Have Compassion on Us

THE MIRACLES OF JESUS # HAVE COMPASSION ON US

TEXT: Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42; Matthew 17:14-21

INTRODUCTION:

In Mark 9:14-29 we find the Lord Jesus dealing with people in great need.

A man whose son was demon-possessed cried out to Christ –

“Have compassion on us.”

When the Lord Jesus came off the Mount of Transfiguration and was confronted with these people –

He said in Mark 9:19 - “O faithless generation.”

He found no faith in the religious leaders there.

There was no real faith in the man who came with his son.

There was no faith in the demon-possessed boy.

And there was no faith in Christ’s own disciples.

What a tragedy! Have Compassion On Us – Mark 9:14-29

The disciples had cast out demons before - but this time they failed.

Think of how we give the Devil opportunity in a faithless situation.

On the other hand - think of how we give the Lord liberty to work when we believe Him and trust Him.

His work cannot be done without faith.

The highest thing we can do as human beings is to put our faith in the true and living God.

~~~OPENING PRAYER~~~

I. The Disturbing Scribes – v.14

The Bible says in verse 14 that Christ –

“saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.”

These scribes were like beasts who had found a wounded prey.

They took keen delight in mocking the followers of the Lord Jesus and displayed their lack of concern for the father and son.

When the Lord Jesus came on the scene –

He said, “What question ye with them?”

2 Have Compassion On Us – Mark 9:14-29

He spoke with authority and put them to silence.

How often have we brought reproach upon our Christian testimonies because of our unbelief?

The world scoffed until the Lord came on the scene.

What we need is a heavenly visitation.

We need God to work.

The Devil has great opportunity to work because of the increasing faithlessness of our generation.

The Disturbing Scribes

II. The Demon-Possessed Boy

This boy was under the control of a demon – vs. 17, 18

When they brought him to Christ, the Bible says that –

“the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.” –v.20

In v. 22 we read that this son had been cast into the fire and the water.

Satan’s objective was to destroy him.

Imagine the hurt of this father and think of the hardness of the

3 Have Compassion On Us – Mark 9:14-29 hearts of the religious leaders who did not care.

It is no wonder the father said - “Have compassion on us.”

We must have compassion for a dying world filled with hurt and heartache - without Christ - and headed for hell.

The Lord Jesus truly does have compassion.

Without question - He cares.

Let us trust Him like this father trusted Him

“Lord I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

The Disturbing Scribes The Demon-Possessed Boy

III. The Desperate Father – vs. 19-21

Here we read about this desperate father.

We learn in Luke 9:38 that this boy was his father’s only child.

The father was hurting and in great need.

Let us remember how many times in our lives God has brought us to the point of desperation before we ever came to Him and trusted Him.

We come to Christ because we cannot carry our load any longer.

4 Have Compassion On Us – Mark 9:14-29

What causes us to take our burdens to the Lord?

Christ said in Matthew 11:28 - “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

We come to Him when we fall beneath the crushing weight of our burden.

How careless we become with our Christian lives until God allows a burden so great we cannot do anything but bring it to Him.

We cry out in desperation because we know we need the help that can only come from God.