The Power Of Little Faith

THE POWER OF LITTLE FAITH

Mark 9:17-27

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: Bad to Worse

1. Maria Smith & her husband were on their way home when he was pulled over for speeding. As the patrolman returned his driver's license, her husband, hoping for leniency, asked, "Officer, did you notice that yesterday was my birthday?"

2. "As a matter of fact, I did," the officer replied, "because that's when your license expired!"

B. CROP DUSTER FAITH

1. Oct. 18-19, 2025 was the “Wings Over Houston Airshow.” All kinds of aircraft perform for the crowds.

2. There’s Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy Blue Angels in breathtaking flight patterns - upside down, right side up, and sideways. But at that same airshow are planes that are basically crop-dusters.

3. The different planes, pilots, and abilities reminds of people with different kinds of faith. Some have Thunderbird faith (fast, high, precise) while other’s faith fits in the crop duster category - not flashy, flying low, covering the same ground a lot, and some mornings, it’s tough to get the old engine cranked up.

4. Everyone has been given the measure of faith; some have extraordinary faith, while many have “average” faith. But don’t underestimate the power of average faith!

C. TEXT MARK 9:17-27

17 “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 impure 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.

D. THESIS This message, “The Power of Little Faith” describes the plight of a father heart-broken about his son.

I. THINGS THAT LIMIT FAITH

A. WHAT IS THE PROPORTION OF YOUR FAITH?

1. Everyone has been given the measure of faith. We all have faith, but our faith waxes and wanes; increases and decreases.

2. Things that Cause Little Faith:

a. Trials

b. Discouragement

c. Out of touch with God

d. Bad circumstances.

B. LITTLE FAITH RECOGNIZED

1. In Mt. 6:30, "Little Faith" is described as those who doubt God's ability to provide for their needs. “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field...will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

2. In Mt. 8:26, when Jesus was asleep in the boat and calmed the storm, He said to His disciples, "O you of little faith, why are you so afraid?" They had let fear caused by the storm dominate them.

3. In Mt. 14:31, Peter walked on the water. When he doubted and sank, Jesus said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

4. Here in Mark 9:24, the boy's father recognized that he had struggling or inadequate faith and cried out, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

5. INADEQUACY. Two cows were grazing in the pasture when they saw a milk truck pass. On the side of the truck were the words, "Pasteurized, homogenized, standardized, Vitamin A added." One cow sighed and looked to the other, "Makes you feel kind of inadequate, doesn't it?" (John Maxwell, The Winning Attitude).

II. GREATER FAITH IS POSSIBLE

A. FAITH CAN GROW

1. Paul told the Thessalonians, "Your faith grows exceedingly” 2 Thess. 1:3.

2. WHY IS FAITH SO IMPORTANT?

a. Romans 4:5; Abraham's faith was "credited to Him as righteousness."

b. Romans 12:3, 6; "think of yourself…according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith."

c. Romans 11:20; 2 Corinthians 1:24; "We stand by faith."

d. Ephesians 3:17; "Christ dwells in our hearts through faith."