A Strike At What We Lack For Him Series

A STRIKE AT WHAT WE LACK FOR HIM

Mark 9:14-26 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

16"What are you arguing with them about?" he asked. 17A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."

Matthew 17:17 "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me."

Mark 9:20-26 20So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21Jesus asked the boy’s father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. 22"It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." 23" ’If you can’?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." 24Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" 25When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." 26The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He’s dead."

Matthew 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ’Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Mark 9:29-30 He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." 30They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were,

Luke 9:44-45 "Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men." 45But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

INTRODUCTION: Last week we began a three part series, entitled “Three Strikes and He’s Out”. We are looking at three instances in which Jesus speaks openly about His death. Three opportunities for His disciples to “hit one out of the park” so to speak, concerning their relationship with Him. Last week Jesus encouraged His disciples to understand who He is, and then to do something about it! He accepted the declaration of Peter, who, speaking for the disciples called him the Messiah. We also saw that Jesus dealt with both the opportunity of the devil to divert his message, and also the tendency to only get part of the info needed. That’s why Jesus told them to keep what they knew to themselves – They only knew half the story. Finally, last week, Jesus encouraged us to do something with what we know about Him – Be A Disciple! That involved three things: 1. Not giving in to our desire to indulge ourselves, 2. Acknowledge by our life that Jesus is right, and 3. To follow Him, and in doing so we attain what we value the most – our lives, for what we cannot have – the world.

So now, Jesus again offers the disciples a pitch, right over the plate. One they could hit out of the park.

I WE SHOULD HAVE FAITH TO ACCOMPLISH MORE THAN WE CAN – MARK 9:14-32

A This incident come right after the Mount of Transfiguration

1 The Transfiguration was a picture of the world with Christ

2 Demon Possession is a picture of the world without Christ

B We have a vivid picture of the influence of Jesus

1 “as soon as”

2 “overwhelmed with wonder”

a The crowd has sensed Christ’s ability to solve the problem

b In some way the people understood the power of Christ

THERE IS ALSO SOMEONE ELSE WHO UNDERSTOOD – THE DEMON

3 The demon understood the power of Christ

a He is quiet – the demon says nothing

b Mark 1:23-26 -- Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24"What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" 25"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" 26The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.