Religion vs. Faith

Mark 11:12-25

I don’t like sales people…

TURN: The way we approach Jesus matters. What does Jesus expect of us?…

1. The fig tree had the form of a living tree, but no fruit (Develop Inductively) (Mark 11:12-14)

Jesus was hungry and noticed a fig tree with leaves (Mark 11:12-13a)

He found no fruit on it, so he cursed it (Mark 11:13b-14)

2. The religious people had the form of religious devotion, but no faith (Develop Inductively) (Mark 11:15-19)

Jesus visited the temple, but it was full of people ripping off worshipers (Mark 11:15)

Jesus cleared the temple of moneychangers (Mark 11:15-16)

Jesus taught that the temple should be full of prayer, not robbery (Mark 11:17)

The religious leaders sought to kill him (Mark 11:18-19)

3. Jesus is looking for people of faith (Develop Inductively) (Mark 11:20-25)

The disciples notice the fig tree has withered (Mark 11:20-21)

Jesus tells them to have faith—complete confidence in God (Mark 11:22-24)

He tells them people of faith embody their relationship with God by forgiving others (Mark 25)

Main Idea: Jesus doesn’t want religious people; he wants faith-filled people

APPLICATION: What is your approach to God? (1) Are you nonreligious, asking questions? (2) Are you religious, in it for the benefits to you? (3) Do you have a genuine relationship with God—one that trusts him and embodies a love for others?…

CONCLUSION: Let’s approach Jesus the right way as we approach Easter. Let this be a house of prayer. Let our hearts trust in God.