
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Why did Jesus curse the fig tree in Mark 11? In Message 13 of the "Follow Me" series through the Gospel of Mark, we examine one of the most misunderstood moments in the Gospels. Discover why genuine discipleship goes far beyond religious appearance—and what kind of fruit Jesus expects to find when He examines our lives up close.
Watch the full sermon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NItH8ON1z50
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📖 SERMON SUMMARY
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
As Jesus journeyed toward Jerusalem, Mark records a simple yet profound detail: "He was hungry." In His full humanity (the hypostatic union), Jesus identifies with our weakness, struggles, and daily needs as our sympathetic High Priest (Hebrews 4:15).
When Jesus approaches a fig tree full of leaves, He expects to find fruit. In ancient Israel, fig trees developed early buds before leaves; having leaves promised that fruit was present. Finding none, Jesus curses the tree—not out of anger at nature, but as a prophetic warning (the "Markan sandwich" framing the cleansing of the Temple) against spiritual hypocrisy: having the appearance of life without the reality of fruit.
In this message, explore the three distinct fruits Jesus expects from every true follower who abides in Him (John 15:5):
1. The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) – A Christlike character formed by remaining connected to the Vine, not manufactured by human flesh.
2. The Fruit of Good Works (Colossians 1:10) – Saved not BY good works, but FOR good works through serving, generosity, compassion, and obedience.
3. The Fruit of Praise (Hebrews 13:15) – Continually offering a sacrifice of praise regardless of circumstances, plans, or seasons.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
⏱️ CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
[00:00:00] Welcome & Sunday Worship
[00:01:39] Scripture Reading: Mark 11:12–14
[00:02:35] Series Context: The Call of a Disciple
[00:04:44] "He Was Hungry": The True Humanity of Jesus
[00:06:58] The Sympathetic High Priest (Hebrews 4:15)
[00:09:32] The Context of the Fig Tree in Leaf
[00:15:15] Why Jesus Expects to Find Fruit (John 15:5)
[00:18:05] 1. The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)
[00:25:35] 2. The Fruit of Good Works (Colossians 1:10)
[00:30:45] 3. The Fruit of Praise (Hebrews 13:15)
[00:36:45] The "Markan Sandwich": The Fig Tree & The Temple
[00:40:05] Appearance vs. Reality: A Warning Against Hypocrisy
[00:41:45] Up Close: What Fruit Would God Find in Your Life?
[00:43:05] Closing Prayer & Response
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📜 KEY SCRIPTURES
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
• Mark 11:12–14, 20–21
• Hebrews 4:15
• John 15:5
• Galatians 5:22–23
• Colossians 1:10
• Hebrews 13:15
• 1 Corinthians 6:19
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🤝 CONNECT WITH ONE CHURCH
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Whether you’re joining in person or watching as part of our online family / Digital Disciples across the globe, we are so glad you are here!
• Connect with Us / Prayer Requests: Fill out a connection card or reach out online.
• Subscribe to our channel for weekly messages and Bible teaching.
• Share this video with a friend who needs encouragement today!
#GospelOfMark #JesusCursesTheFigTree #FollowMeSeries #ONEChurch #BiblicalTeaching #FruitOfTheSpirit #ChristianSermon #Discipleship
Have you ever felt overlooked by the crowd, weighed down by your circumstances, or pressured to keep your faith quiet? Sometimes the greatest blindness isn't in our physical eyes—it’s in our hearts.In Message 12 of the "Follow Me: A Journey Through Mark" series, Pastor Joel Hendricks takes us into Mark 10:46–52 to unpack the powerful encounter between Jesus and blind Bartimaeus on the busy road out of Jericho. Even as Jesus is heading toward Jerusalem to lay down His life on the cross, He stops in the middle of the noise and the crowd for one desperate man crying out for mercy. Discover what Bartimaeus teaches us about true discipleship: recognizing our desperate need for a Savior, crying out louder when the world tells us to be quiet, throwing off the cloak of our old life without hesitation, and following Jesus not just for what He can do for us, but because He is better than life itself.📖 Key Scripture:Mark 10:46–52 (ESV)🔑 Key Takeaways From This Message:• Recognize Your Condition: Following Jesus begins with dropping the "I've got this" mentality and admitting we cannot save ourselves.• Heart Sight vs. Physical Sight: Bartimaeus couldn't see a thing physically, yet he saw who Jesus truly was ("Son of David") clearer than those walking right beside Him.• Cry Out All the More: When you commit to living out loud for Jesus, the crowd may pressure you to calm down or compromise—let your faith be stronger than the fear of opposition.• Jesus Stops for the One: No matter how loud the noise or how overlooked you feel, Jesus sees you, hears you, and loves you.• Throw Off the Cloak: True discipleship means leaving your old life behind without excuses or hesitation and following Jesus on the way.⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters:[00:00] – Welcome, Announcements & Online Community[02:51] – Series Overview: A Journey Through Mark on Discipleship[04:01] – Mark 10:46 | Setting the Context: The Road from Jericho to Jerusalem[09:20] – Mark 10:47 | Recognizing Our Condition & Our Need for Help[14:04] – "Son of David": Seeing Who Jesus Truly Is[16:07] – Physical Blindness vs. Spiritual Blindness of the Heart[18:30] – Mark 10:48 | Crying Out Louder When the Crowd Says "Be Quiet"[25:35] – Faith Over Fear: Standing Out as Salt and Light[27:33] – Mark 10:49 | "And Jesus Stopped": He Sees the One[35:08] – Mark 10:50 | Throwing Off the Cloak: Leaving the Old Life Without Excuses[39:21] – Mark 10:51–52 | "What Do You Want Me to Do for You?" (Bartimaeus vs. The Rich Young Ruler)[44:01] – Following Jesus on the Way: Why Jesus Is Better Than Life Itself[46:08] – Closing Challenge: Don't Miss What Is Right in Front of You[49:18] – Gospel Invitation, Prayer for Salvation & Altar Ministry---ONE Church exists to help people become ONE with God, each other and their community. Our mission is to make sure NO ONE WALKS ALONE. And that everyone knows the ONE.Are you ready to take that next step in your walk with Jesus? Connect with ONE Church by clicking here: https://onechurchsc.org/links/To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://onechurchsc.churchcenter.com/giving📍 Visit Us In Person:ONE Church – Downtown Seneca409 E North 1st St, Seneca, SC 29678• Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM• Tuesday Bible Study: 6:00 PM• Wednesday Student Ministry: 6:00 PM🌐 Stay Connected:Website: https://www.onechurchsc.orgOnline Campus: https://onechurchsc.org/online/Echo of ONE Blog: https://onechurchsc.org/echo-of-one/Social Media: @ONEChurchSC#ONEChurch #ONEChurchSC #FollowMeSeries #GospelOfMark #Mark10 #BlindBartimaeus #PastorJoelHendricks #Discipleship #JesusStopsForOne #SonOfDavid #BibleTeaching #SenecaSC
Are you chasing a crown when Jesus is calling you to a cross? Discover why the kingdom of God flips worldly success upside down—and how true greatness begins the moment you pick up a towel to serve.In part 11 of the "Follow Me" series through the Gospel of Mark, we dive into Mark 10:35–45, where James and John ask Jesus for the best seats in the house. While the disciples were focused on status, power, and recognition, Jesus redirected their focus toward sacrifice, humility, and the cross.In a culture obsessed with follower counts, influence, and personal platforms, Jesus presents a radical alternative: in God's kingdom, the greatest among you must be the servant of all. Moving through key Greek terms like diakonos (servant) and doulos (bondservant), this message explores three practical marks of Christlike servanthood:Uncomplicated: It's as simple as seeing a need and meeting it. You don't have to do something big to make a life-changing difference.Unannounced: True ministry doesn't need a spotlight or social media applause—it quietly makes the goodness of God visible.Unselective: Kingdom love crosses social barriers and expects nothing in return, reflecting the Savior who washed His disciples' feet and gave His life as a ransom for many.Whether you are wrestling with ambition, searching for your purpose, or seeking to deepen your daily walk with Christ, this message will challenge you to stop asking "what can I get?" and start asking "what needs to be done?"Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & Gathering[01:20] Scripture Reading: Mark 10:35–45[03:40] Status vs. Sacrifice: James and John's Request[07:25] Drinking the Cup: The Cost of Discipleship[14:20] Flipping the Script on Worldly Greatness[21:35] What Biblical Servanthood Really Means (Diakonos & Doulos)[25:20] 1. Serving One Another Is Uncomplicated[28:15] 2. Serving One Another Is Unannounced[36:00] 3. Serving One Another Is Unselective[40:40] Jesus: The Ultimate Ransom and Model of Service[43:35] Closing Prayer & Invitation#FollowMe #GospelOfMark #ServantLeadership #ChristianDiscipleship #ONEChurchONE Church exists to help people become ONE with God, each other and their community.Our mission is to make sure NO ONE WALKS ALONE. And that everyone knows the ONE.Are you ready to take that next step in your walk with Jesus? Connect with ONE Church by clicking here: https://onechurchsc.org/links/To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://onechurchsc.churchcenter.com/giving
What happens when being a “good person” isn’t enough? In this message, we unpack the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler to discover why following Christ is about total life transformation—not just behavior modification.In Part 10 of our Follow Me: A Journey Through Mark series, Pastor teaches from Mark 10:17–22, contrasting child-like surrender with religious self-reliance. The rich young ruler had wealth, youth, power, and an impeccable moral track record, yet he still walked away sorrowful because he lacked the one thing that truly mattered: an undivided heart.Being good doesn’t save you—only Jesus can. Discover the vital difference between working for your salvation and working from it, how subtle idols can possess our lives, and why true discipleship means answering one essential question: Is Jesus worth it?TIMESTAMPS:[00:00] Celebrations & River Baptism Testimonies[08:48] Context: The Gospel of Mark & The Road to Jerusalem[12:47] Contrasting the Little Children and the Wealthy Ruler[15:12] Mark 10:17-18 – "What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?"[20:20] Fire Insurance vs. True Surrender[24:34] Keeping the Commandments & The Danger of Being "Good"[29:28] Working From Salvation, Not For It[33:52] Life Transformation vs. Behavior Modification[35:20] Mark 10:21-22 – "You Lack One Thing"[37:30] Do You Own Your Possessions, or Do They Own You?[43:08] Walking Away Sorrowful: The Cost of Discipleship[45:45] Is Jesus Worth It?[47:05] Closing Prayer & Invitation to Christ#FollowMe #GospelOfMark #ONEChurch #Discipleship #ChristianFaithONE Church exists to help people become ONE with God, each other and their community.Our mission is to make sure NO ONE WALKS ALONE. And that everyone knows the ONE.Are you ready to take that next step in your walk with Jesus? Connect with ONE Church by clicking here: https://onechurchsc.org/links/To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://onechurchsc.churchcenter.com/giving
Have you ever prayed with everything in you, only to be met with silence, disappointment, or lingering doubt? You don't have to carry perfect faith to bring your brokenness to Jesus—He meets us right in the middle of our mess.
In Message 9 of the Follow Me: A Journey Through Mark series, Pastor Joel Hendricks takes us into Mark 9:14–29. Fresh off the glory of the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus and His disciples step back down into the valley of everyday life, only to find chaos, religious arguments, and a father desperate for his tormented son. While the religious leaders argue over policy and the disciples fail due to self-reliance, Jesus shows that true discipleship isn't about inherited faith or proximity—it requires total, daily dependence on Him.
If you’ve ever cried out, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief," this message is a powerful reminder that struggling with your faith doesn’t mean you’ve lost it. Biblical faith isn’t about manufacturing enough strength on your own; it’s about fixing your eyes on the One who is able. Discover why prayer is the essential bridge to God’s power and how Jesus remains the hero of every story.
Timestamps
#ONEChurch #Mark9 #FaithAndDoubt #HelpMyUnbelief #ChristianSermon
ONE Church exists to help people become ONE with God, each other and their community. Our mission is to make sure NO ONE WALKS ALONE. And that everyone knows the ONE.
Are you ready to take that next step in your walk with Jesus? Connect with ONE Church by clicking here: https://onechurchsc.org/links/
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://onechurchsc.churchcenter.com/giving
It’s easy to follow Jesus when He’s performing miracles and drawing crowds, but what happens when following Him means carrying a cross? In this powerful message, we discover why answering Jesus’ question—"Who do YOU say that I am?"—changes everything about how we live.In Message 8 of the "Follow Me: A Journey Through Mark" series, we reach a monumental turning point in Mark 8:27–38. For chapters, crowds marveled at miracles, healings, and supernatural feedings. But in Caesarea Philippi, surrounded by competing cultural idols and political powers, Jesus pivots from public displays of power to the core purpose of His coming: the cross, redemption, and the true cost of Christian discipleship.Jesus asks His disciples two defining questions: “Who do people say that I am?” followed by the intensely personal, “Who do you say that I am?” While Peter correctly identifies Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah), he quickly stumbles when Jesus reveals that the Messiah must suffer, be rejected, and die. We are reminded that it’s possible to live on "borrowed faith"—riding the coat-tails of parents, pastors, or church culture—while completely resisting Christ's call to personal lordship and heart transformation.True discipleship is not comfortable, and taking up your cross isn't a metaphor for life's everyday inconveniences. It is a daily decision to surrender self-centered ambition, endure rejection for the sake of the Gospel, and follow Christ wherever He leads. We don't follow Jesus because He simply makes life better; we follow Jesus because He is better than life itself.Timestamps[00:00] – Welcome & Announcements[05:08] – Scripture Reading: Mark 8:27[06:39] – The Major Turning Point in Mark's Gospel[08:08] – "Who Do People Say That I Am?"[10:27] – The Real Question: "Who Do You Say That I Am?"[15:20] – The Danger of Living on Borrowed Faith[19:18] – Peter's Confession: "You Are the Christ"[21:23] – Rebuking the Cross: The Stumbling Block of Suffering[27:14] – The Cost of Discipleship: Deny Yourself[30:24] – What It Actually Means to "Take Up Your Cross"[36:10] – Surrender Over Comfort: Following Jesus Fully[42:33] – Closing Prayer & Altar Call#ONEChurch #GospelOfMark #FollowMe #ChristianDiscipleship #FaithInJesusONE Church exists to help people become ONE with God, each other and their community.Our mission is to make sure NO ONE WALKS ALONE. And that everyone knows the ONE.Are you ready to take that next step in your walk with Jesus? Connect with ONE Church by clicking here: https://onechurchsc.org/links/To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://onechurchsc.churchcenter.com/giving
When faced with an impossible situation, our first instinct is often to calculate our limits, count what we lack, or walk away. But what if God isn’t asking you for what you don’t have—what if He simply wants you to surrender what you do have?
In Message 7 of our Follow Me: A Journey Through Mark series, Pastor Joel walks through the historical account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in Mark 6:35–44. While the disciples saw an overwhelming crowd, an isolated place, and an impossible logistical challenge, Jesus saw an opportunity to demonstrate compassion and invite His followers into the miraculous. Often, the very things we perceive as interruptions or inconveniences in our busy lives are actually divine invitations to step out in faith.
Through this powerful teaching, we are challenged to stop calculating in our own strength and start trusting the sufficiency of Christ. God doesn’t need our resources to perform a miracle, but He chooses to use what we surrender—our time, talents, and treasure—to satisfy needs far beyond what we could ever imagine. Little is much when Jesus is in it.
Timestamps:
[00:00] – Welcome & Context: The Gospel of Mark
[01:42] – The Pinnacle of Miracles: Feeding the 5,000
[04:38] – Two Different Responses to the Same Need (Mark 6:35–36)
[06:11] – Compassion Over Crowds: How Jesus Sees People
[07:30] – Interruptions as Invitations to the Miraculous
[10:20] – Real-Life Grace: A Testimony of Discipleship in Action
[13:40] – "You Give Them Something to Eat" (Mark 6:37–38)
[17:30] – Stop Focusing on What You Lack: Start with What You Have
[19:28] – Faith, Surrender, and Generosity
[23:30] – Sitting Down on Green Grass: Why People Miss the Miracle (Mark 6:39–40)
[28:20] – Broken, Blessed, and Multiplied (Mark 6:41–44)
[31:45] – The Big Question: What Have You Been Holding Back?
[34:35] – Altar Call & Closing Prayer
#GospelOfMark #FollowMe #FaithOverFear #MiraclesOfJesus #ONEChurchSC
ONE Church exists to help people become ONE with God, each other and their community.
Our mission is to make sure NO ONE WALKS ALONE. And that everyone knows the ONE.
Are you ready to take that next step in your walk with Jesus? Connect with ONE Church by clicking here: https://onechurchsc.org/links/
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://onechurchsc.churchcenter.com/giving
What do you do when your urgent prayer feels delayed by God? Discover how Jesus turns life’s most painful pauses into powerful displays of His purpose and glory.
In Message 6 of our journey through the Gospel of Mark (Follow Me), we dive into Mark chapter 5 to examine two life-altering encounters with Jesus: the desperate plea of Jairus, a synagogue leader whose daughter is dying, and the woman who reached out in faith to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. When every second counted for Jairus, Jesus stopped in the middle of a pressing crowd to attend to an interruption—a moment that tested Jairus’ patience and pushed his faith to the absolute limit.
Waiting on God is often one of the hardest human experiences. When life feels out of control and answers seem slow, it is easy to become anxious, frustrated, or fearful. But as we see in Scripture, God’s delays are not His denials. Biblical waiting is not passive resignation; it is active expectation rooted in faith, knowing that God is working behind the scenes for a greater purpose.
No matter the storm, setback, or delay you are walking through right now, Jesus speaks the exact same words to your heart: “Do not fear; only believe.” When we relinquish our need for control and surrender to His timing, God’s perfect plan will always reveal His greatest glory.
Timestamps
[00:00] – Welcome & Opening: Journey Through Mark
[00:43] – Reading the Scripture: Mark 5:21–24
[01:31] – Context: Getting to the "Other Side" & Growing Under Pressure
[02:44] – The Miracle in the Tombs & Returning Across the Sea
[04:32] – Jairus’ Desperate Plea for His Daughter
[05:12] – The Interruption: The Woman with the Issue of Blood
[06:55] – The Agony of the Pause: Why Waiting on God Is So Hard
[31:37] – Biblical Waiting: Active Expectation & Faith
[32:19] – Real-Life Grace: God's Timing at the River
[34:29] – Closing Prayer & Altar Invitation: Just Believe
Hashtags & SEO Tags
#ONEChurch #GospelOfMark #TrustGodsTiming #FaithInTheWait #SermonOnline
ONE Church exists to help people become ONE with God, each other and their community.
Our mission is to make sure NO ONE WALKS ALONE. And that everyone knows the ONE.
Are you ready to take that next step in your walk with Jesus? Connect with ONE Church by clicking here: https://onechurchsc.org/links/
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://onechurchsc.churchcenter.com/giving
When life hits with sudden storms and overwhelming uncertainty, it’s easy to panic and wonder: Where is God? In Message 5 of the Follow Me series, discover why the storms you face aren’t a sign of God's absence, but an invitation to experience His unstoppable peace and presence.
Walking with Jesus isn’t always a straight, smooth path—true discipleship often takes us through unexpected turbulence. Diving into Mark 4:35–40, we explore the familiar story of Jesus and His disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee. When a violent windstorm threatens to sink their boat while Jesus sleeps in the stern, the disciples cry out in panic: "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
Too often, fear distorts our perspective and convinces us that our struggles are bigger than the God in our boat. But being in the center of God's will doesn’t mean smooth sailing; Jesus purposefully led His disciples into the storm to disciple them, deepen their faith, and reveal His authority over both the wind and their worries.
In this message, learn three life-changing reasons why you never have to be afraid in the storm: His Presence (He will never leave you), His Peace (which surpasses all understanding), and His Promise (what God starts, He will faithfully finish). Whatever storm you are facing today, anchor your faith in Jesus and know that you are kept by Him.
Timestamps
[00:00] – Welcome & Opening
[02:35] – The Journey of Discipleship (Follow Me Series)
[05:30] – Context of Mark & Peter's Perspective
[10:50] – The First Boat: Establishing Lordship
[13:20] – Crossing Over to "The Other Side"
[18:18] – Don't Be Surprised by Fiery Trials (1 Peter 4:12)
[20:51] – The Sudden Storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35–38)
[26:45] – How Fear Magnifies the Storm
[30:05] – Peace, Be Still: 3 Reasons Not to Fear
[31:10] – 1. His Presence
[33:00] – 2. His Peace
[33:40] – 3. His Promise
[38:10] – "Why Are You Afraid?" (Learning Through the Storm)
[40:12] – Closing Prayer & Salvation Invitation
#ONEChurch #FollowMe #GospelOfMark #FaithOverFear #ChristianSermon
ONE Church exists to help people become ONE with God, each other and their community.
Our mission is to make sure NO ONE WALKS ALONE. And that everyone knows the ONE.
Are you ready to take that next step in your walk with Jesus? Connect with ONE Church by clicking here: https://onechurchsc.org/links/
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://onechurchsc.churchcenter.com/giving
Are you just showing up, or are you truly walking with Jesus? Discover what true discipleship looks like and the three powerful callings God has on your life today.
In Week 4 of our sermon series "Follow Me: A Journey Through Mark," we explore Mark 3:13–15 to understand the heart of Jesus’ call. Discipleship is not an achievement, a checklist of religious habits, or a favor we do for God—it begins entirely with His divine initiative and sovereign invitation. Before we ever sought Him, Christ chose us, loved us, and called us into a life-changing relationship.
Through personal testimony and powerful Biblical truths, this message unpacks the three specific callings Jesus gives every believer: to be with Him in daily intimacy, to be sent out as a faithful witness, and to walk in His power and authority over the opposition of the enemy. You don't have to defend God or win arguments; you are simply called to know Him intimately and testify to how He has changed your life.
Watch this message to learn how to resist the enemy, eliminate the footholds in your walk, and move from merely knowing about God to experiencing true intimacy and purpose in Christ.
⏱️ Timestamps
[00:00] – Technical Update & Context: Follow Me Series Week 4
[00:38] – Scripture Reading: Mark 3:13–15 (The Calling of the Twelve)
[01:00] – Jesus Has the Authority to Call
[01:26] – Jesus Takes the Initiative (John 6:44 & John 15:16)
[02:32] – God Initiates, We Respond
[03:45] – Discipleship Is an Invitation, Not an Achievement
[09:05] – Calling #1: To Be With Him (Intimacy & Stillness)
[11:18] – Knowing About God vs. Knowing God Personally
[17:33] – Calling #2: To Go Out and Preach (Being a Witness)
[21:05] – Your 3-Part Testimony: Who I Was, What He Did, Who I Am Now
[22:38] – Calling #3: Authority Over Opposition & Resisting the Enemy
[26:27] – Don't Give the Devil a Foothold (The H.A.L.T. Principle)
[29:02] – Closing Challenge, Prayer & Altar Call
#FollowMe #GospelOfMark #Discipleship #ChristianSermon #ONEChurchSC
ONE Church exists to help people become ONE with God, each other and their community.
Our mission is to make sure NO ONE WALKS ALONE. And that everyone knows the ONE.
Are you ready to take that next step in your walk with Jesus? Connect with ONE Church by clicking here: https://onechurchsc.org/links/
To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://onechurchsc.churchcenter.com/giving
From the publisher's feed