- Chapters: [[Mark 11]]:27-33 # Intro - Sorry can sometimes be the hardest word - This story is a warning against not being able to say sorry - Specifically, the long term effects of not turning to God and being repentant - Repentance means turning to God from sin # Background - Isn't it odd how the religious leaders are always the most scornful to [[Jesus]]? - These guys know their [[Old Testament]] the best, and yet they can't stand him - Why? They don't want to repent. They want the temple life to suit their needs - [[John the Baptist]] prepared the way for [[Jesus]], and he was very popular with the people but not necessarily with the religious leaders, and they didn't listen to him - This section of the text is the temple section, where we are supposed to see life and worship. But recall [[2025-09-14 All Souls 1730 -- Fruitless]] where there was no spiritual life, no fruit, no faith to it - His strong message to the temple: if you don't repent, you will be judged # The Authority of [[Jesus]] Questioned ## Two questions of authority - The elders, the [[Sanhedrin]], ask in verse 28 "By what authority are you doing these things?" - [[Jesus]] asks a question in return: "[[John]]'s baptism -- was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!" - Real question: "Why didn't you believe [[John the Baptist]]?" - Implied answer: [[Jesus]]'s authority comes from the same place as [[John the Baptist]], but [[Jesus]] is higher ## One faithless answer - The elders say they don't know, but it's a lie! They're caught in a catch 22 # [[Jesus]]'s lessons ## 1. Don't put God on trial - [[God]] doesn't necessarily say to not ask deep questions and examine carefully - But be careful of your attitude when bringing questions to [[God]], acting like you're the judge of [[God]] - It is foolish because eventually the tables will turn - The question of "Who gave you authority" is important to us still; He is after all demanding a lot of us - E.g. he calls us to be okay with losing our reputation for the sake of His kingdom - When repentance stops us from doing what we want to do, we may ask what authority [[Jesus]] has to meddle with our private lives - His power is derived from heaven ## 2. Prioritize facts not consequences - The elders are just worried about the consequences, and are therefore not opening themselves up to the fact in front of them - For us, being more concerned about the consequences of His authority rather than the facts of his authority, is fatal! - For many, this is a barrier that stops people, despite believing in the goodness and authority of [[Jesus]] and the [[New Testament]] - Prioritize the facts, not the consequences, cause that will shape your hearts! ## 3. Habits form hearts - "[[Atomic Habits]]" sold millions of copies, with the thesis of small habits that stack on each other can have life changing effects - What did these religious leaders repeatedly do? They made unrepentance their atomic habit! They repeatedly choose to deny and be angry and be threatened with each of [[Jesus]]' signs and admonitions - If unconfessed sins become your atomic habit, you will harden your heart - Don't treat your unconfessed sins like a credit card bill -- come to him and feel the joy of the debt being wiped away of the joy of Christ! - Let repentance be part of your habit.