Faith, Forgiveness, and the Prayer of God’s People

04/26/26

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.” — Mark 11:20-25 NIV

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. v 23

‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’ Mark 11:17 b NIV

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. vv 20-22

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. v 24

…I will do whatever you ask in my name… — John 14:13

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. — John 15:7 NIV

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. v 25

“…anything against anyone…” v 25

“Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until he has something to forgive” C.S. Lewis

“…forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” v 25

Unforgiveness happens when someone else’s sin becomes bigger than the cross. The debt others owe us seems bigger than the debt we owed God. — Jason Meyer.

As God’s living temple, we are a praying people who trust Him and choose to forgive.

What the Temple Was Meant to Be

04/19/26

12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it. 15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching. 19 That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city. 20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!” — Mark 11:12–21 NLT

…All the families on earth will be blessed through you. — Genesis 12:3b NLT

12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. — Deuteronomy 10:12 NLT

8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. — Micah 6:8 NIV

“The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” v. 17

20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up.v. 20

16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? — 1 Corinthians 3:16 NLT

19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God… — 1 Corinthians 6:19a NLT

‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ v. 17

Hear, O people of God:
The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

He has shown you, O [people of God], what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. — Micah 6:8 NIV

Jesus replaces the temple with His people—so we can love Him, walk with Him, and be a blessing to the nations.

Pastor Jon Verwey

46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road.

47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!”

50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road. — Mark 10:46–52 NLT

Faith is seeing and believing who Jesus is, trusting that He can and will act, and humbly coming to Him—pushing through to reach Him and following wherever He leads.

…Jesus, Son of David… v. 47b

…threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus v. 50

…Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! v. 47b

“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him… v. 48

…he only shouted louder… v. 48

…he followed Jesus down the road v. 52b (NLT)

…followed him on the way. v. 52b (ESV)

…If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. — Mark 8:34 NLT

Faith is seeing and believing who Jesus is, trusting that He can and will act, and humbly coming to Him—pushing through to reach Him and following wherever He leads.

[NOTE: when you put these questions on the screen reveal them one at a time, but keep the previous question on the screen.]

Where are you having a hard time believing who Jesus really is?

Where are you not trusting Him?

Where are you pulling back in fear when you know you need to press in toward Jesus?

Where is life getting loud—where other voices, pressures, or circumstances are trying to silence you—and instead of crying out, you’ve grown quiet?

Where are you choosing to sit by the road— instead of getting up and following Him where He is leading you?