Fig(kle) Gathering
Matthew 18:15–20 (ESV): 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Three points to look at: 1.Take care of your relationships and admit when you are wrong.
- Bad neighbors make bad communities. 3 Do not curse! Treat them like Jesus treated the tax collector or a Gentile.
Matthew 21:18–22 (ESV): 18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Mark 11 account has Jesus cursing the tree even though it was not the season for figs.
Luke 13 account, Jesus does not curse the fig tree but teaches a parable about a vineyard not producing fruit and the gardener pleading for one more year of care instead of cutting it down.
W- Won’t forgive
I- Intimidate others
T- Tells secrets
H- Harass mistakes
E- Entertain only those who agree with you
R- Restrict others access to God