“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.
Parent/Child
Husband/Wife
Brother/Sister
IV. COMMITMENT {vs 21-27}
• I want you to take a look at the progression here as Jesus speaks to the father.
• First of all, in vs 21, Jesus asks a question of him
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, "How long has he been like this?"
• Always remember this…when Jesus asked a question, He ALWAYS knew the answer already! There is something about the man’s response that Jesus was getting at.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered.
• Look at verse 22. The father’s focus has gone from just the boy to the boy AND the father
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."
• Jesus isn’t done. Look at verses 23 & 24.
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!"
• The father’s focus has changed again. He has gone from “help my boy” to “help us” to “HELP ME!”
• Mom and Dad, if we want our homes to be healed, it BEGINS WITH US!!!
• Parents, we need to be the ones that set the standard in our homes!
Bring your kids to church
Punish them when they do wrong
Give your kids boundaries
Live Christianity at your house as well as God’s house
Make Christianity appealing---not a turn off---to your kids
• Jesus didn’t deal with the son’s problems until He dealt with the Father’s faith!
• Look how Jesus dealt with the son:
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.
• Jesus not only touched the boy but He helped him to stand.
• Jesus doesn’t want to merely answer your prayer…He will help your family to stand!
• We must have the right foundation…a strong commitment!
RESPONSE
• Friend, healthy people come out of healthy homes!
• Can we make it a point to pray together, maybe families praying together, and ask God for spiritual health to prevail in our homes?
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