Part 33: “Religion That Rejects Heaven” Mark 11:27 - 12:12

Hebrews 1:1-2a 1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…

“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.”

Mark 11:27-33 Pharisees question Jesus’ authority

“By what authority are you doing these things. ” they asked “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

“I will ask you one question “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!”

John’s Baptism – From Heaven or From Men

“If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?” 32 But if we say, ‘From men’…” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)

WE DON’T KNOW. - Mark 11:33

Mark 12:1-12 The Parable of the Tenants

Isaiah 5:1-7 1 I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. 2 He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.

3 “Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. 4 What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? 5 Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled.

6 I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.” 7 The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.

“Amazing Grace!”

Mark 12:9-11 9 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you read this scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 11 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

“The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” - Mark 11:11