Misplaced Confidence

Mark 9:14-29 Mark 9:14-18 • “When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. „What are you arguing with them about?‟ he asked. A man in the crowd answered, „Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, …” “Misplaced Confidence” Mark 9:18-21 • “„gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.‟ „O unbelieving generation,‟ Jesus replied, „how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.‟ So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy‟s father, „How long has he been like this?‟ „From childhood,‟ he answered …” “Misplaced Confidence” Mark 9:22-26 • “„It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.‟ „If you can?‟ said Jesus. „Everything is possible for him who believes.‟ Immediately the boy‟s father exclaimed, „I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!‟ When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. „You deaf and mute spirit,‟ he said, „I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.‟ The spirit shrieked, convulsed him …” “Misplaced Confidence” Mark 9:26-29 • “violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, „He‟s dead.‟ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, „Why couldn‟t we drive it out?‟ He replied, „This kind can come out only by prayer.” (NIV)

“Misplaced Confidence” Helpless Disciples

9:14-19 Overwhelmed with wonder • Six different words – ekthaumadzō – ekplāssō – thaumadzō – thaubeō – existāmi – ekthambeō • Mark 9:15; 14:33; 16:5

“Misplaced Confidence” Why were they amazed? • Residual effects of the transfiguration • Jesus’ mere presence provoked wonder • Jesus had appeared at the opportune time

“Misplaced Confidence” O unbelieving generation • The crowd • The teachers of the law • The boy’s father • The disciples – “How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?” (9:19)

“Misplaced Confidence” Insight • The disciples had failed! The cry of Jesus reveals his bitter disappointment. In a crucial moment they had failed because of their lack of faith.

“Misplaced Confidence” A Desperate Father

Mark 9:20-24 The man’s statement • “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” (9:22)

“Misplaced Confidence” Jesus’ response • “If you can? … Everything is possible for him who believes.” (9:23)

“Misplaced Confidence” The man’s response • “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (9:24)

“Misplaced Confidence” Insight • Faith is not the absence of doubt, but on the same continuum. • Faith and Doubt are not opposites. Acceptance and denial are opposites • Two choices: A person can choose to believe in spite of doubts, or doubt can cause a person to choose not to believe

“Misplaced Confidence” A Reluctant Demon

Mark 9:25-27 Driving out the demon • This is the last exorcism in the Gospel of Mark • It appears to be the most difficult – “The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, „He‟s dead.‟” (9:26)

“Misplaced Confidence” Commentary of the Synoptics • Matthew—Jesus cured him at once • Luke—Jesus gave him back to his father • Mark—Jesus ―lifted him to his feet‖ – Literally, Jesus raised him, the same language that would be used of Jesus (See Mark 14:28)

“Misplaced Confidence” Insight • Satan’s purpose is to distort and destroy the image of God in man. He longs to hurt, harm, maim, destroy and kill. He plans to separate a child from his father.

“Misplaced Confidence” Insufficient Prayer

Mark 9:28-29 Mark 9:28-29 • “Why couldn‟t we drive it out?” … “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (NIV)

“Misplaced Confidence” Insight • Prayer is not a magic formula. Prayer is not reciting the right incantation. Prayerful communion is not simply stopping at a given situation and trying to force God’s hand or convince him to act. A committed prayer life is a lifestyle of ultimate dependence upon God. It is to be a constant, persistent, ongoing relationship with him.

“Misplaced Confidence” Subtle unbelief • ―The disciples had been tempted to believe that the gift they had received from Jesus (6:7) was in their control and could be exercised at their disposal. This was a subtle form of unbelief, for it encouraged them to trust in themselves rather than in God.‖ —William Lane

“Misplaced Confidence” Misplaced Confidence

A faithful life that unleashes the power of God is one that is lived in prayerful communion and total dependence upon him