Scripture Reading: Mark 11:12-25 (NIV)
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Withered Figs and Barren Faith
March 23, 2025
Mark 11:12-25
Pastor Mark Fuller
“THE PLACE FOR PRAYING HAD BECOME A PLACE FOR PREYING AND PAYING”
Jeremiah 7:1-11
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house, and there proclaim this message: “Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!”
If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever.
But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. “‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.
Impressive religious performance doesn’t mean our lives are right with God.
Takeaway: (i.e., Where’s the ‘So what?’)
Sermon in a Sentence: YOU are God’s temple – called to be a faith-full, prayer-filled, freely forgiving people.
YOU are God’s temple
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Do you not know you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? … God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
YOU are God’s temple – called to be a faith-full…people
Mark 11:22
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.
YOU are God’s temple – called to be a faith-full, prayer-filled…people
Mark 11:23-24
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
YOU are God’s temple – called to be a faith-full, prayer-filled, freely forgiving people.
Mark 11:25
25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Matthew 5:23-24
“If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift”
YOU are God’s temple – called to be a faith-full, prayer-filled, freely forgiving people.
• Are you trusting in Jesus or just being religious?
• Are you praying as though God has the power to answer?
• Is there someone you need to forgive?