Christ Rules Those Straining To Believe

Christ Rules! Gospel of Mark Series (Part 19)

A Sermon by Jim Hammond from Mark 9:14-29

OUTLINE

Focus: When you make enough deposits, you have sufficient funds to use; this is true for financial as well as faith deposits. The disciples discovered that they were overdrawn, what they attempted required more than they had deposited. They were humbled by the publicity of insufficient faith.

SUFFICIENT FAITH . . .

I. . . . MAKES A DIFFERENCE _________________

II. . . . STRAINS TO BELIEVE (9:24)

3 Kinds of Faith

III. . . . IS MARKED BY ________________________

4 Reason the Disciples Faith was Insufficient

IV. . . . IS FAITH _______________________________

MANUSCRIPT

Insufficient funds

People receive a notice from college when classes are canceled due to Insufficient Enrollment

People get an Error message on their computers for insufficient memory

We read about cases thrown out of court due to insufficient evidence

People have checks returned by bank for insufficient funds, with a penalty fee.

We will learn from a father today who was notified of his insufficient faith.

We will learn from the disciples today who were notified of their insufficient prayer.

So many parents watch helplessly as their child suffers.

Mr. Smith suffers as he walks out of the hospital room where his child is receiving treatments for cancer. He is angry and wiping away tears trying to hide his vulnerability from his son.

Mr. Jones doesn’t know where to turn. He has just returned from the police station to pick up his drunk teenager and this isn’t the first time.

Mrs. Brown sees the signs of gang activity that she just read about. She had suspected it when her son started hanging out with the wrong crowd and when her son’s grades dropped suddenly, now this was confirmed by the emblems on her son’s hat.

Mrs. White just found drug paraphernalia in her son’s drawer. She wasn’t putting away socks. She was looking for some evidence, something she could use to confront his suspicious and erratic behavior.

Mr. and Mrs. Green are discussing their daughter. The sweet little girl they used to know has changed. Her values no longer match theirs. She doesn’t want to have anything to do with them, or their faith. It seems she is bent on a path of self destruction but won’t listen to any warning. They have given up on the little battles--what clothes she can wear, which friends she can see--and attempted to focus on the major battles, demanding she either come home at a midnight curfew or find another place to live. They fear they are losing her.

Another parent has struggled for years with their daughter’s health. They have spent all their money on doctors and counselors, but their daughter is still anorexic. She is killing herself slowly with her bulimic habits. She is nothing but skin and bones, with dark circles under her eyes but she still thinks she needs to watch her weight. It seems she can’t eat.

It doesn’t matter whether the child is suffering from some malignant disease, or caught in the grip of some addiction, or living at the mercy of gangs and violence. Parents experience anger, frustration, and the feeling of helplessness not knowing where to turn. They also experience fear. They fear that if something is not done, if somehow their child is not delivered, something is going to take control and kill them. These desperate parents I just described above are people who were trying to lead good lives, and trying to honor God with their faith. But they feel like they just don’t have any faith when it comes to the plight of their children. What can be done? They’ve prayed and prayed but feel like the answer they keep getting from the bank of heaven is “check returned due to insufficient funds, pay penalty fees of. . .” They feel like they are getting the same notice, but instead of insufficient funds, it says “insufficient faith.” And they ARE struggling to believe there is any hope. They ARE struggling with their faith and worrying themselves sick. Their best efforts are to no avail. Their prayers are prayers of frustration and fear not faith anymore. What now?

Today we are going to look at the hope Jesus gave to a parent who was feeling the same feelings as all these parents I have described. His son was not only deaf and mute, he also had massive grand mall seizures that have on occasion nearly killed him. Only one thing could make matters worse, and this was true for this boy, this was the fact that the father knew there was an evil power behind these physical ailments, these ailments were not natural, they were supernatural and evil. It was clear to this father that demonic powers were involved. Just how he knew this we are not told.

Many like this father have a struggling faith. Their faith is struggling because the odds are stacked against them. Do you feel like the odds are stacked up against you right now? You will identify with either the disciples, or the father, or the ailing boy, unless you are a skeptic, then you will identify with the Pharisees or the crowd.

Let’s read the passage.

(Mark 9:14-29 NIV) "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. {28} After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" {29} He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer.""

I. SUFFICIENT FAITH MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN EVERY SITUATION (9:23)

Let’s remember the context here first. Jesus and three disciples have just come down from the mountaintop experience of the transfiguration. What a rude awakening as they are reintroduced to life on the plains, or life in the valley below.

Mountaintop and Valley

On the mountain, we encounter almighty God; in the valley, there is an encounter with the demonic.

On the mountain we encounter the awe of faith; in the valley, we encounter those who struggle to believe at all.

On the mountain, God's reassuring voice is heard; in the valley, the shouts of human argument.

On the mountain, disciples worship; in the valley, the disciples fight.

On the mountain, the glory of God is revealed; in the valley, the power of sin and unbelief is revealed.

Is it any wonder then that Christ says what he says in 9:19? He has just been on the mountain. A mountain that pales in comparison to the fullness of the eternal glory he has already known, and to which he knows he will once again return.

It must have been hard coming back to the reality of the valley, back to the mission of suffering. It must have been frustrating. Add to this the fact that Jesus knew how short his time was to correct and strengthen his disciples lack of faith. Jesus knew exactly where these arguments and tensions were leading.

Martin Luther King’s Last Sermon

In Martin Luther King's last sermon on April 3, 1968, on the eve of his assassination, at Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee, the headquarters of the Church of God in Christ, the largest African American Pentecostal denomination in the United States, he concluded his remarks that night with these words:

I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountain top. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.[i]

The Disciples had Insufficient faith

Jesus lumps the disciples into the “unbelieving crowd.”

When Jesus addresses the father, it is with a challenge.

{23} "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Jesus is saying SUFFICIENT FAITH MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN EVERY SITUATION

Every time someone with sufficient faith prays, something good happens. He is not saying whatever anybody wants—good or bad--he can have, as long as he trumps up enough positive believing.

II. SUFFICIENT FAITH STRAINS TO BELIEVE (9:24)

The tension between believing and not believing

There is within each of us a struggle between faith and unfaith. It isn’t always a simple matter of black and white, we either believe or don’t. I think we sometimes live in the tension between believing and not believing. We believe God can, but we don’t think he will. Faith seems fragile sometimes. We believe, then we struggle to believe. Oh maybe we have a strong faith when it comes to the idea that God exists, but we have a weak faith, when it comes to believing he will answer OUR prayers, and meet OUR specific needs.

What kind of faith do you have? Is it a faith that believes God wants to do something good, something you think is impossible.

For the first time Jesus demands faith as a condition for this exorcism/healing. At the heart of this healing is a struggle for faith.

Maybe you feel like this father right now. “I believe, help my unbelief”

3 Kinds of Faith: Struggling faith--Clinging Faith--Resting Faith

D. L. Moody said there are three kinds of faith: 1) Struggling faith, like a man in deep water desperately swimming, 2) Clinging faith, like a man hanging to the side of a boat, and 3) Resting faith, like a man safely within the boat and able to reach out and help others get in.

In the account that we will just read this morning, did you identify with someone? Did you identify with the father? Did you identify with the boy? Did you identify with the disciples, feeling inadequate for the task? Did you identify with the crowd with their questions? Or did you identify with the Pharisees with their skepticism?

The Father said, “If you can” perhaps the emphasis was on “you” as opposed to the disciples who failed. Jesus gives a quick comeback. His capability is not the issue here. The issue is faith. His faith.

Unlike the disciples, Jesus possessed unlimited power because of his potent faith. His prayer life was a part of that potent faith.

III. SUFFICIENT FAITH IS MARKED BY A LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER (9:29)

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"

29 He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

The Reason the Disciples Faith was Insufficient

1. The lack of prayer

The disciples didn’t fail because they failed to say a prayer as they were exorcising the demon. It is not that they failed to say the right prayer. It is that their lives were not characterized by the lifestyle of prayer. Their prayer life was weak. Consequently their faith was based upon the wrong things.

Notice 9:25 and ask yourself the question, did Jesus pray to cast out the demon?

(Mark 9:25 NIV) "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.""

We know that all through the gospel of Mark Jesus is keeping his publicity down. You might misunderstand what is going on in this verse. Jesus is not doing the miracle because the crowd is gathering to show the crowd. He is doing the miracle quickly before the crowd gets their. Why do I bring this up? Because I want you to notice Jesus didn’t have time to pray here, yet he effectively deals with this kind of demon that will not come out except through prayer.

What Jesus is advocating is the life of prayer. The life characterized by prayerful dependence. This kind of faith is a humble dependent faith.

2. The Wrong Confidence

They had confidence, an unfounded overconfidence. They had healed people before. They had cast out demons before. They had done this successfully. But now they begin to think they have mastered a technique. They have been given a capability. This isn’t it at all. All miracles are gifts of God. God is the source. The agent must be an open vessel for God to work. These disciples were full of themselves. They were prayerless.

False Confidence Points People in the Wrong Direction

Good Clean Funnies List (GCFL.net) tells the following story: I was in the VIP lounge last week en route to Seattle, when I noticed Bill Gates sitting on the couch enjoying a cognac. I was meeting a very important client that was also flying to Seattle with me, but she was running a bit late.

Being the fairly forward person I am, I approached Mr. Gates and introduced myself. I explained to him that I was conducting some very important business, and how I would really appreciate it if he could throw a quick 'Hello Chris' at me while I was with my client. He agreed.

Ten minutes later when I was conversing with my client, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Bill Gates. I turned around and looked up at him.

He said "Hey Chris, what's happening?"

I replied, "Take a hike, Gates. I'm in a meeting."[ii]

We must not fail to remember people need help from the source. The father says to Jesus, “I brought YOU my son” And Jesus responds bring the boy to ME. The gospel draws people who are in pain. It is the good news. The people must place their hope in Him not us.

3. The Wrong Focus

The disciples’ failure led to other failures. They argued with the Pharisees rather than cared for the needs of the people. Can you imagine the frustration of the father as he stands by watching the disciples argue with the Pharisees. He is forgotten. Many cynics believe this is the normal state of affairs for the church. The church argues about this doctrine or that, or why God does this or that, and fails to meet the needs of the one who is really struggling. Do we spend more time praying than we do debating and discussing truths? Do we spend time offering the help people need or trying to answer for them questions they are not asking. Most people in desperate situations do not care about the fine points of theology. They don’t care about what is heresy. They just want help! That is why many cults succeed where many who hold the truth don’t. If we settle into an argument about truth but fail to meet peoples needs we might prove ourselves right, but irrelevant! While we debate about who is right and who is wrong, and who is at fault, the world stands by helplessly in the grips of evil.

4. The Neglect of Care

Care is The Practical Side of Prayer

All too often we can spin our wheels wondering why specific prayer requests have not been answered. The practical side of the life of prayer is that prayer changes us, in ways we see, and in ways we do not see. What we don’t see is the spiritual authority that changes when we are emptied of self and filled with the Holy Spirit. We become filled and ready vessels. We are ready to do very practical things. We aren’t arguing about who is the greatest. We are rolling up our sleeves and pitching in to help.

It may be that we don’t see the miracle of a bedridden person jumping out of bed. God might have another plan. He wants the bedridden person to see his love expressed through his medical bills being paid by people in the church, his children being watched, his family cared for, meals being brought. Sometimes the work of God is demonstrated with greater power. I’m guessing from God’s perspective, he considers these kinds of miracles as the greater miracle rather than simply speaking healing into a body.

IV. Sufficient Faith is Faith In Christ

Today many people say to people in desperate situations, “just have faith.” And people mean just have faith in anything. People believe that faith by itself is powerful. But it isn’t faith in whatever here. It is faith in Christ. All things are possible for God. It is faith in God through Christ that opens up possibilities that only God can open up. God has the power to break into our concrete situation. Our faith is what God is waiting for before he begins to move and work. We do not have faith in faith. We have Faith in Christ! He opens up the blessings of heaven for us. Jesus said, “Bring the boy to me.” What is he telling you this morning. You fill in the blank. “Bring the _______ to me”.

[i] Quoted by Clyde Fant and William Pinson, eds., 20 Centuries of Great Preaching, Vol. XII, (Waco, TX: Word Books, 1971), pp. 352-353

[ii] http://www.gcfl.net/archive/20001010.html