He is Good | Power in Prayer | Mark 11:20-25 | Coleton Segars

Coleton began with a story about accidentally cutting himself with his dad’s pocketknife. Just like with the knife, he wants to handle this text carefully because it’s often misunderstood—either leading people to miss out on what Jesus promises or to become disillusioned when prayer doesn’t seem to work. ⸻ 1. What Is Jesus Actually Saying? •    Jesus says: “Truly I tell you…” — a phrase He uses in other places where the words were fulfilled literally (Peter’s denial, eternal life, heaven and earth passing away). •    Therefore, we should not reinterpret His words about prayer and mountains to mean something symbolic. •    Jesus also says “anyone” and “whatever you ask,” which expands the promise beyond just the disciples. •    The phrase “moving mountains” was a common Jewish saying about impossible tasks, showing Jesus meant bold prayers that seem impossible. Quote: •    “Moving mountains” became a figure of speech for a task that was considered virtually impossible. — Background Commentary ⸻ 2. How Did the Disciples Respond? •    The disciples didn’t reinterpret Jesus—they prayed boldly in Acts. •    They spoke directly to mountains (sickness, persecution, demons, even death) and God responded powerfully. •    Examples: Acts 3 (healing), Acts 9 (raising Tabitha), Acts 16 (casting out spirits), James 5 (prayer of faith heals the sick). •    The evidence shows they took Jesus at His word and practiced it literally. ⸻ 3. Why Don’t We Experience This Today? •    Many don’t expect God to act powerfully anymore because: •    Lack of faith (James 4:2) •    Selfish motives (James 4:3) •    Broken relationships (1 Peter 3:7) •    Cherishing sin (Psalm 66:18–19) •    Lack of persistence (Luke 18) •    We’ve been taught to reinterpret Jesus, so our expectation for prayer is low. •    Doubt is a major barrier: doubting that prayer works, that God hears us, or that He will act. Quote: •    “Two thousand years of exegesis have successfully explained away texts like these… They have awkwardly suppressed the fact that the Bible clearly presents healing and miracles as something Jesus and the early church practiced and expected…” — Ulrich Luz, paraphrased by Frederick Dale Bruner ⸻ 4. How Do We Grow in Faith for Prayer? •    Fight doubt by deepening trust in God’s character through Scripture and prayer. •    Ask God to increase your faith. •    Surround yourself with people of strong faith. •    Read accounts of powerful prayer in history. (Great book: E.M. Bounds —On Prayer) •    Seek God’s will for what you’re praying—He will reveal it. ⸻ 5. Don’t Settle for Less     •    Jesus gave His life to give us access to God in prayer—why would He do this if our prayers were powerless? •    Don’t reinterpret Jesus’ words to fit your experience. Instead, pursue the experience Jesus promised. •    There is real power in prayer when we remove hindrances, pray in faith, and seek God’s will. Discussion Questions: 1. What stood out to you from Sundays message? 2. How does looking at the way the disciples prayed in the book of Acts shape your confidence in Jesus’ words about prayer? 3. Of the hindrances to prayer which do you most relate to? Why? 4. Do you think doubt is a bigger struggle with God’s ability or His willingness? 5. Who in your life strengthens your faith when you struggle with doubt?