The Power of Faith, Fruitfulness & Forgiveness
Mark 11:12-26
Pastor Kirk Flaa
Part of The Gospel of Mark
March 18, 2025

Introduction

This sermon explores the themes of faith, fruitfulness, and forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of living a life that genuinely reflects the transformative power of Christ. The pastor highlights key biblical narratives, including Jesus cursing the figless fig tree and cleansing the temple, to illustrate how God desires us to bear visible fruit in our lives.


Main Points

The Figless Fig Tree

  • Jesus observed a fig tree with leaves but no fruit. This teaches us that can be deceiving and underscores the importance of bearing spiritual .


  • Like a fig tree should produce figs, we are called to demonstrate the in our lives.


“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” —Matthew 3:10

Additional Notes:


Cleansing the Temple

  • Jesus cleansed the temple, calling it a den of instead of a house of prayer. This action highlights His zeal for pure worship and the rejection of exploiting religious settings for selfish gain.


  • We must ask ourselves if we come to church for God’s glory or personal .


“For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” —Isaiah 56:7

Additional Notes:


Faith and Forgiveness

  • Jesus instructs us to have faith in God, assuring us that our prayers should align with His rather than expecting Him to fulfill all our desires.


  • Unforgiveness is a heavy burden. True faith involves the capacity to others, recognizing the depth of God’s forgiveness toward us.


“When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” —Mark 11:25

Additional Notes:


Conclusion

In summary, as people of faith, we must ensure that our lives are genuinely fruitful, our worship pure, and our hearts ready to forgive. Let us strive to align ourselves with God’s will, trusting in His timing and methods, while extending the same grace we’ve received to those around us.


Reflection Questions


How can you ensure that your life is genuinely bearing spiritual fruit rather than just having the appearance of it?


Reflect on your motivations for attending church. Are there ways you can redirect your focus more towards worshiping God and less on personal recognition?


Consider a situation where you’ve found it challenging to forgive. What can you do to bring this into prayer and align your heart with God’s forgiveness?