Lord Help Our Unbelief

Lord, Help Our Unbelief

Mark 9:14-29 January 3, 2009

And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Mark 9:14-29

Introduction: Are you a worrier, w-o-r-r-i-e-r? I confess, to my shame, I am. If the slightest twinge seems out of place I let my mind go crazy and think that I have a rare flu when somehow it is related to the natural workings of my body. Maybe you’re like me and have become lumped into the category of those happy-go-lucky internet users who when plagued by a “mysterious ailment” google “Webmd” and check their symptom checker as to what maybe you’re life threatening disease this time. Granted, Webmd exists as a tool for instructing the ignorant concerning potentially serious medical conditions, according to a recent NY Times article Microsoft published a study indicating that many people concerned about their health turn to the internet first rather than their personal care physician and jump to erroneous conclusions about their health. The people are known as “cyberchondriacs” and demonstrate the tendencies of first-year med school students who when instructed about the variety of medical dilemmas out there believe that they might have 1 and rush to the doctor. Or possibly you are sitting here contemplating the current financial crisis and the state of your funds, or your concerns dwell on the Gaza strip where Israel in search of peace has advanced against HAMAS once more. Maybe something else has occupied your slate this moment and caused you to panic. Regardless of might be the cause of your worry be enlightened that such actions do not please God. I base my understanding upon Hebrews 11:6 which tells us “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” In plain words we are told that in order to please God we must have faith. Faith in what? The writer makes this clearer for us by indicating that those who come to God must believe that He is. We must believe in His existence and all that He relates to us about Himself in His Word, that He is the True One in all things He is True. But also that He will reward those who diligently seek after Him. They must with fervency and determination seek (in prayer and through the Truths of His Word) after God. So if having faith in God pleases Him then a lack of faith displeases Him and is therefore sin. A lack of faith is, as I understand it, a blow against God’s Character telling Him in essence “You’re not what You say You are and I can’t trust You.” Today we’re going to look at a man whose fundamental problem was unbelief. We’re also going to consider 12 men whose fundamental problem was also unbelief, for they did not have the faith to diligently seek God in prayer and trust His Word. I submit to you today that (Thesis).

Thesis: Believers must conquer the sin of worry through prayer and familiarity in God’s trustworthy Word.

Though man may be of help our solution is found in Christ.

Rather than trusting in men for our complete answer, we must trust our God.

Rather than carrying about in useless disputations, we must trust our God.

When faced with a problem, we must faithfully seek the Lord.

We must use our God-given tools to conquer our problems.

Conclusion: