared the corrupted religious leaders to the fruitless fig tree.

A church is a temple in modern terms. If Jesus saw the churches in this world today, what would he say? If a church fails to produce fruits of God’s will and righteousness, it will be blamed. If a church loses its function as a worship place for God’s people, as a seedbed for godly offspring, and as a house of prayer for all nations, it will be useless. Wayne Gruden, a theologian, described the purpose of a church in terms of ministry to God, ministry to believers, and ministry to the world. In relationship to God the church’s purpose is to worship him. We worship God in church. In church we hear God’s word, praise, and pray. The church also has an obligation to nurture those who are already believers and build them up to maturity in faith. This indicates education and discipleship. The church also should fulfill its duty for the world: evangelism and mercy. In others words, the church should participate in evangelism and relief. Finally, Gruden said that the church should keep all these purposes in balance.

When I attended the KIMNET conference last week, one pastor said, “World mission is not about programs in church, but about the meaning of the existence of church.” No world mission, no church. Jesus said, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Mk 11:17) World mission is one of UBF spiritual legacies. Our UBF church was built for world mission. If we don’t carry out world mission, we lose the meaning of our existence. If we don’t go out and preach the word, we lose our purpose for this congregation. We came here to worship God, encourage each other, and go out to expand God’s kingdom. I was very surprised to hear that a Korean Church in LA has built and supported more than 8,000 churches around the world. They spend 80 % of their yearly budget for world mission. The church pastor said that he was tempted to use the money which was assigned for world mission to construct a new church building, but he repented and sent all the money to churches and missionaries around the world. These days in the church evangelical movement the lay-missionary ministry has been booming.  God is working mightily around the world, especially in Muslim and communist countries, not by ordained pastors or full time missionaries, but by lay self-supporting missionaries. The UBF church is known as a frontier for this lay ministry movement. However, this is not a new theory or only a UBF story. Martin Luther and John Calvin already proclaimed the priesthood of all believers based on 1 Peter 2:9. The Apostle Peter said to the believers who were scattered around the world, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Pe 1:1, 2:9) I pray that all those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior fulfill their priestly duty by preaching and teaching the word. I pray that St. Louis UBF may be a house of prayer for all nations. Amen! I also pray that our church may be a light house for this dark world and a great challenge and encouragement for all local churches in St. Louis. Amen!

When America carried out her priestly duty for the world by sending missionaries to other countries, God blessed America in many ways. America was called ‘A City on a Hill.’ (Mt 5:14) Many missionaries from America went to other countries and preached the word, built churches, hospitals, and schools in their mission field. Then some of them didn’t come back to their own countries, but were buried in foreign lands with their family members. There were American missionaries in Korea in the 19th century, such as Horace G. Underwood, Henry Appenzeller, William Linton, and so on. We must pray for this country America to continue to carry out her priestly duty for the whole world. We must pray that America may become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. If America fails to fulfill her priestly duty, God will move his candle to other countries.

The Apostle Paul said that we are God’s holy temple where the Holy Spirit dwells. (1 Co 6:19-20) If UBF church does not carry out our priestly duty, God will remove his candle from us. If each person fails to produce the fruits of God’s kingdom and his righteousness, we will lose God’s blessing. Each one of us should be a house of prayer for all nations. Each person should be Bible teacher and shepherd for God’s sheep. Each person should live as the light and salt of the world. Amen!

What was Jesus’ disciples’ response to Jesus’ cursing the fig tree? Look at verse 20. “When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.” It takes time for a tree to wither, at least for several days. But the fig tree withered in a day. The disciples felt sorry for the poor fig tree. But they were all amazed by the power and authority of Jesus’ words. How did Jesus answer them? Let us read verses 21-22. “Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” In these words Jesus taught them two things: believe and pray. Jesus said that if they had faith, they could move a mountain. Moving a mountain is a mission impossible for the disciples. It would take their whole life to move a mountain. But this is possible for them when they believe and pray.  Believing prayer produces miracles. Jesus teaches them to believe and pray.

Evangelism in Muslim countries and in North Korea seems like moving a mountain. Recently ISIS attacked a Christian village in Syria and killed many brothers and sisters. If a Muslim in the Middle East is converted to Christianity, he will be killed even by his own family members. Persecution against Christians in the Middle East has become more cruel and intense. In the KIMNET conference, a professor Yong H. Lee testified about the seriousness of idolatry toward Kim’s family in N. Korea. Recently they began to create their own calendar based on the birthday of Kim Il Sung, the founder of N. Korea. So called “Ju-Che” is their main belief in N. Korea. Ju-Che is the idea of self-reliance for the purpose of idolizing Kim’s family. If anyone in N. Korea damages portraits of Kim’s family, they will be condemned and executed. More than 35,000 gigantic statutes of the Kim’s family were built in N. Korea and N. Korean people bow down before the statues and worship the Kim’s family. According to the professor Lee, N. Korea is the 10th biggest religious group in the world with 19 million members. According to Dr. Paul Koh in Chicago UBF, who recently had visited N. Korea and came back last week, N. Korea is now busy idolizing Kim Jung Un, a new young leader. Persecutions against Christians in N. Korea is more than one can imagine. According to Open Door ministry, N. Korea is ranked as the number one country persecuting Christians in the world for the last 13 years. More than 70,000 Christians are imprisoned in labor camps and many of them are forced to work, tortured, and even used for human experiments, as the Jews were under German Nazi rule during World War II.

In these horrible situations evangelism of Muslim countries and N. Korea seems more difficult than moving a mountain. But what is impossible with men is possible with God. (Mt 19:26) If we believe and pray, we can even move a mountain. When we believe and pray, God will evangelize Muslim countries and will open the door of N. Korea. Dr. Paul Choi, who worked as a missionary in Middle East for nine years, said that after the Jasmine Revolution (Tunisian Revolution) last year, the number of Christians in the Middle East is remarkably increasing more than the number of Muslim missionaries in the world. In Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya many Muslims have been converted to Christianity through their visions, dreams, and miracles. They confess their faith in Jesus regardless of risk to their lives. It is reported that there are more than 100,000 Christians in underground churches in North Korea. They keep their faith under severe persecution under the Kim’s regime. They eat a handful of corn a day and are forced to work all day long. They suffer from hunger and torture. They gather in toilets and worship God. If they are caught by the police, they are beaten and killed. Still, they keep their faith. One pastor in South Korea said that God is preserving Christians in N. Korea for the last day. He said that the day will come when God uses Christians in N. Korea for evangelizing Muslims in the Middle East. When we believe and pray, God will open the door for N. Korea. When we believe and pray, God will demolish 35,000 golden statutes of Kim’s family and build churches on their spots. When we believe and pray, God will send many missionaries and Bible teachers from America to N. Korea and Muslim countries. 

Pastor Han of Grace Ministry International said in his lecture, “World mission is a spiritual battle against our enemy Satan. This spiritual battle should be supported by prayer. When we pray, the Holy Spirit works mightily fighting against Satan and delivers his people from the hand of Satan. We can’t alone save suffering people from the hand of Satan. But when we pray, God will save them from their enemies.

Each person here should be a house of prayer for all nations. If you say that you are weak, incapable, and busy, you lie to yourself. At the very least, you can pray. Pastor David Jeremiah said, “You are powerless because you are prayless.” When we believe and pray, God will empower us. Jesus said to his disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Act 1:8) World mission is the work of the Holy Spirit. As the Book of Acts proves, Paul’s ministry in Asia and Europe was the work of the Holy Spirit. Wherever Paul preached the gospel, there were great works of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guided Paul and empowered him. World mission is the work of the Holy Spirit. So we also must pray for the fulfillment of the Holy Spirit and guidance of the Holy Spirit. World mission is a spiritual battle against our enemy Satan. This spiritual battle should be supported by our prayer. When we pray, the Holy Spirit works.

Second, by what authority? (23-27)  While Jesus was teaching in the temple court, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and asked, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” (23) ‘These things’ imply Jesus’ clearing the temple, healing the sick, and teaching in the temple. Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism-where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”  (24,25) The religious leaders discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, “Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’-we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” (27) Of course John’s authority came from heaven. Jesus’ authority also came from heaven. Jesus himself is the authority. In Matthew 28:18-19, Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations….”

One lay missionary was challenged about his qualification as a Bible teacher by someone who asked him, “By what authority do you teach the Bible? Which seminary did you graduate from?” The missionary answered, “I will answer if you answer my question. Where did John’s authority come from? Was it ‘from heaven’ or ‘from seminary?’ The man who asked this became speechless. In carrying out world mission we need authority, not license. This authority comes from heaven. This authority comes from our Lord Jesus Christ who had all authority in heaven and on earth. Our authority is given by our Lord and King Jesus who saved us and called us to be his witness to the world. Jesus gave us authority, and the Holy Spirit provides us power. What do you need more?

Third, which son is the one who obeyed his father?  (28-32)  The religious leaders should have repented after hearing Jesus’ answer. Still, they refused to believe in Jesus. Jesus taught them a parable for their repentance. Look at verses 28-32. “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.  For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”  In this parable Jesus taught the religious leaders about true obedience and repentance. Obedience to the father is not an oral promise, but actual repentance. The first son said ‘no’ first, but soon he repented and obeyed his father. The first son refers to the tax collectors, prostitutes, and other sinners who lived sinful lives, but soon repented and received John’s baptism.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Our lip service cannot secure our salvation. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and teachers of the law in Matthew 15:8, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” If we hear this message and don’t repent, we will be rebuked by Jesus. If you hear today’s message, but don’t pray for world mission, I am not sure of your future. As Jesus said, “Repent and believe!”

  In conclusion Jesus cursed a fruitless fig tree. Think about who you are today. Are you the fig tree who has many leaves but no fruit? Are you the fig tree who has a form of religion, but have no faith? Are you the fig tree who really needs healing and care? Who are you? Are you the fruitless fig tree or a house of prayer for all nations?

If you believe and pray, God will work great things through you. If you believe and pray, you will experience one miracle after another in your daily life. If you believe and pray, nothing is impossible. The door to N. Korea will open. You will see many Muslims become Christians.  Our four main campuses in St. Louis are being evangelized, and we’ll see that all churches in St. Louis will participate in world mission. Our St. Louis UBF key verse for 2015 is ‘Have faith in God!” Let us pray that America may become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Let us pray that St. Louis UBF may become a house of prayer for all nations! Amen.



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