UNBELIEF PRODUCES SPIRITUAL PARALYSIS

More Sermon Starters 6. Unbelief Produces Spiritual Paralysis

UNBELIEF PRODUCES SPIRITUAL PARALYSIS

INTRODUCTION: Isaiah 59:1–2 speaks of the “separation between you and your God.” The ground in which your sins grow and flourish is unbelief. And that unbelief is a ground full of elements that paralyze the Christian’s vision and action.

In Mark 6:1–6 we read that in His hometown, Nazareth, Jesus was almost completely paralyzed by the people’s unbelief. “He could do no mighty works there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.”

I. Now let us consider some Old Testament illustrations of the paralyzing effect of unbelief:

A. We read that when Noah built the ark and preached 120 years none believed. All perished except Noah and his family (see Gen. 6–7).

B. Then there was Israel’s unbelief at Kadesh Barnea (see Num. 13–14). Consider all they lost.

C. Zacharias became “dumb” because he did not believe Gabriel’s message (see Luke 1:5–25, 57–64).

D. Jesus told the disciples that they could not cast the demon out of the boy “because of your little faith” (Matt. 17:19–20).

II. Paralysis is brought on by unbelief.

A. Unbelief leaves a Christian powerless in attempted service.

B. Unbelief leaves him powerless to receive God’s truth and blessing.

C. Unbelief is a pestilential plague that devitalizes the praying faith of others in the church.

D. Unbelief paralyzes the vision, and men cannot see the peril of the lost.

E. The paralysis of unbelief reduces God to the level of only the things that are possible by human endeavor

More Sermon Starters 6. Unbelief Produces Spiritual Paralysis

INTRODUCTION:

Introduction

See

Isaiah 59:1–2 NASB95

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

This text speaks of the “separation between you and your God.” The ground in which your sins grow and flourish is unbelief. And that unbelief is a ground full of elements that paralyze the Christian’s vision and action.

speaks of the “separation between you and your God.” The ground in which your sins grow and flourish is unbelief. And that unbelief is a ground full of elements that paralyze the Christian’s vision and action.

In we read that in His hometown, Nazareth, Jesus was almost completely paralyzed by the people’s unbelief. “He could do no mighty works there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.”

Mark 6:1–6 NASB95

Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching.

More Sermon Starters 6. Unbelief Produces Spiritual Paralysis

Now let us consider some Old Testament illustrations of the paralyzing effect of unbelief:

Hallock, E. F. (1975). More Sermon Starters (p. 13). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Old Testament illustration of the paralyzing effect of unbelief

More Sermon Starters 6. Unbelief Produces Spiritual Paralysis

A. We read that when Noah built the ark and preached 120 years none believed. All perished except Noah and his family (see Gen. 6–7).

B. Then there was Israel’s unbelief at Kadesh Barnea (see Num. 13–14). Consider all they lost.

C. Zacharias became “dumb” because he did not believe Gabriel’s message (see Luke 1:5–25, 57–64).

D. Jesus told the disciples that they could not cast the demon out of the boy “because of your little faith” (Matt. 17:19–20).

Paralysis is brought on by unbelief

More Sermon Starters 6. Unbelief Produces Spiritual Paralysis

A. Unbelief leaves a Christian powerless in attempted service.

B. Unbelief leaves him powerless to receive God’s truth and blessing.

C. Unbelief is a pestilential plague that devitalizes the praying faith of others in the church.

D. Unbelief paralyzes the vision, and men cannot see the peril of the lost.

E. The paralysis of unbelief reduces God to the level of only the things that are possible by human endeavor.