LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP Luke 5:4

 

"Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."

                                              Luke 5:4

Launch out into the deep. A deeper love for Jesus, a deeper commitment to discipleship, a deeper commitment to righteousness, a deeper knowledge of the Lord, a deeper understanding of the light of Jesus, a commitment to others in Christ Jesus. Life is not all about you. God’s got a bigger plan than you. 

INTRODUCTION TO THE TEXT

Jesus cast out a demon in the synagogue and people were amazed at his power and authority. The word spread throughout the villages

Jesus spent time teaching in the synagogues. He left one day and went to Simon Peter's home. The people there begged him to heal Peter's Mother in Law. He did and people immediately came bringing their sick and demon possessed family. Jesus heal them all 

The Lord is performing miracles in our lives every moment of our lives.

The sun shines, plants and tress grow, rain falls to water God creation,

None of which we can control. There are 12 bodily system functioning

Simultaneously that only God control. They are all miracles. Do we give Him the credit or think nothing of it?

While we are working the Word of God is being taught in many places

Peter James and John went back to their jobs fishing to provide for their families. The work we do to survive is what Jesus uses in the ministry

JESUS WILL PERSONALIZE WORK TO GET YOUR ATTENTION

Luke 5:4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish." 5 "Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again." 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

Jesus brought the ministry to Peter work place after Peter fished all night and caught nothing, It was after Jesus took command of the boat and had

Peter cast his net in the morning and so many fish came that he had to call for help to bring the fish in. That's when Peter changed and saw Jesus as master and himself as a sinner

The characteristics of a fisherman works well in the ministry. This maybe the reason Jesus' first disciples were chosen.

A GOOD FISHERMAN                            GOOD DISCIPLE

1. Learn the trade                                TAUGHT THE WORD

2. Work in the trade to get experience LEARN THE WORD

3. Long hours                                        FOLLOWING JESUS

4. Patience                                            TRUSTING JESUS

5. Endure rough seas                            Constant dealing with  problems

6. Endure disappointment                      Constant Criticism, rejection

7. Partnership with other fishermen       Partnership with other believers

8. Taking care of tools                            The Word and Holy Spirit

Having previously met Peter, Jesus scheduled a teaching section with a large crowd at the sea of Galilee where Peter and His partners fished. This was to draw Peter James and John into a relationship with Him.

Before we accepted Jesus, He planned our lives and activities to draw us into a relationship with Him. It was God’s divine plan to meet up with Peter and his Partners after an unsuccessful night of fishing. The men were tired, disappointed and maybe frustrated , hungry and ready to go home.

A good craftsman take care and maintains his tools, Peter and his partners

Had cleaned their nets of debris, dead fish and whatever would cause their main tool to rot. They got ready to try again the next night.

• If Jesus can’t get you in the church house or your home, He will show up where you love to work, or your favorite place. 

• The Lord’s love for you won't let Him give up on you. He said those the  Father gave me, I lose none.

• God can use you as His platform to spread the Gospel 

• Have you ever had someone come to you for advice?

• Jesus works to get you involved in the ministry. 

Luke 5:7

3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

Jesus shows up that morning with a crowd to be taught the Word.  He asked Peter to move his boat out into the water to be used as a platform to teach. Peter humbly complied remembering what  Jesus had done for him and his family. 

Once the teaching was done the blessing began anew. Jesus ask Peter to

Move the boat out into the deep and cast his net again. 

Peter's experience led him to react negatively. We fished all night and caught nothing. In the black of Peter’s mind may have been the thought; I am tired, hungry and got to clean the net again.  

Luke 5:5-7  "Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again." 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7

• Tried, weary, frustrated, disappointed and hungry, Peter was ready for home

• Because of the good Jesus did for his family, Peter followed Jesus command

• Certainly an encouraging place to be is with Jesus in your boat

• Peter sat in the boat, heard the Word, perhaps his heart changed

• God blesses our obedience. Just think what Peter would have missed if he had  gone home early.

• Jesus used an unsuccessful fishing trip to get Peter’s attention

• Tried, weary, frustrated, disappointed and hungry, Peter was ready for home

• Jesus used an unsuccessful fishing trip to get Peter’s attention

Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, Lord, please leave me—I'm too much of a sinner to be around you." 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

GOD USES ALL YOU HAVE GAINED IN LIFE IN THE MINISTRY

Every event, training, education, trial, disappointment, sickness and recovery is used by Jesus in ministry He prepared for you. 

• The boat was used, the nets were used, their paddles were used, the sails was used

• Their knowledge of fishing was used, their skills were used

• Their strength was used, their persistence was used, their enduring 

• Their faith was used. Their patience was used, their fearlessness was 

• Their trust in each other was used, their partnership was used 

• The difference between catching  nothing and catching everything is Jesus as the captain of your ship.

There is no power in the means of themselves apart from the presence of Jesus? "Without Him we can do nothing." But with Christ we can do all things. 

SOMETIMES GOD USES YOUR TROUBLES TO GET YOUR ATTENTION

It took an unsuccessful fishing trip, followed by fishing under the direction of Jesus to open Peter’s eyes to see Jesus as Lord and Savior. This event caused Peter to fall on his knees, confess his sins and worship Jesus as Lord. 

The beginning of a new life is seeing yourself as nothing and Jesus as everything. And second confessing your sins before the Lord.

Luke 5:10 Jesus replied to Simon, "Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!" 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

• Peter may have considered Exodus 33:20 and became fearful,                                                                   But you may not see my face and live     

• We should always be fearful of the Lord so as to reverence Him.

• There is no fear when you come to Jesus because He call you for the                                                            purpose of glorifying the Father. The good work of the Gospel honors                                                                  the Father

• Peter and his partners were given a new mission, fishing souls

• They were given a new light, the light of Jesus, a new life, a life eternal

• To follow Jesus, He has to be top priority    

• WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LEAVE TO MAKE JESUS FIRST IN YOUR LIFE?       

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT JESUS IN THE TEXT

1. HIS POWER AND AUTHORITY:  THERE IS POWER  IN THE WORDS OF JESUS

2. HIS TOUCH:THOUSANDS WERE HEALED BY HIS TOUCH

3. HIS DRAW : JESUS DRAWS US OUT OF DEEP DARKNESS INTO MARVELOUS LIGHT

4. HIS PERSONALIZATION: HE PERSONALIZE  EXPERIENCES WITH YOU 

SUMMARY: JESUS HAS A CALL ON YOUR LIFE

• Faith comes by hearing. Col 1:28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.

• Take care of the tools; Study the Word, Allow the Holy Spirit Guidance, put on the whole armor of God

• Make Jesus the Master of your ship. Relationship, Fellowship. Partnership,Discipleship,Courtship

• Trust Jesus for all things in abundant living

• Reflect on the power and authority of Jesus with thanksgiving and gratefulness

• Confess your sins daily, worship the Lord  

• Pray for the harvest. Ask the Lord to use you as a blessing to others

YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO JESUS HE WORKS TO DEVELOP A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU

YOUR PERSONAL ANGELS, Hebrews 1:14

 YOUR PERSONAL ANGELS

Hebrews 1:14

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"
— Hebrews 1:14

VALUE IN ALL GOD’S CREATION

Everything God created has value to mankind. All you have to do is look for it and be open to it. I asked my grand daughter what is the purpose of ants she looked it up and said they do soil aeration, nutrient  cycling  and pest control etc

I hate roaches, what is their purpose? She look it up and said they decompose dead organic matter, recycle nutrients , they support predators like birds, reptiles etc

BENEFIT OF ANGELS

The Bible talks a lot about angels and how God used them in the past. Is their purpose today  the same? How does God use them in our lives today?

The Greek word for angel is aggelos, which means messenger. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God used angels to benefit mankind. They are important in our lives. They are God’s appointed messengers and servants to God and us.

They are spiritual beings created by God. They are servants and not to be worshipped. 

Angels are the unseen attendants of the saints of God; they bear us up in their hands, lest we dash our foot against a stone (Psalms 91:11-12) (C S)

Loyalty to their Lord leads them to take a deep interest in the children of His love; they rejoice over the return of the prodigal to his father's house below, and they welcome the advent of the believer to the King's palace above. 

History of Angels

Their creation; Job 38:4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? 

We don’t know when Angels were created, but they are God’s creation. They are spiritual beings in an unseen world operating for our good according to the will and direction of God.

Col 1:16 for through him (Jesus) God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

All we know is that angels were created before God created the earth. They watched God’s creation and were joyful.

How many angels did God create? The Lord does not give us an exact number, but tells us He created many,

Ps 89:5 All heaven will praise your great wonders, Lord; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness. The word myriad means an extremely large uncountable number of heavenly beings. Do not think because you cannot see them that they are not present.

Dan 7:10 and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him.

THE MISSION OF ANGELS

Their purpose: praise Ps 148:1-2 Praise him from the skies! 2 Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven!

Their work ministering spirits Hebrews 1:14 "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

Their Target: The Heirs of salvation are God’s chosen, the church, you and me

In the Old testament Angels are introduced to us as created beings. Jesus created them with the ability to be obedient or disobedient  Satan or Lucifer became full of pride and decided he was above God,

Isa 14:12  "How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. 13 For you said to yourself, 'I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars.

It is believed that Satan corrupted ⅓ of the angels in heaven who fell with him (Revelations 12:4) God’s holy angels remained obedient. 

In the beginning  God appeared to Adam and Eve during the cool of the day. They walked and talked with the God of the heavens. Today we are gifted to walk with Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father. Heaven is still opened, and the angels of God ascend and descend upon the Son of man, that they may visit the heirs of salvation(Gen 28:12). Seraphim still fly with live coals from off the altar to touch the lips of men greatly beloved ( Isa 6-7). Today we are cleaned by the blood of Jesus,

HISTORY OF GOD’S USE OF ANGELS

God may use angels to block doors He don”t want us to go through as He did for Adam and Eden

Gen 3:24 After sending them out, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Had Adam and Eve touched the Tree of life in their sinful state, mankind would have been doomed for ever. God took action to keep our sinful heart from destroying us using angels as guard.

God uses Angels to bring good news. The good news was Adam and Eve lived for another day to start generations of families.  Throughout time, God has allowed man to live out his life with hard work learning to rely on Him for survival. It is all part of God’s plan to bring about salvation. God uses His angel from time to time to bring us messages from Him.

Abraham and Sarah wanted a child but were child barren. Three angels appeared to Abraham  with the news from God that they would have a child 

Gen 18:10 Then one of them said, "I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!"

God uses Angels to move us into a safe place. Danger is all around us that we cannot see and therefore puts us in  defenseless circumstances. Since God is spiritual He sees danger in eyes of evil people. We have no idea which angel God dispatches to save us.

In Genesis 19, Lot and his family had settled in Sodom and Gomorrah , homosexual cities unaware of the danger. God sent angels to warn them to get out of the city.  When they ( Lot and his daughters)were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, "Run for your lives! And don't look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!"

Angels confirm God’s promises. Years earlier God told Abraham to take his family and travel to land unknown to him,  with the promise that he would be the father of many nations. Jacob, a descendant of Abraham, found himself in a dangerous situation facing an angry brother with an army of 400 men. God changed the heart of his brother and sent an angel to confirm and continue the promised redemption. Jacob wrestled with an angel all night. 

Gen 32:28 "Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man (Angel) told him. "From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won."

The angel's message was the confirmation of the promise to Abraham, , Great Grandfather of Jacob and name of the first nation Israel.

God uses Angels to comfort us in the middle of trouble 

Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego, the three Hebrew boys refused to worship the golden statue of King Nebuchadnezzar while in Babylonian captivity and were thrown in the fiery furnace. They  trusted God to save them. God put an angel in the fired up furnace to comfort and protect them (Daniel 3).

When the king looked in the furnace he saw four men  safe in the fire and one looked like an angel. He released the three and claimed God as Lord.

God didn't get rid of the trouble but used their trouble to give Himself glory and bring the King to belief.   

 

God uses Angels to bring messages of joy. 

God sent the angel Grabiel to virgin girl Mary, to announce that she had been chosen to conceive by the Holy Spirit Jesus the savior of the world.  

Shepherds sleeping in the field at night guarding their sheep were visited by a host of angels announcing the birth of Jesus

Luke 2:10  "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."

God uses Angels to comfort us 

The night before Jesus was taken captive to be crucified, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray knowing the agony He would suffer. He took his disciple with Him but they went to sleep and were no comfort. God sent an angel to do the job.

Luke 22: 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him (Jesus). 44 He prayed more fervently, and he (Jesus) was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. 

God uses Angels to guide us to places and people to proclaim the Gospel

An angel of the Lord met Philip and directed him to an Ethiopian eunuch who had worshiped in Jerusalem. He was going back to Africa. Philip proclaimed the gospel, and it was taken to Africa.

Acts 26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, "Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27 So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. 

Acts 8:36-38

 Why can't I be baptized?" 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

God uses Angels to give you new directions

Acts 16:9 That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" 10 So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.

God uses Angels to Open Locked Doors 

Acts 12:7  and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, "Quick! Get up!" And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 Then the angel told him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." And he did. "Now put on your coat and follow me," the angel ordered. 9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel

Angels comfort and give direction:

Gen 16: 9 The angel of the Lord said to her (Hagar), "Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority." 10 Then he added, "I will give you more descendants than you can count."

God uses Angels to minister to those who are grieving

Early Sunday morning after Jesus’s crucifixion, women gathered spices and went to the tomb to properly prepare Jesus body for burial. They worried how they would remove the stone covering the tomb.

Matt 28:5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! 

ALL THIS IS IN THE BIBLE BUT WHAT ABOUT NOW

Does God use  angles in your  life today? I SAY YES YES AND YES

Mal 3:6 "I am the Lord, and I do not change 

      That is a promise that what the Lord did in the past, He does today for      

       you  and me

Heb 13:2 Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 

This seems to suggest that angels can show up at any time in any form; man woman or child. They come with a message from God. The Lord said, I do what I want

God uses Angels to protect you 

Ps 34:7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

Notice the Lord uses His angels to protect  believers in Him not none believers

 Ps 91:11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

Ps 103:19-20

God uses Angels to give Him praise and carry out His plans concerning you

19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.

20 Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.

God encamps His Angels around you and me

There are millions of angels  Daniel 7:10. Only three are given names. Two  holy Michael, Gabriel and one fallen; Lucifer the enemy 

Ps 34:7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

You are never alone. You may be weak but God is powerful. In the middle of danger you can call on Jesus and He can send His angels to protect you

LIVING AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE Mark 9:14-29

 

"BRING HIM TO ME."
— Mark 9:14 -29

Our children are most precious to us. When they suffer, we suffer with them and for them. We are all God’s Children and when we suffer, He provides healing when we come to Him in prayer by faith. He allows our trouble to bring us to Him in prayer. 

There is a purpose for our troubles: James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

The purpose of our troubles is to draw us closer to God. They are designed to build our faith, get us ready for what’s ahead and to be a blessing to others

In Mark 9 a fathers brought his son to Jesus  to be healed. Like any parent, his heart is broken and needs a miracle for his son. We are all sons and daughters of  God the father in need of healing. We can not exist without the favor of God.

I want to focus less on the miracle, and more on the events that led to the miracle.  I will review the text from following point of view;

1. God makes all things work for the good of those who love Him

2. God used the devil’s violence to affect the son 

3. God used the son’s problem to bring the father to Christ

4. God used the fathers love for the son to bring him to belief 

THE TEXT

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. 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. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn't do it."  19 Jesus said to them, "You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." 

20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. 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!"

25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. "Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak," he said. "I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!" 

26 Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, "He's dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, "Why couldn't we cast out that evil spirit?" 29 Jesus replied, "This kind can be cast out only by prayer." 

I want focus less on the miracle, but more on the events that led to the miracle,  I believe God used this this fathers anguish to teach us the wise of the devil and the way to quench his fiery darts 

BACKGROUND

Jesus had sent out the 12 disciples in pairs to cast out demons, heal the sick And teach the good news as described in Mark 6.  It was a successful trip. The same disciples in Mark 9 could not heal the fathers son 

Jesus took Peter James and John to the mount of Transfiguration. He was not present with the disciples that were left when the father brought his son seeking help. 

The devil used his influence to distract the disciples. With the religious leaders, the enemy of Jesus watching, the disciples decided to cast out the demon. They had  cast out demons before (Mark 6), with The power and the authority of Jesus, but they couldn’t do it this time

DON’T ARGUE SCRIPTURE WITH NON BELIEVERS 

They got into an argument with religious leaders and the teachers of the law. The argument was a distraction. The argument stopped the disciples from being a cohesive force. It stopped the disciples from seeking Jesus. It stopped the disciples from looking at themselves and evaluating their failure. 

The argument drew a crowd, which may have added to the confusion with the disciples. When you lead, all eyes are on you with the pressure to perform. Jesus did it, but could the disciples do the same?

ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP

Jesus showed up and established an order with the disciples and the religious leaders. He asked the right questions. Why was there an argument and what was it about?  Notice the devil and those he influenced stayed silent. It was the father of the demon possessed son who spoke up.

When asked to pray for someone or something it is important to know what we are praying for. The more information we have the better we can structure the prayer. 

Mark 9:17"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.

This is added information that the disciple may not have obtained.

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM; LACK OF FAITH AND PRAYER

Mark 9:19 Jesus said to them, "You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."

Jesus was not just talking to His disciples, He was talking to the crowd. He was talking to you and me.

The problem was lack of faith. The disciples had been with Jesus, witnessed His healing, participated in the healings, but had no faith in their ability to heal. The question by Jesus of “how long will you remain faithless suggests that we have many experiences of healing by Jesus and still didn't believe. Jesus was disappointed but tolerant.

You cannot expect anything from Jesus without faith. God brings us through trials from time to time to grow our faith. We must not take any of life’s experiences for granted. Always take time to see what God is showing you each day. You never know when previous experiences will be called to bear on current circumstances. 

BRING THE PROBLEM TO JESUS 

The father’s prayer and Jesus response

Mark 9:22 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!"

We have to recognize that the devil shows up in the midst of your  agony to cast doubt on Jesus' will for you. The devil showed up in this case, but the disciples didn’t recognize him and had no plan to combat him.

The disciples had never experienced a situation before without Jesus. Jesus ’had cast out many demons in their presence, but they didn’t learn from them.  You will run into situations you have never handled before. But God’s word is the same.

THE DEVIL IS ALWAYS PRESENT

The moment you go in prayer with Jesus, the devil will remind you of his destructive influence. Prayer puts you in the presence of Jesus

Watch this: Mark 9:20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

Jesus was not disturbed, He continued establishing a relationship with the father of the demon possessed child. The devil’s job is to cast doubt and destroy any hope of help from Jesus. Remember there was a large crowd watching and many were being influenced by the devil

Mark 9:21  "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."

How often do we ignore a problem and let it drag on until it gets too big for us to handle?  Even in your prayers the devil is persistent. 

"

“IF YOU CAN”  That “if” is Satan casting doubt in the ability of Jesus. It is the same “if” the devil tried to use on Jesus after He was baptized. If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread. It is the same “if” he used on Jesus on the cross. If you are the Christ, get down from the cross and save yourself and me. 

Don’t let no “If” be in your prayer. If is a level of doubt. The if did not come from God it put in your mind by Satan 

Mark 9:23 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!"

THE DEVIL WILL NOT GIVE UP WITHOUT A FIGHT

Mark 9:25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. "Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak," he said. "I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!”   

26 Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, "He's dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

Even when Jesus is working, there is a tendency not to believe. Folk gave up on the child, he is still dead. God has the last word. Jesus took the child by the hand. Have you ever prayed for change in behavior in a child, but the “if”, the doubt was still in your mind because you didn’t see an immediate change?

The commands of Jesus is powerful, Its our job to rebuke the devil with the commands of Jesus. Then we must wait on Jesus to act, because the situation may get worse before it gets better.

FAITH DEVELOPS IN THE MIDST OF THE BATTLE

When you take a prayer to Jesus, leave it in His hand. I know a man that was  in a coma for six months and came out of it.

God specializes in the dead, the lost, the heartless, the vile and the proud.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR FAITH 

Mark 9:28 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, "Why couldn't we cast out that evil spirit?"29 Jesus replied, "This kind can be cast out only by prayer." 

Let’s talk about this kind. Apparently there is more than one kind of demonic spirit. There are levels of evil in the world. 

This kind is violent. This kind hate children, this kind will hurt the father and kill the son. This kind makes a public show of its evil influence.

Faith in Jesus is encouraged in prayer. There were nine disciples whose father brought his son too. None offered up a prayer to Jesus. We must have an attitude of prayer. Not just on Sunday but every day

During Jesus time devout Jews prayed three times a day, 9am, 12 pm and 3pm. Jesus commanded us to pray without ceasing. We have the power in prayer through the Holy Spirit to call on Jesus for healing and miracles of any kind.   

Prayer and faith are intertwined  together.  

James 5:13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

SUMMARY LIVING AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE

• DEVELOP AND IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS

• MAKE FAITH IN JESUS AND HIS WORD YOUR PRIORITY

• BE PREPARED AT ALL TIMES TO DEFEND YOUR FAITH 

• TREAT EVERYONE WITH KINDNESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

• NEVER ARGUE SCRIPTURE, DO BIBLE STUDY

• DON’T GET DISTRACTED BY THE ENEMY

• PRAY WITHOUT CEASING ALL YOUR WAKING HOURS

• RECOGNIZED THAT ALL ILLNESSES ARE   THE PRODUCT OF SATAN

• WHEN YOU PRAY FOR OTHERS, CALL ON JESUS IN FAITH