Mark Ch. 9

Mark 9:2-8 When the ATTITUDE is right, then Jesus’ invitation to the mountain top can come and be received with the joy it deserves.

The Healing of a Boy With an Evil Spirit The Power of Faith The Healing of a Boy With an Evil Spirit

POWER OF FAITH Mark 9:14-15 14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.  You can have an imperfect faith, if you have a perfect Saviour. 

POWER OF FAITH Mark 9:22-24 22 "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." 23 " 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." 24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief !"  All things are possible to him who believes.” The Lord never expects perfect faith, The antidote for our imperfect faith – to turn more to Jesus, with our failures, questions, and all

POWER OF FAITH Mark 9:28-29 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" 29 He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer. " We must have a regular prayer life and communication time with God.  Prayer is the highway that faith takes into the power of God.

POWER OF FAITH Mark 9:33-35 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." 

THE WAY OF HUMILITY The greatest people in the kingdom of God are not the rich and powerful, but the ones who serve others the most.  God wants empty vessels so he can fill them with his own glory, power, and love . Mt18:1-4 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

THE WAY OF HUMILITY 1Pet5:5 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 2Cor 4:7 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

PRINCIPLES REGARDING DISCIPLESHIP Mark 9:38-41 38 "Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us." 39 "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward. 1 Whoever is not against us is for us

PRINCIPLES REGARDING DISCIPLESHIP Mark 9:42-47 42 "And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell,where the fire never goes out. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.  2. We should not be a stumbling block to anyone’s faith especially a new believer. 3. Anything close to us (family, job, friends, etc.) that would keep us away from God must be removed if necessary

PRINCIPLES REGARDING DISCIPLESHIP Mark 9:48-50 48 where " 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.' 49Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other." 4. We must persevere in our attitude toward worshipping Jesus as God.   5. We should be at peace with one another.

Just before we conclude…. Jesus would focus us on His Word and will for us and those around us.  He teaches us:   G – greatness in service;   E – exclude any exclusive attitudes; and  D – live as disciplined disciples, saying “no” to our sinful flesh and “yes” to Jesus, His Word and Sacraments.

IN CONCLUSION The 5 Principles regarding Discipleship Whoever is not against us is for us We should not be a stumbling block to anyone’s faith especially a new believer. Anything close to us (family, job, friends, etc.) that would keep us away from God must be removed if necessary. We must persevere in our attitude toward worshipping Jesus as God. We should be at peace with one another.