Deepen with Pastor Joby Martin
Deepen with Pastor Joby Martin

Is Your Faith Actually Producing Fruit? - Matthew S6E2

August 17, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Jesus did not come to kick butt. He came to take a butt-kicking to save us. That line lands mid-episode, but it captures the central tension of Matthew 21, where the same crowd that shouts Hosanna on Palm Sunday calls for crucifixion by Friday. In this episode of Deepen with Pastor Joby Martin, the host and pastor work through the triumphal entry, the cleansing of the temple, and the cursing of the fig tree as one continuous argument: religious performance without surrendered lordship produces nothing but leaves.

The upside-down king and the crowd that missed him

The episode opens with a contrast between two kings arriving in Jerusalem at the same time. Herod enters on a white stallion with a parade and pomp. Jesus enters from the opposite gate, humble on a colt, fulfilling Zechariah 9. The crowd waves palm branches and shouts Hosanna — "Lord, save us" — but they mean something different than what Jesus came to do. They want a king like David, one who will flex power and kick out Rome. They want salvation on their terms, not through a crucifixion. As Joby puts it, "If Friday doesn't happen, they nailed it. He is coming to save you. But based on the same crowd later saying 'crucify him,' they're thinking more about the us part of it — not salvation coming through a cross."

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:00) **The Danger of Fruitless Religiosity** - Pastor Joby Martin and the host introduce the core tension: faith that produces no fruit is worthless.
  • 2 (02:09) **The Upside-Down Kingdom: Humility vs. Power** - Jesus' humble entry on a colt is contrasted with the world's expectation of a conquering king.
  • 3 (06:08) **Matthew's Omission and Jesus' Claim to Divinity** - The host observes that Matthew quotes Zechariah 9:9 but leaves out the phrase "righteous and having salvation."
  • 4 (08:51) **"Hosanna" and the Misunderstood Salvation** - The crowd cries "Hosanna" (save us), but they expect political and military salvation, not a crucifixion.
  • 5 (10:51) **The Donkey's Cross and the Call to Exalt Christ** - A discussion on the significance of the unbroken colt and the cross-shaped marking on a donkey's back.
  • 6 (13:35) **Jesus' Authority Over Creation and the Pharisees' Fear** - Jesus tames an unbroken colt, demonstrating his divine authority, while the Pharisees are threatened by his power.
  • 7 (17:53) **Man-Made Religion vs. True Religion** - The host and Joby contrast the Pharisees' system of fear and control with the freedom of the gospel.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Joby Martin

Show Notes

Are you following Jesus or just looking the part? 

In this episode of the Deepen Podcast, Pastor Joby Martin unpacks the triumphal entry, Jesus cleansing the temple, and the cursing of the fig tree to show the difference between outward religion and a life that actually produces fruit. 

Following Jesus is more than going to church, reading your Bible, or knowing the right things. It is surrendering to His lordship and living out what He has called us to do.

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
2:07 Jesus’ Upside Down Kingdom and the Triumphal Entry
6:25 Why Does Matthew Leave Part of the Zechariah Prophecy Out?
8:13 What Is the Significance of Jesus’ Entrance Into Jerusalem?
13:31 Why Did Jesus Ride a Donkey That Had Never Been Ridden?
15:09 How Aware Were People That the Messiah Was Coming?
28:18 Why Did Jesus Cleanse the Temple?
33:29 What Does Fruitless Faith Look Like in the Church Today?
35:47 Is Jesus Actually Lord of Your Life?
39:44 What Does It Mean to Surrender Your Life to Jesus?
45:44 What Does the Fig Tree Teach Us About Fruitless Faith?
47:40 Is There Such a Thing as Unanswered Prayer?
54:39 Did Jesus Know Exactly When He Would Be Crucified?
58:52 How Does Jesus Reverse the Curse?
1:00:01 Is It the Amount of Faith or the Object of Your Faith?

📌 Supplemental Resources From This Week:
• Sermon
• Joesph's Story
• This Week’s Full Service
• Matthew Season 6

📖 Scripture References:
• Matthew 21
• Matthew 6:33
• Mark 11:22
• John 2
• John 11:48
• John 12
• Zechariah 9:9
• Deuteronomy 14
• Galatians 5:22–23
• Romans 8:28
• Romans 10
• 1 Corinthians 13:12
• Revelation 2–3
• Revelation 22
• 1 Kings 1    


📚 Book References:
• Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill
• The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Church of Eleven22® is a movement for all people to discover and deepen a relationship with Jesus Christ. Eleven22 is led by Pastor Joby Martin and based in Jacksonville, Florida, with multiple campuses throughout Jacksonville and the surrounding areas.
 
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