But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” - Acts 19:13
Good morning. In last week’s sermon, Jesus restored the sight of a blind man in Bethsaida. After healing the man, Jesus and His disciples traveled to Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ. From there they went to a mountain, likely either Mt. Tabor or Mt. Hermon (the exact location is unknown). Jesus went up on the mountain and was transfigured there as Peter, James, and John looked on. It was around this time that Jesus began teaching the disciples about His upcoming arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection.
Today’s sermon takes place as Jesus comes down off the mountain, immediately after His transfiguration. The story is told in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. However, Mark includes the fullest, most detailed account of what happened. For that reason, we will read from Mark’s gospel this morning. Today’s message is titled, “A Convulsing Boy”. Let’s begin.
I. A FATHER’S REQUEST (Mark 9:14-19; Matthew 17:14-17; Luke 9:37-41)
Jesus, Peter, James, and John came down from the mountain of transfiguration and found the remaining disciples surrounded by a crowd of people and arguing with some scribes. When the crowds saw Jesus they were amazed, ran up to Him, and greeted Him. Jesus asked what they were arguing about. A father explained that he’d brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples in hopes that they could cast the demon out, but they couldn’t. Jesus rebuked the crowd for their unbelief and told the man to bring the child to Him.
Scripture states that the unclean spirit caused the boy to be mute, unable to speak. In addition, whenever it seized the boy he would fall to the ground, convulse violently, begin foaming at the mouth, grind his teeth, and then become rigid. This is what happens when someone has a grand mal seizure. When I was younger, I had several of these myself. Now my daughter suffers from seizures. I can tell you from experience, they are quite traumatizing.
Earlier in His ministry Jesus had sent His disciples out in pairs to proclaim the kingdom of God throughout Israel (Matthew 10:1-15; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6). For this mission, He’d empowered them to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons… which they did. However, when the exercise was over, after they’d returned, it appears that their supernatural abilities ceased. Their inability to cast the demon out of this little boy suggests that the power Jesus had granted them previously was only temporary, and certainly shouldn’t be considered normative for Christians today.
Jesus chastised the people for their unbelief. Apparently, when they saw that Jesus’ disciples were unable to cure the boy, they reasoned that He might be unable to do so as well. Their doubt in Jesus was unwarranted. As the divine Son of God, Jesus can perform any miracle that He chooses, but His followers can’t. We shouldn't project the limitations and/or failures of God’s people upon Him. Christians are not “little gods“ as some heretical teachers claim.
II. A FATHER’S ANGUISH (Mark 9:20-24)
The people brought the demon possessed boy to Jesus. When he saw Jesus, the demon threw the child into convulsions, he fell to the ground, rolled around, and foamed at the mouth. Jesus asked his father how long he’d suffered from this condition, and the father answered, "Since childhood.” Then the man asked Jesus to help them if He could. Recognizing the man’s doubt, Jesus stated that all things are possible to him who believes. The father replied, “I believe; help my belief.”
We’ve stated this multiple times throughout this series, but it bears repeating - evil spirits know exactly who Jesus is and the great power He possesses. As such, they are terrified of Him. When this demon saw Jesus, he threw the poor boy he inhabited into wild convulsions. The demon probably anticipated that Jesus was about to cast him out.
There are different types of faith described in the Bible. Saving faith is that which is necessary for salvation. A sinner who trusts in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins exhibits saving faith. Personal faith (my term) is an individual’s confidence in God’s power, presence, and promises. It can be either strong and certain, weak and unsure, or somewhere in between. Unlike saving faith which is all or nothing (you either have it or you don’t), personal faith falls somewhere on a scale. It can change from day to day, even from moment to moment, depending on the circumstances. Some people have more of it than others. Some receive strong personal faith as a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:9). As a Christian matures, their personal faith in the LORD should grow and become more sure.
It is quite obvious that this father did not have a strong, unwavering “personal” faith in Christ’s ability to heal his son. He questioned “if” Jesus could do anything to help them and after Jesus responded, the man frankly admitted that he still had his doubts. I think if we’re being honest, we can all relate to his struggle. Fortunately, Jesus’ ability and willingness to heal wasn’t hindered by this man’s shaky faith.
III. A SON’S RESTORATION (Mark 9:25-29; Matthew 17:18-21; Luke 9:42-43)
Jesus noticed that a large crowd was gathering so He went ahead and commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the little boy and not to reenter. The demon threw the boy into terrible convulsions for a final time, then came out. The boy laid on the ground so still that those watching thought he was dead. Then Jesus took him by the hand and helped him stand up. The boy was healed. Sometime later, in the house where they were staying (I suspect they had returned to Capernaum by this point), the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast out the demon. He explained that it could only be exorcised through prayer.
Based to a degree on this passage, some theologians have suggested that there are different types of demons - some which can be cast out by a single command and others that are more entrenched and must be removed through intensive prayer. Perhaps they are correct. Yet Jesus was able to cast the demon out with a single command, though the disciples couldn’t. That said, I believe that when confronting demons the proper approach for Christians today is always prayer (not commands or declarations). We should appeal to the Lord in His Name, by faith, and ask Him, if He is willing, to cast them out. This may happen immediately or it may take some time and persistence. Like these disciples, we cannot do such miraculous works in our own strength, but only as enabled by Christ.
CONCLUSION
The miracle serves as an example of an exorcism. When the demon was cast out, the boy was healed of his various afflictions. Jesus performed this miracle using a spoken command. He rebuked the unclean spirit and it came out. Jesus sought to minimize the number of witnesses of this miracle by casting out the demon before the crowd grew any larger than it already was. He wasn’t concerned with making a big production of it. That said, to those present who saw what happened He revealed His glory and His authority over evil spirits.
In next Sunday’s message, Jesus and the disciples will be back in Capernaum. While there, Peter will be approached by a representative from the Internal Revenue Service seeking to collect taxes… Well, not exactly. Nevertheless, it’s a great story that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. See you then.
Good morning. In last week’s sermon, Jesus restored the sight of a blind man in Bethsaida. After healing the man, Jesus and His disciples traveled to Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ. From there they went to a mountain, likely either Mt. Tabor or Mt. Hermon (the exact location is unknown). Jesus went up on the mountain and was transfigured there as Peter, James, and John looked on. It was around this time that Jesus began teaching the disciples about His upcoming arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection.
Today’s sermon takes place as Jesus comes down off the mountain, immediately after His transfiguration. The story is told in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. However, Mark includes the fullest, most detailed account of what happened. For that reason, we will read from Mark’s gospel this morning. Today’s message is titled, “A Convulsing Boy”. Let’s begin.
I. A FATHER’S REQUEST (Mark 9:14-19; Matthew 17:14-17; Luke 9:37-41)
Jesus, Peter, James, and John came down from the mountain of transfiguration and found the remaining disciples surrounded by a crowd of people and arguing with some scribes. When the crowds saw Jesus they were amazed, ran up to Him, and greeted Him. Jesus asked what they were arguing about. A father explained that he’d brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples in hopes that they could cast the demon out, but they couldn’t. Jesus rebuked the crowd for their unbelief and told the man to bring the child to Him.
Scripture states that the unclean spirit caused the boy to be mute, unable to speak. In addition, whenever it seized the boy he would fall to the ground, convulse violently, begin foaming at the mouth, grind his teeth, and then become rigid. This is what happens when someone has a grand mal seizure. When I was younger, I had several of these myself. Now my daughter suffers from seizures. I can tell you from experience, they are quite traumatizing.
Earlier in His ministry Jesus had sent His disciples out in pairs to proclaim the kingdom of God throughout Israel (Matthew 10:1-15; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6). For this mission, He’d empowered them to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons… which they did. However, when the exercise was over, after they’d returned, it appears that their supernatural abilities ceased. Their inability to cast the demon out of this little boy suggests that the power Jesus had granted them previously was only temporary, and certainly shouldn’t be considered normative for Christians today.
Jesus chastised the people for their unbelief. Apparently, when they saw that Jesus’ disciples were unable to cure the boy, they reasoned that He might be unable to do so as well. Their doubt in Jesus was unwarranted. As the divine Son of God, Jesus can perform any miracle that He chooses, but His followers can’t. We shouldn't project the limitations and/or failures of God’s people upon Him. Christians are not “little gods“ as some heretical teachers claim.
II. A FATHER’S ANGUISH (Mark 9:20-24)
The people brought the demon possessed boy to Jesus. When he saw Jesus, the demon threw the child into convulsions, he fell to the ground, rolled around, and foamed at the mouth. Jesus asked his father how long he’d suffered from this condition, and the father answered, "Since childhood.” Then the man asked Jesus to help them if He could. Recognizing the man’s doubt, Jesus stated that all things are possible to him who believes. The father replied, “I believe; help my belief.”
We’ve stated this multiple times throughout this series, but it bears repeating - evil spirits know exactly who Jesus is and the great power He possesses. As such, they are terrified of Him. When this demon saw Jesus, he threw the poor boy he inhabited into wild convulsions. The demon probably anticipated that Jesus was about to cast him out.
There are different types of faith described in the Bible. Saving faith is that which is necessary for salvation. A sinner who trusts in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins exhibits saving faith. Personal faith (my term) is an individual’s confidence in God’s power, presence, and promises. It can be either strong and certain, weak and unsure, or somewhere in between. Unlike saving faith which is all or nothing (you either have it or you don’t), personal faith falls somewhere on a scale. It can change from day to day, even from moment to moment, depending on the circumstances. Some people have more of it than others. Some receive strong personal faith as a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:9). As a Christian matures, their personal faith in the LORD should grow and become more sure.
It is quite obvious that this father did not have a strong, unwavering “personal” faith in Christ’s ability to heal his son. He questioned “if” Jesus could do anything to help them and after Jesus responded, the man frankly admitted that he still had his doubts. I think if we’re being honest, we can all relate to his struggle. Fortunately, Jesus’ ability and willingness to heal wasn’t hindered by this man’s shaky faith.
III. A SON’S RESTORATION (Mark 9:25-29; Matthew 17:18-21; Luke 9:42-43)
Jesus noticed that a large crowd was gathering so He went ahead and commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the little boy and not to reenter. The demon threw the boy into terrible convulsions for a final time, then came out. The boy laid on the ground so still that those watching thought he was dead. Then Jesus took him by the hand and helped him stand up. The boy was healed. Sometime later, in the house where they were staying (I suspect they had returned to Capernaum by this point), the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast out the demon. He explained that it could only be exorcised through prayer.
Based to a degree on this passage, some theologians have suggested that there are different types of demons - some which can be cast out by a single command and others that are more entrenched and must be removed through intensive prayer. Perhaps they are correct. Yet Jesus was able to cast the demon out with a single command, though the disciples couldn’t. That said, I believe that when confronting demons the proper approach for Christians today is always prayer (not commands or declarations). We should appeal to the Lord in His Name, by faith, and ask Him, if He is willing, to cast them out. This may happen immediately or it may take some time and persistence. Like these disciples, we cannot do such miraculous works in our own strength, but only as enabled by Christ.
CONCLUSION
The miracle serves as an example of an exorcism. When the demon was cast out, the boy was healed of his various afflictions. Jesus performed this miracle using a spoken command. He rebuked the unclean spirit and it came out. Jesus sought to minimize the number of witnesses of this miracle by casting out the demon before the crowd grew any larger than it already was. He wasn’t concerned with making a big production of it. That said, to those present who saw what happened He revealed His glory and His authority over evil spirits.
In next Sunday’s message, Jesus and the disciples will be back in Capernaum. While there, Peter will be approached by a representative from the Internal Revenue Service seeking to collect taxes… Well, not exactly. Nevertheless, it’s a great story that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. See you then.