Agape Christian Center
ROOTS BEFORE THE FRUIT
Join us this Beautiful Morning with an amazing Sermon from Dr. John Pelizzari @ Agape Christian Center in Belton Texas 76513
Locations & Times
Agape Christian Center
321 N Penelope St, Belton, TX 76513, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
A lot of believers think that the fig tree is Israel.
a. It is NOT
b. because Jesus would not curse Israel
c. It deals with something different
a. It is NOT
b. because Jesus would not curse Israel
c. It deals with something different
Jesus made sure that His disciples heard what He said.
The fig tree is often interpreted as a symbol of Israel:
a. the nation's spiritual barrenness
b. The leaves symbolize outward religiosity
c. They look holy but are spiritually dead inside
How does that apply to you?
The fig tree is often interpreted as a symbol of Israel:
a. the nation's spiritual barrenness
b. The leaves symbolize outward religiosity
c. They look holy but are spiritually dead inside
How does that apply to you?
Like the fig tree:
a. leaves without fruit reveal a form of godliness
b. but lacking true substance
c. You still act, think, and behave the same as you did before you got saved
Jesus' act of cursing the fig tree:
a. serves as a prophetic sign of judgment
b. against unfruitfulness and hypocrisy
What is your unfruitfulness?
You're doing anything to serve the King.
a. You're not helping out
b. you don’t contribute anything
What is hypocrisy?
Websters - the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense:
You CLAIM to be a follower of Christ,
a. You believe in His teachings
b. but your words, actions, and behaviors tell a different story
Jeremiah 17:7–8
“
We should be strong and stable.
Jeremiah’s tree thrives NOT because of its fruit, but because of its roots.
And we ask ourselves....
What did Jesus do to the fig tree?
He cursed it.
a. leaves without fruit reveal a form of godliness
b. but lacking true substance
c. You still act, think, and behave the same as you did before you got saved
Jesus' act of cursing the fig tree:
a. serves as a prophetic sign of judgment
b. against unfruitfulness and hypocrisy
What is your unfruitfulness?
You're doing anything to serve the King.
a. You're not helping out
b. you don’t contribute anything
What is hypocrisy?
Websters - the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense:
You CLAIM to be a follower of Christ,
a. You believe in His teachings
b. but your words, actions, and behaviors tell a different story
Jeremiah 17:7–8
“
We should be strong and stable.
Jeremiah’s tree thrives NOT because of its fruit, but because of its roots.
And we ask ourselves....
What did Jesus do to the fig tree?
He cursed it.
Curse causeless - a curse needs a legal reason to manifest
Jesus redeemed us from the curse,
But our disobedience and rebellion give satan legal access.
True spiritual fruitfulness begins underground.
Before we chase visible success,
a. We must invest in the hidden work of growing deep roots in Christ.
Why?
John 15:5
“
Surface-Level Success is an illusion.
Our culture celebrates productivity, visibility, and results.
a. Many of you have bought into the lie
b. credit score, money in the bank
c. but your ministry fruit suffers
Even in church life, we can idolize busyness, numbers, and performance.
Warning: Fruit without roots leads to:
a. burnout, instability
b. spiritual shallowness
What’s beneath the surface?
Understand that roots represent intimacy with God,
a. spiritual disciplines - meaning you do what the Word says
b. and unseen obedience - you live the Word even when no one is watching
A tree with shallow roots may look fine—until the storm hits.
Jesus redeemed us from the curse,
But our disobedience and rebellion give satan legal access.
True spiritual fruitfulness begins underground.
Before we chase visible success,
a. We must invest in the hidden work of growing deep roots in Christ.
Why?
John 15:5
“
Surface-Level Success is an illusion.
Our culture celebrates productivity, visibility, and results.
a. Many of you have bought into the lie
b. credit score, money in the bank
c. but your ministry fruit suffers
Even in church life, we can idolize busyness, numbers, and performance.
Warning: Fruit without roots leads to:
a. burnout, instability
b. spiritual shallowness
What’s beneath the surface?
Understand that roots represent intimacy with God,
a. spiritual disciplines - meaning you do what the Word says
b. and unseen obedience - you live the Word even when no one is watching
A tree with shallow roots may look fine—until the storm hits.
Fruit is the result of abiding, not the goal.
* Root Work Is Slow, Quiet, and Sacred
Spiritual depth takes time: prayer, Scripture, solitude, repentance.
It’s often unnoticed by others—but deeply noticed by God.
Encouragement:
Don’t despise the hidden seasons.
That’s where God prepares you!
What kind of “fruit” are you chasing right now?
Have you opened yourself up to the curse?
Jesus is here for you RIGHT NOW!
E N D
* Root Work Is Slow, Quiet, and Sacred
Spiritual depth takes time: prayer, Scripture, solitude, repentance.
It’s often unnoticed by others—but deeply noticed by God.
Encouragement:
Don’t despise the hidden seasons.
That’s where God prepares you!
What kind of “fruit” are you chasing right now?
Have you opened yourself up to the curse?
Jesus is here for you RIGHT NOW!
E N D