August/21/ 2016
IF
Part 3
“If you believe”
Mark 9:14-18 “When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. 15 When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him. 16 “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked. 17 One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. 18 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid.[d] So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”
Verse 21 “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, IF you can.” 23 “What do you mean, ‘IF I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible IF a person believes.” 24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
3 things that can cause us to doubt.
1. Personal preference
2. Previous experience
verse 21 “Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him.”
verse 18 “I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
3. Prevailing Influences
verse 14 “When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them…”
How do I deal with doubts?
1. Admit your doubt.
verse 24 “The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
2. Act on the faith you have
James 2:17 “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
James 2:26 “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Daniel 3:16-17 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
August/07/ 2016
If God is for us
Romans 8:31 “IF God is for us, who can be against us?”
1. IF God is for us… Our past can't condemn us.
Romans 8:1 “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have.”
2. IF God is for us… Pain can't harm us.
Romans 8:16-18 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Christina Black Gifford “If you are not anchored in the goodness of God you will lower your theology to match your pain.”
3. IF God is for us… Problems can't stop us
2 Corinthians 11:23-28 “I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.[c] 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.”
2 Corinthians 4:16 “ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
verse 35 and 37 “ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
IF God is for us we will do these 3 things.
1. Dream big
2. Pray hard
3. Go long
