The Cry of Faith

Mark 9:24

Introduction.

  1. John Milton, after reading Heb. 11, called faith the “invincible might of weakness.”

  2. In the Transfiguration, Jesus shows His disciples a glimpse of the future – a glorified Jesus (Mk 9:2-14).

  3. Later there is a demon-possessed boy that the disciples could not cast out (Mk 9:17-18).

    1. Jesus then calls them a “faithless generation” (Mk 9:19) – despite just having witnessed the Transfiguration. <READ Mark 9:20-21>

    2. The boy’s father asked “if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (Mk 9:22).

    3. A textual variation reads, “If you can? All things are possible to him who believes” (Mk 9:23).

    4. The father then cries out: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mk 9:24) – this is the cry of faith!

  4. There are lessons in these stories for us today: the power in faith, the need for Jesus, and the weakness of man.

Body.

  1. The Power in Faith (Mk 9:23).

    1. It is so powerful, even Jesus says that all things are possible through faith.

    2. This does not mean whatever we want will be given to us if we believe hard enough.

      1. “All things” is a universal term that emphasizes a universal truth.

      2. Luke says he recorded all things Jesus did and taught (Acts 1:1).

      3. Yet John writes such a feat was impossible (John 21:25).

      4. Luke simply is emphasizing the truth of what is recorded.

      5. When you say you have done something all your life, you do not mean every second of every day, maybe not even every day – it is used for emphasis – it is something you do often.

      6. Jesus is not saying, “Believe you’ll get a brand new car and you’ll get one.”

      7. He is saying, “Faith is important! It is a great power that operates in your life.”

    3. Abraham was a great man of faith—the father of the faithful (Rom. 4:16).

      1. He is called the friend of God for his active faith (James 2:23).

      2. He faced many trials that caused him to test his faith.

      3. He was called to go to place he did not know (Heb. 11:8-10).

      4. He was promised a son, though with a barren wife (Heb. 11:11-12).

      5. God tested him by having him offer up his son Isaac (Heb. 11:17-19).

      6. How would the nation promise be fulfilled if Isaac dies before having a child himself?

      7. He supposed God would raise him from the dead—he had such faith!

    4. As the father of the faithful, his example of faith is great.

      1. We are all engaged in spiritual warfare, and it is our faith that will guide us.

      2. If your job takes you away from your family or keep you from serving God, you have a choice to make.

    5. Let us all put our faith, our trust and confidence, in God in all things.

  2. The Need For Jesus.

    1. This father in Mark 9 chose to send his son to Jesus’ disciples—perhaps he couldn’t reach Jesus at that time.

    2. Why couldn’t the disciples cast out the boy’s demon?

      1. Jesus says, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting” (Mk 9:29).

      2. By extension, the disciples lacked the faith necessary to cast it out.

    3. Sometimes your family/friends will fail you—all you can truly rely on is Christ.

    4. Is the most important thing in your life material? (Psalm 20:7-8).

      1. Will you say you do not need the Lord if you have all you need materially?

      2. Wealthy people have the hardest time finding Christ, e.g. rich young ruler.

      3. Go through an affluent neighborhood, see all the amazing homes and estates.

      4. They have all they could ever want or need materially.

      5. But they have problems, too.

        1. Some of their children are in the courts all the time.

        2. Some are drug addicts or alcoholics.

        3. Many are reckless and criminal.

      6. They realize they need something more than what money can buy.

    2. There is more to life than what is here on earth.

    3. Let us focus on the eternity that comes after—we need Jesus!

  2. The Weakness of Man.

    1. The weakness belonged to the disciples in Mark 9, not to Jesus.

    2. Jesus called them a faithless generation—they lacked faith!

    3. No disciple of Christ is perfect, sinless.

      1. We may have mentors in the faith, but even they have weaknesses.

      2. Our loyalty, love, and service do not belong to them, but to Christ.

    4. We are also weak in our spirituality.

      1. Material things have corroded this away.

      2. Spiritual values are lacking in our media.

      3. Let us be focused on Christ.

    5. All our faith goes to Christ.

Conclusion.

  1. This man in Mark 9 issued an impassioned plea for more faith, “Help my unbelief!”

  2. Is my faith where it should be?

  3. Will it guide me through whatever crisis I may face?

  4. Will it secure for me the eternal life that I seek?

  5. Only way to be sure is to obey that blessed command to follow Him!