Sermon text: Mark 9:14-29
Outline
BIG IDEA:
To be fruitful disciples of Jesus, we must pray in faith, believing He is able.
Summary
In my last post, I wrote about the transfiguration. Last week’s text left off with Jesus, Peter, James, and John heading back down the mountain. When they got to the bottom of the mountain, they found a crowd gathered and the scribes arguing with the rest of the disciples.
A man had brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus. In Jesus’ absence, the disciples had failed to cast it out. No doubt the scribes were using this as an opportunity to mock the disciples and undermine the authority of Jesus.
In vv. 20-24, Jesus interacts with the boy’s father. The boy (likely 10-15 years old) had been possessed “from childhood” (v. 21). Undoubtedly, this man had done everything he could to save his son. He had likely been to doctors, religious leaders, and self-proclaimed miracle workers. However, no one else could help. Jesus was the only hope that this man’s son had. I’m reminded of Mark 5, where Jesus delivered the demoniac and healed the woman with a flow of blood and raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead.
The father asks Jesus for help: “if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (v. 22). Jesus’ response should encourage us: “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes” (v. 23). Jesus is not saying that we can receive anything if we enough faith. Jesus is not a genie in a bottle. Rather, Jesus was teaching that anything is possible (not guaranteed) if we trust that nothing is too difficult for God, even when our experience seems to indicate otherwise.
Is there something in your life that has you in a state of desperation? Jesus can fix it. Give it to him (Matt 11:28-30). All things are possible for the one who believes in him. In one of the most honest statements in the Bible, the man says, “I believe; help my unbelief” (v. 24).
This man’s response exemplifies saving faith. We can only truly trust in Christ when we acknowledge that we have nowhere else to turn. We can’t do enough good works or live holy enough lives to earn our salvation. We must trust in Christ and his finished work on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. We respond in repentance (turning away from sin) and put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
Finally, Jesus gives his disciples some instruction (vv. 28-29). Jesus had given the disciples authority to cast out demons (Mark 6:13), so why could they not cast this one out? It seems that the disciples, based on their previous experience, assumed that they would be able to heal this boy. Jesus was teaching them that only by prayer could they see the hand of God at work. When we follow Jesus, we must be dependent on him in an ongoing way (John 15:5).
Our prayer life is the truest indicator of our dependence on God. Our prayers must be filled with faith (Heb 11:6). To be filled with faith, fill yourself with God’s Word and hear its promises. Spend time with God in prayer. As you open your heart to Him, your faith will increase.
We must believe that Jesus is able to do the impossible! What do you do when you don’t have faith? Pray like the father of the demon-possessed boy: “I believe, Lord help my unbelief!”
Verses Referenced
John 15:5; Heb 11:6