AN ANGRY KING

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Mark 11:12-26 NASB

¹² On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. ¹³ Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. ¹⁴ He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.

¹⁵ Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; ¹⁶ and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. ¹⁷ And He began to teach and say 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 robbers’ den.” ¹⁸ The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.

¹⁹ When evening came, they would go out of the city.

²⁰ As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. ²¹ Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.” ²² And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. ²³ Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. ²⁴ Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. ²⁵ Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. ²⁶ [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”]

OUTLINE

• Cursing a Tree 11:12-14
• Crashing a Temple 11:15-18
• Challenging a Team 11:19-26

QUESTIONS

1. Since the garden of Eden, we have sought to cover our shortcomings, failures and sin. Why do we continue to do this when we know that there is nothing hidden from His sight? Who do we think we are actually fooling? In what ways do you hide?
2. What things, habits, attitudes and actions are there in your life that hinder your fruitfulness for Him?
3. Why is the church the One place on earth where we can deal openly and honestly with our sin, shame and shortcomings? Do you feel that kind of freedom and grace to share? What fears and experiences have kept you hiding? How have you experienced the Gospel’s freedom in those areas?
4. What barriers does our life or our church put up that would hinder those who are looking for help and hope in Jesus? How do you take the next step in obedience and repentance? How do you hope to contribute to those looking for help and hope in Christ?