SERMON OULINE:
Cause of failure - Prayer ignored (vs 28-29)
Result of failure - Power obstructed (vs 14-18)
Cure for failure - Priority given (vs 17-27)
SERMONBODY:
Key verse 21:
(N.I.V.):
“Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?””
(N.A.S.B.):
“Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?””
Ill:
• Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary in the field;
• He was given a car so that he could travel around the area.
• But the car had a problem! It would not start without a push.
• So after pondering his problem, he devised a plan.
• Near his home was a school that he was involved with;
• So in the mornings he permission from the school;
• To take some children out of class, and to push start his car.
• As he made his rounds, he had another plan;
• He would either park on a hill or leave the engine running.
• He used this ingenious procedure for over two years.
• After two years ill health forced the Jackson family;
• To leave their post and make plans to return home.
• An new missionary came to that station to replace Herbert Jackson;
• When Jackson handed him the keys to the car,
• He proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started.
• The new missionary did not look too impressed;
• And told Herbert Jackson to pop the bonnet and started to look around the engine.
• He then said; “Dr. Jackson, the only trouble here is this loose cable.”
• He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, turned on the ignition;
• And to Jackson’s astonishment, the engine roared to life.
• For two years needless trouble had become routine.
• The power was there all the time.
• Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.
• Transition: The disciples of Jesus had known power.
• But now they were powerless!
Ill:
We are told in Mark chapter 6 verses 6-7 & 13:
"Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits...
They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them”.
• Transition: The disciples of Jesus had known power;
• They had experienced God at work in a supernatural way.
• People were healed and demons were cast out!
• But now they were powerless!
• Now they are unable to help one single boy!
(1). Result of failure - Prayer ignored (vs 28-29)
(a). Quarrelling in the crowd (vs 14-16)
“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.”
• The ‘they’ mentioned here in verse 14 are Jesus, Peter, James & John,
• They have been on the Mountain of Transfiguration.
Now when join up with the other disciples they are soon brought back to reality!
• From the peace of the mountain top;
• From the spiritual high of seeing Jesus in his glory.
• They come back down to earth with a bang!
• The situation is chaotic;
• Their experience a large crowd and an argumentative group of scribes.
• Then to top it all a distraught father brings his afflicted son to Jesus.
Jesus looked around at:
• The embarrassed disciples, the arguing religious leaders and the needy father and son;
• Jesus was saddened and angry at their attitudes;
• Their unbelief and spiritual perversity were a burden to him.
• He responds in verse 19:
“You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
(b). Discussion of the problem (vs 17-18)
• The argument between the disciples and the religious leaders;
• All centres around a boy in habited by a demon.
• The disciples are powerless to help the boy;
• The religious leaders can only point their fingers and accuse.
• Meanwhile while all the frantic arguing and finger-pointing takes place;
• A father stands desperate for help for his victimised son.
“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.””
Note:
• Luke in his gospel (chapter 9 verse 39);
• Shows to us his doctors eye for detail:
“A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him.”
• For a loving father seeing his child experience seizures is one thing;
• Add a demon to the equation and the challenge becomes a nightmare.
• Luke in his gospels adds the detail that the boy is the fathers only son (9:38);
• Possible he is even the only child!
• When you add that to the picture;
• It sets the scene off as being even more heartrending.
In chapter 3 verses 14-15 Jesus sent the disciples out to preach, heal and cast out demons;
• And up to this incident it seems they had been successful.
• So now they are puzzled as to why on this occasion they had failed in their ministry;
• They wait for a private moment and ask Jesus what they had done wrong.
“After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately,
"Why couldn't we drive it out?"
29 He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer. "”
• Jesus tells them straight;
• He puts his finger right on the spot by saying;
• They failed because they did not pray.
• They were trying to remedy the situation in their own strength and power.
• The principle here that we need to note, is that:
• ‘You cannot have victory in public unless you are vigilant in private!’
The disciples' needed reminding that the power and authority to heal was not their own:
• It came from Jesus. It was delegated by Jesus and it is sustained by Jesus.
• To act independently of him is a guarantee to fail!
• ‘You cannot have victory in public unless you are vigilant in private!’
(2). Result of failure - Power obstructed (vs 14-18)
“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."
As a result the disciples were powerless to act
• Notice that their failure affected their faith in at least two ways;
• Two evidences are seen in these verses.
(a). They failed in their witness (vs 14).
14 “When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them”.
• The reason the disciples were given authority to preach, heal and cast out demons;
• Was not just to help those who were afflicted;
• But also to draw attention to Jesus Christ.
• Healings and exoticisms were supposed to make people stop and question;
• “How can they do this?” and “By whose authority can they do this?”
• They were meant to be the launch pad for the disciples to tell people about Jesus;
• “He is here - the Messiah that you have been waiting for has arrived!”
Ill:
• Just like a magnet attracts iron fillings to it,
• So the healings performed by the disciples;
• Were supposed to attract people’s attention to their message.
Ill:
• Aesop’s fable or just a legend.
• The sun and the wind got into an argument one day over which’ was the stronger.
• When a traveller came down the road,
• They decided to settle it by seeing who could force him to take off his coat.
• The sun hid behind a cloud and the wind blasted him,
• But that just made him wrap his coat around him more tightly.
• Then the sun came out with its gentle caressing warmth;
• And shone on him and he was forced to take his coat off.
• Like the sun the compassion of the disciples miracles and signs,
• Were supposed to warm the hearts of the people into thinking & listening to Jesus.
• Instead like a cold blast of wind their failure to do anything;
• Forced them into an argument of angry words with the religious leaders.
• Instead of a crowd of eagerly awaiting people ready to listen to Jesus;
• We find a crowd in turmoil,
• Voices are raised, and accusations of frauds, charlatans, imposters;
• Are being made by the religious leaders who are out to discredit Jesus.
• The disciples instead of pointing people to Jesus;
• Are embarrassed at their inability and want to escape the situation ASAP.
(b). They failed in their effectiveness (vs 18).
“Whenever it (demon) 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."
Ill:
• Have you checked the labels on your shopping items lately?
• If not then you may be getting less than you thought.
• According to various sources instead of putting prices up,
• And risk losing customers to other brands.
• Some manufactures are simply keeping the same size boxes & bottles;
• But they have quietly reduced the amount inside them.
• For example, a box of well-known soap that once held 61 ounces;
• Now contains only 55 - same size box, less soap.
• For example, a well-known brand of toilet paper that once gave 261 sheets per roll;
• Now contains only 241 sheets per roll;
• Same size packaging, less product.
Like those products these disciples were selling their customers short:
• Not intentionally because they wanted to help – “But they could not!”
• They were ineffective in their ministry because they were acting in their own strength!
• And not in the power of the Lord.
Ill:
• They were like a torch with flat batteries inside;
• They had all the potential to shine brightly but instead they gave no light!
Quote: The late Dr. A. W. Tozer, author and pastor, said,
“If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference.”
• Not intentionally because they wanted to help – “But they could not!”
• They were ineffective in their ministry because they were acting in their own strength!
(3). Cure for failure – Priority given (vs 17-27)
“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 "You 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 one 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.”
(a). The Problem - evil spirits or Demon possession.
• In the gospels Jesus often encountered people who were possessed:
• Often a possessed person behaved in a way that was very unnatural;
• e.g. Cases in the gospels where an evil spirit caused an individual to become violent;
• e.g. In other cases an evil spirit caused the individual to experience aggressive fits.
• e.g. Other cases in the New Testament people spoke in totally different voices;
• e.g. Some individuals displayed powers of telepathy of clairvoyance.
Note:
• In the ancient world people often attributed mental illness as demon possession;
• Not Jesus!
• He made a clear distinction between demon-possession and physical & mental sickness.
• e.g. Matthew chapter 10 verses 1&8).
“He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness”.
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons”.
• So in the gospels Jesus made a clear distinction:
• Between demon-possession and physical & mental sickness.
The fact that we do not hear much regarding ‘evil spirits’ is due to our culture:
• Although cable TV it is shocking how many programmes are to do with the occult;
• The supernatural, contacting the dead, investigating ghosts etc.
• We live in a world today that is fascinated by the unexplained.
• Often that means delving into the ‘spiritual’ side of life;
• That the Bible warns us to keep well away from.
• Why because ‘they can’ (not always will) lead a person into dangerous territory!
• Yet when it comes to the Bible and demon possession;
• The same people would dismiss it and even mock it!
The Bible is very clear:
• That there are spiritual forces at work in our world.
• Some people who foolishly open up their minds;
• Through a deep interest in the occult or through alternative religions;
• Or new age practices or mind altering drugs.
• Can open themselves up to ‘evil spirits’
• Which in the long term will cause them incredible problems.
Question: Scan the passage and look at what these verses tell us about ‘evil spirits’?
Answer: A number of things.
(First).
• Verse 17: ‘Evil spirits’ can possess people.
• Note: I would suggest you are in no danger from ‘evil spirits’ unless you choose to
• Open up your mind; maybe through a deep interest in the occult;
• Or through alternative religions or new age practices or mind altering drugs.
(Second).
• Verse 17: ‘Evil spirits’ need a body to carry out their wicked schemes.
• In the gospels we note that they can indwell both humans and animals.
(Third).
• Verse 25: Their very name ‘evil spirits’ tells us that they are harmful.
• They pollute and destroy those they indwell.
(Fourth).
• Verse 20 tell us;
• ‘Evil spirits’ know who Jesus is! They are aware of his deity.
(Fifth).
• Verses 25: Tells us that they will respond to the authority of Jesus Christ.
• So it must always be in his name & power that we defend ourselves!
(Sixth).
• Verse 25: They will depart when they are commanded to,
• But often in departing there can be a struggle.
(b). The solution – involve Jesus!
Involving Jesus - was the key to the healing of the boy.
• Verse 15: “...the people saw Jesus...”
• Verse 17: The man (father) came to ask Jesus.
• Verse 20: “So they brought him (son)” to Jesus.
INVOLVING JESUS - was the key to the disciples discovering why they had failed.
• Verse 28: “...his disciples asked him...”
• Verse 28: “...why couldn’t we...”
• Jesus answer is not complicated;
• They were powerless because they were prayerless.
• In prayer we model total dependence on God;
• Leaving no room for our power, our significance, or our glory.
Sermon audio:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=PQ9SnzYBdybkQ8gx1xT5E4BCMCPvC4bB&forceSave=Mark_chapter_9_verses_14-29_-_sermon_by_Gordon_Curley.mp3
