Power Struggle (Mark 11:27-33)

February 7, 2010

I.     Who's in charge here, vv. 27-29?
A.     This is Tuesday of the Passion Week.
     1.     Early morning: withered fig tree and discussion of faith.
     2.     Jesus cleared the temple the day before.
B.     Jewish leaders were responsible to oversee temple activities.
     1.     They felt threatened by Jesus' actions and teachings.
                a.     What kind of authority did He have? (credentials)
                b.     Who gave Him the authority? (chain of command)
     2.     In truth, they were looking for a way to discredit Jesus.
II.     The connection between John's ministry and Jesus, vv. 30-33.
     A.     Jesus was not evading the question.
          1.     Using counter-questions was a common form of debate.
          2.     Jesus wanted to show the heart attitudes of the leaders.
      B.     Understanding what John had to say, Matthew 3:7-12.
          1.     John exposed the attitudes of the leaders, vv. 7-8.
               a.     Focus on heart issues: repentance and baptism.
               b.     The leaders' lives did not reflect true hearts.
          2.     John pointed toward Jesus as the Messiah, vv. 11-12.
     C.     The leaders found themselves in a dangerous dilemma.
          1.     If John's ministry was truly from God (heaven):
               a.     Why were the leaders' lives not changed?
               b.     They would agree that Jesus was the Messiah.
          2.     If John's ministry was not from God:
               a.     There would be no proof that Jesus was the Messiah.
               b.     The crowds might turn against the leaders.
          3.     Choosing not to answer showed they did not seek truth.
III.     What can we learn from this story?
A.     The matter of power and control is often a problem in church.
     1.     Our nature is to want things our way.
     2.     We need to see the church as the body of Christ.
          a.     Jesus is the head: He controls everything.
          b.     Love others as much as we love ourselves.

Personal Challenges
1.     Help the body of Christ grow this week.
     a.     Read and meditate on 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.
     b.     What is your place in the body (the church)?
     c.     What can you do to encourage someone else to grow spiritually?
2.     Do you know God in a personal relationship?