The Power and Authority of God

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

The Power and Authority of God

Date: May. 27, 2016

Passage

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.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 11:21

And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”

First, the withered fig tree (20-21). The next morning the disciples saw that the fig tree had withered from the roots. Peter exclaimed, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" There was much more to this than maybe Peter realized at the time. The withered tree was a prophetic symbol of the judgment that would fall upon Jerusalem. On the way to the cross Jesus said to the women, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children." Judgment came upon Jerusalem because they rejected Jesus, their Savior and King.

Second, faith and prayer (22-25). In cursing the fig tree, Jesus exercised the power and authority of God. And now Jesus shared with his disciples how they could do the same through prayer. God works through the prayers of his people and the impossible becomes possible. But for our prayers to be effective, we must have faith in God. He is the object of our hope and confidence. And then, as we pray, we must not doubt his ability or will to do whatever we ask for in His name. We must also

free ourselves of any grudges that we have against others. God uses such prayer to bear fruit in our lives.

Prayer: Father, thank you for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Help us to grow in faith and prayer so that we may bear much fruit and glorify His name.

One Word: Pray and believe!

Joseph Before Pharaoh

Genesis 41:1-36

Key Verse: 41:28

It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do.

Today's Question

How did God create man?

See answer and references