09/05/2026
SERMON PREVIEW: STOP CIRCLING THAT MOUNTAIN! and cast it into the sea!
Throughout Scripture, mountains can illustrate seemingly insurmountable obstacles standing between God’s people and the destination He is leading them toward.
Last week, we looked at Deuteronomy 2, where God told Israel:
“You have skirted this mountain long enough. Now turn north.”
They had spent enough time going around the same mountain.
And sometimes, God is telling us the same thing:
You have circled this long enough. It’s time to turn!
But how do we deal with the mountain that keeps standing in the way of spiritual growth?
Jesus gives us the answer in Mark 11:20–26.
The disciples saw that the fig tree Jesus had cursed had withered from the roots. Peter pointed it out, and Jesus used that moment to teach them about faith:
“Have faith in God.”
Then Jesus said:
“Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes… will have whatever he says.”
— Mark 11:23
Jesus connects the withered fig tree to the mountain.
What do you do when you feel spiritually dry and not producing spiritual fruit?
What do you do when something seems cursed, dead, or impossible?
What do you do when you keep coming back to the same mountain?
You don’t keep circling it. You remove it.
You turn to God
You pray and allow Him to search you
You speak to the mountain.
And you forgive. Yourself and others
Because Jesus didn’t stop with faith and prayer. He immediately addressed forgiveness:
“Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him…”
— Mark 11:25
Maybe the mountain in front of you isn’t there to stop you.
Maybe it’s there to show you what God wants you to overcome.
This Sunday, we’re going to talk about the mountain, the fig tree, faith, prayer, and forgiveness—and what it means to stop circling and start moving forward
