<p> HAVE FAITH IN GOD</p><p>Mark 11:20-25 Key Verse: 22</p><p>1. Read verses 20-21. As Jesus and his disciples walked along, what did Peter notice? </p><p>Peter noticed the withered fig tree. Peter also noticed Jesus’ power in action.</p><p>Why was he surprised? </p><p>Peter did not see Jesus as Lord of Creation. So he was surprised when his word was powerful enough to kill a fully grown tree. This happened because when Jesus speaks things happen. God made the creation with his word.</p><p>How is this event connected to the cleansing of the temple?</p><p>Jesus went into the temple and cleansed it of those who were buying and selling. The tree was a representation of his judgment on the temple. Just as the tree withered, the temple eventually was destroyed. Those who do not produce fruit, will wither. Through service to God we flourish.</p><p>2. Read verses 22-23. How did Jesus respond? </p><p>Jesus wasn’t surprised at this happening. Jesus wanted to teach his disciples to have faith in God. Not an abstract faith – but a definite faith. Jesus planted faith whenever he had a chance – this was the character of Jesus ministry.</p><p>Why did he command them to have faith in God? </p><p>The word of God is powerful. Only the word of God changes lives and the environment around us. So Jesus wanted them to trust in the Word of God and not their own power. Jesus wanted them not to be “leaves of the tree.” Not to trust in the size of the temple – not the strength of the country.</p><p>What did Jesus teach them about faith and power?</p><p>He taught them, if you believe and do not doubt, it will happen. Even throwing a mountain into the sea. Those who have faith have power to overcome, those without faith cannot overcome or defeat even little obstacles. 3. What does it mean to have faith in God? </p><p>Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”</p><p>To have faith in God, I think means to know God and know his characteristics and his personality. When we know him personally, we know what he is capable of. To have faith in God also means to trust Him first, and trust him to do the impossible, the things that are beyond our own human abilities.</p><p>Why must faith challenge human limits?</p><p>Because for faith to be real, faith must grow. No one prays for what he already has. Faith must challenge human limits, because it is not within our limits to change ourselves and our nature.</p><p>4. Read verse 24. What is the connection between faith and prayer? </p><p>“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” When you have faith that God will grant your prayer, you ask him in prayer. If not you don’t ask.</p><p>Why must one who has faith pray? </p><p>Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”</p><p>Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”</p><p>This is a natural extension – God is a personal god. He wants to talk and interact with us.</p><p>Why must one who prays have faith? </p><p>Prayer and faith are two wheels on a bicycle. You must have one to have the other. Otherwise nothing of spiritual significance will happen. Though God knows all the situations we are in, he wants his disciples to ask Him in prayer.</p><p>Why must we overcome doubt? </p><p>Doubt then is the weapon of the devil and it kills faith, and kills the sense of prayer. Doubt is a constant attacker. Like what happened to Adam and Eve in the garden. How can we?</p><p>By knowing the Lord, and praying for his people and seeing prayers come true. Reading about his people and seeing his work all over the world can change us to defeat doubt. God is always helping us to have faith. Through repentance we also can fight doubt and grow in faith.</p><p>5. Read verse 25. What hinders prayer? </p><p>When we have personal grudges against others, bitterness, this hinders our prayer life.</p><p>Why? </p><p>Because the offending incident triggers our sense of justice. We as humans don’t have faith that God will take care of it so we become bitter, and lose faith in God. Faith teaches us Jesus’ love, doubt, just the opposite. </p><p>What can we do about those who have hurt us with real or imagined wrongs? </p><p>The Bible says to forgive that person, so the channel of prayer can be re-opened. Humanly that is impossible, but by prayer and time, we can forgive a person. Forgiveness is not forgetting, but saying, I will no longer base my interaction with you based on this past occurrence. Only through faith can it be done. Only through the blood of Jesus Christ. </p><p>Why did Jesus make forgiveness a condition for receiving God's forgiveness?</p><p>Because we are forgiven by Jesus unconditionally, so we must turn and forgive others. Grace and mercy we receive must flow through us, otherwise we really didn’t receive it in the first place. In the end the forgiveness of Jesus solves our inner problems.</p>