Sermon – “Speak It and Believe It!”

Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it. 15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ” 18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. 19 When evening had come, He went out of the city. 20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

My message the titled. Speak it. And believe it. So speak it and don’t doubt. Speak it and believe that it will be marked Chapter eleven verses twelve throughtwenty four.

Now the next day. When they had come out from Bethany. He was hungry and seen from afar of fig tree having leaves. He went to. He went to see if perhaps hewould find something on it. When he came to it. He found nothing but laze for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it. Let no one ate fruit fromyou ever again. And his disciples heard it. So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in thetemple and overturned the tables of money of the money changers. And the seats of those who sold dubs. And he would not allow anyone to carry wares to thetemple. Then he taught saying is it not written. My house shall be called a house of prayer. For all nations. That’s important. Remember that for all nations. Butyou have made it a den of thieves. And describes and chief priests heard it and saw how they might destroy him. For they feared him because all the peoplewere stone age that his teachings. When. When evening had come. He went out of the city. Now in the morning as they passed by they saw the fig tree dried upfrom its roots. Non-sale and when it says it’s dried up from its roots that means the leaves are gone. It is Dr you go where you know if you go to a tree and you’vebeen the branch of it’s a live tree it’s going to bend a little bit. This was snap. Dried up in the roots. Completely dead. Drought up. Done with it away. And Peterremembered said to him Rabbi look the fig tree which you curse has withered away. So Jesus answered and said to them. Have faith in God For surely I say toyou whoever says to this mountain. Be removed and be cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart. But believes those things that he says will be done. Hewill have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you. Whatever things you ask when you. Pray be lieve that you receive them. And you will have them. Speak it.And believe it. That’s not my words Jesus just told the disciples that. Believe that you receive them say to the mountain be removed and cast in the sea if youdo not doubt it will be done. My friends. The mountain is not that mountain if you step out the door look to your right there is a mountain there is not talking aboutthe physical mountain. But the Mountain your life might be a physical ailment Demond in your life might be a crisis in your family ditch or going through yourmouth might be a struggle when your job. I don’t know what your mountain is. But you speak to that mountain a god may not remove that mountain but who helpyou through it. Who give you the strength to give you the power to get through it. And yes save my completely remove that mountain. But God will be with youthrough it.

The night that we read this chapter of Mark. I believe it was last Sunday night I’m not sure exactly what night it was. But it was late needing it was a busy day.And we had actually already went to bed. And I thought I said Honey acid. We forgot the read because I can just bring it up on the phone. It’s her Kindle so shebrought the bob or porn or Kindle and read and we discussed it. But it was late now I was tard. Quickly fell off to sleep. But I will come up in the morning. Andthat passage was on my mind so it’s sunk in I was thinking about that fig tree in. And you know Karen ass at night when why Jesus curse the fig tree. I said itwas a lesson. It’s all about a lesson is to teach the disciples a lesson. The whole passage indeed. If you read it and study it is a lesson. It could be looked at asa. Illustration of the sad spiritual condition of the Nation of Israel. At that time. Because just as a fig tree. Didn’t look promising didn’t. They looked at they lookedoff to the fig tree and looked at it and had nice fresh. Beautiful green leaves on it. Well you know Jesus was a carpenter right I mean he won the farmer he’s afarmer you know what in Fig time. I’m just I just say that kidding. Because Jesus knew. I say that jokingly. Because I assure you. When they walked out of thehouse that morning. Jesus knew that he was going to walk by a fig tree. And he was going to go too and he was in a fix on. To teach the disciples a lesson. Heknows all things. He knows when pigs season is. So I was only kidding don’t put that. Don’t put that in your nerves.

But you know that big tree looked promising didn’t it. Bunny go over to it. There’s no fruit. There’s no fruit on it. It’s fruitless.

And when he looked at the nation of Israel that day. Of that of that day. They look good from the outside didn’t. They look good.

In her religious robes and attire. But there was no fruit in him. They were empty. There was no of. We talked about them seeing. Fruit salad. There was no fruitsalad in their lives. They weren’t producing any fruit for the Kingdom of God. They were fruitless. And then we had the cleansing of the temple. The cleansing ofthe temple. Is also a lesson that reveals the inward corruption within the nation of Israel. Within the religious system of Israel. Their hearts were wicked. Theywere more concerned about receiving their share of the profits. That was taken in at the market. Then they were about the people that they were supposed to besharing God with. Because whenever they would. They would exchange the money with the money exchangers were the only money that could be received in atemple was a temple money. So people would come from their nations and they would have to exchange. Their money for the temple money to be able to buytheir wares to be able to buy the and for sacrifices. And often times they would charge them exorbitant rates. To exchange their money making a great profit offthe people. So religious leaders would get their share. And then also with the animals. Some would venture to bring their animals from the home and you know.It’s a long journey. But they would have to feed and care for their animals on the way. Often times only to get there for the priest or say well that animal has ablemish it’s not good enough you’ve got the Bob one of ours. Can anybody say a racket. They had a racket going on. So Jesus knew that within that was theywere wicked they were full of wickedness.

Full of it.

The marketplace will. Set up. Where in the court of the Gentiles. So therefore if any gentile the. Believing Gentile did come to see God and to pray. They had noplace to prove. Because they had Gentile court all filled up with the wares and tables and the the the animals and the money changers. There was no place forthem.

It should have been used for what God intended it to be used for in Isaiah fifty six six and seven. Says also the sons of the foreigner. The gentiles who joinedthemselves to the Lord to serve him. And to love the name of the Lord. To be his servants everyone who keeps from the fall in the Sabbath and holds fast mycovenants. Even them. I will bring to my holy mountain. And make them joyful in my house of prayer. There are burnt offerings and their sacrifices will beexcepted all my altar. For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.

This gentile Couper. Brothers and sister should have been a great missionary field. Instead of a market place.

Instead of being a den of thieves. It should have been a missionary field. A priest a place to go and. Wrap their arms around the brothers and sisters and tell himthat God loves you.

God’s house his temple is to be a holy place is it not. So I will ask you where does he live today.

Where does God live today. In us.

Are we not the temple. That God lives in he dwells within us the spirit wells within us.

So how should we treat these bodies. Should a not be a holy place.

You know there are those who will sell their bodies.

God help them. There are those who will do. Unthinkable things to their bodies. Through drugs and alcohol and. Many sets things. These things ought not be.Because this is a place where the Holy Spirit will dwell. We should treat these as a holy vessel given to us by God. We are created in His image.

The person of the big tree also teaches us a powerful lesson about the power of words and the principle of faith. That is associated with the words that we speak.What is this principle faith. When Romans Chapter ten verses nine and ten. It reads that if you confess.

If you confess you got to use words right. I stand up for today and say. I believe in Jesus Christ he is the son of the Living God. I just confessed to you withwords. What I believe. So that if you confess. With your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe. There is the faith. If you believe that is faith in your heart that Godhas raised him from the dead you will be saved. You will be saved. Not might be. Will be for with the heart one believes unto righteousness. And with the mouthconfession is made unto salvation.

Now back to Mark Chapter eleven. Versus twenty three and twenty four. He said first surely I say to you whoever says to this mountain. Be removed and be castin the sea and does not doubt in their heart. But believe that those things that he says will be will be done. He will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to youwhatever things you ask when you pray. Believe that you receive them. And you will have them. There is a reaction it takes place when faith in confessioncollide together.

Things happen. Believe it and receive it. So I ask you when you go from here when you begin to pray pray Father. I believe it. And I receive it. Just speak thatbecause there is power in the word that you speak. Speak I believe it. And I receive it. When you pray.

Luke seventeen nineteen and he said to them. Said to him. Arise go your way your faith has made you well. Your faith. Do we have that kind of faith.

Now by saying this. I’m not sayin that whatever things you ask for.

Not everything you ask for that you receive. That you will have. Because sometimes we pray selfishly.

It doesn’t mean that if we pray really really hard and really believe that God is obligated to answer our prayers in the way that we want to mansard. I hope you getwhat I’m saying and. He’s not going to answer no matter what because sometimes we can be selfish people. That kind of faith is not faith in God It’s faith andfaith. True faith is based. Is God based. It’s based on his word that is true faith. It’s based on His Word does pray according to his word. His Word rebuild.Reveals His will to us. The true purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven but to get God’s Will done on earth.

Nurse so many verses that reveal the importance of faith. Hebrews eleven six without faith. Is impossible to please God. Mark Levin twenty two I have faith inGod. Mark nine twenty three. All things are possible. To him that believes. Nothing is impossible for God. Hebrews eleven one. Faith gives substance to ourhopes and makes us certain of realities we do not see. There are many. Epigrams regarding faith faith sees the invisible believe the incredible and receive theimpossible. A little faith will bring your soul to heaven. A great faith will bring heaven to your soul. And a man. So it’s more than just about getting into heaven.It’s more than just getting fire insurance if you will.

It’s about getting heaven into your soul. It’s about living it. Faith is like muscles. It grow stronger with exercise. Faith is the outstretched hand. Of the soulseeking what Christ offers. Most of us. Don’t question the importance of faith.

We know that. You must have faith to please God. We know that you must believe in Jesus Christ. But some of us. Do struggle or have struggle with amount offaith. Like to have greater faith. How can I acquire more faith we may ask. Have you ever long for. More faith or greater faith.

But don’t know how to get how my going to get it. How my going to have more faith. You know we read a passage where the man said Lord help my unbelief.Have we ever been or. Don’t raise your hands. I’m just throwing that out there. If you ever said yourself I wish I had more faith because I know I’d be a betterperson.

Romans Chapter one Verse sixteen seventeen. Gives us a little insight on faith. Says for I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. For it is the power of God tosalvation. For everyone who believes. For the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it. In faith. The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. As it iswritten. The just. Shall live by faith.

There is a faith that is saving faith. Salvation. For everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. If he she is to eight we all know it For by grace. You are saved throughfaith. And that not of yourselves it is a gift of God. That is saving grace. That is faith in Him to save us from our sins. Salvation faith. The second faith is thepower giving faith. The fruitfulness. That it brings into our lives. We build on the first faith. The Salvation faith is the foundation that we build upon. The secondone a den of us. Is said to just sell live by faith.

The first faith is about assurance to second faith tells us what we can become the first faith. Deals with redemption a second deals with risk. Or you will and youhave enough faith to step out and take that risk. To speak it and believe it.

The first faith is a gift. The second is all about growth. Are you wanting to grow. Do you believe that your words can make a difference. We’ve been talking a lotabout words lately. We’re working through Jane’s in Sabbath school we’ve been talking a lot about words. Do you believe your words can make a difference. Doyou have the faith to believe your words can make a difference D.L. Moody once said. I prayed for faith. And thought that some day would come down and strikeme like lightning. If anybody ever thought. It’s not going to happen that way friends. But Fate doesn’t seem to come. He said One day I read in Romans that faithcomes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. He said I had up to this time close my body one prayed for faith. He says not I open my Bible and Gantbegan to study in faith has been growing ever sence.

That’s the challenge frogs. Open your Bible and study in faith will grow. That’s how it increases. Faith comes in it grows by hearing. By reading.

It can grow. But it ain’t going to. It’s. And I’m sorry. It’s not. It’s not going to grow. I’ve got this. That’s the farmer in me. Hey they got to grow. It’s not going togrow if we don’t open this thing up. We can’t leave it close if we want our faith to grow. A man

speak to the circumstances in your lives take authority over them. In the name of Jesus Christ.

The fig tree proves that there is power in the words. There can be power in our words because you’re filled with the Holy Spirit of God Jesus spoke to the tree. Letno fruit. Let no one eat from you ever again. His disciples heard they were supposed to hear it because it’s about. Lessons lessons lessons lessons. That’s whatit was about.

Again he says to his disciples I tell you. If anyone says to the mountain go throw yourself into the sea. And does not doubt the believes in his heart. That whathe says will happen. It will be done.

Second Carette the instead in words as three through five says. For though we walk in the flesh. We do not. War after the flesh. For the weapons are. Of ourwarfare are not carnal. But mighty. Through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalted itself against theknowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to do beatings of Christ.

It’s interesting it mentions that knowledge of God. Again if we want our faith to grow we need to have the knowledge of God. We need to get into His Word weneed to discuss his word talk about his word. Who does not want to in the Word of God. That’s right. More the reason we should be there. Because he doesn’twant to say there because he knows the more they are in the word. The more your faith is going to grow. And he doesn’t like that because then he knows that hehas no power and no authority over you.

So today I say. Speak it and believe it don’t doubt. Speak it. And believe that you have what you asked for. That God’s will be done. Take authority over thecircumstances in your lives. Do not doubt. Speak life. Because there is power in your words. Speak hope. Speak health. Speaking courage meant.

We shouldn’t speak death. And discouragement and despair. Speak life.

He is the life. Speak his name. And have power in his name Amen. Amen.