Lord, Help My Unbelief Series

Lord, help my unbelief

Mark 9:14-37

- Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant”

-- Key verse: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

- IMP: What God says to us here is critical application for living for Him

- Encouragement: When we encounter God’s truth, it should cause a change

-- We should feel uncomfortable in some areas of our life

-- The Gospel is not for the weak at heart, so count it an honor to be included

- Continuing in our study, we see Jesus performing more miracles/healings

-- His approach is direct, but sometimes the “why” is hidden from us

-- Let’s explore these passages and see if we can discover the “why” for ourselves

- Today we continue to see something very unique to Mark’s Gospel

-- The glory of God is revealed; as is the Christian’s glory in Him

-- In our service to God is where we SEE His glory revealed

- Read Mark 9:14-29

∆ Point 1 – Sickness is not always Possession (14-22)

- Following the experience of the mountain-top, Jesus shows us what’s next

-- To continue going forward! Most want to “live” on the mountain top

-- Jesus however shows us that there is still work to be done and to keep going

- The appearance of Jesus and their response was because of what He’d done

-- They knew He would have the answer to what ails them (v15)

-- So, in knowing this they approached Him as one who had their answers

-- APP: Great lesson for us to see that He has everything even strangers need

- In v16 Jesus is looking for the one who is in need of His help

-- This moves the father with the possessed son to respond TO Jesus

- Take a side note here to examine this boy’s condition (v25); deaf/mute

-- He is possessed, which is very different from having a disease

-- Often times, when someone had a disease (like epilepsy) they thought it demonic

- Couple of things here to note which is very important:

-- 1) Not all sickness is demonic nor indicates demonic possession

-- 2) The seizures this boy was having were a result of demonic possession

-- APP: What results is people who are well-meaning, but misdiagnosing

- Back to where we are, (v19) Jesus identifies the condition of the generation

-- It is our condition that we should see here as well: unbelieving

-- We seek signs, we test God, and we don’t believe Him unless we prosper

-- IMP: Prosperity is NOT a sign of God’s pleasure (name it/claim it nonsense)

- “How long shall I put up with you?” (v19)

-- Jesus’ identification of them is a warning that repentance is needed

-- His patience will not last forever; and at some point we need to see this also

- When the boy was brought before Jesus, his reaction is typical (v20)

-- APP: When we confront Jesus today, it’s in humbleness we react to Him in awe

-- APP: When a demonic being approaches Jesus, it’s in revolt at His purity

- The man’s remark of “if” shows where he lies -- spiritually (v22)

-- He isn’t fully convinced, but: “Hey, nothing else has worked so far … so …”

-- This also shows where we are when we deny God and rely on ourselves

- TRANS: Jesus then challenges this man, right where he stands!

∆ Point 2 – Lord, Help my Unbelief (23-29)

- This man has a real problem when he doubts Jesus to His face (v23)

-- Jesus tells him “everything is possible for one who believes” – but why?

-- Jesus was not saying that miracles can happen based on our strength

-- APP: What He says is that our belief in God to deliver is when things happen

- These are unique and different aspects of the same theology

-- Often however it translates into: God didn’t answer me so I’m not strong enough

-- But what is normally missed is: God didn’t answer me as I expected

-- IMP: Same thing happening here with Pharisees denying Jesus is the Christ

- So what this father does is amazing … He asks Jesus to heal him first (v24)

-- Challenge: Help me Lord, clear out the doubt and allow me to see you fully

- Jesus then turns his attention to the son and rebukes this unclean Spirit (v25)

-- What’s more Jesus rebukes the spirit and orders him to never return again

-- The spirit’s response is instantaneous (he obeys Jesus’ command)

- Out of exhaustion the boy falls to the ground, and Jesus raised him up