We Walk By Faith Part 3 Series

We Walk By Faith Part 3

Scripture: Mark 9:16-24; Romans 10:8-17; 2 Timothy 2:15

Introduction:

In my message two weeks ago I shared with you that the foundation of faith lie within what we believe. Faith can only exist where there is belief. Last time I focused on how we come to believe some of the things we do and how that process, if understood completely, can lend itself to our increasing what we believe about Christ and thus increasing our faith in Him. This morning I will focused on how we develop an unquestioning belief in Christ (true faith). Paul states in the book of Romans that faith in Christ comes through our hearing and understanding the word of God. Before we examine what he said, I want to share with you a quick story from Mark the 9th chapter.

Mark the 9th chapter captures a story of a man who had a son who was possessed by a demonic spirit. The man brought his son to the disciples so that they could cast the demon out. A large crowd had gathered around the disciples with some of the scribes in the crowd arguing with the disciples. When the crowd saw Jesus, they ran up to Him. Jesus asked them what was going on and the father of the boy told Jesus that he had a son who was possessed with a demon. He then related to Jesus what the demonic spirit would do to his son. He told Jesus that he brought his son to the disciples and told them to cast the demonic spirit out of his son but the disciples could not do it. Jesus became a little frustrated with the people and with His disciples and demanded that the boy be brought to Him. When the boy was brought to Jesus the spirit threw him to the ground and he began foaming at the mouth. Let’s pick the story up at verse twenty-two.

“It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us! And Jesus said to him, ‘If You can? All things are possible to him who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, ‘I do believe; help my unbelief.” (Vss. 23-24)

The man appeared to believe that Jesus’ disciples could help him. Secondly, when he brought his son to the disciples, a crowd gathered to see if they could in fact do it. When they could not apparently an argument broke out with some of the crowd members, the scribes and the disciples. When Jesus finally walked up, the crowd turned their attention to Him. Jesus asked what was going on and the father told Him what was up. When the father brought his son to Jesus, the man said “If You can do anything….” Jesus responded to the man and told him that anything was possible for the one who believed. Now listen closely to the man’s answer: “I do believe; help my unbelief!” The man possibly understood that his belief might have been compromised when the disciples could not cast the demon out of his son so he told Jesus that he did believe but also asked Jesus to help his unbelief. The man wanted to save his son and he did not want his son to continue to suffer because of his lack of believing that Jesus could cast the demon out. So when he realized that his current belief might not be enough, he asked Jesus to help his unbelief. Have you ever asked Jesus to help your unbelief or do we spend our time justifying why we do not believe something?

This morning we will focus on where our faith comes from – the word of God. But what I ask each of you to do is think about what you believe as it relates to Christ and what you are struggling to believe. When you recognize what you are struggling to believe you will understand what is hindering the growth of your faith. Remember, faith can only exist where there is unquestioning belief. If your belief is not unquestioning there is room for doubt and therefore room for your faith to fail. In the areas where you are struggling to believe, ask Jesus to help your unbelief. Just whisper this prayer: “Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief!” and He will do it, but it starts with you asking.

I. Faith Comes By Hearing The Word Of God

In the tenth chapter of the book of Romans, Paul discusses the fact that the word of faith brings salvation. Remember, it is not enough to read or hear the Word, you must also believe it. Belief will come as you truly study God’s word and implant it within your hearts so that you are always reflecting on it and its teachings. Let’s begin reading at verse eight of Romans chapter ten. Romans 10:8-10 says “But what does it say? ‘The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’, that is the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness and with the mouth he confesses resulting in salvation.”