Podcasts about Mark 11

❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Matthew21:23–22:22;Mark11:27–12:17;Luke20:1–26 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org

❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Matthew21:1–22;Mark11:1–25;Luke19:29–48;John12:1;9–50 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org

Send us a text -Artwork by Vittore Carpaccio "Lion of St. Mark"

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In this episode, Petia Kolibova Burns explores the often-overlooked verse Mark 11:11, where Jesus enters the Temple, observes everything carefully, and leaves. This quiet moment holds a profound message about patience, discernment, and trusting God's timing. Discover why sometimes the most impactful action you can take is to pause, pray, and align with His will before moving forward. ✨ **3 Key Takeaways:**  1. Jesus modeled intentional observation before taking action — teaching us that wisdom begins with discernment.  2. God's timing is perfect; rushing ahead can lead to exhaustion, but waiting in peace brings clarity.  3. The pause is not punishment — it's preparation for your next purpose-driven step.

2 Chronicles 30; 19 Psalms 76-77; 41 Mark 11

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Reading by David Anderson ---   Mark 11; John 12   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2011%3B%20John%2012&version=ESV&interface=print

Day 307: Mark 11, John 12✝️Daily Scripture: Chronological Bible Readings (KJV)The complete King James Bible in a year, in chronological order. Read by C Levi Farrell.This podcast is free, and ad-free. To support its creator or purchase lossless CD-quality audio, visit CLeviFarrell.comChapters:(00:00) Mark 11(04:30) John 12

Mark 11:27-33 marks the beginning of a series of confrontations between Jesus and Jerusalem's religious leaders. Jesus had overturned tables and halted temple commerce in a bold act of divine judgment, and returning the next day, a delegation of chief priests, scribes, and elders (three groups that made up the Sanhedrin) confronted Him. Their loaded question—“By what authority do you do these things?”—isn't curiosity. They are not seeking to be taught or informed. These men have already begun plotting His death (Mark 8:31). The religious leaders knew of His miracles, heard His teaching astonish crowds, and saw demons flee, yet refused to bow. Mark's Gospel began focusing on Jesus' authority. The One who has authority to forgive sins, calm storms, and feed thousands now stands in the holy courts, and His authority is challenged by those who should recognize it most. Yet, Jesus exposes the authority to which these religious men submit with a question of His own. Trapped between admitting John the Baptist was sent from God (and thereby admitting Jesus was the Messiah John pointed to) or facing the angry crowds who believed John was from God, they answer, “We don't know.” The religious leaders, who claimed to represent God, reveal that their true authority is self-preservation, status, and control. Therefore, Jesus leaves them without any explanation. Having rejected the light, they are left in their darkness. This isn't mere history; it's a mirror for every heart. It is easy to claim Christ's authority in theory. Yet, when He enters our “temple" and starts rearranging our priorities, purging idols, or commanding obedience in our lives, we can respond like these religious men: “Who are you to demand this?” All of us live under authority—either Christ's or our own corrupted version—and Jesus' word exposes which rules us. A day is coming when every knee will bow, either in saving faith or under wrath. This passage isn't academic—it's urgent. Will you submit to the King who cleanses temples and claims lives, or ride the fence like these priests, saying, "We don't know." I. Jesus' Authority Is Challenged (v. 27-28) II. Jesus Exposes Our Corrupt Authorities (v. 29-33a) III. Jesus' Judgment For Rejecting Authority (v. 33)

Caleb Drahosh For the Christians in Rome, this account of Jesus would have been a strange one. A Roman triumphal procession honored a general after a military victory with a grand parade. He would ride into Rome in a chariot, dressed in kingly purple, and crowned with a laurel. Afterwards, a sacrifice would be made to Jupiter. Jesus would ride into Jerusalem, in view of future victory, where He Himself was the sacrifice. The greatest triumph was marked with the utmost humility.

Sermon by Davy Lee on November 2, 2025. 

Part 3 of Gospel of Mark, chapter 11: Sharon Doran unpacks Jesus' dramatic cleansing of the temple, the cursing of the fig tree, and the prophetic fulfillment pointing to judgment and the coming of the true temple—Christ himself. She traces links to Old Testament prophecy and explains how the Church and the Eucharist fulfill the temple's role for all nations. Sharon closes with a pastoral call to repentance, forgiveness, and keeping our bodies and churches as holy temples ready to receive Christ and stand before judgment.

Sharon Doran explores Mark 11, focusing on Jerusalem as Jesus' destiny and ours — the journey to the heavenly Jerusalem. She connects the transfiguration, the disciples' growing sight, the image of John the beloved, and the theme of “the Way” as the path of discipleship. The episode also sets Mark 11 in its liturgical and biblical context: the triumphal entry from Bethany and Bethphage, symbolism of the east and the Mount of Olives, the temple as a type of God's dwelling, and the foreshadowing of Christ's final sacrifice and the new covenant.

In this episode Sharon Doran explores Mark 11: Jesus' triumphal entry, the cleansing of the temple, and how these events fulfill Old Testament prophecy about the east gate, the coming Messiah, and the true presence of God. She connects the temple's destruction and restoration to Jesus as the new temple, explains the symbolism of the Mount of Olives and eastern orientation, and shows how the Eucharist and sacraments continue God's promise of redemption for all nations.

On Sunday, we will dive into Mark 11:12-25, a challenging passage to understand and interpret. As Mark has done before (and will do several more times), he places one story inside another. Jesus' cleansing of the temple is placed between His cursing of the fig tree. When Jesus finds no figs on the tree, He declares that no one will eat fruit from it again. The next day, they pass by the tree and see it withered to the root. Earlier, Mark "sandwiched" Jesus' healing of the woman with the issue of blood between the healing of Jairus' daughter, and just as in that passage, here the cleansing of the temple interprets the cursing of the fig tree. In the Old Testament, a fig tree and a vineyard were common symbols for Israel. Therefore, the cursing of the fig tree serves as a prophetic warning condemning the fruitless temple worship in Jerusalem, which Jesus will immediately address. The fig tree, full of leaves but bearing no fruit, and the temple, busy with activity but lacking true worship, both face Jesus' judgment. However, the interpretive challenges of this passage don't end there. When the disciples see the withered tree, Jesus begins teaching about prayer, faith, and forgiveness. Jesus' response to Peter, who notes that the fig tree is withered, might seem like Jesus is shifting to a new topic unrelated to the story. (And some believe He does.) However, I believe Jesus is beginning to teach the disciples what He will make clearer during His last week of life. The temple was the place where prayers were offered and accepted by God, and where forgiveness was found. Yet, Jesus has just pronounced judgment on the corruption of the temple's worship. How can prayers be offered, and forgiveness found, if not in the temple? Jesus' final words in this section (22-25) reveal that by faith, prayers are answered, mountains are moved, and forgiveness is both received and extended to others. Take time to read Mark 11:12-25 several times; it is a difficult passage with a high risk of misunderstanding. Most of the sermon will focus on explaining the text, but ultimately, we discover that as the church, we are now God's temple (both as a body -1 Co. 3:16-17; and as individual Christians - 1 Co. 6:19-20), called to bear fruit through praying in faith, forgiving as we are forgiven, and being a light for all nations. I. The Symbolic Fruitless Fig Tree (12-14; 20-21) II. The Fruitless Worship In The Temple (15-19) III. The Fruitful Worship OF The Temple (22-25)

Jesus dealt decisively with those who questioned his authority.

Sermon by Davy Lee on October 26, 2025. 

By Every Word, 10-25-25

Mark 11-12

Sunday, we will study the triumphant entry in Mark 11:1-11. As we study this very familiar passage, we find a host of prophecies fulfilled as Jesus intentionally and publicly declares Himself Messiah and King. Jesus is surrounded by throngs of people praising and proclaiming Him as the Messiah as they cry out, quoting Psalm 118, but just like the disciples, the crowd does not understand that Jesus came as the King who gives His life as a ransom for many. Sunday, our outline is pretty simple but still relates the profound truth that though the people shouting do not receive Jesus as the kind of Messiah he came to be, He declares Himself King by riding a donkey's colt into Jerusalem knowing that this will lead to His crucifixion, because even the fickle crowd and the perpetually oblivious disciples cannot be saved unless He goes to the cross…and neither could we. I. Jesus Comes As The Prophesied King & Savior (1-6) II. Jesus Does Not Come To Fulfill Our Expectations (7-11)

Sermon by Davy Lee on October 19, 2025. 

11 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, 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 has need of it and will send it back here immediately.' ” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “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!” 11 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Jesus Curses the Fig Tree12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Jesus Cleanses the Temple15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city. The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” The Authority of Jesus Challenged27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” 31 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,' he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?' 32 But shall we say, ‘From man'?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mk 11:1–33.

In episode 6, Mitch and Ben cover chapters 11 and 12, discussing topics like the “crowd” as a character, the fig tree, and money.GO DEEPER IN MARK+ ⁠⁠Entering the Kingdom Translation of Mark⁠⁠+ ⁠⁠A Journey Through Mark Study Devotional⁠⁠+ ⁠⁠A Journey Through Mark Family Companion Guide⁠⁠+ ⁠⁠⁠Video Teachings⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT+ Learn more about First Church Williamsport by checking out our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠+ ⁠⁠Watch⁠⁠ our services online every Sunday at 9 AM+ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠

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Coleton began with a piercing question: “How much do you think Jesus agrees with the way you live your life?” He invited listeners to imagine Jesus observing everything—how they spend time and money, how they treat people, what they watch, post, and prioritize. Would Jesus agree with most of it, or would He find much to challenge and correct? Coleton quoted author Anne Lamott: “You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” Then he adapted it: “You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God agrees with everything you do.” He reminded the congregation that Jesus does disagree with us—and that it's not a mark of rejection but of love. Since He is infinite, holy, and perfect, and we are finite and sinful, it only makes sense that His view of our lives will often clash with ours. “Jesus' disagreement with sin in our lives led to the most loving act anyone could do for another person—to lay down His life for them.” Coleton emphasized that in our culture, disagreement is often seen as unloving—but Scripture teaches the opposite. Jesus loves us enough to confront what destroys us. The key question, then, becomes: “What is your response when Jesus disagrees with you?” From Mark 11:27–33, Coleton showed three wrong ways to respond when Jesus disagrees with us—and one right one. 1. Questioning Jesus' Authority (vv. 27–28) “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” The religious leaders asked Jesus this because He had just cleansed the temple and publicly called them out as a “den of robbers.” They weren't questioning because they were curious—they were questioning because He disagreed with them. Coleton said: “If Jesus had agreed, they wouldn't have questioned. They would have used Him to prove their points.” And we do the same. When a verse affirms our views or lifestyle, we post it, memorize it, and celebrate it. But when Scripture disagrees with us—when it calls out sin, pride, greed, gossip, or unforgiveness—we tend to ignore it, reinterpret it, or go silent. “We question His authority by avoiding the verses that disagree with us.” Coleton illustrated this with historical examples of people literally cutting parts out of the Bible: Thomas Jefferson's Bible, which removed miracles and Jesus' divinity. The “Slave Bible,” edited by slave owners to remove verses about freedom and equality. The Nazi Bible, which stripped out all Jewish references and messages of mercy. “They didn't argue that the verses were untrue—they just silenced them.” Then he asked a haunting question: “If a Bible were written based on your life, what would it include—and what would it exclude?” He called this the “MPT”—My Personal Translation—the version of the Bible where “Jesus agrees with every decision I make.” Reflection We may not use scissors like Jefferson, but we do it subtly in our hearts—ignoring passages like: “Forgive as you've been forgiven.” “Love your enemies.” “Give sacrificially.” “Do not gossip.” “Live at peace with everyone.” Coleton challenged listeners to ask: “Where do you question Jesus by simply silencing verses that disagree with you?” 2. Seeking to Discredit Jesus (v. 28) Coleton explained that the religious leaders' question wasn't sincere—it was a trap. “They don't actually want to know. They're trying to find a reason not to listen.” William Lane, in his commentary, observes: “Whatever answer Jesus gives, the conclusion is the same: He must be arrested. If He attests that His authority is from God, the charge is blasphemy. If He claims secular authority, the charge is insurrection.” Their goal wasn't truth—it was to discredit Jesus so they wouldn't have to change. “They knew they couldn't disprove Him, so they tried to discredit Him.” Coleton drew a parallel to how we do the same today—finding reasons why Jesus' words don't apply to us: The Feels – “That doesn't feel right.” Your Truth – “That might be true for you, but not for me.” The Snowflake Situation – “My situation is different.” The Cultural Argument – “That was for a different time.” Proof-texting – Quoting a verse out of context to justify sin. Minimizing – “It's not a big deal; God will forgive me.” Justifying – “They made me do it. I deserve this.” Comparison – “At least I'm not as bad as that person.” Calling the Bible Outdated – “That doesn't fit in the modern world.” He quoted Tim Keller: “Society makes judgments through what C.S. Lewis called ‘chronological snobbery,' assuming that whatever has gone out of date is discredited.” Coleton said: “All of these are ways we say, ‘I don't have to do that because…'” And every time we do, we're discrediting Jesus' authority in our lives. We're finding clever excuses to stay unchanged. He asked pointedly: “Where do you say to God's Word, ‘That doesn't apply to me because…'?” 3. Refusing to Admit You're Wrong (vv. 29–33) When Jesus asks about John's baptism, the religious leaders discuss it among themselves and say: “If we say ‘from heaven,' He'll ask why we didn't believe him. If we say ‘of human origin,' the people will turn on us.” So they choose neither—they simply say, “We don't know.” Coleton summarized: “They refused to admit they were wrong.” Their hearts were hardened by pride and self-protection. They cared more about image and position than about truth. “So they go with, ‘We're not wrong. We just don't know.'” Coleton explained that we often react the same way: Some get angry, scaring others away from confronting them. Some get quiet and hurt, shutting down correction. Some deny or deflect, blaming others. Some avoid anyone who might challenge them—skipping counseling, ignoring Scripture, cutting off truth-tellers. “If you never admit you're wrong, you'll never grow, never change, never heal.” He pointed out that the story ends abruptly—no one changed, nothing improved—and that's what happens to us when we refuse correction. “Places where we're desperate for change—healing, reconciliation—will stay the same if we refuse to be wrong.” Whether it's in marriage, parenting, finances, or character, refusing to be wrong means refusing to be transformed. Conclusion: Jesus Disagrees Because He Loves You Coleton closed with a tender image: “Jesus disagrees with you the way a guardrail disagrees with a car about to go off a cliff.” Guardrails aren't there to restrict—they're there to protect. “He disagrees with you not to hurt you, but to help you.” He compared it to fatherhood: “When my son Teddy was little, I disagreed with his desire to crawl or stay in diapers. Not because I'm cruel—but because I love him and want him to grow.” That's how Jesus treats us. He disagrees with our sin because He wants us to mature and flourish. The cross is the greatest example: “The cross shows how much He disagrees with sin—someone had to die for it. But it also shows how much He loves us—He took the punishment Himself.” His disagreement isn't rejection—it's redemption. He corrects us not to restrict our joy, but to lead us to real joy. “There are things He wants to do in your life—things you've prayed for—but you and Jesus disagree on how to get there.” So instead of questioning Him, discrediting Him, or refusing to be wrong—respond with humility. “Let Him disagree with you. Let Him lead you from something lesser into something better.” Discussion Questions What areas of your life do you think Jesus would most disagree with, and why do you think those areas are hard to surrender? Which of the three wrong responses—questioning, discrediting, or refusing to admit wrong—do you most identify with? Can you think of a time when Jesus' disagreement actually led to your growth or freedom? Why is it difficult for us to believe that disagreement and love can coexist—and how does the cross change that perspective? What practical step could you take this week to respond to Jesus' correction with humility instead of defensiveness?

Faith that moves mountains isn't about control—it's about trust. In Mark 11:22–33, Jesus teaches that real faith aligns with God's will, forgives freely, and stands firm under His authority even when everything familiar is shaking. This week, Pastor Korey reminds us that sometimes God has to bring one mountain down to raise something greater that can never be shaken.

"Why does Jesus curse the fig tree and flip tables in the temple? In Mark 13, Jesus talks about the end times—but there's so much we don't understand. What does He actually want His followers to focus on? In today's episode, Emma Dotter and Watermark South Dallas member, Natanya Michaud talk about Mark chapters 11-13 and discuss these questions and how we an live unafraid in the hope of Christ. Learn more about Watermark South Dallas: https://www.watermark.org/southdallas You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6SG7aaE1ZjjFkgB34G8zp3?si=c960a63736904665 Check out the Join The Journey Website for today's devotional and more resources! https://www.jointhejourney.com/ Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Watermark-Community-Church/author/B0BRYP5MQK?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1755623322&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=8aeeec3b-6c1c-416d-87ae-5dfbbb6981df"

Daily Morning Prayer and The Litany (10/8/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 38-40; Judith 7; Mark 11; Metrical Psalm 11:4-74 The Lord hath both a temple here, and righteous throne above; Whence he surveys the sons of men, and how their counsels move. 5 If God the righteous, whom he loves, for trial does correct; What must the sons of violence, whom he abhors, expect? 6 Snares, fire, and brimstone on their heads shall in one tempest show'r; This dreadful mixture his revenge into their cup shall pour. 7 The righteous Lord will righteous deeds With signal favor grace; And to the upright man disclose the brightness of his face.To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

Daily Morning Prayer and The Litany (10/8/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 38-40; Judith 7; Mark 11; Metrical Psalm 11:4-74 The Lord hath both a temple here, and righteous throne above; Whence he surveys the sons of men, and how their counsels move. 5 If God the righteous, whom he loves, for trial does correct; What must the sons of violence, whom he abhors, expect? 6 Snares, fire, and brimstone on their heads shall in one tempest show'r; This dreadful mixture his revenge into their cup shall pour. 7 The righteous Lord will righteous deeds With signal favor grace; And to the upright man disclose the brightness of his face.To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

Jesus doesn't just cleanse the temple—He calls out empty religion at its roots. In Mark 11:15–21, we see Him flip tables, quote the prophets, and pronounce judgment on a system that looked alive but was fruitless. This week, Pastor Korey reminds us that God's house is meant to be a house of prayer—and now, through Christ, we are His temple, called to live holy and bear real fruit.

2025.09.28 Get on the Bus! | Luke 2:41-52, Mark 11:12-17 | Eric Larsen by EP Church Annapolis

Coleton began with a story about accidentally cutting himself with his dad's pocketknife. Just like with the knife, he wants to handle this text carefully because it's often misunderstood—either leading people to miss out on what Jesus promises or to become disillusioned when prayer doesn't seem to work. ⸻ 1. What Is Jesus Actually Saying? •    Jesus says: “Truly I tell you…” — a phrase He uses in other places where the words were fulfilled literally (Peter's denial, eternal life, heaven and earth passing away). •    Therefore, we should not reinterpret His words about prayer and mountains to mean something symbolic. •    Jesus also says “anyone” and “whatever you ask,” which expands the promise beyond just the disciples. •    The phrase “moving mountains” was a common Jewish saying about impossible tasks, showing Jesus meant bold prayers that seem impossible. Quote: •    “Moving mountains” became a figure of speech for a task that was considered virtually impossible. — Background Commentary ⸻ 2. How Did the Disciples Respond? •    The disciples didn't reinterpret Jesus—they prayed boldly in Acts. •    They spoke directly to mountains (sickness, persecution, demons, even death) and God responded powerfully. •    Examples: Acts 3 (healing), Acts 9 (raising Tabitha), Acts 16 (casting out spirits), James 5 (prayer of faith heals the sick). •    The evidence shows they took Jesus at His word and practiced it literally. ⸻ 3. Why Don't We Experience This Today? •    Many don't expect God to act powerfully anymore because: •    Lack of faith (James 4:2) •    Selfish motives (James 4:3) •    Broken relationships (1 Peter 3:7) •    Cherishing sin (Psalm 66:18–19) •    Lack of persistence (Luke 18) •    We've been taught to reinterpret Jesus, so our expectation for prayer is low. •    Doubt is a major barrier: doubting that prayer works, that God hears us, or that He will act. Quote: •    “Two thousand years of exegesis have successfully explained away texts like these… They have awkwardly suppressed the fact that the Bible clearly presents healing and miracles as something Jesus and the early church practiced and expected…” — Ulrich Luz, paraphrased by Frederick Dale Bruner ⸻ 4. How Do We Grow in Faith for Prayer? •    Fight doubt by deepening trust in God's character through Scripture and prayer. •    Ask God to increase your faith. •    Surround yourself with people of strong faith. •    Read accounts of powerful prayer in history. (Great book: E.M. Bounds —On Prayer) •    Seek God's will for what you're praying—He will reveal it. ⸻ 5. Don't Settle for Less     •    Jesus gave His life to give us access to God in prayer—why would He do this if our prayers were powerless? •    Don't reinterpret Jesus' words to fit your experience. Instead, pursue the experience Jesus promised. •    There is real power in prayer when we remove hindrances, pray in faith, and seek God's will. Discussion Questions: 1. What stood out to you from Sundays message? 2. How does looking at the way the disciples prayed in the book of Acts shape your confidence in Jesus' words about prayer? 3. Of the hindrances to prayer which do you most relate to? Why? 4. Do you think doubt is a bigger struggle with God's ability or His willingness? 5. Who in your life strengthens your faith when you struggle with doubt?

Jesus isn't just looking for leaves—He's looking for fruit. In Mark 11:11–14, we see a fig tree that looked alive but was empty, a picture of Israel's outward religion without true righteousness. This week, Pastor Korey reminds us that real life in Christ comes from abiding in the Vine, not just looking spiritual on the outside, and calls us to examine what fruit God is growing in us today.

This episode features a full length Bible study taught by Pastor Jack Abeelen of Morningstar Christian Chapel in Whittier, California.If today you prayed with Pastor Jack to receive the Lord, we'd love to hear about it and get you started on the right foot. Visit us online at: https://morningstarcc.org/born-again/To see more of Pastor Jack's Bible studies, visit our Morningstar Christian Chapel channel at https://www.youtube.com/@morningstarcc.To subscribe to our Podcast newsletter go to http://eepurl.com/iGzsP6.If you would like to support our electronic ministry, you may do so by going to our donations page at https://morningstarcc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/podcast.Visit our church website at https://morningstarcc.org.

Coleton walked through Mark 11:12–21 in a “documentary style,” scene by scene, showing how Jesus' actions with the fig tree and temple symbolized God's judgment on empty religion and pointed toward Jesus as the true and better temple. 1. The Fig Tree: Looks Alive but is Diseased     •    Jesus curses the fig tree not because He expected fruit out of season, but because fig trees always produced early figs (paggim) before leaves.     •    A leafy fig tree without fruit symbolized decay and disease.     •    The fig tree was a living parable: Israel (and the temple) looked full of life, but inside was barren and corrupt. Author Quotes:     •    James Edwards: “Once a fig tree is in leaf one therefore expects to find branches loaded with paggim in various stages of maturation. This is implied in verse 13…” (Pillar New Testament Commentary).     •    Tim Keller: “Growth without fruit was a sign of decay. Jesus is simply pronouncing that such is the case here.” (Jesus the King).     •    Hosea 9:10: “When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.” ⸻ 2. The Temple: Corruption in the House of God     •    The temple was busy with sacrifices and money changing, looking religiously alive, but it was full of corruption and exploitation.     •    The Court of the Gentiles (where nations could worship) had been turned into a marketplace, blocking people from encountering God.     •    Jesus overturns tables, declaring the temple a “den of robbers.”     •    The fig tree mirrors the temple: full of activity but fruitless in righteousness. Author Quotes:     •    William Lane: “The sale of animals in the Temple forecourt was an innovation of recent date and was introduced by the High Priest, Caiaphas in A.D. 30…”     •    James Edwards: “The leafy fig tree, with all its promise of fruit, is as deceptive as the temple, which, despite its religious activity, is really an outlaws' hideout…” ⸻ 3. The Withered Tree: The Old System Passing Away     •    The next day the fig tree is withered to its roots, symbolizing the end of the temple system.     •    Jesus' death and the tearing of the temple curtain marked the new way of access to God—through Christ alone.     •    Jesus has done what the temple never could: provide full forgiveness of sins and direct access to God. Author Quote:     •    James Edwards: “The fig tree thus symbolizes the temple: as the means of approach to God, the temple is fundamentally—‘from the roots'—replaced by Jesus as the center of Israel.” ⸻ 4. Jesus Reverses the Curse     •    In Genesis 3, Adam was cursed by a tree and covered his shame with fig leaves.     •    In Mark 11, Jesus curses the fig tree, showing He will reverse the curse.     •    On the cross, Jesus covers our shame with His blood. Author Quote:     •    Cyril of Jerusalem: “In this way the curse laid upon Adam and Eve was being reversed.” (Catechetical Lectures 13.18). ⸻ 5. Application for Us Today Coleton gave two warnings and one encouragement:     1.    Beware of being a leafy tree without fruit.     •    Religious activity without true spiritual fruit is empty.     •    Genuine faith in Christ produces fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.).     2.    Beware of becoming a corrupt temple.     •    Just like the priests rationalized sin, we often say: “I know what God says, but…”     •    Our bodies are now temples of the Holy Spirit, and corruption comes when we disobey God's Word while justifying our choices.     3.    Give Jesus access and authority over every area of life.     •    Don't hold back hidden areas.     •    Through Adam came death, but through Christ comes life in all its fullness.     •    He wants to bring blessing and restoration wherever sin once ruled. Author Quote:     •    2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here.” ⸻ Discussion Questions     1.    What does the story of the fig tree teach us about the difference between appearance and reality in our spiritual lives?     2.    How can we tell if we are producing real spiritual fruit and not just leaves?     3.    In what ways might the modern church (or our personal lives) look like the temple—busy, impressive, but lacking true worship?     4.    Why is it easy to rationalize sin with “I know God says, but…”? How do we guard against that?     5.    What are the “hidden markets” in your life—areas you've not surrendered to Jesus' authority?     6.    How does Jesus' role as the new temple encourage you in your relationship with God today?     7.    In what area of your life do you need to ask Jesus to replace emptiness with life and fruitfulness?

Series: The King's Authority

This episode features a full length Bible study taught by Pastor Jack Abeelen of Morningstar Christian Chapel in Whittier, California.If today you prayed with Pastor Jack to receive the Lord, we'd love to hear about it and get you started on the right foot. Visit us online at: https://morningstarcc.org/born-again/To see more of Pastor Jack's Bible studies, visit our Morningstar Christian Chapel channel at https://www.youtube.com/@morningstarcc.To subscribe to our Podcast newsletter go to http://eepurl.com/iGzsP6.If you would like to support our electronic ministry, you may do so by going to our donations page at https://morningstarcc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/podcast.Visit our church website at https://morningstarcc.org.

The King's Authority: True Faith

Jesus rides into Jerusalem not with military might, but with humility and purpose. In Mark 11:1–10, prophecy is fulfilled, crowds cry Hosanna, and the true Kingdom is revealed—not political power, but spiritual redemption. This week, Pastor Korey invites us to lay down what we cling to and follow the King who saves through sacrifice.

In this episode of Pray the Word on Mark 11:17, David Platt urges us to turn from self-centered faith and live to spread God's glory among the nations.Explore more content from Radical.

This episode features a full length Bible study taught by Pastor Jack Abeelen of Morningstar Christian Chapel in Whittier, California.If today you prayed with Pastor Jack to receive the Lord, we'd love to hear about it and get you started on the right foot. Visit us online at: https://morningstarcc.org/born-again/To see more of Pastor Jack's Bible studies, visit our Morningstar Christian Chapel channel at https://www.youtube.com/@morningstarcc.To subscribe to our Podcast newsletter go to http://eepurl.com/iGzsP6.If you would like to support our electronic ministry, you may do so by going to our donations page at https://morningstarcc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/podcast.Visit our church website at https://morningstarcc.org.