Dependence

Introduction

Recap what was preached last meeting. We focused on

Jesus took three disciples with him up a very high mountain. Peter James and John

While they were up the mountain Jesus was transformed or transfigured and his clothes became radiant, intensely white as no one on earth could bleach them.

Elijah and Moses appeared and were conversing with him

Peter wakes up and realizes something supernatural is going on and wants to make Tents one for Jesus one for Elijah and one for Moses.

There was a great cloud that overshadowed them (glory) and a loud voice came from heaven saying “this is my beloved son; listen to him.”

suddenly everything stopped and they were left with just Jesus. The three disciples did not recognize the significance of what just happened. The began to be confused about what Jesus ment by rising from the dead and what role Elijah has in the coming of the messiah.

Jesus gives us opportunities to learn and grow with him but so often we take what we already know and run ahead of him and therefore we miss the point of what Jesus is teaching us.

Now we will move on in the Gospel of Mark into the next passage which is

please stand with me for the reading of God’s word.

Jesus comes down the mountain

They come come down the mountain and join back up with the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them. They were arguing with the scribes.

When the crowd say Jesus they were greatly amazed and ran up to him to greet him. Why were they amazed?

Jesus never basks in the glory of the crowd. He turns his attention to his disciples and wants to know what the Disciples and the scribes are arguing about.

A man in the crowd answers him “Teacher I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute, and whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.

Jesus responds with exasperation “ O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long an I to bear with you? bring him to me. Generation could be translated as nation or people. First the 3 on the mountain missed what just took place during the revelation of God and now the 9 are unable to do what they previously were able to do

They bring the boy to Jesus and when the spirit Jesus immediately it convulsed the boy and he fell on the ground and rolled about foaming at the mouth.

we noticed bring the boy to Jesus didn’t immediately help the situation. It got worse at first.

Jesus asks the father, how long has this been happening to him?

This allows the father to tell his story and shows the concern and compassion that Jesus has for the boy and the father.

The father says this has been happening since childhood, the spirit often cast the boy into fire and into water to destroy him. We see the goal of every demonic spirit or satan for that matter it to kill and destroy. The dark powers of unseen world are not something to play with.

The father says in verse 22 but if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. You can hear the desperation in the fathers voice. ( but if you can shows the fathers doubt)

Jesus says to him if you can! with surprise. He tells the man al things are possible for one who believes. The father responds immediately, “I believe; help my unbelief

Jesus rebukes the spirit saying to it “you mute and deaf spirit, I command you come out of him and never enter him again.”

The spirit comes out of the boy and he was there looking like a corpse. The crowd thought the boy was dead, Jesus personally takes the boy by the hand and lifts him up.

They enter a house and the disciples ask him privately “why could we not cast it out”? and he said to them “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer”

So what??

Often its when we come off a high mountain we will be met with opposition or conflict. Ex Moses

The disciples were able in cast out demons in the past. Jesus had given them authority over unclean spirits. what changed? We cant expect to live through our previous victories.

We notice the father, it seems he faith is wavering. What can we learn from this? He brought the boy to Jesus, but Jesus wasn’t around so he asks the disciples of Jesus to help. He was let down and he let that affect his faith in Jesus. We see this when he asks the question “if you can” We should learn just because someone who you though represented Jesus let you down doesn’t mean Jesus lets you down.

Jesus makes the statement all things are possible for one who believes. This story is about faith.

We see the faith of the disciples

We see the faith of the crowd

we see the faith of the father

A. The disciples failed to see the ministry belongs to Jesus alone. They took the ministry into their own hands and tried to act in their own strength and power. “oh we got this attitude” If the ministry belongs to Jesus all power belongs to him, therefore we must go to him and draw off from source of power.

B. The crowd wanted only to see mighty works and miracles. They were spectators. They were let down with the disciples and when Jesus shows up they get excited but all they want is a show. They don’t care about the boy or Jesus

C. The faith of the father began out of desperation. I’m sure he sought Jesus for healing for his son after all human attempt failed. Then he encounters the disciples of Jesus and they fail, again showing all human efforts will fail. But his faith wavers. I love the fact he doesn’t let that stop him and gives up. Instead he cries out to Jesus “HELP MY UNBELIEF! we can learn so much from this. He recognizes the power of Jesus and his lack of power

5. Jesus answers the fathers plea for compassion and help

A. we must understand Jesus has all authority over evil. All bondage to evil is broken through the power of Jesus. He has compassion for us and knows our weakness.

B. Jesus responds to the mustard seed of faith from the father and heals the boy. Then commands the spirit to never enter him again.

6. They ask Jesus why they were unsuccessful, what can we learn from this

A. Spiritual power is not something that is always available. It must be maintained and renewed. We must learn and relearn this lesson.

B. Speak on faith and prayer, we must learn God doesn’t need us for anything. He desires us to be part of what he is doing. The inadequacy of the disciple should drive us to fellowship with Christ.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark Frail Faith in a Strong Savior (9:14–29)

Grundmann correctly notes that “prayer is faith turned to God.” Prayer is the focusing and directing of faith in specific requests to God. Both faith and prayer testify that spiritual power is not in oneself but in God alone, and both wait in trust upon his promise to save

C. Jesus calls us to tasks that beyond our abilities. This shows us the ministry belongs to Jesus but we are able to be part of it and be used by God for his glory.

C. Jesus calls us to tasks that beyond our abilities. This shows us the ministry belongs to Jesus but we are able to be part of it and be used by God for his glory.

D. Prayer is God’s gift to us for spiritual power and fellowship.