Faith That Moves Mountains: Trusting God's Power

In Mark 11, Jesus teaches that faith-filled words have the power to move mountains—those obstacles and hindrances that stand in the way of God’s purpose in our lives. Mountains can take many forms: sickness, fear, financial burdens, broken relationships, or grief. The authority to speak to these mountains is not about our own power to move them, but about trusting God to act when we speak, believe, and receive. Our responsibility is to speak in faith, believe that God hears us, and receive in our hearts what we have asked for—even before we see any evidence. God’s responsibility is to perform the miracle in His timing and His way.

The story of Jesus cursing the fig tree illustrates this principle. The tree looked fruitful but had no fruit, and Jesus rebuked it for being out of order—having the appearance of fruitfulness without the reality. He spoke to the tree and walked away, not waiting to see immediate results. The next day, the disciples saw the tree had withered from the roots up. This shows that God often works beneath the surface, at the root level, before we see any visible change. We are called to speak and trust, not to keep staring at our problems, anxiously waiting for change. Staring at the problem drains us and can lead to panic, worry, and spiritual exhaustion.

The enemy works in our minds, especially when we are consumed by our problems. He plants ideas and thoughts that, if left unchecked, can lead us into destructive behaviors and decisions. The mind is the devil’s playground, but we are called to be led by the Spirit, not by anxious thoughts. When panic arises, it should be a trigger to pray, not to spiral into worry. God invites us to pray bold prayers, to open our mouths wide and ask for big things, because He is our deliverer and provider.

Ultimately, spiritual maturity means moving from panic, to prayerful concern, to confident praise. Praise shifts our focus from the problem to God, trusting that He is working even when we can’t see it. One final key: unforgiveness can block the flow of God’s power in our lives. Jesus teaches that when we pray, we must forgive others, letting go of grudges so nothing stands between us and the miracle God wants to do.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faith speaks to mountains, but only God moves them. Our role is to speak, believe, and receive in faith, leaving the timing and method of the miracle to God. When we try to do God’s part, we end up frustrated; when we neglect our part, nothing happens. Trusting God means releasing control and letting Him work in ways we cannot see. [02:52]
• 2. God often works at the root level, not the surface. When Jesus cursed the fig tree, the change began at the roots, invisible to the eye. In the same way, God may be working in unseen places in our lives, even when outward circumstances look unchanged. Faith means praising God for what He’s doing beneath the surface, not just for visible results. [06:41]
• 3. The mind is a battleground, and the enemy uses our focus against us. When we are consumed by our problems, the enemy plants thoughts that can lead to destructive choices. We must be vigilant to resist, rebuke, and replace these thoughts with God’s truth, refusing to let our minds be led by fear or anxiety. [12:37]
• 4. Spiritual growth is moving from panic, to prayer, to praise. Panic is a sign we are consumed by our problems; prayer is the act of bringing our concerns to God; praise is the confidence that God is working, even when we don’t see it. Praise keeps our eyes on God, not on the problem, and is a mark of mature faith. [27:02]
• 5. Unforgiveness can block God’s power in our lives. Jesus teaches that when we pray, we must forgive anyone we hold a grudge against. Letting go of grudges is not about excusing others, but about freeing ourselves to receive what God has for us. Sometimes, the only thing standing between us and our miracle is a heart that needs to forgive. [33:06]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:40] - Speaking to Mountains: Mark 11
• [01:45] - The Power and Authority of Words
• [02:52] - Our Job vs. God’s Job in Faith
• [05:33] - Jesus and the Fig Tree: Outward Signs vs. True Fruit
• [06:41] - God Works at the Roots
• [07:37] - Stop Staring, Start Trusting
• [10:05] - Jesus’ Teaching Moment: You Can Do What I Did
• [12:37] - The Mind: Devil’s Playground
• [13:35] - How the Enemy Plants Ideas
• [14:23] - Thoughts Lead to Actions
• [18:21] - Disobedience in the Name of Good Ideas
• [19:36] - Eve, Adam, and the Power of Ideas
• [24:37] - Pray Like You’re Free
• [27:02] - From Panic to Praise
• [31:17] - The Power of Forgiveness
• [33:06] - Letting Go of Grudges
• [35:00] - Invitation and Closing Prayer

1. In Mark 11, what does Jesus say is required for a mountain to be moved? What does He say about doubt and belief?
2. According to the sermon, what did Jesus do after He spoke to the fig tree? Did He wait to see if anything happened right away? [[06:41]]
3. What was the condition of the fig tree when the disciples saw it the next day? Where did the change start? [[06:41]]
4. What does Jesus say we must do when we pray, according to verse 25? Why is this important? [[33:06]]

1. The sermon says that our job is to speak, believe, and receive, but only God can move the mountain. Why do you think God wants us to let go of control and trust Him with the results? [[02:52]]
2. The fig tree withered from the roots, not the leaves. What does this teach us about how God often works in our lives and situations? [[06:41]]
3. The pastor said the mind is the devil’s playground, especially when we are consumed by our problems. How can focusing on our problems open the door for negative thoughts and actions? [[12:37]]
4. Why does Jesus connect forgiveness with answered prayer? What might be the connection between holding a grudge and experiencing God’s power? [[33:06]]

1. The sermon talked about “mountains” in our lives—things like sickness, fear, financial burdens, or broken relationships. What is one “mountain” you are facing right now? Have you tried speaking to it in faith, or have you mostly been staring at it and worrying? [[07:37]]
2. The pastor said, “Stop staring at it, start trusting.” What does it look like for you to stop checking on your problem and start trusting God to work at the roots? Is there a specific step you can take this week to let go? [[07:37]]
3. When panic rises up, the sermon encouraged us to let that be a trigger to pray, not to spiral into worry. What usually triggers panic or anxiety for you? How can you remind yourself to pray instead of worry the next time it happens? [[19:36]]
4. The sermon challenged us to move from panic, to prayer, to praise. Where do you find yourself most often—panicking, praying, or praising? What would it look like to praise God for what He’s doing “at the roots,” even if you don’t see results yet? [[27:02]]
5. The pastor said that unforgiveness can block God’s power in our lives. Is there anyone you are holding a grudge against? What would it take for you to let go, even if they never apologize? [[33:06]]
6. The sermon mentioned that sometimes we pray small prayers because we don’t feel worthy or we still think like “slaves.” What is one “big” thing you want to ask God for, believing that He is your deliverer and provider? [[24:37]]
7. The mind is a battleground. Are there any negative or destructive thoughts you’ve been struggling with lately? What is one truth from God’s Word you can use to replace those thoughts this week? [[12:37]]