Scripture:
Mark 11:20-25 ESV
[20] 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.”
Observation:
I guess we have stumbled onto a sermon series, so to speak. The day before the time pointed out in these verses, the LORD Jesus walked by this very same fig tree expecting to get some figs from it when HE saw there were none he cursed the tree and walked away. In HIS heart, HE knew what was going to happen. It would wither and dry up never to produce fruit again. HIS disciples, however, were a little surprised by the fact that it actually happened. The next day, as they walked by the tree, seeing it all dry and withered Peter said to Jesus look teacher…the tree you cursed is dead. As any good teacher would, Jesus saw a teaching moment for Peter and the other men and answered Peter. Have faith in GOD. “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 what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” I think the important part of that verse has nothing to do with the mountain…it’s more about heart posture. Jesus’s statement at the end is the key and forces us to take a look at do we really believe what we ask for can happen. In other words, how big is GOD? HE continues with his statement. “Therefore, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Again, there is that word believe. It’s like everything hinges on it. It’s all throughout the New Testament. It has to be a key to all of this. However, another key is in the last verse we are going to look at this morning. When you stand praying. Make sure your heart is in the right place. Clean and in right standing with the father. Forgiving the ones who hurt you so that you are forgiven by your heavenly father.
Application:
Let’s focus on one word for a minute doubt. I bet you thought I was going to say belief, and we will discuss that one as well, but I think it’s important to look at one of the reasons that our prayers might not get answered. It’s all about the position of our hearts. Some of us believe GOD can, but question if HE will do it for us, and some of us throw up half-hearted prayers hoping that HE hears them. Others may have something against a brother in Christ that they are harboring a resentment against. Unwilling to forgive. I believe our hearts and our posture toward GOD are very important. When we stand in prayer, let us stand in love. Ok, so that one was a freebie. The real question is, how big is GOD? Is HE big enough to handle ALL your problems? Or are there some you doubt HE will take care of. Seeds of doubt are small. In fact, all seeds start out small. But even a little bit of doubt can cause big problems when it comes to whether or not your prayer will get answered. Over the last 8 years, I have learned how important it is to have your heart in the right position when bringing prayers to the throne room of the Almighty GOD. I mean, how big is HE honestly… He either can or HE can’t, but all that settles on one question: Do you truly believe that HE can? If, in fact, you do believe it is your heart in the right position to receive it? Are you living with a clean slate in a repentant state? Forgive others showing the same grace you have been given? I know that GOD is bigger than anything I face today. I know that not only because HIS word tells me so but because I have seen firsthand HIS transforming power in my life and the lives of others around me. Let me tell you if you have big problems, you have a very small GOD. But if you have a big GOD, you have very small problems. HE is not just enough HE is way more than enough. You may be one of those who believe that HE can…but you question why would HE do it for you? Well, I might ask you why wouldn’t HE? If GOD is for you? If you are indeed a child of the one true king, why would HE not do it for you. HE wants you to take HIM off the shelf and out of the box. BELIEVE for the impossible. When HE says HE will move mountains for you, HE will I have seen it in my life. I am married to the wife of my dreams due to a mountain that GOD moved for me. Do you believe that HE will for you, or are you giving HIM a back door? Saying stuff like oh I know HE can, but?” Or I saw HIM do it for them, but my story is different. Doubt is dangerous. If you believe that HE can move mountains and you pray for that mountain to be moved, let your faith grab a shovel. My point is that belief produces action.
Prayer:
Father, some of us may struggle. Whether or not you will do the same for us that you have done for others. Your word tells us that if we ask without doubt, in our hearts, that you will. Father, we believe that your word is completely true. You are Almighty. There is nothing you can’t do. Help us to believe that you will do it for us. However impossible it may look to us however big it might seem. We know you are way bigger than our problems. You are bigger than anything we face. Help us to keep our hearts right with you. Loving all and forgiving all. We want nothing in the way of our relationship with you. We know that we are just a small part of your plan. However, we are part of your plan, and we matter to you. You want to show us your face, and we want to see it. Father, we believe… help our unbelief…in the mighty name of Jesus, I pray amen.