November 11-15

"And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'" – Mark 11:9 (ESV)

What Makes Jesus Mad? Meaningless Praise
Badger Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin was packed. Over 60,000 University of Wisconsin fans were watching their beloved football team take a beating by Michigan State. What seemed odd was that as the score became more and more lopsided bursts of cheers kept being heard in the stands. Some people began to wonder who these strange people were who were cheering while their team was being pummeled. As it turns out, seventy miles away from Badger stadium the Milwaukee Brewers were beating the St. Louis Cardinals in game three of the World Series. Many of the Badger fans in the stands were listening to portable radios and responding to something else besides what was happening right in front of their eyes. (Lou Nicholes - Missionary/Author).

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, people shouted praise, declaring Him King. But this praise was shallow; many people had misunderstood His mission. By week’s end, some who had celebrated Him would call for His crucifixion. This passage challenges us to examine our own “praises.” Do we honor Jesus with words but fail to align our lives with His heart?
Pastor Jim reminded us that like the people in Jerusalem, we can go through the motions in our worship without genuinely connecting with Christ. Do we praise Him only when it’s convenient or when we expect blessings in return? True worship isn’t just about words or rituals; it’s about a heart transformed by His presence and committed to following Him, even when the crowd isn’t cheering.

Reflection Questions:
1. Are there ways I honor Jesus outwardly but fail to seek Him deeply?
2. How can I ensure my worship is more than just words?

Suggested Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for times when I have worshiped You only out of habit or expectation. Help me to worship with a sincere heart that longs to know You more. May my praise be real and rooted in a love that honors You with my actions. Amen.

"And he said to it, 'May no one ever eat fruit from you again.' And his disciples heard it." – Mark 11:14 (ESV)

What Makes Jesus Mad? Fruitless Living: A Lesson About Fruit
A little boy used to escape his bedroom after being punished. He would crawl out of his bedroom window down an old fruit tree to the ground. One day, he overheard his father telling a neighbor that he was going to chop down the fruit tree because it hadn’t borne any fruit for some years. That evening, the boy and his friend bought a bushel of apples, and during the night, tied those apples on the barren branches. The next morning, the man could not believe his eyes. He said to his wife, "Honey, I just can’t believe it! That old tree hasn’t yielded any fruit for years, and now it’s covered with apples. And, the most amazing thing is that it’s a pear tree!" (source unknown)

The fig tree in Mark 11, lush with leaves but fruitless, symbolizes the emptiness of a life that looks good on the outside but lacks true spiritual vitality. Jesus desires more than religious appearances or good intentions — He calls us to bear fruit that comes from a deep relationship with Him.

In our lives, are we like the fig tree, appearing faithful but bearing little fruit? True spiritual growth is marked by transformation and action, not merely attendance or outward signs. God isn’t interested in religious performance; He desires hearts that produce love, kindness, and obedience through His Spirit.

Reflection Questions:
1. Is there an area of my life that looks healthy outwardly but lacks genuine fruit?
2. How can I deepen my relationship with Jesus to produce lasting fruit?

Suggested Prayer:
Lord, help me to live a life that bears real, lasting fruit. Teach me to grow in love and obedience to You, that others may see Your work in me. May I not settle for appearances, but seek genuine transformation through Your Spirit. Amen.

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." – Mark 11:24 (ESV)

What Makes Jesus Mad? Fruitless Living: A Lesson About Faith
Uncle Oscar was apprehensive about his first airplane ride. His friends, eager to hear how it went, asked if he enjoyed the flight. “Well,” commented Uncle Oscar, “it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be, but I’ll tell you this. I never did put all my weight down!”

In teaching about faith, Jesus emphasizes the importance of “putting all our weight down.” This means believing in God’s power and goodness when we pray. Faith that trusts and believes, even in the unseen, produces results. But Jesus also warns that harboring unforgiveness hinders our prayers, reminding us that faith must be accompanied by love and forgiveness.

How often do we approach God with half-hearted prayers, unsure if He will answer? True faith believes in God’s faithfulness, even when circumstances seem impossible. And by releasing resentment and forgiving others, we open our hearts fully to God’s blessings.

Reflection Questions:
1. Do I truly believe in the power of my prayers, or are there areas where I am not “putting my full weight down”?
2. Is there someone I need to forgive to clear any obstacles in my relationship with God?

Suggested Prayer:
Father, increase my faith. Help me to believe in Your power to move mountains, and teach me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. May my prayers be full of trust and my heart free of resentment. Amen.

"And he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons." – Mark 11:15 (ESV)

What Makes Jesus Mad? Worthless Religion
Several years ago, a well-known church experienced controversy. To make a difference in the community, they began promoting various initiatives but quickly realized that their messages were more about self-promotion than true service. The church started selling branded merchandise — everything from coffee mugs to bumper stickers — encouraging people to “spread the word” by advertising the church itself. But for many, this seemed to dilute the heart of the gospel. What started as a well-intentioned idea became a brand strategy. Eventually, church members questioned if this emphasis on the church “brand” was overshadowing their actual calling to serve God humbly. The leaders had to pause, reflect, and ultimately refocus on the reason they gathered in the first place: to worship and serve, not just to “market” themselves.

This story reminds us that it’s easy to slip into a mindset where we prioritize image or success over the sincere practice of faith. In Mark 11, Jesus saw this in the temple courts, where people were turning worship into a means for personal gain. He responded by overturning tables — not in a fit of rage, but out of a desire for purity in His Father’s house.

Jesus’ anger toward the money changers shows that He is deeply grieved when the essence of worship is lost to pride, gain, or routine. We can sometimes slip into similar patterns. Like the leaders in the story, we may need to ask ourselves if any “tables” in our lives or in our Second Church family need to be overturned — anything that’s come between us and true, humble worship.

Reflection Questions:
1. Are there parts of my faith that have become routine or self-centered rather than relational?
2. How can I make my worship more genuine and focused on God?

Suggested Prayer:
Lord, cleanse my heart of any motives that distract from true worship. May my heart’s desire be simply to love and serve You. Teach me to worship in spirit and truth, seeking Your approval above all else. Amen.

"And they said to Jesus, 'By what authority are you doing these things?'" – Mark 11:27 (ESV)

What Makes Jesus Mad? Useless Debates
In the early 2000s, two well-known theologians engaged in a highly publicized debate about the meaning of certain theological concepts. Their arguments were compelling, and each presented powerful points. But as the discussion continued, it became less about understanding the truth and more about defending their reputations. People took sides, turning it into a spectacle. The debates drew attention but failed to promote the gospel meaningfully. Years later, one of the theologians admitted that, in hindsight, he regretted the way the debate had turned into a divisive issue, distracting from the love and mission of Jesus. This debate became an example of how even well-intentioned discussions can devolve into something fruitless when the goal becomes winning instead of seeking truth.

This story resonates with what Jesus encountered in Mark 11. The religious leaders questioned Jesus, not out of a desire to understand, but to trap and discredit Him. Their focus was on protecting their own positions rather than seeking to understand God’s truth. Pastor Jim reminded us that in our own lives, debates, and discussions about faith can sometimes distract us from living out our beliefs. While there is a place for healthy discussion, we need to remember that our actions speak louder than arguments. Rather than seeking to win debates, Jesus calls us to be examples of His grace and love.

Reflection Questions:
1. Do I sometimes focus too much on proving a point rather than living out my faith?
2. How can I approach discussions about faith with humility and love?
Suggested Prayer:
Lord, help me to avoid distractions that pull me from You. May my life and actions speak of Your love louder than any words I say. Teach me to value unity and humility, focusing on following You above all. Amen.