Mark 11:15-18

• Jesus knew where to ASSERT HIS AUTHORITY.
• Jesus knew how to DISPLAY HIS AUTHORITY.
• Jesus knew why he needed to AFFIRM HIS AUTHORITY.

1. The PATH before hime was PAINFUL, but he WALKED it anyway.

2. The crowds PRAISED him, but he still maintained his BALANCE.

- He planned the parade during the Passover Week.

-He deliberately fulfilled prophecy.

-He accepted the praise of these people.

3. Jesus was attacked by his ENEMIES, but he still moved forward with his MISSION.

4. He was motivated by LOVE, but he was still realistic in his UNDERSTANDING OF PEOPLE.

Series: Extreme Faith

Text: Hebrews 11:35; 1 Kings 17:1-24

Hebrews 11:35

The Story you __________ shapes the person you _____________ .

Encountering Suffering Forces us to ask God some tough questions. 

QUESTION 1: How do we trust God when His story leads to seasons of _____________ ?

1 Kings 17:1b “As certainly as the Lord God of Israel lives (whom I serve), there will be no dew or rain in the years ahead unless I give the command.”

ANSWER 1.1:  _____________  our _____________ 

Ephesians 6:12

Picture of autosterogram: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereogram#/media/File:Stereogram_Tut_Random_Dot_Shark.png

1 Kings 17:3-4

ANSWER 1.2:  Do not  _____________ 

QUESTION 2: How do we trust God when his story _____________  the _____________ ?

1 Kings 17:12

Answer 2: God uses the  _____________ for his _____________ 

1 Kings 17:13-14 

QUESTION 3: How do we trust God when His story leads to _____________  ?

1 Kings 17-20

Answer 3: Anchor ourselves to _____________ 

Extreme Faith moves us from “Why , God?” to “Why  me, God?”

1. All people are IMPERFECT ...so expect some DISAPPOINTMENT.

2. Have a HIGH ADVERSITY QUOTIENT in your relationships.

3. Have a TOTAL TRUST in Jesus Christ.

The STORY you believe...
                      ...shapes the PERSON you become!
1. God has a reason for EVERY COMMAND.

2. You won't always understand what GOD'S PURPOSE IS.

3. But we OBEY ANYWAY.

Jesus may call you. to risk:

1. Risk Your Security.

2. Risk Your Livelihood.

3. Risk Your LIFE.

Abraham demonstrated Extreme Fatih by. . . 

1. Responding to God's Invitation
2. Waiting for his Inheritance 
3. Expecting the Impossible

"It's God's job to provide...
It's our job to trust"

The episode explores how the stories we believe in shape our identities and actions, focusing specifically on Abraham from Hebrews 11. It reflects on the importance of obedience, waiting for God’s promises, and living a faith-filled life that impacts others. 
• The power of story shapes identity and actions 
• Coca-Cola versus Pepsi as a metaphor for compelling narratives 
• Abraham's radical obedience to God's invitation 
• The significance of waiting for God's promises 
• Yielding to God's will and its implications for others 
• The story of Abraham and Isaac as a foundation of faith 
• Trusting in God’s character and provision 
• Encouragement to align with faith-filled narratives for transformation 

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"

He answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.""

"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied.

"Do this and you will live."

Luke 10:25-28

Love God

Love People

"Well then, who is my neighbor?"

God wanted to IDENTIFY with us in our STRUGGLES.

God wanted to set an EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY for us to follow.

God wanted to DEMONSTRATE HIS POWER.

God wanted to make a statement of INCREDIBLE LOVE FOR YOU.

1. Indications of the wise men's HUMILITY.
They were INTELLIGENT and yet, TEACHABLE.
They were WEALTHY and yet, SPIRITUALLY SENSITIVE.
They were from an advanced CULTURE, but they were still interested in FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
They were MEN and yet they STOPPED AND ASKED FOR DIRECTIONS.
They were GROWN ADULTS and yet they worshipped a LITTLE CHILD.
2. Indications of the ARROGANCE PRIDE of Herod.
Pride is always COMPETITIVE.
Pride is often DECEPTIVE.
Pride is ultimately VINDICTIVE.
3. The take-home lesson of this event is to HUMBLE YOURSELF.