Mark 11:27-33 marks the beginning of a series of confrontations between Jesus and Jerusalem’s religious leaders. Jesus had overturned tables and halted temple commerce in a bold act of divine judgment, and returning the next day, a delegation of chief priests, scribes, and elders (three groups that made up the Sanhedrin) confronted Him. Their loaded question—“By what authority do you do these things?”—isn’t curiosity. They are not seeking to be taught or informed. These men have already begun plotting His death (Mark 8:31). The religious leaders knew of His miracles, heard His teaching astonish crowds, and saw demons flee, yet refused to bow. Mark’s Gospel began focusing on Jesus’ authority. The One who has authority to forgive sins, calm storms, and feed thousands now stands in the holy courts, and His authority is challenged by those who should recognize it most. Yet, Jesus exposes the authority to which these religious men submit with a question of His own. Trapped between admitting John the Baptist was sent from God (and thereby admitting Jesus was the Messiah John pointed to) or facing the angry crowds who believed John was from God, they answer, “We don’t know.” The religious leaders, who claimed to represent God, reveal that their true authority is self-preservation, status, and control. Therefore, Jesus leaves them without any explanation. Having rejected the light, they are left in their darkness. This isn’t mere history; it’s a mirror for every heart. It is easy to claim Christ’s authority in theory. Yet, when He enters our “temple" and starts rearranging our priorities, purging idols, or commanding obedience in our lives, we can respond like these religious men: “Who are you to demand this?” All of us live under authority—either Christ’s or our own corrupted version—and Jesus’ word exposes which rules us. A day is coming when every knee will bow, either in saving faith or under wrath. This passage isn’t academic—it’s urgent. Will you submit to the King who cleanses temples and claims lives, or ride the fence like these priests, saying, "We don’t know."
I. Jesus’ Authority Is Challenged (v. 27-28)
II. Jesus Exposes Our Corrupt Authorities (v. 29-33a)
III. Jesus’ Judgment For Rejecting Authority (v. 33)
All content for Sermon Audio is the property of Jason Velotta and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Mark 11:27-33 marks the beginning of a series of confrontations between Jesus and Jerusalem’s religious leaders. Jesus had overturned tables and halted temple commerce in a bold act of divine judgment, and returning the next day, a delegation of chief priests, scribes, and elders (three groups that made up the Sanhedrin) confronted Him. Their loaded question—“By what authority do you do these things?”—isn’t curiosity. They are not seeking to be taught or informed. These men have already begun plotting His death (Mark 8:31). The religious leaders knew of His miracles, heard His teaching astonish crowds, and saw demons flee, yet refused to bow. Mark’s Gospel began focusing on Jesus’ authority. The One who has authority to forgive sins, calm storms, and feed thousands now stands in the holy courts, and His authority is challenged by those who should recognize it most. Yet, Jesus exposes the authority to which these religious men submit with a question of His own. Trapped between admitting John the Baptist was sent from God (and thereby admitting Jesus was the Messiah John pointed to) or facing the angry crowds who believed John was from God, they answer, “We don’t know.” The religious leaders, who claimed to represent God, reveal that their true authority is self-preservation, status, and control. Therefore, Jesus leaves them without any explanation. Having rejected the light, they are left in their darkness. This isn’t mere history; it’s a mirror for every heart. It is easy to claim Christ’s authority in theory. Yet, when He enters our “temple" and starts rearranging our priorities, purging idols, or commanding obedience in our lives, we can respond like these religious men: “Who are you to demand this?” All of us live under authority—either Christ’s or our own corrupted version—and Jesus’ word exposes which rules us. A day is coming when every knee will bow, either in saving faith or under wrath. This passage isn’t academic—it’s urgent. Will you submit to the King who cleanses temples and claims lives, or ride the fence like these priests, saying, "We don’t know."
I. Jesus’ Authority Is Challenged (v. 27-28)
II. Jesus Exposes Our Corrupt Authorities (v. 29-33a)
III. Jesus’ Judgment For Rejecting Authority (v. 33)
Last Sunday, we saw the glory of Jesus displayed on the mountain in Mark 9:2-13. Jesus was transfigured before three disciples and the Father spoke from the cloud, calling them to listen to the Son. Jesus had spoken of His death and resurrection and told the disciples they too must deny themselves and take up the cross. Now the Father says, “Listen To Him.” This Sunday, we examine Mark 9:14-29 as they come down from the mountain. Coming off mountaintop glory, Jesus and the three disciples return to the valley where there is chaos, conflict, and wickedness. They are immediately confronted with a crowd around a boy with an evil spirit. The other disciples had tried and failed to cast out this spirit, so the boy’s father cries out for Jesus’ help. Jesus does rescue the boy, but this passage is not about fighting demons. His authority over unclean spirits has been shown repeatedly in Mark already. This passage is about the fight for faith. As the boy’s father pleads for his son, he speaks honestly resonating with Christians through the ages, saying, "I believe; help my unbelief.” The father believes but knows that there is also doubt. The man’s cries out because he knows that only Jesus can grow his faith. The disciples also are struggling to believe. Readers of Mark know that Jesus has given authority to his disciples to cast out demons twice in previous chapters. Jesus commanded them to cast out spirits and empowered them to do so. Yet, here, they are not able to do what Jesus commanded. When the disciples ask Jesus why they were unable to do what he authorized, Jesus tells them that "this kind is only driven out by prayer.” That is strange because Jesus didn’t pray when He cast the spirit out. Like the boy’s father, the disciples must also depend upon Jesus in all they do. They must rely upon Jesus to grow their faith. Jesus’ power alone gives them strength to serve Him as He commands. The disciples seem to have forgotten that all their strength comes from Jesus, something we still do today. See you Sunday.
I. Faith is Difficult In the Valley (v. 14-19)
II. Faith Grows By Jesus’ Power (v. 20-24)
III. Faith Always Relies On Jesus Alone (v. 25-29)
Sermon Audio
Mark 11:27-33 marks the beginning of a series of confrontations between Jesus and Jerusalem’s religious leaders. Jesus had overturned tables and halted temple commerce in a bold act of divine judgment, and returning the next day, a delegation of chief priests, scribes, and elders (three groups that made up the Sanhedrin) confronted Him. Their loaded question—“By what authority do you do these things?”—isn’t curiosity. They are not seeking to be taught or informed. These men have already begun plotting His death (Mark 8:31). The religious leaders knew of His miracles, heard His teaching astonish crowds, and saw demons flee, yet refused to bow. Mark’s Gospel began focusing on Jesus’ authority. The One who has authority to forgive sins, calm storms, and feed thousands now stands in the holy courts, and His authority is challenged by those who should recognize it most. Yet, Jesus exposes the authority to which these religious men submit with a question of His own. Trapped between admitting John the Baptist was sent from God (and thereby admitting Jesus was the Messiah John pointed to) or facing the angry crowds who believed John was from God, they answer, “We don’t know.” The religious leaders, who claimed to represent God, reveal that their true authority is self-preservation, status, and control. Therefore, Jesus leaves them without any explanation. Having rejected the light, they are left in their darkness. This isn’t mere history; it’s a mirror for every heart. It is easy to claim Christ’s authority in theory. Yet, when He enters our “temple" and starts rearranging our priorities, purging idols, or commanding obedience in our lives, we can respond like these religious men: “Who are you to demand this?” All of us live under authority—either Christ’s or our own corrupted version—and Jesus’ word exposes which rules us. A day is coming when every knee will bow, either in saving faith or under wrath. This passage isn’t academic—it’s urgent. Will you submit to the King who cleanses temples and claims lives, or ride the fence like these priests, saying, "We don’t know."
I. Jesus’ Authority Is Challenged (v. 27-28)
II. Jesus Exposes Our Corrupt Authorities (v. 29-33a)
III. Jesus’ Judgment For Rejecting Authority (v. 33)
