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Gospel Luke Bible Study #33
Luke 13:1-9
Repent or Perish

1. When you see a sudden tragic death, ( ) I think the dead person must be a wicked sinner.
( ) I feel sorry but I forget soon and go on with my life.
( ) It happened to them. It may happen to me also.
I must repent.
2. #1 Tragic death
What were the Galileans doing or intended to do? 13:1
=for worshiping God
Where were the Galileans?
=temple
Did the dead Galileans know that morning that they were going to die that day?
=nobody knows death
How did death come to them?
=suddenly
Did they have time to repent?
=no time to repent
What sudden tragic death have you seen?
Men’s view What did the people think about the dead Galileans? 13:2
=worse sinners
What did the people think about themselves? 13:2
=less sinners
Jesus’ view What was Jesus’ view of the dead Galileans? 13:3
=we are all same sinners
What was Jesus’ view of those who were alive?
=same sinners, yet they are perished; no chance of repentance
=those who are alive; they still have chance of repentance
What is the most important urgent thing we should do while alive? 13:3
=repentance

3. #2 Tragic death
Who brought up this tragic death? 13:4
=Jesus
Where did it happen? 13:4
=Siloam
Did the eighteen men know that morning that they were going to die that day?
=18 people
How did death come to them?
=suddenly
Did they have time to repent?
=no time to repent


Men’s view What might the people in Jerusalem have thought about the dead? 13:4
=more guilt than other people
What might the people in Jerusalem have thought about themselves? 13:4
=less guilt than 18 people
=religious point of view
Jesus’ view What was Jesus’ view of the 18 dead persons? 13:4,5
=same but no chance to repent
What was Jesus’ view of those who were alive? 13:5
=we need to repent
What is the most important urgent thing a person should do while alive? 13:5
=repentance
=don’t be self-righteous

4. Why did a man plant a fig tree? 13:6
=for fig
How long didn’t the fig tree bear fruits? 13:7
=three years
=Lev 19:9
Why did the owner decide to cut off the fig tree? 13:7
=no fruit
Why did the owner decide to give one more year to the fig tree? 13:8,9
=the vinedresser asked one more year
=the purpose of tree is bearing fruit
What should the fig tree do when it is given a second chance?
=one more chance, now the fig tree needs to bear fruit
=the owner is patient
What determines the longevity of the fig tree?
=fruit

5. Has your life been fruitful to the Lord?
=God is watching our lives
Is the Lord willing to give you a second chance?
=yes
What makes your life fruitful?
=By repentance
=every person can bear fruit, but they need to repent
=what is the repentance: confess your sin, God is giving us new heart

6. Compare repentance with regret.
=Repentance: Luke 15:18 I have sinned against heaven and against you
No repeat
Weed: pulling out root

=Regret: Genesis 3:12 excuse, rationalizing, avoiding responsibility
Repeat again
Weed: cut only top, it will come back because the root is alive.