1. Intro
1.1. Question - "How does faith happen?"
1.1.1. Some will say - "By hearing the word of God" (Rom 10:17)
1.1.2. True - BUT - plenty of people hear the word of God and don't necessarily have faith.
1.2. Tie to thoughts about reflection on 2015
1.3. Tie to point of life and ministry of Jesus - FAITH
2. Connection
2.1. On the surface, this passage seems to be about demons and it fits perfectly well within the scope of Marks gospel. Mark seems to have a preoccupation with demons in his gospl.
2.1.1. Jesus ministers to crowd - casts out demons
2.1.2. Jesus sends the disciples - they are given authority to cast out demons
2.1.3. Jesus goes to Gadara - meets a demon possessed man and casts out his demon
3. Main Thesis: How Faith Comes
3.1. Main Verse
3.1.1. Mk 9:23 And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”
3.2. On the
3.3. Main thoughts
3.3.1. Verse 23 is a promise.
3.3.2. From the beginning this has been the point of Jesus ministry, to bring people into faith in him. But now it is all the more important because he is headed to the cross. Now is the to walk by faith and this story is a major transition in this.
3.3.3. For example - Of the 4 exorcisms in Mark, this is the last and the only one that required faith before it happened
3.3.4. But this is not just about the dad and son, this si about the disciples and how they will do ministry
3.4. TITLE
3.4.1. So faith is the issue and the question is hows does this happen?
3.4.2. THE LIFE OF FAITH
3.4.3. not miracles ... but faith is the issue here
3.5. Son's illness was an opportunity to deal with father's faith ...
3.5.1. relate to our lives and 2015
4. Conclusion
4.1. Consider your prayer life and what demons you carrying into the new year.
4.1.1. They will not disappear until you learn how to wlak by faith and believe.
4.1.2. We have fallen into the temptation of separating ministry from spirituality, service from prayer. Our demons say: “We are too busy to pray, we have too many needs to attend to, too many people to respond to, too many wounds to heal.” Prayer is a luxury, something to do during a free hour, a day away from work or on a retreat. - Henri J. M. Nouwen, The Living Reminder: Service and Prayer in Memory of Jesus Christ
4.1.3. A life of prayer goes hand in hand with effective ministry. It makes one receptive to the action of God. One cannot get ready for the moment by quickly uttering a special prayer; one has to be ready through a prayerful life Garland, David E. (2011-03-01). Mark (The NIV Application Commentary Book 2) (p. 362). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
4.1.4. prayer “is a way of being empty and useless in the presence of God and so of proclaiming our basic belief that all is grace and nothing is simply the result of hard work.” Henri Nouwen, The Living Reminder (p 52)
4.1.5. The bible is replete with examples of the interplay between the journey inward to God and the journey outwoard to the world
4.1.5.1. Mesos (ex 32)
4.1.5.2. Elijah (1 Kings 19)
4.1.5.3. Jesus - baptism then ministry
4.1.5.4. Here
4.2. Don't lose sight of what matters
4.2.1. less arguing and more praying is the key to victory
4.2.1.1. This is what they are doing before Jesus comes, arguing.
4.2.1.2. Working hard through our worldview and theological points is so important, but never to the neglect of those in need.
4.2.1.2.1. The picture here is large in contrast. They disciples have failed, they are in a dispute, and this father just needs help
4.2.1.2.2. People around us, they need life. They need Jesus. I'm all for fine parsing of the text, but never to neglect the needs of the hurting.
4.2.1.3. QUOTE: They came to my church on Sunday, ordinary people did, but I did not recognize them in the early days. I know now why I did not recognize them; I did not want them to be ordinary people.… I wanted them to be spiritual athletes, shoulders strong to bear the burdens of global justice that my prophetic words laid on them. But while I was offering them the precious promises and walloping them with the heroic mandates of the Word of God, many of them were secretly praying, “O God, I don’t think I can get through this week— HELP ME!” … What they have in common is a sense that everything is all wrong where it matters to them most. What they desperately need is a miracle of faith to know that life at the center is all right. - Lewis B. Smedes, How Can It Be All Right When Everything Is All Wrong?
4.3. Faith is what God is working us towards
4.3.1. We see it here
4.3.1.1. The father
4.3.1.2. The disciples
4.3.2. At the start of this passage, we have a father struggling desparately for the life of his son. By the end, that struggle was as much for his faith as ti was for the son
4.3.3. Don't run just cause you have some doubts
4.3.4. DL Moody talks about 3 faiths.
4.3.4.1. Struggling faith - like a man in deep water desparetely swimming
4.3.4.2. clinging faith - like a man hanging to the side of the boat
4.3.4.3. resting faith - like a man safely in the boat, resting, and able to help others
4.3.5. Cry out - help my unbelief. It is a gift.
4.4. God's sovereignthy
4.4.1. From childhoold this boy is sick
4.4.2. help my faith
4.5. final comments
4.5.1. This story started at t
4.6. GO BACK TO THE PROMISE
4.6.1. Mk 9:23 And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”
4.6.2. What is it that God wants to do in your life?
5. Misc
5.1. ILL: We use more electricity during Christmas than some countries in the whole year
5.1.1. http://www.cgdev.org/blog/us-holiday-lights-use-more-electricity-el-salvador-does-year
5.2. ILL: Raphael's last work
5.2.1. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Transfiguration_Raphael.jpg
5.3. ILL: Steve Harvey - Miss Universe - Top of the world, utter disappointment
6. #1 - He brings us to places of desperation
6.1. 14-19a The Disciples are unable to cast out a demon from a boy
6.1.1. exegete
6.1.1.1. 14 - Scribes are arguing with the crowd
6.1.1.1.1. "when they cam to the disciples"
6.1.1.1.2. Who is arguing?
6.1.1.1.3. What are they arguing about? ref verse 16
6.1.1.2. 15 - The crowds see and flock to jesus
6.1.1.2.1. "greatly amazed"
6.1.1.3. 16 - Jesus asks why are they arguing
6.1.1.3.1. Why does Jesus ask this?
6.1.1.3.2. What are they arguing about?
6.1.1.4. 17-18a - A father reveals the story of his demon possessed son
6.1.1.4.1. The father
6.1.1.4.2. to you -
6.1.1.4.3. The son lives in bondage
6.1.1.5. 18b - The father relays how the disciples are unable to cast out the demon
6.1.1.5.1. "and they were not able"
6.1.1.6. 19a - Jesus calls this generation "Faithless"
6.1.1.6.1. exeget
6.1.1.6.2. Summary
6.1.2. SUMMARY
6.2. Important that Jesu says with God all things are possible because at this moment it felts as if nothing was possible
6.3. YOu would think that faith is birthed best in places of abundance, cause then we are so grateful and so happy
6.3.1. But the truth is, abundance that comes without a strain of desperation is often the birth place of idolatary, not faith.
6.3.2. Crowds, jairus, bleeding woman
7. #2 - In places of desperation, we find moments of encounter with JEsus
7.1. 19b-24 The father of the boy encounters Jesus and the issue of faith
7.1.1. exegete
7.1.1.1. Mk 9:20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.
7.1.1.1.1. Eduard Schweizer's insight is correct: "This indicates how the presence of God can produce storm and stress before anything constructive is accomplished." Edwards Jr., James R. (2009-10-05). The Gospel according to Mark (Pillar New Testament Commentary) (Kindle Locations 5179-5180). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition.
7.1.1.2. Mk 9:21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.
7.1.1.2.1. Why ask this question?
7.1.1.2.2. from childhood
7.1.1.3. Mk 9:22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him....
7.1.1.3.1. DEF: DESTROY to kill, translated perish, death, lose (meaning gone)
7.1.1.4. Mk 9:22..... But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
7.1.1.4.1. ** Here is the emergence of faith
7.1.1.4.2. if you can
7.1.1.5. Mk 9:23 And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”
7.1.1.5.1. For the first time, jesus requires faith for an exorcism
7.1.1.5.2. Mk 5:34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
7.1.1.5.3. Mk 5:36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”
7.1.1.6. Mk 9:23.... All things are possible
7.1.1.6.1. This is the path of faith .. from "if you can" to "all things are posssible
7.1.1.6.2. The sole bridge between frail humanity and the all-sufficiency of God is faith. Edwards Jr., James R. (2009-10-05). The Gospel according to Mark (Pillar New Testament Commentary) (Kindle Location 5195). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition.
7.1.1.7. Mk 9:23.... for one who believes.”
7.1.1.7.1. Who is this directed to?
7.1.1.8. Mk 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
7.1.1.8.1. He does this immediately cause something has awakened in him
7.1.1.8.2. I believe, but
7.1.2. summary
8. #3 - And there in moments of encounter with jesus, we're brought to real honest self-reflection
8.1. Mk 9:24 .... “I believe; help my unbelief!”
8.1.1. Here is one of the most transparent moments in the bible
8.1.2. This man in many ways is the disciples
8.1.2.1. Like the blind man before --- seeing partially first
8.1.2.2. Here there is belief and unbelief
8.1.3. Doubt and faith are not mutually exclusive
8.1.3.1. We think can't come to Jesus until all is settled. All my questions. All my doubts. But that's not the case always.
8.1.3.2. Or we think if I have faith I will have no doubts. Really?
8.1.3.3. Christopher Marshall, Faith as a Theme - “There is within every believer a tension between faith and unfaith, and that faith can only continue to exist by dint of divine aid.” -
8.1.3.4. There is something in man which is always apparently on the eve of disappearing, but never disappears, an assurance which is always apparently saying farewell and yet illimitably lingers, a string which is always stretched to snapping yet never snaps. - Chesteron
8.1.4. Here is a way to handle your unbelief
8.1.4.1. Acknowledge and hold to what you know
8.1.4.1.1. Plato, said, “My son, many have ere now doubted of the existence of the gods, but no man ever passed from youth to age without at some time or other believing.”
8.1.4.1.2. To say I have faith but I also have doubt is fantastic cause that is fiath in jesus and not self. See that.
8.1.4.2. Live in that and come to God
8.1.4.2.1. This afther comes to jesus. Doesn't stand backa nd wait until he has it all figured out. He comes.
8.1.4.2.2. *** What constitutes the difference between the believer and the unbeliever, since they both doubt and both believe? Are they not therefore in the same spiritual order? Think not so. The great fact, the determining fact, in the life of the believer is his belief; in the life of the unbeliever it is his doubt. The believer clings to his faith, and suspects his doubt
8.1.4.3. Express your unbelief and ask for help
8.1.4.3.1. True faith is always aware how small and inadequate it is. The father becomes a believer not when he amasses a sufficient quantum of faith but when he risks everything on what little faith he has, when he yields his insufficiency to the true sufficiency of Jesus, "' I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'" Edwards Jr., James R. (2009-10-05). The Gospel according to Mark (Pillar New Testament Commentary) (Kindle Locations 5198-5200). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition.
8.1.4.3.2. True faith takes no confidence in itself, nor does it judge Jesus by the weakness of his followers. It looks to the More Powerful One (1: 7) who stands in the place of God, whose authoritative word restores life from chaos. True faith is unconditional openness to God, a decision in the face of all to the contrary that Jesus is able. Edwards Jr., James R. (2009-10-05). The Gospel according to Mark (Pillar New Testament Commentary) (Kindle Locations 5201-5204). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition.
8.1.5. faith is a gift from GOD
8.1.5.1. Note he cries out help my unbelief
8.1.5.2. Faith is not a self determining effort. Othewise, what help is there
8.1.5.2.1. That is faith is not some silo that belongs to us and we figure it out.
8.1.5.2.2. We pray God open their heyes, open their understand, help them to believe
8.1.5.3. Marshall offers a helpful analysis: For Mark, all things are possible to the believer because, actively or passively, the believer sets no limits on God’s power to break into his or her concrete situation, for the very existence of faith within the believer is the ground which allows God to act in his or her context. Since faith is God going into action, it is legitimate to ascribe to faith what is in fact a matter for God. Garland, David E. (2011-03-01). Mark (The NIV Application Commentary Book 2) (p. 364). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
8.2. Here is a way to handle your unbelief (vs 24)
8.3. Jesus says faith is needed, and he says I have some, but i'm "riddled" (Keller) with doubt. Yet ehre is jesus healing anyways, though the doubt is not perfect.
8.3.1. 1 - we learn that " Helplessness, not holiness, is the first step to accessing the presence of God."
8.3.1.1. That's a savior
8.3.1.2. Jesus does not say, “I am the glory of God in human form. How dare you come before me with your doubts? Purify your heart. Confess all known sin. Get rid of all of your doubts. Get rid of your double-mindedness. Go away, and when you come back and you have really surrendered to me totally and you’ve really, really, really worked all the doubt out of your heart and you can come before me with a pure heart, then you can come before me and ask for your healing and your blessing.” Keller, T. J. (2013). The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive. New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
8.3.1.3. Jesus is telling us by this saving faith is not to say, “I’m faithful; now bless me.” See, when you say, “I’ve lived a faithful life; now bless me,” that’s faith in you. That’s being your own savior and lord. It’s not faith in him. Keller, T. J. (2013). The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive. New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
8.4. ILL: Tiger Yang - I believe ... this man "i believe help my unbelief" 0- get rid of doubt .. in self
8.5. Don't live in unbelief until you work out all you believe because that is built on the idea that you will ever have ALL YOUR FAITH worked out
8.5.1. You won't!
8.5.2. THis man - came to Jesus
8.5.3. THis man asked the disciples
8.5.4. THis man spoke up
8.5.5. THis man asked - if you can ... what a weak weak statement
8.5.6. ***** But NOTE ---- Jesus heard and answered.
9. #4 - Opportunities to Trust
9.1. So what happens when we finally get to that point when we're honest with God and ourselves? What happens when in our frail little faith we cry out to God to help our large overwhelming unbelief? what happens when God starts to move out of grace towards us to help us despite the fact that we are anything but a model of faith?
9.1.1. Sometimes, things get worse,things get harder, things get more desparate - and all of that are these moments when God is working to push the unbelief more to the forefront, more to the surface, more to be delt with, and more to the opportunities to learn to trust Him.
9.2. Exeget
9.2.1. TEXT
9.2.1.1. Mk 9:25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit ...
9.2.1.1.1. ... let me pause there and note so we don't lose the flow of mark ... note that what partially expedites this is Jesus sees the crowd coming. he doesn't want that. His public ministry phase is done. he's headed to jerusalem. So he moves forward quickly here ...
9.2.1.2. Mk 9:25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
9.2.1.3. Mk 9:26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.”
9.2.2. Observation
9.2.2.1. So Jesus once again puts forward his authority over demons and he commands the demon to leave, to leave and never come back because apparently that's something that happens. They leave and you think it's great and here they are again, and sometiems, according to Jesus parable, they come be with more demons and you ar worse off than you were before.
9.2.2.2. But here we're shown, when jesus delivers from teh grip of Satan, you are deleivered. Never enter him again. (one reason we believe Christians cannot be demon posseessed)
9.2.2.3. But as Jesus heals this boy, as this desparate father who has watched his only son all his life suffer from the tormenting destruction of this demon finally has hope that the great JESUS is going to heal his son ... what happens?
9.2.2.3.1. What happens is the boy cries out, the boy starts convulsing, and then he was like a corpse, meaning he was motionless, breathless. THere's no response. Nothing.
9.2.2.3.2. He's so bad taht "most of them" - so not just one but MOST of those around said - he's dead.
9.2.2.3.3. Put your shows in the father's place. How does that feel right then. What's racign through your mind and heart? You've reached out to Jesus with what little faith you have - "IF .. IF YOU CAN do anything ... please help" And here's your son... seemingly dead. How do you feel about faith in Jesus now? what do you think? was this a mistake?
9.2.2.3.4. *** Think back to the argument here. the disciples could not heal him. Was that a sign you should have heeded? The scribes came and most likely they said this is foolishness. This Jesus is not real. Why didn't you listen? why didn't you heed the common wisdom of the day? But you pressed on. You pushed ahead. You insisted on JESUS. And now your boy's dead.
9.2.3. Principles
9.2.3.1. Sometimes God moves in our lives, in the most fragile parts of our lives, and things don't get better they get worse. And in those moments
9.3. Mk 9:27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
9.4. Mk 9:26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.”
9.4.1. Salvation is a process in which things must sometimes become worse before they become better (e.g., Exod 5: 21– 6: 1). The first test of the father's faith is to trust the word and promise of Jesus alone, not the immediate empirical consequences of it. Edwards Jr., James R. (2009-10-05). The Gospel according to Mark (Pillar New Testament Commentary) (Kindle Locations 5209-5210). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition.
9.4.1.1. ILL: “the operation was a success, but the patient died,”
9.4.1.2. Eduard Schweizer's insight is correct: "This indicates how the presence of God can produce storm and stress before anything constructive is accomplished." Edwards Jr., James R. (2009-10-05). The Gospel according to Mark (Pillar New Testament Commentary) (Kindle Locations 5179-5180). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition.
9.4.2. here is the moment the father gets to taste the power of jesus. here si the moment faith is put to the test.
9.4.2.1. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t, but Jesus says, “If you have accessed the presence of God through helplessness, not holiness, and if you have given me your most precious things, and if you see me losing everything so you could gain it, losing being surrounded by the love of God so you could have it, then sometimes you’ll go to the mountain. Then when you come off the mountain, even though you won’t see everything that clearly, you’ll wait, you’ll trust, you’ll handle it, and it’ll make you great.” Let’s pray. Keller, T. J. (2013). The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive. New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
9.5. Mk 9:27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
9.5.1. What is this? Resurrection words! Don't miss this
9.5.1.1. NOTE THE FLOW
9.5.1.1.1. Jesus has talked about his death and resurrection
9.5.1.1.2. They go to a mt. Amazing. Affirmed and encouraged
9.5.1.1.3. In the valley, they are living it out - hard. always hard in the valley
9.5.1.1.4. Picture: Loving father, suffering son. Tormented to the work of the devil. surrounded by crowds bickering and arguing. Delivered but dies. Rose again!
9.6. APP: "most of them said "He is dead" " -
9.6.1. What things in yoru life is dead seemingly?
10. #5 - Rest In God's Sovereignty
10.1. 28-29 The disciples ask why they were unable to cast out the demon
10.1.1. exegete
10.1.1.1. Mk 9:28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
10.1.1.1.1. The word "we" places the wrong emphasis
10.1.1.1.2. They ask. this is what disciples do
10.1.1.2. Mk 9:29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
10.1.1.2.1. Jesus does not offer up a "prayer" of invocation to remove this spirit, so we assume prayer here means prayer to God rather than the right ritualistic prayer
10.1.1.2.2. APP:
10.1.1.2.3. "FASTING"
10.1.2. summary
10.2. relate to series on prayer
10.3. God moves in prayer not because Prayers force his hand, but because prayers puts us in the place of not idolizing answers. There is a release in prayer, a trust in prayer. A surrender in prayer. The mysticalness of prayer (and every religion has it) is that you come to the place of recognizing where your help comes from
10.3.1. Psalm 121