“By What Authority?” (Mark 11:27-33)
“BY WHAT AUTHORITY?”
(Mark 11:27-33)
INTRODUCTION: Why didn’t Jesus answer their question?
I. RECOGNIZE JESUS’ AUTHORITY TO NAME YOU.
II. RECOGNIZE JESUS’ AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE YOUR DAYS.
III. RECOGNIZE JESUS’ AUTHORITY TO DEFINE HAPPINESS, BLESSEDNESS, AND “THE GOOD LIFE.”
IV. RECOGNIZE JESUS’ AUTHORITY TO YOUR ABSOLUTE ALLEGIANCE, LOYALTY, AND OBEDIENCE.
Questions for Family Review/Discussion:
- If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
- What organization did the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders represent? Why were they so concerned about Jesus’ cleansing the temple?
- What tricky question did they ask Jesus? What were they hoping to accomplish?
- What question did Jesus ask them? What possible answers could they give? What impact would each answer have?
- What was the correct answer to their question of Jesus? Why didn’t Jesus just give this correct answer to them?
- Why is it important to let Jesus name you? What “name” or identity did he give you? How is it supremely helpful to know this? What should we do if we don’t like the name/identity Jesus gave us?
- Why do people today worry so much about their health and longevity? Though Christians should take care of our bodies, why should we not worry about our life and number of days? How is this truth helpful?
- How do you answer this question: “If I follow Jesus, will I be happy?” How do most people define the elements of happiness? Why do they do so? Why is following the majority not a helpful guideline? What are the elements of true blessedness according to Jesus?
- Why do you think many professing Christians have difficulty simply obeying Jesus in all things? What do you think will enable you to do so?
- If it is not normal nor even possible to be happy, happy, happy in a fallen world, then what should God’s people be aiming for? How would this new pursuit transform your life?