“help my unbelief” mark 9:23-24. the account – mk. 9:14-39 disciples failed to cast a demon...

“Help my Unbelief”

Mark 9:23-24

The Account – Mk. 9:14-39• Disciples failed to cast a

demon out of a boy

• Jesus rebukes His disciples

• Jesus tells the father, “If you can believe…”

• “Help my unbelief!”

How is your faith?•2 Cor. 13:5• Not simply speaking of

belief in God and His word• Do we trust Him as we

ought to?• Is there room for

improvement?

Our need for faith• What is faith?• “to believe to the extent of

complete trust and reliance” (Louw&Nida)

• “Firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing” (Vine’s)

• Heb. 11:1

Forsaking All I Trust Him!

Our need for faith• The way God created this

world – Psa. 19:1, 8:1, Rom. 1:20

• Concerning His word – 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:3

• While evidence is compelling, both still require faith!

Was God’s design on purpose? (cf. Eph. 3:10-11)

No matter what you believe in these matters, (you DO believe

something)there is a degree of faith!

Our need for faith• Faith exemplified

• Abraham – Rom. 4:34, Jas. 2:23, (Gen. 15:4) Heb. 11:17-19

• Ezra – Ezra 8:22-23

Our need for faith•Heb. 11:6 – without faith•James 1:6-8 – ask in faith•Rom. 12:3 – measure of

faith•1 John 5:4 – victory•Luke 7:5,

“Increase our faith”

Our need for faith• Most of us struggle with faith

from time to time!

•Matt. 14:30 – Peter began to sink, “Lord save me!”He denied Jesus and doubted his faith – John 21:15-19

How To Increase our Faith• You are NOT going to

understand everything! •Deut. 29:29, 2 Pet. 3:16

• Don’t be frustrated if you don’t know (but don’t quit studying!)

How To Increase our Faith• Know that God does care!•1 Pet. 5:7, Psa. 37:25Heb. 13:5

How To Increase our Faith• Make up your mind to trust

God!

• Accept what God says!

• Jesus did! Lk. 22:41-44, 23:46

• Psa. 4:5, Prov. 3:5

How To Increase our Faith• Evaluate what God has

done for you!

• “Count your many blessings”

•Psa. 40:5, Job 5:9

How To Increase our Faith• Be patient – • A mature faith has to mature•Luke 21:19, Jas. 1:4• It will not come overnight – Psa. 34:8, cf. Abraham (Gen. 12:11-20)

• Do something to show your faith!

How To Increase our Faith• Obey God!•Rom. 10:17•James 1:22-25• If you want God on your

side, you have to be on His side – 1 John 5:2-3

How To Increase our Faith• Pray about it•Cf. James 1:5• Ask for the right things - James 4:3

• Are our prayers self-serving? 1 John 5:14

How To Increase our Faith• Do your part!

• Don’t expect a miracle!

• When you approach God, plan to do what you can do. Cf. John 11:39, 44

How To Increase our Faith• Associate with those that will

build up your faith!•1 Cor. 15:33•Heb. 10:24-25•Rom. 1:8, 1 Thess. 1:8 –

a faith spoken of everywhere!• Avoid doubters, cynics &

agnostics!

“Most Christians feed their body three hot

meals a day and their spirit one cold snack. And

they wonder why their faith is so weak!”

F.F. Bosworth

What are you doing to increase

your faith?