We have the fig tree that isn’t producing its fruit and the evil laborers in the vineyard not giving the Master the fruit of the season.

Jesus tells the Pharisees that the kingdom of God will be taken away from them and given to a people producing its fruits.

The kingdom of God goes to those producing the fruit of the kingdom.

Part of the fruit of the kingdom is giving it to God. We don’t work for ourselves. We’re not building up our own kingdom, but God’s kingdom.

The Pharisees, who decreed right and wrong by their overly pious behavior, and the Sadducees, who were the official leaders of the Jews, were both interested in holding onto their power and influence.

Jesus was healing the sick and preaching repentance and good works and obeying God’s word. They were works that built the kingdom of God. The Jewish leaders wanted Him stopped because He was drawing away from their power and influence.

They show their hearts. They weren’t caring for the poor, sick, and lame. They were caring about themselves.

The Pharisees had concern with the letter of the law. They were sure Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah because He didn’t keep the Sabbath laws as they prescribed they should be kept. Some, like Nicodemus, did see the kingdom works and saw the kingdom of God in Jesus.

These people lived religious laws. They were in the temple all the time. This was their life. But it wasn’t the life of Christ. It wasn’t real life.

All of our religious activity, even if in service of the church (lowercase c), amounts to nothing if it’s not done in Christ, in His love, for God’s glory, to build His kingdom.

Only helping the business run smoothly on Sunday mornings is building the kingdom of men.

Serve God. We do that by giving up our lives and our works and letting Him do the work. Only He can do the work that matters, and it’s accomplished in the heart.