FACING UP TO OUR FALTERING FAITH
Mark 9: 14-29
They say that “time is an excellent teacher”. What is one good lesson you have learned in 2001? {Elicit
some response}
The biggest lesson I have learned last year is this. I STILL HAVE A LOT OF GROWING TO DO IN MY
FAITH!
At this point in my life, I am closer to God than I have ever been. YET, at the same time, I have never been
so aware of my spiritual shortcomings. Does that sound like a contradiction to you? Well, consider the
statement made by the man in today’s text. He said to Jesus, “I believe, (but) help my unbelief!”
Does that make sense to you? If you know the Lord, and if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense.
Folks, I am absolutely fascinated by the statement that this man made to Jesus. Whether he knew the Lord
or not, it is hard to say. Yet he did manage to summarize in one sentence, what is probably the greatest obstacle
to spiritual growth in the Christian life; that is, faltering faith.
You see, this man was saying, in essence, that although he believed in what Jesus was able to do, he was still
contending with doubts. He was facing up to his faltering faith. And because he faced up to his lack of faith,,
he experienced a great blessing.
Let’s examine his statement a little more in depth and notice 3 things about it.
I IT IS A STATEMENT OF SHEER HONESTY
A One commentator says of this statement that it “expresses the dilemma that even those who believe can be
nagged by doubt and hopelessness.” (Nelson Study)
B This man was being as honest with the Lord as he possibly could.
1. He was saying, “Yes, Lord I believe in what you can do ... I think.”
2. He was saying, “Lord, I believe in your power, ... or at least I want to believe in your power.”
C We can criticize him if we want to, but at least the man was being honest.
1. What good would it have done him to claim a complete and perfect faith that he did not have?
2. You see, Jesus already knows the strength and weakness of our faith.
3. Ie. The disciples had to learn over and over again that they weren’t as strong in their faith as they
pretended to be! In fact, this man’s son was a case in point! The disciples were unable to help him.
D You can talk all day long about your faith in God, but if the doubts are there, you’re not fooling anybody
but yourself! So FESS UP! BE HONEST ABOUT IT!
E Here is a lesson for us that WE NEED TO BE ACUTELY AWARE OF OUR DOUBTS.
F Which is the greater sin? Faltering in our faith, or faking our faith? FAKING!
G Listen, even the best Christians have times of doubt.
1. Ie. John the Baptist in Matthew 11:1-6 had a bout with doubt. Jesus didn’t condemn Him for it. He
reassurred him!
2. We likewise have lapses in our faith.
a. “Is it true God? Are you real? Do you really care about me? Will you really take care of me?’
b. “If you care about me, why did you let this happen to me!”
3. We don’t always WANT to exercise faith. I.e. Joke about man hanging on a cliff “Anyone up there?”
II IT IS A STATEMENT OF SERIOUS CONCERN
A As I studied this passage, I had to ask myself, why did the man make such a forthright statement?
B He made it because he was concerned. He was concerned that although he believed in Jesus, perhaps he
did not believe enough!
1. In other words, he identified a problem.
2. He knew he had a measure of trust for Christ, but that it could be stronger!
3. This is even more evident in the original language. Jesus had actually mildly rebuked this man.
a. v. 22 “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
b. Jesus’ response was a strong one. “IF YOU CAN BELIEVE” = “You need to believe!”
“What is wrong with you. Can’t you believe? Where is your faith”
C I can’t help but think that perhaps Jesus is saying the same thing to some of us here today.
“Where is your faith?” “Why isn’t your faith where it needs to be?”
D God has shown me over and over again that I need more faith. I have faith in Him, but I need more. I do
believe, but I need help with my unbelief!
1. I can say that without being ashamed because I know that you are in the same boat I am!
2. Think back for a few minutes over this past year.
a. Can you think of some times when your faith didn’t rise to the occasion?
b. Have you discovered some “chinks in the armour” of your faith?
c. Are there some areas in your life where you STILL haven’t done what God wants you to do?
“God delights to increase the faith of His children...I say, and say it deliberately—trials, difficulties and
sometimes defeat, are the very food of faith...We should take them out of His hands as evidences of His love
and care for us in developing more and more that faith which He is seeking to strengthen in us”. GeorgeMueller
III IT IS A STATEMENT OF SINCERE DESIRE
A Did you notice the manner in which this man made the statement to Jesus?
1. v 24 “The father of the child CRIED OUT, and said WITH TEARS”
2. He was absolutely desperate. He was at his wit’s end!
B There is probably no feeling of desperation so intense, as a parent who cannot help his child!
1. Ie/ I can remember times when I would pray desperately over one of my children, as their temperature
climbed higher and higher.
2. It’s an awful feeling to be helpless. Especially when it comes to your children.
C I want us to imagine the utter helplessness and desperation of this father.
1. Verses 17,18, 20, 22
2. Can you imagine this! His son was being burned and cut and foamed at the mouth like a rabid animal!
3. We can only imagine the anguish this dad was feeling!
D But listen. When we are most desperate, then the truth will come out!
1. You see, it’s easy for us to say, “O Lord, I have great faith in you!”
2. But when tragedy, or heartache, or trials come. Then we shall see!
E But the good news is, when we face up to our faltering faith, when we admit it, that gives God room to
do what ONLY HE CAN DO!!
1. Notice what Jesus did. Or what He DID NOT DO.
a. He didn’t say, “Sorry, you don’t have enough faith”
b. He didn’t say, “Muster up more faith, and come back later.”
c. He didn’t say, “Oh, I ‘m so sorry, but a miracle can only happen if you have
a certain quota of faith!”
2. Jesus simply cast the demon out. And that was that!
CONCLUSION:
If we are to grow in Christ in the following year, or whatever time God gives us, we have got to realize that
it is quite possible that we do not trust the Lord as much as we would like to think we do. The best thing we
could possibly do is stand before the Lord and say from the bottom of our hearts, “I believe Lord, but please
help me with my unbelief” THE AFRICAN IMPALA is capable of jumping nearly 9 feet into the air,
although it is a very small creature, only about 3 1/2 feet tall. Yet, did you know that any zoo can keep the
impala confined to a yard with a stone wall only 4 feet high? WHY? Because the impala will NEVER JUMP
anywhere, unless it can see the place where his feet will land! >> IS THAT YOU
