<p>THE MIRACLES OF JESUS # HAVE COMPASSION ON US</p><p>DATE: </p><p>TEXT: Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42; Matthew 17:14-21 </p><p>INTRODUCTION: </p><p>In Mark 9:14-29 we find the Lord Jesus dealing with people in great need. </p><p>A man whose son was demon-possessed cried out to Christ – </p><p>“Have compassion on us.”</p><p>When the Lord Jesus came off the Mount of Transfiguration and was confronted with these people – </p><p>He said in Mark 9:19 - “O faithless generation.” </p><p>He found no faith in the religious leaders there. </p><p>There was no real faith in the man who came with his son. </p><p>There was no faith in the demon-possessed boy. </p><p>And there was no faith in Christ’s own disciples. </p><p>What a tragedy! Have Compassion On Us – Mark 9:14-29</p><p>The disciples had cast out demons before - but this time they failed. </p><p>Think of how we give the Devil opportunity in a faithless situation. </p><p>On the other hand - think of how we give the Lord liberty to work when we believe Him and trust Him. </p><p>His work cannot be done without faith.</p><p>The highest thing we can do as human beings is to put our faith in the true and living God.</p><p>~~~OPENING PRAYER~~~</p><p>I. The Disturbing Scribes – v.14</p><p>The Bible says in verse 14 that Christ – </p><p>“saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.” </p><p>These scribes were like beasts who had found a wounded prey.</p><p>They took keen delight in mocking the followers of the Lord Jesus and displayed their lack of concern for the father and son. </p><p>When the Lord Jesus came on the scene – </p><p>He said, “What question ye with them?” </p><p>2 Have Compassion On Us – Mark 9:14-29</p><p>He spoke with authority and put them to silence. </p><p>How often have we brought reproach upon our Christian testimonies because of our unbelief? </p><p>The world scoffed until the Lord came on the scene. </p><p>What we need is a heavenly visitation. </p><p>We need God to work. </p><p>The Devil has great opportunity to work because of the increasing faithlessness of our generation.</p><p>The Disturbing Scribes</p><p>II. The Demon-Possessed Boy </p><p>This boy was under the control of a demon – vs. 17, 18</p><p>When they brought him to Christ, the Bible says that –</p><p>“the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.” –v.20</p><p>In v. 22 we read that this son had been cast into the fire and the water. </p><p>Satan’s objective was to destroy him.</p><p>Imagine the hurt of this father and think of the hardness of the</p><p>3 Have Compassion On Us – Mark 9:14-29 hearts of the religious leaders who did not care.</p><p>It is no wonder the father said - “Have compassion on us.” </p><p>We must have compassion for a dying world filled with hurt and heartache - without Christ - and headed for hell.</p><p>The Lord Jesus truly does have compassion.</p><p>Without question - He cares. </p><p>Let us trust Him like this father trusted Him</p><p>“Lord I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”</p><p>The Disturbing Scribes The Demon-Possessed Boy </p><p>III. The Desperate Father – vs. 19-21 </p><p>Here we read about this desperate father. </p><p>We learn in Luke 9:38 that this boy was his father’s only child. </p><p>The father was hurting and in great need. </p><p>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.</p><p>We come to Christ because we cannot carry our load any longer.</p><p>4 Have Compassion On Us – Mark 9:14-29</p><p>What causes us to take our burdens to the Lord?</p><p>Christ said in Matthew 11:28 - “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” </p><p>We come to Him when we fall beneath the crushing weight of our burden. </p><p>How careless we become with our Christian lives until God allows a burden so great we cannot do anything but bring it to Him.</p><p>We cry out in desperation because we know we need the help that can only come from God.</p><p>5</p>