"The Marks Of An Unhealthy Family" Series

“The Marks of a Spiritually Unhealthy Family”

Mark 9:14-27

MK 9:14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As 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. 17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever 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." 19 "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." 20 So 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. 21 Jesus 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." 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" 25 When 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." 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He’s dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

INTRODUCTION

• As we continue to emphasize spiritual health, I feel it is vital that the families in our church be healthy!

• As we look at this passage, I find a family that had more problems than what we may see at the surface.

• This family had major problems in the following areas:

I. CONDITION {vs 18, 22}

18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid…22 "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him.

• Some of the actions of this boy are quite interesting…let me preface things by letting you know I am not suggesting that is there is a problem in your family, that someone is demon-possessed.

• But, the actions and choices of this son can be compared to some of the actions and choices we see people make everyday:

1. His condition hurt him EMOTIONALLY

a. This would prohibit him from being around others

b. If you or your family finds themselves isolated from the rest of the Body of Christ, then something needs to change quickly!

2. His condition hurt him PHYSICALLY

a. His well-being was certainly threatened because of this

b. How many choices do we see our loved ones make which could literally destroy them?

3. His condition hurt him SPIRITUALLY

a. The root of the problem was spiritual!

b. See verse 20 on how he reacted to God’s presence

II. CONFUSION {vs 18-19}

18 … I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." 19 "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."

• The father brought the son to the disciples first and saw no results

• Jesus clarified the direction he should take by saying, Bring the boy to me.”

• I grow troubled when we try every other possibility for our homes except for the one that Jesus commands in this Scripture, “bring it to Me”

• I am not here to denounce counseling, medication, etc. But, your first option must be to bring your family situation to Jesus!

III. COMMUNICATION {vs 17}

17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.

• Now, in reading what the son would do, you would think that the father’s first complaint would be his son’s conduct…it wasn’t.

• The first thing the father mentioned to Jesus was the son’s lack of communication

• Hear me closely church. When father and son, mother and daughter or any other family members cease talking, the devil is at work!

• I believe God wants to restore relationships where there are rifts and hurts and unforgiveness.