I’m coming close to finishing my series on Mark-The Servant King. The final 5 sermons will cover chapters 11-16. This week’s message begins what is often called “Passion Week” found in chapter 11.
I’ve decided to divide this chapter into 2 sections: True Worship and True Faith.
The first includes Jesus as He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. I’m going to include a quote from a man by the name of Steve Lambert which shows the difference between Jesus entering Jerusalem and Mohammad entering Mecca. Since it a bit long for this post, I’m going to begin next week with it. I hope you will make your way back here to see that quote. Meanwhile, as Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the people were yelling Hosanna (which means “Save Now!”) and laying palm branches on the ground. Sadly, they were not praising Jesus because He was the Messiah. They were not pleading for salvation from sin but for blessing, prosperity, and deliverance from Roman rule. I’ll let you make your own application to how that applies to today’s “religious” people.
The second is Jesus’ incident with the fig tree that had leaves but no fruit. It is not easily understood by many because it seems harsh. A tree with leaves but no figs. Why was it cursed to a life of never bearing fruit? I hope to explain that during this part of the message.
Hudson Taylor, the great missionary of another time, once said,
God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on Him.
May our faith always be the kind that trusts and forgives like Jesus did. Check us out Sunday in person or online at 9 and 10:45. I’d love to have you visit with us. If not, please pray.
If all goes as expected, I will “be” there, Bill!
Blessings!
Thanks Martha. I was in Ohio and it wouldn’t let me access my blog so I could approve your comment. sorry it has taken me several days.
I find it refreshing to hear a passage usually reserved for Easter time taught in September.
it was different for sure. Thanks Linda
There is never a bad time to be reminded of the time before the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. God knows I am weak and am reminded often of that fact when I fail at trusting Him through something. I use to think they could come a time here on earth that I would be mature enough to never have weak faith. I did not understand how weak faith shows up in ways I never expected. Thanks God He never gets tired of helping me grow.
So true Betty! I have a saying I use: I will never arrive. If I think I will I won’t.