At the beginning of the service Rev Stegen asked his son-in-law, Arthur Schmunk, to give his testimony, because it is exactly 10 years ago, to the day, that he came to the Lord. Arthur, husband of Dorothea, told how he had been lost in sin, deep into alcohol and drugs until the Lord Jesus saved him and set him free, 10 years ago, at the last service of the year, in the auditorium, where Rev Stegen had preached.
Luke 13
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.
This parable speaks of the work of God, the owner of the vineyard. He has planted the fig tree – He has breathed life into you, showed His love and tenderness in caring for you till this day. The Father, who owns you, has planted you to bear fruit. It is just as we’ve heard in the testimony by Arthur who has testified how he was fruitless, in his sins, and without hope, until Christ intervened.
Christ is the vine dresser, the One who says: Let me fertilize this plant and do everything I can do for this person. Jesus died for you. He intercedes for you.
Use this very hour to get right with God. Our Lord has done everything to redeem you and bring you to heaven. If you refuse Him, and you don’t bear fruit, then the awful judgement of “then cut it down” will apply to you, in everylasting torment. Remember, hell was not created for you but for the devil and his angels. But if you insist on being fused with the devil then you have to suffer his punishment.
However deep in sin you may have fallen, as we have heard in the testimony, God can turn you around if you respond to Him and repent. Then you can be a fruit-bearer in this coming year.