Main Idea: Faith Unlocks God’s Blessings


Mark 10:20-24
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.


Jesus’ Invitation
Jesus grants us access to incredible blessing.

24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Forgiveness of sin & freedom to thrive
Healing from sickness
Spiritual authority
Protection
Material Provision & Purpose
Gifts, Fruit & Guidance of the Holy Spirit
Friendship with God


Amazing Grace
 Jesus’ atonement paid for these blessings, making them available to us by sheer grace!


Essential Faith
We must exercise faith to access these blessings.

Mark 11: 22-23 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.. whoever says… and does not doubt in his heart… will have whatever he says.”

BONUS SCRIPTURES:
Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

John 14:12-14 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

John 15:15-16 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

John 16:25-27 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.


FAITH = Revelation + Response
God is looking for people who respond with audacity


Five Faith Killers
#1 Focus on the Horizontal
Mark 11:13-14, 20 When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it… 20 Now in the morning…


Matthew 21:19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.

Mark 11:20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

#2 Doubt
Mark 11:23 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

BONUS SCRIPTURE:
James 1:5-7 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven… For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his