“On What Authority?” Mark 11:27-33

Text: “...From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God...”

2 Timothy 3:15-16.

Good morning, Christian speaker!  You speak well, but on what authority does your utterances and preaching, teaching; or simple witnessing stand?  This is the real question to be asked in the ministry of any mere mortal who had been saved by God’s free grace.

Your personal opinions on Eternal matters, like mine, might be quite interesting to hear - but they have no Spiritual authority whatsoever.  Thus, a look at true Spiritual authority is crucial to any lesson on Christian doctrine, principle; practice; or ministry unto others.  It is not in any light manner that the Lord God commands us to, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”  (2 Timothy 2:15)

My humble dictionary defines the concept of authority as follows: Power to compel obedience; person or group of persons having such power; power of influence; book or document giving trustworthy information and reliable opinions.

Therefore, to have authority means one has the power to compel obedience to that authority; the blueprint from which one can authoritatively direct how things are to be done.

To work outside the blueprint of authority is thus to err from the truth, and in the Spiritual realm this is, of course, fatal - Eternally fatal!  (John 8:31-47) (Revelation 21:8)

For Christians, our Eternal blueprint of absolute authority is the Bible - God’s own Word of authority, given to mankind by God the Holy Ghost. 

We KNOW how we should seek to live our lives, establish our thoughts; and worship God in the manner He demands, because we have His instructions written in His Book.  (2 Peter 1:21)

Stealing:  Christians know authoritatively that they must not steal.  How?  Because God’s Word forbids it.  Thus, we forbid stealing by God’s own authority and power.   (Exodus 20:15) (Leviticus 19:11)

Murdering:  How do we KNOW it is wrong to murder another human being?  Why, Gods Word clearly teaches us that this is so.  We therefore forbid murder on the authority of God’s Word. Simple, is it not? (Exodus 20:13) (Romans 13:9)

Homosexuality:  How do we KNOW homosexuality is unnatural and a perversion of God’s will for the human species?  God’s Word clearly teaches us that it is indeed so.  We must therefore condemn it and flee from such a sinful practice.  (Romans 1:18-27) (Jude 7-13)

Mariolatry: How do we KNOW that praying to, worshipping and exulting Mary, the mother of Jesus, is forbidden? Because the Bible teaches us that it is forbidden.  We can’t be Christians and refute the teachings of Christ! (Exodus 20:3-6) (Jeremiah 44:2-8; 17-19; 25-27)

God’s Word, contained in the 66 books of KJV Canonical Scripture is our only true Authority for believing, receiving Christ’s Salvation, practicing and teaching, genuine Christianity to our hearers.

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“The first lesson here is the uselessness of a mere outward profession of Christianity. Not everyone that saith “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven. Not all that profess and call themselves Christians shall be saved.

“Let us take notice of this. It requires far more than most people seem to think necessary, to save a soul. We may be baptized in the name of Christ, and boast confidently of our ecclesiastical privileges; we may possess head knowledge, and be quite satisfied with our own state; we may even be preachers, and teachers of others, and do “many wonderful works” in connection with our Church: but all this time are we practically doing the will of our Father in heaven? Do we truly repent, truly believe on Christ, and live holy and humble lives? If not, in spite of all our privileges and profession, we shall miss heaven at last, and be for ever cast away. We shall hear those awful words, “I never knew you: depart from Me,”

“The day of judgment will reveal strange things. The hopes of many, who were thought great Christians while they lived, will be utterly confounded. The rottenness of their religion will be exposed and put to shame before the whole world. It will then be proved that to be saved means something more than “making a profession.” We must make a “practice” of our Christianity as well as a “profession.” Let us often think of that great day: let us often “judge ourselves, that we be not judged,” and condemned by the Lord. Whatever else we are, let us aim at being real, true, and sincere.”  (J.C. Ryle’s Exposition on Matthew’s Gospel.)

From our study today, therefore, we learn that God’s Word is our ONLY final authority for speaking and teaching on these and all other Spiritual matters.  Either we believe and obey God’s instructions or we run on headlong into gross error, perversion, and even idolatry.  Mankind’s wisdom and all the human reasoning in the world is foolishness when compared to the authoritative wisdom of God, as found in our KJV Bibles. (1 Corinthians 1:17-20)

Speak on then, faithful Christian, teach on in that faithful way; witness at every God-given opportunity - but speak ONLY by the final authority of the infallible written Word.

Thought:  If you seek to do what’s right by God - read and obey God’s righteous Instructions for doing so.  We speak, live, and teach in the authority of God’s Word.                                                    

Figs, Fruit, Faith and Forgiveness Mark 11:12-26

Text: “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.  Not everyone that saith to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in Heaven.”

Matthew 7:19-21.

Good morning, fruitful Christian!  Despite your many human failings, weaknesses and faults, you are persevering in the faith and bearing good fruit for Christ Jesus.  At times you may not see your own fruit; at times you may not feel you are winning the race; at times you shall feel like shrivelling up and fading away - but yet you continue on.  Praise God you do!  Hallelujah!  What a witness to the power of God the Spirit!  (Psalm 1:1-3) 

Figs: (Vs.12-14) The fig is, of course, a soft, pear-shaped, pulpy fruit.  It is filled with tiny seeds; sweet to the taste; and full of juice.  Probably all of us have had some figs at some time, perhaps as an after-dinner dessert.

Thus, it was such a refreshment the Lord Jesus hungered after in our chosen passage of Scripture reading for today.  A living practical faith in God is what refreshes Christ the most - but He found only the fig-leaves of profession upon the hapless tree.  Perhaps this is a reminder of the original sins of Eve and Adam in that perfect garden so very long ago.  (Genesis 3:6-8)

False professors may seem to flourish in this life, but sadly, they shall perish when the Lord brings in the timeless era of Life Eternal.  They shall be, “...hewn down and cast into the fire.”.  What a waste of potential!  (Luke 13:3)

Fruit: (Vs.15-19) Figs are fruitful in that they bear so many seeds.  Consistent study of God’s Word fills the would-be fruitful Christian with the seeds of life, yeah indeed, the seeds of Life Eternal.

If, on the other hand, we are found to be just like the money-changers in today’s passage - using religious practice for wrong, selfish, ends - the Lord will utterly detest the bitter fruit that we bear and God’s Eternal curse upon sinfulness shall remain on us.  God’s Way is perfect.  “Ye must be born again!”  (Luke 8:11) (1 Peter 1:23-25) (John 3:3-8) Hallelujah!

Faith: (Vs.20-24) Where does one find faith - faith to be saved; faith to be sanctified daily from sin; faith to be fruitful followers of Christ the Lord?  (Romans 10:17)

Yes, indeed.  By their fruits ye shall know them.  Good faith stems from sound Scriptural doctrine and inspires an earnest attempt to practice such doctrine in one’s life.  Those who would be fruitful are consistent in Bible studies, and in daily Christian practice - to the very best of our ability.  (1 Timothy 1:8-11) (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

Forgiveness: (Vs.25-26) Forgiveness is a fruit of Christian faith - faith to forgive is a gift to us from the Lord God.

However, we mere sinners cannot forgive sins!  Only God can forgive sins.  But we can be WILLING to forgive trespasses against us, IF the offender willingly and sincerely repents, and seeks our forgiveness!  (Mark 2:7b) (Luke 17:3-5) (Matthew 18:15-17)

If we do not repent of our sins against God, God will not forgive us until we do.  Therefore, fellowship with God will be broken by our sins.  (Isaiah 59:1-2)

However, the moment we sincerely repent of our daily sins we find forgiveness from a compassionate Lord God. (1 John 1:6-10)

Similarly, the moment others seek our forgiveness for deeds done against us - NOT deeds committed against God - we must be willing to forgive them and to resume good relations, or fellowship, with them.  (Matthew 6:14-15)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“There was a voice in the fig-tree for all the branches of Christ’s visible Church in every age, and every part of the world. There was a warning against an empty pro­fession of Christianity, unaccompanied by sound doctrine and holy living, which some of those branches would have done well to lay to heart. But above all there was a voice in that withered fig tree for all carnal, hypocri­tical, and false-hearted Christians. Well would it be for all who are content with a name to live while in reality they are dead, if they would only see their own faces in the glass of this passage.

“Let us take care that we each individually learn the lesson that this fig tree conveys. Let us always remem­ber, that baptism, and church-membership, and reception of the Lord’s Supper, and a diligent use of the outward forms of Christianity, are not sufficient to save our souls. They are leaves, nothing but leaves, and without fruit will add to our condemnation. Like the fig leaves of which Adam and Eve made themselves garments, they will not hide the nakedness of our souls from the eye of an all-seeing God, or give us boldness when we stand before Him at the last day. No! we must bear fruit, or be lost for ever.

“There must be fruit in our hearts and fruit in our lives, the fruit of repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and true holiness in our conversation (entire lifestyle). Without such fruits as these a profession of Christianity will only sink us lower into hell.” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark.)

Go to then, fruitful Christian, learn the lesson of the fig tree - bear good fruit; increase in faith; be ever willing to forgive those who sincerely repent.  Become more like Christ Jesus.

Thought: God detests the fig-leaves of false religion - their fruits are not to His Holy taste. (Matthew 7:18-20)

“…What do ye, Loosing the Colt?” Mark 11:1-11

Text: “And certain of them that stood there said unto them, ‘What do ye, loosing the colt?’” 

Mark 11:5. 

Good morning, once wild Christian!  Once you were the wildest child in your community; now you are gloriously at peace.  Once you were trammelled by ambition, gambling, violence and lust – now, you are unfettered within and at rest.  What Person and power has made this great and evident difference?  Who has dared to ‘…loose the colt…’ of your old carnal nature and set you Spiritually free?  Praise God, only One Person can - Jesus, the risen Christ.  Hallelujah!  What a Saviour!

“Neither is there Salvation in any other; for there is none other Name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”     (Acts 4:12)

However, knowing Who it was that ‘…loosed the colt…’ of our old natural passions, lusts and sin still doesn’t fully answer the question initially posed by the owners of this young, frisky, unbroken horse in today’s Bible reading: ‘… ‘What do ye, loosing the colt?’ (V5)

Verse six of our selected Bible passage gives us the answer: “And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.”

Praise God.  We Christians and mankind in general have all the questions.  But God’s Word alone holds all the correct answers.

The young, frisky, unbroken colt horse, ‘…whereon yet never man sat…’, was loosed and brought to Jesus because the Lord had need of it. 

We unbroken, wild sinners were also ‘…loosed…’ by the Spirit of God in order that the Lord Jesus might use us in His service.

“And you hath He quickened, who were DEAD in trespasses and sins…Even when we were DEAD (Spiritually dead) in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:1;5-6) (Ephesians 2:10)

What a privileged calling to service this is, my friend!  We are chosen of God Himself, saved and sanctified, and made fit to serve His Son, Christ Jesus.  Now, this is something for us to get excited about!  Bless the Lord oh my soul!  Thanks be to God, amen.

“Ye have not chosen Me (the Lord God), but I have chosen you (once wild sinners), and ordained you (loosed you?), that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My Name (the Name of Jesus), He may give it you.”  (John 15:16) Glory to God Almighty!

From the very moment we Hell-deserving sinners are Spiritually regenerated by the grace of God, ‘…loosed…’ from the bondage of our natural and inherited sin - we are inspired and empowered by God the Spirit to commence a life of Christian service. 

There are no secret Christians in Christ’s Kingdom.  There are none saved by God that are not immediately called to be soldiers in the Spiritual Battle.  We are saved to serve the risen Christ.

“Then said He (the Lord God) unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain (dead in sin), that they may live.  So, I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great Army.”  (Ezekiel 37:9-10)

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things that thou hast heard of me (Paul) among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men/women, who shall be able to teach others also.  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man/woman that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he/she may please Him (Christ Jesus) Who hath chosen him/her to be a soldier.”          (2 Timothy 2:1-4)

To the question posed, ‘What do ye loosing the colt?’, we can now clearly see the answer Christ gave His disciples to impart – “…Because the Lord hath need of him.” (Luke 19:31)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“Let us observe…in this passage, the voluntary poverty which our Lord underwent, when He was upon earth. How did He enter Jerusalem when He came to it on this remarkable occasion? Did He come in a royal chariot, with horses, soldiers, and a retinue around Him, like the kings of this world? We are told nothing of the kind. We read that He borrowed the colt of an ass for the occasion, and sat upon the garments of His disciples for lack of a saddle. This was in perfect keeping with all the tenor of His ministry. He never had any of the riches of this world. When He crossed the sea of Galilee, it was in a borrowed boat. When He rode into the holy city, it was on a borrowed beast. When He was buried, it was in a borrowed tomb.” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark.)

The Lord Jesus Christ loosed you and I, Christian, to permit us the utter privilege of serving Him and furthering His Spiritual Kingdom, He borrowed us from the world, the flesh, and the Devil – and re-created us ‘new creatures’ in Himself, in order that we might take a stand for Him. What are you and I actually doing for Christ today?  Are we serving Him at all? Ladies and gentlemen of the true Bible-believing Christian faith, we are at Spiritual war!  Let us acquit ourselves bravely in every Spiritual encounter.  The Ultimate Victory is already won at the place called Calvary.  Glory to the Lamb Who has ‘…loosed…’ our sinful souls!

Thought: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…” - Christ has wrought the Victory.  All glory to the King of all kings!