Mark Sermon Week 26 - Faith to Move Mountains

Justin Ashurst

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Transcript

Intro/Welcome

Welcome

Good morning

Good to be with you

Welcome you online

Intro

If I were to say to you “If you believe enough in prayer you will receive what you ask” would you believe me?

If you believe you will receive.

This is what Jesus says today

Mark 11:24 (CSB)

24 Therefore I tell you, everything you pray and ask for—believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

In Context, Jesus has just entered Jerusalem, he has just cleansed the temple

and this is his only teaching on prayer in the Gospel of Mark.

Jesus said it, it must be true?

How are we to understand this verse?

We prayed last week for some things, if you didn’t receive it does it mean it’s your fault?

that you didn’t have enough faith

This is what some have taught, and in some cases it can be cruel to claim this

The person who had cancer and prayed but was not healed

that this is their fault

Is this was Jesus means?

I don’t think so. I’m going to show you why today.

Effective prayer involves, faith, friendship and forgiveness

Who Jesus is

What Jesus has done

Our relationships to him

Bible

We’ll be in Mark 11:1-26 today

Go there in your Bibles

Let me ask God for help today

Pray

Isaiah 61:1–4 (ESV)

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me

to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

4 They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

Entering Jerusalem

We’ve been on the road to Jerusalem for the last few weeks since Mark 8:27.

Today He enters Jerusalem

known as the Triumphal Entry

Kicks off holy week / passion week — Jesus final week before his death.

We aren’t going to spend a lot of time on it today,

I want to read it and make a few comments b/c it is significant

God willing we will return to it in some fashion the week of easter.

I want to spend the majority of our time in v. 12-25 addressing our question on prayer.

Mark 11:1–11 (CSB)

1 When they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here right away.’ ”

4 So they went and found a colt outside in the street, tied by a door. They untied it, 5 and some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They answered them just as Jesus had said; so they let them go.

7 They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their clothes on the road, and others spread leafy branches cut from the fields.

9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!

11 He went into Jerusalem and into the temple. After looking around at everything, since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Illustrations:

Aladdin — Prince Ali Fabulous-he ali Ababwa — Enters

The Main Points:

Jesus is clearly, emphatically, publically, deliberately identifying as the messiah in this move.

1. Donkey/Colt

The whole emphasis on the donkey is to fulfill the scripture:

Zechariah 9:9 (CSB)

9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

About the King returning to Jerusalem — the Messiah

2. Hosanna

Psalm 118:26 (CSB)

26 He who comes in the name of the Lord is blessed. From the house of the Lord we bless you.

Halel — sung during passover week

Hosanna = God save us — similar to our use of hallelujah

but it’s a messianic praise

next week Jesus will quote from psalm 118 teaching that

Psalm 118:22 (CSB)

22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

3. Crowds

Jesus is coming in with an entourage

A week prior we learn from John 11 that he raised Lazarus from the Dead in Bethany

many were following Jesus b/c of this

John 11:45 (CSB)

45 Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what he did believed in him.

John 12:17–19 (CSB)

17 Meanwhile, the crowd, which had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify. 18 This is also why the crowd met him, because they heard he had done this sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You see? You’ve accomplished nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”

The Religious leaders were jealous and even sought to kill Lazarus

John 12:9–11 (CSB)

9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also, 11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

Two Teams

Jesus’ Crowds — praise him

Religious Leaders — crucify him in 6 days

Luke 19:39–40 (CSB)

39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.”

Passion Week Timeline

Jesus’ purpose

Clearly establishing his identity

drawing the battle lines

identifying team Jesus

Super Bowl Teams

Application:

Have you identified Jesus has the messiah?

Have you personally recieved Jesus as your Lord and Savior

There’s only two teams.

Transition

Jesus is the messiah — Lord and Savior — has AUTHORITY

This is important for what he is about to do next

Cleansing the Temple

SUNDAY

Mark 11:11 (CSB)

11 He went into Jerusalem and into the temple. After looking around at everything, since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

MONDAY

Mark 11:12–14 (CSB)

12 The next day when they went out from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, he went to find out if there was anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season for figs.

14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And his disciples heard it.

Ok, that’s interesting

It is significant, we’ll come back to it

Mark is making us a Fig Sandwich here — literary technique to make a point.

Jesus curses the fig tree for having the appearance of fruit

Jesus cleanses the temple

Jesus teaches on prayer

Jesus in the Temple

Mark 11:15–17 (CSB)

15 They came to Jerusalem, and he went into the temple and began to throw out those buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple.

17 He was teaching them: “Is it not written, My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves!”

Mark 11:18 (CSB)

The chief priests and the scribes heard it and started looking for a way to kill him. For they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was astonished by his teaching.

Jesus is cleaning house — why?

Why is this so important?

This is Jesus’ Temple and it is being misused and abused.

The most stunning of which is the fulfillment of Mal 3:1

Malachi 3:1 (CSB)

1 “See, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me.

John the Baptizer

Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple, the Messenger of the covenant you delight in—see, he is coming,” says the Lord of Armies.

Jesus is the LORD GOD coming to His temple.

So he has all authority to do what he is doing.

It was to be a House of Prayer for all the Nations

Listen to that!

The temple — was to be a House of Prayer

A place to commune with God (worship, atonement, sacrifice)

A place for the nations to meet God

But particularly in the outer courts, where this business was happening was the place where gentiles could encounter God

Instead it is a “den of thieves”

Jeremiah 7:11 (CSB)

11 Has this house, which bears my name, become a den of robbers in your view? Yes, I too have seen it. This is the Lord’s declaration.

the modern day stock market / wall street

a place for people to get rich — to exploit others

it is Idolatry in the temple/ the worship of money of mammon

Foreign Market Place

imagine coming here on a Sunday morning and being bombarded with market stands trying to sell you stuff

would you want to come and worship here?

no!

God’s Passion for People

This is God’s heart for the nations

His purpose for His people

Psalm 69:9 (CSB)

9 because zeal for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.

The Temple / Israel has been fruitless

just like the fig tree

it promised fruit — looked good

[picture of temple]

but was barren

Jeremiah 8:13 (CSB)

13 “I will gather them and bring them to an end.” This is the Lord’s declaration. “There will be no grapes on the vine, no figs on the fig tree, and even the leaf will wither. Whatever I have given them will be lost to them.”

Application

Maybe this is some of our churches?

If Jesus came into this church would there be any tables he would need to overturn?

If Jesus came to your house would there be any tables he would need to overturn?

Jesus, the Temple

Jesus point in the Fig Tree was this:

Mark 11:14 (CSB)

14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And his disciples heard it.

The Temple had it’s time and place but no longer will it be the place to come to meet God

Jesus is making a significant statement here in the Temple — As Lord of the Temple

He says

God’s Blessing (his power and presence) will no longer dwell (be found) in a building, but in a body

in the Body of Jesus Christ

In the Body of Christ — his church today.

Massive Significance:

to be in right relationship with God

To walk with God

no longer have to go to a place

no longer have to go through a priest

no longer have to go through a process

God has come near to us in Jesus Christ.

understanding this will help us understand what Jesus says next.

Prayer with Faith

Mark 11:19–21 (CSB)

19 Whenever evening came, they would go out of the city.

20 Early in the morning, as they were passing by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. 21 Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”

Did they understand the significance of the parable?

I don’t think so

but they marvel at the power of Jesus words

Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered.

So now Jesus response:

this is what tripped me up all week

Mark 11:22–25 (CSB)

22 Jesus replied to them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

24 Therefore I tell you, everything you pray and ask for—believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing.”

Connections:

Jesus only teaching on prayer in Mark

but gospel of John helps to shed light on this teaching

He has just said the whole point of the temple, sacrificial system, priesthood, etc.

was to be a House of Prayer for the Nations

Now he’s teaching on what that Prayer can look like.

He says three things about effective prayer:

Faith

Friendship

Forgiveness

Friendship with God

Effective prayer has everything to do with your relationship with God.

Jesus demonstrated that God’s presence and power no longer reside in a building but a body.

In John, Jesus said “destroy this temple and I’ll raise it in three days” referring to his body.

In Jesus’ death and resurrection — if we believe (have faith) we are brought into a relationship with Him

We are Born again — born from above

such that God’s Holy Spirit makes his home in us

so that our bodies, as the body of Christ are the place where God dwells on earth

the body of Christ.

We have an intimate relationship with God through Jesus by his Holy Spirit

This is friendship

Jesus tells his disciples in John 15, no longer do I call you servants but friends b/c you know what the father is up do.

John 15:15 (CSB)

I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.

— A house of prayer for the nations.

Moses used to talk with God face to face — as a friend

Exodus 33:11 (CSB)

11 The Lord would speak with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend, then Moses would return to the camp. His assistant, the young man Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the inside of the tent.

This is now available through Jesus Christ

Forgiveness

Mark 11:25 (CSB)

25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing.”

Effective prayer involves forgiveness.

You have been forgiven by God of all sin

parable of the wicked servant

As you are praying (in friendship with God)

and it comes to mind that you have something against someone

forgive them

If God reveals this to you

you become aware of it

This demonstrates/strengthens your relationship with God

when you forgive as he forgave you

It indicates that you are been forgiven

The type of person who forgives others is the person who has been forgiven by God

if you can’t forgive others, you need to go to God about that

and ask for help.

maybe that feels impossible for you.

Faith

These two friendship and forgiveness establish the grounds for effective prayer.

So what do we make of

Mark 11:23–24 (CSB)

23 Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

24 Therefore I tell you, everything you pray and ask for—believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

mountain = figure of speech for the impossible

1 Corinthians 13:2 (CSB)

2 If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.

Does not doubt = waiver

James 1:5–6 (CSB)

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

Believe = faith = confidence = trust

This isn’t the only place Jesus uses the words

Looking to John 14-16, which also happened during this time is an extended teaching on friendship with God

and multiple times this idea shows up:

John 14:12–21 (CSB)

12 “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.

13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. 21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.”

John 15:5–8 (CSB)

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.

John 15:15–17 (CSB)

15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 17 “This is what I command you: Love one another.

John 16:22–27 (CSB)

22 So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you. 23 “In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. 25 “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 On that day you will ask in my name, and I am not telling you that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

True Faith looks like this — abiding in Jesus

friendship with Jesus

giving and receiving forgiveness

above all — love one another.

George Mueller

Fed 10,000 orphans though prayers of faith

read the Bible up to 4x a year

had an abiding walk with Jesus

measures of faith

Mark 11:24 was a go to verse for Him

he’s how he practices this

Müller believed he needed to step out and act on faith when God gave it, but only when God gave it:

“Every new step was taken with care and prayer, that it should not be in the energy of the flesh, or in the wisdom of man, but in the power and wisdom of the Spirit.

Can believers name and claim anything they desire, as some assert, according to Mark 11:24, Müller’s prime faith Scripture?

Only when they get a clear word or assurance of faith from God, Müller would advise.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

MEASURES OF FAITH

What measure if faith has God given you?

start small

george mueller - $1, $5, $50, $10,000

Romans 12:3–8 (CSB)

For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think.

Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.

Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.

According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’sB faith;

if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

PERSEVERING IN PRAYER

Regardless of how long he prayed, when Müller received assurance from God he knew it was time to begin praising Him:

I asked a thing once of God, which I knew to be according to His mind, and though I brought it day by day and generally many times a day before Him, in such assurance as to be able to thank Him hundreds of times for the answer before it was received,

yet I had to wait three years and ten months before the blessing was given to me.

At another time I had to wait six years; and at another time eleven and a half years.

In the last case I brought the matter about twenty thousand times before God, and invariably in the fullest assurance of faith,

and yet eleven and a half years passed before the answer was given.28

To have this kind of faith

this effective prayer life

means abiding with Jesus

doing what he says “loving one another”

persevering in prayer

Do you want that kind of prayer life?

do you want to pray with the assurance of George Muller?

friendship with God abiding with

practicing forgiveness

praying according to the measure of faith

are you abiding in Jesus?

can you hear his voice?

his assurance thourhg your spirit?

This is possible becuase:

The power and presence of God is no longer found in a building, but in a body

Because Jesus has made a new way

Exhortation

Let’s pray for that kind of faith

let’s abide in Jesus — recommit to walk with him

and we will see the impossible happen in our midst

What is too impossible for God?

anything?

What have you been praying for?

Where have you wavered?

Where can you ask for more faith?

Let’s go to God together.

Closing Prayer

John 14:13–14 CSB

13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

John 15:7–8 CSB

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.