"Only Believe" Series

ONLY BELIEVE

Text: Mark 9:14-29

"And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great

multitude about them, and the scribes questioning

with them.

And straightway all the people, when they beheld

him, were greatly amazed, and running to him

saluted him.

And he asked the scribes, What question ye with

them?

And one of the multitude answered and said,

Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which

hath a dumb spirit;

And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him:

and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and

pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that

they should cast him out; and they could not.

He answered him, and saith, O faithless gene-

ration, how long shall I be with you? how long

shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

And they brought him unto him; and when he saw

him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he

fell on the ground and wallowed foraming.

And he asked his father, How long is it ago since

this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and

into the waters, to desroy him: but if thou

canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and

help us.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all

things are possible to him that believeth.

And straightway the father of the child cried

out, and said with tears, Lord I believe; help

thou mine unbelief.

When Jesus saw that the people came running to-

gether, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto

him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee,

come out of him, and enter no more into him.

And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and

came out of him: and he was as one dead; inso-

much that many said, He is dead.

But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him

up; and he arose.

And when he was come into the house his disciples

asked him privately, Why could not we cast him

out?

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by

nothing, but by prayer and fasting."

Introduction-

This is one of the most touching stories in

all of the Word of God. In a simple, but sublime

way, this text reveals the way of deliverance,

and the way of salvation. It reveals the love

and mercy of God for hurting humanity, and

glorifies our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I would like for us to notice the stages

that this man went through on his journey of

faith.

I. THE FIRST STAGE: DESPERATION & DISAPPOINTMENT

This man was apparently not famous, or influen-

cial. He was just one of many in a crowd of

hurting humanity. Have you ever felt like that-

lost in a universe of nameless faces? He was

just a man. A man with a need. Yet, we will

see that he is a man that was known and loved

by God.

His son was afflicted by demon possession. He

would go into violent convulsions and grotesque

groans whenever he came under the influence of

this evil power.

He first tried to get help from Jesus’disciples,

but they could not help him. What a disappoint-

ing letdown that must have been to him. His

situation seemed hopeless. Why were the disciples

unable to help this man? Jesus said that it was

because of a lack of faith on their part.

How helpless we all seem to be apart from Divine

intervention. We would all perish minus His

mercy.

II. THE SECOND STAGE: DETERMINATION & DESIRE.

He refused to give up. Many people probably

would have. He wanted his son to be delivered

so badly he couln’t give up hope.

III. THE THIRD STAGE: DISTRESS & DOUBT.

This man was worried about his son. He had

already been disappointed and discouraged, now

doubts were haunting his mind.

Torn by years of grief and anguish, he cried

out to Jesus in complete desperation, with tears,

"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!"

God honors faith, no matter how miniscule it

might be. Faith the size of a mustard seed can

move mountains.

Jesus replied to him:"If thou canst believe, all

things are possible to him that believeth."

IV. THE FOURTH STAGE: DELIVERANCE & DELIGHT.

He received for his son that which he desperately

needed. His fears were relieved. His pain and

agony were gone.

He was on shouting ground.

His son was healed. Jesus did for him what no

one else possibly could.

Invitation-Your situation may seem hopeless also,

like this man, but we worship a God with whom all

things are possible. Surrender your all to Him

today. Do it now.