How Did the Fig Tree Wither So Quickly? (ft. Gavin Bennett) | For the Sake of Others E6

John Mark Comer Teachings

Practicing the Way

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.9 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 14 April 2025

⏱️ 38 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What does it mean to be fruitful, and how do we do live fruitful lives? Gavin Bennett, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Bridgetown Church, talks about the theme of fruitfulness throughout the Gospels, challenging us to steward our entire lives as gifts from God – even the areas that we feel aren't worth stewarding.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 25v 14-30, Matthew 21v18-22

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello and welcome to the John Mark Homer Teachings podcast. My name is Yinka Dawson and I'm your host.
0:10.2	Each week we feature teachings by John Mark or others talking about spiritual formation in the body of Christ.
0:17.0	Today we get to hear from Gavin Bennett, a dear friend and pastor of spiritual formation at Bridgetown Church, where he also leads their covenant community.
0:27.5	Gavin explores the themes of fruitfulness in Jesus' life and teachings, focusing on the parable of the talents and the story of the barren fig tree.
0:37.4	Here's the teaching.
0:42.3	Again, it will be like a man going on a journey who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.
0:51.3	To one, he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,
0:56.7	each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of
1:02.6	gold went at once and put his money to work and gave five bags more. So also, the one with two
1:08.7	bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
1:16.7	After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with him.
1:21.8	The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five.
1:25.3	Master, he said, you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See,
1:29.4	I have gained five more. His master replied, well done, good and faithful servant. You have been
1:34.7	faithful with a few things. I will pete you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's
1:39.7	happiness. The man with two bags of gold also came. Master, he said, you entrusted me with two bags of gold. See, I have gained two more. His master replied, well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with the few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness. Then the man who had received one bag of
2:01.5	gold came. Master, he said, I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not
2:07.3	sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold
2:12.7	in the ground. See, here's what belongs to you. His master replied, you wicked, lazy servant, so you knew that I harvest where I have not
2:22.7	sown and gathered where I have not scattered seed?
2:25.6	Well, then, you should I put my money on deposit with the bankers so that when I returned,
2:30.5	I would have received it back with interest.
	...

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