Sermons on Mark 11:12-17:

Praying Through A Pandemic

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 2, 2021

The church ought to pray with great expectation because (1) God sees our trials, (2) God hears our prayers (3) and God will take care of our enemies.

Acts 12:5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” The graphic scene of Acts 12 is not strange to the Church. The church has always faced opposition. Since its inception, the devil has been trying to stop the church and even to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:5-25, Luke 18:1, Luke 21:36, Mark 11:17

Denomination: Methodist

Lent 2021 - Jesus Cleansing The Temple Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 27, 2021

On the final week before the crucifixion Jesus came to the temple and cleared those who were turning the place into a wicked market and bank. Does He have permission to enter into the temple of our spirits and do the same thing?

Cleansing The Temple Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:3-5 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” And our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-18, Leviticus 12:1-8, Luke 2:22-24, Leviticus 25:1-7, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Isaiah 56:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Lent 2021 - Jesus And The Barren Fig Tree Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 6, 2021

The account of Jesus and the unfruitful fig tree is one that surprisingly connects with the spiritual condition of the Jews in Jesus' time and with our spiritual conditions as well. May we bear much fruit for the Lord and bring glory to His Name!

Jesus and the Barren Fig Tree Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:3-5 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-25, Deuteronomy 27:15-19, Jeremiah 17:5, Malachi 1:14, Galatians 5:22-23, John 15:5-8, Philippians 1:9-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

The Barren Fig Tree Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 2, 2018

Jesus approached a fig tree expecting to find fruit, but it only had leaves. While it looked promising from a distance, looks were deceiving. Are we bearing fruit or just showing pretty leaves and blooms?

The Barren Fig Tree Mark 11: 12-14; 20-21 Our text today follows Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. He had begun what most consider the Passion Week, the final days leading up to His crucifixion on Calvary’s hill. Most agree these events would have taken place on Monday morning of that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Cleansing The Temple Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 9, 2018

As Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly, He entered the Temple, considering what He saw. Being displeased with much that was going on, He returned on Monday to set His Father's house in order.

Cleansing the Temple Mark 11: 15-19 In our last study we discussed Jesus cursing the fig tree as He made His way to Jerusalem. While this was a physical act, it had spiritual implications. Jesus cursed the fig tree as He and the disciples were headed to the Temple on what most agree was Monday ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:15-19

Denomination: Baptist

Alive - But Not Productive

Contributed by Bryan Beverly on Jan 29, 2019

This sermon examines why Jesus cursed the fig tree, and what that means for followers of Christ.

INTRODUCTION A while back, I visited an old family friend. This person had not seen me for a long time. Let me reenact our encounter (place and then slowly take off cap). The reason why my friend’s voice trailed off at the end is because my afro had taken an extended vacation. Oh mind you, my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:18-19, Mark 11:12-14, Luke 13:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Monday - Cursing Fig Trees And Cleansing Temples Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 7, 2022

On Monday of Jesus' final week of earthly life, he cursed the fig tree and cleansed the temple. Both activities symbolized God's judgment on the fruitless religion of Israel. As disciple of Christ, we must be faithful and fruitful, and not cause others to stumble.

A. Years ago, I decided to “edjumacate” myself by reading all the classic novels. 1. I decided to start with Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby Dick. 2. I didn’t get very far, because I just couldn’t take long chapter after long chapter describing the whaling harpoon – you can only say so much ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-19, Mark 9:42, Titus 1:10-11, Romans 16:17-18, John 15:5-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fruit Or Foliage

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 2, 2022

In this very mobile age, there are many modes of transportation we may pick from.

For example: -We can travel by car, boat, airplane, or bus. One of the most exciting and fastest ways of travel is by airplane. We can be here today and be literally thousands of miles away in only a matter of a few short hours. It may be a different matter when it comes to our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

In Times Like These

Contributed by Larry Grant on Apr 3, 2022

When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, He went to the Temple and looked around. When Jesus visited the Temple the next day, He saw some things that He didn’t like and gives us insight on the church today. They knew Jesus was in town and yet it changed nothing!

Luke 19:45-48 IN TIMES LIKE THESE April 3, 2022 Intro: Just the day before, Jesus had presented Himself to the people in Jerusalem, as their King and as their Messiah, in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. “Thy King is coming… riding on a donkey.” The people praised Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:45-48, Mark 11:15-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Withered Fig Tree.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 17, 2022

Today’s passage brings together two events which are not unrelated to each other: the cleansing of the Temple, and the withering of the fig tree. Both are figurative of the state and changing status of the old Jewish faith at the dawn of the gospel era.

THE WITHERED FIG TREE. Mark 11:12-33. I. The Barren Fig Tree. Mark 11:12-14; Mark 11:20-26. As we see Jesus approaching the fig tree (Mark 11:12-13), we need to recollect that Jesus is God. The fig tree is a well-known symbol of Israel: ‘every man under his vine and his fig tree’ (cf. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Miracle In The Middle Series

Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Apr 18, 2022

We find Jesus and His disciples in the middle today. There was a lot going on the Monday after Triumphal entry. It all happened in the middle, today I want to speak on the Miracle In The Middle.

INTRODUCTION: A lot of things happen in the middle. For Example : Here is a simple fact: In order to come out of something, you first must go in. In order to get out of bed, you first must get in bed; To get out of the car, you have to get into the car; To get out of the room, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus And The Temple

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 13, 2018

Why did Jesus lose His temper in the Temple when He saw the traders and money changers there? The context explains everything - they were on the take! Jesus was a danger to their profits and had to go.

The temple John 2:13-25 The reading we have just heard from John's gospel might seem rather strange especially as it is at the start of his gospel; but ironically the synoptic gospels have this incident in the temple at the start of His last week just after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem - ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-25, Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-46

Why Did Jesus Die?

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 24, 2018

Jesus died a very brutal death and Christian know that by his death we have life. But at the time what were the charges that the Jews had to warrant death and why did they pass Jesus over to the Romans to do their dirty work?

Why did Jesus Die? The ministry of Jesus lasted just over 3 years and we have the gospels that relate and record that ministry. A wealth of material to guide our Christian living, to offer us hope and to give us a strong faith. And yet out of all the gospels that last week of Jesus predominates, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:19-27, Mark 11:9-18, 1 Kings 1:32-40, Mark 12:1-12, Isaiah 5:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Blessings And Judgements – The Symbolism Of The Fig Tree

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 26, 2021

The fig tree event as Jesus walked to Jerusalem can be viewed allegorically as the balance between blessings and judgment. The FRUIT is the blessings and we certainly can always use blessings.

Blessings and Judgements – The Symbolism of the Fig Tree Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Mark 11:12-14 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 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-14

Denomination: United Methodist

Why Are You Cooking Chili?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Nov 2, 2021

How many events and programs does the church hold that do NOT make disciples for Christ? Resources should be directed to the mission - making disciples for Christ.

Why are you cooking chili? Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Mark 11:15-19 The Temple leaders allowed vendors to set up inside the Temple. A good question for that time would have been why did the Temple authorities allow the money changers and vendors into the outer court. The merchants could have ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:15-19

Denomination: United Methodist