You can hear the audio of the sermon on my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4261040
Being A Supernatural Protector
Intro:
• Father’s Day, but the topic is the supernatural.
• Kind of a difficult transition.
• But oddly appropriate.
• Spirit world is real, active and we’re in a war against its evil forces.
• The biblical precedent is in Mark 9:
Context:
Mark 9:14–16 When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. 15 When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him. 16 “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked.
Problem:
Mark 9:17–18 One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. 18 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”
• The man needed help.
• Likely he had tried everything else.
• At wit’s end, hears about the rabbi who can heal and cast out demons.
• His disciples are ineffective.
• Jesus asks for insight from the dad’s POV.
• You can hear the desperation.
Explanation:
Mark 9:19–22 Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. 21 “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
• Jesus first reacts to the disciples and the crowd and critiques their faithlessness.
• Demon reacts to the presence of the Son of God.
• Demons try their best to harm us. (Ex. from our world.)
• “IF YOU CAN” Dad is hedging his bets even now just in case Jesus isn’t the answer.
Tension:
Mark 9:23–24 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” 24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
• Jesus reacts to the “if” statement.
• Reiterates his constant message: Faith in God is the answer.
• Father acknowledges his lack of faith and asks for the right thing: deeper faith.
Resolution:
Mark 9:25–27 25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!” Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.
• The casting out of the demon didn’t depend on the father hitting a certain level of faith.
Luke 17:6 The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!
• Jesus demonstrates his power over the spiritual world as well as the physical and the boy is completely healed.
Follow Up:
Mark 9:28–29 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?” 29 Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”
• Spiritual warfare isn’t done in our own power but through our faith expressed in prayer.
Our Circumstances:
• Our world is subject to spiritual forces just as surely as this man’s family was.
Ephesians 6:10–12 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:13–18 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
