The Gospel According to Gardening: Fertilizer Fixes Everything. If Your Spiritual Life Were a Plant, Would It Be Thriving or Just… There?
Section 1. Welcome and Announcements
Welcome to Worship!
Good morning, church family! It is such a joy to gather together in the house of the Lord today. Whether you are joining us in person or online, know that you are loved, welcomed, and right where you need to be. God has something powerful for each of us today, and I believe He wants to speak directly into our hearts.
Announcements & Upcoming Events
- Midweek Prayer Meeting – Join us this Wednesday at 7:00 PM for a time of corporate prayer and encouragement. Let’s stand in faith together!
- Community Service Outreach – This Saturday, we’ll be serving at the local food pantry. If you’d like to volunteer, sign up at the welcome desk.
- Small Group Sign-Ups – Our fall small groups are starting soon! Get connected and grow in faith with fellow believers.
Section 2. Call to Worship
A Call to Focus on God
This morning, as we come into His presence, let’s center our hearts on the goodness of God. Psalm 100:2 reminds us, “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Today, let’s approach Him with gratitude and expectation.
Responsive Reading
Leader: The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
Congregation: His love endures forever!
Leader: Let us worship Him with all our hearts!
Congregation: We lift up His name in praise!
Section 3. Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts, ready to receive what You have for us today. Thank You for Your endless grace and mercy. As we gather in Your presence, fill us with Your Spirit, open our ears to hear Your voice, and renew our hearts to follow Your ways. May everything we do in this service bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Section 4. Praise and Worship
Lifting Our Hearts in Worship
Worship isn’t just about singing—it’s about surrender. As we lift our voices today, let’s remember that our praise is a powerful offering to the Lord. Whether through contemporary songs or timeless hymns, let’s give God the worship He deserves!
Song Selections:
- Great Are You Lord
- Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
- How Great Thou Art
Section 5. Scripture Reading
Introduction to Luke 13:1-9
In today’s passage, Jesus shares a parable about a fig tree that hasn’t been bearing fruit. Instead of immediately cutting it down, the gardener pleads for more time to nurture and care for it. This passage is a beautiful reminder of God’s patience with us and His desire for our spiritual growth.
Luke 13:1-9 (NIV)
1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?
3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.
7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
8 ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.
9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'”
Section 6. Pastoral Prayer or Intercessory Prayer
A Prayer for Renewal
Lord, we thank You for Your grace and patience with us. Just as the gardener sought more time for the fig tree, You give us opportunities to grow and bear fruit in our lives. Help us to respond to Your call, repent where needed, and walk in obedience. May we live lives that reflect Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Congregational Prayer Response
Leader: Lord, help us to bear fruit in our lives.
Congregation: Renew us, O God, and lead us in Your ways!
Section 7. Offering
Giving as an Act of Worship
God has given us so much, and one way we worship Him is through our tithes and offerings. As we give today, let’s do so with cheerful hearts, trusting that He will use our gifts to further His kingdom.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of giving back to You. May these offerings be used to bless others, spread the gospel, and glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Section 8. Special Music
A Moment of Worship Through Song
Before we dive into today’s message, let’s take a moment to let this special music minister to our hearts. May this song encourage and remind us of God’s love and faithfulness.
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Luke 13:1-9 – “The Clock is Ticking… And Most Will Ignore This Warning”
Most people go through life thinking they have all the time in the world. That they can “get right with God” tomorrow… or next week… or maybe when life slows down. But what if I told you that Jesus warned us about this very mindset in Luke 13:1-9? What if I told you that time is running out… and most will miss their chance? Keep reading, because this could be the wake-up call you’ve been needing.
Picture this: A man has a fig tree. Year after year, he waits for fruit, but nothing grows. Finally, fed up, he tells his gardener to cut it down. But the gardener pleads, “Give it one more year… let me tend to it, fertilize it, give it everything it needs… and if it still doesn’t bear fruit, then we’ll cut it down.”
Jesus wasn’t just talking about trees. He was talking about you and me. We all have a limited window of time to grow, to change, to get right with God. And the truth is… we don’t know how much time we have left.
Maybe this message is your “one more year.” Maybe this is your chance to turn things around, to stop putting off what matters most, and to truly step into the life God has planned for you.
This sermon is crafted with love, designed to ignite a fire in your heart and bring transformation to your congregation. You’ll get:
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