The Unbelieving Believer

[0:00] As the boys and the girls head out, let's join together in a word of prayer. Let's pray. We thank you, Lord, for the gift we have of this chance to worship you.

[0:13] We are so thankful that you've given us not just a place of worship, not just a day of worship, but you've given us, those here as your people, new hearts that are full of worship and praise for you.

[0:28] We're thankful, especially for the gift of our young people, the gift of our children. Lord, we thank you for them. They're so willing to engage and so willing to not just come.

[0:39] They're so willing to actively listen, especially in their time in Sunday school. They're so willing to engage with the work. We hear and we see the work they're doing.

[0:50] Lord, they're working hard and they're asking the big questions. They're seeking knowledge. They're wanting to know more about who you are, about the son you sent. Lord, we give you praise for that.

[1:02] We pray just now, as always, for Sunday school teachers, for those who assist in the Sunday school. We thank you for them, those who give off their time to support the boys and the girls and to help them grow in their knowledge and their understanding of your word.

[1:18] We also give them peace and give them support. And they would know that as they seek to serve you in this way, that they are bringing glory to your name. And they are preparing the church of tomorrow.

[1:33] We thank you, Lord, you're raising up your people still. Behind the scenes, you're doing your work. We pray just now for North Tulsa. We thank you for placing us here. We thank you, Lord, for those who are born here.

[1:45] It was your plan. And that would be the case for those who have since moved here over years. That was also your plan. We are here together as your people seeking to serve you, seeking the gospel good of North Tulsa.

[1:57] We pray just now for the work, Lord, from the Glen to Gary. We pray, Lord, for every home represented in this district, every person represented, every family. We ask for you to come to know you and come to serve you and come to love you and come to know Jesus as their saviour.

[2:15] We come, Lord, confessing that we often have such low expectations. We have such low hope as to the gospel work in this place. We bring today before you that worry and that stress, perhaps, and to our shame, those doubts that you're working and that you're able to work in this place.

[2:35] And we bring before you and we lay before you our service. We lay before you our hands and our feet, our mouths, our hearts, our soul, our strength.

[2:46] And we ask, Lord, you would make full use of us to bring the gospel to this district. A district where there is so much of your creation beauty to be seen.

[2:56] A district where we have the great privilege of being part of a community that is still active in so many ways. But a district where we see there are still so many who have no gospel knowledge.

[3:08] Who, as far as we understand, have little to zero gospel interest. Who have never, perhaps, been invited to a gospel service. Who have no idea that they're welcome to come here.

[3:20] And if they do, they have no desire to come here. Lord, we bring these things before you. What seems like impossibilities. We join in with the church, the worldwide church.

[3:31] The church of the ages. As brothers and sisters before us prayed the same thing in this place and in other places. In days where there seemed to be no hope.

[3:42] In days where there seemed to be no gospel life. And you moved in powerful ways through the work of your word. Through the preaching of your word. Through the sharing of the good news.

[3:53] You worked through your word. And then through your people. And you brought sons and daughters to yourself. Lord, we ask that it would be the same for our story here in North Tulsa. Pray just now for the many homes here that have some church connection.

[4:08] But through various reasons and for various years have lost that connection. Have drifted away. We ask you to forgive your church for any of our sin in that area.

[4:21] For times when your people conducted themselves in ways that were not good. In ways that did not bring you glory. At times your people conducted themselves in ways that distracted and detracted from the gospel work.

[4:34] Lord, forgive us for that. We also pray just now for those who have lost interest. Who had once a vibrant interest perhaps. Who once came to Sunday school. Who once engaged in the gospel work of some sort.

[4:47] Lord, we ask that you bring them back to yourself. If it's your will, we ask you would make use of our plans for this back to church Sunday. This advertised day.

[4:59] Where they can come and gather and know that they are welcome. And know that we desire to see them back. And know that we desire them to hear the gospel. The gospel that says to us all.

[5:11] There is hope. And there is life. And there is peace. In Jesus. And that provision has been made for us. Purchased for us. If only we'd come and accept it.

[5:25] Pray just now for those who are ardently against you. Those in our number in this village. Who have no time for you. Who have set themselves against you.

[5:35] Pray Lord for them. We pray you would turn hard hearts to hearts of flesh. There are some here who know you and who love you. And once their story was.

[5:47] They wanted nothing to do with you. And yet they worship you here week after week. Pray just now Lord for our dear friends here today. Friends we love.

[5:58] And friends we care for. Who attend this place of worship so often. And over many years. Lord we ask you be with them. And encourage them. We ask that today.

[6:09] As they listen to your word once more. They will understand that. You are the one who has sent a saviour for them. If only they would come and believe.

[6:20] And come and cry out. And be saved. As we hear from your word in a short while. As to the power of our saviour. The care of our saviour.

[6:31] The long suffering nature of our saviour. As we are reminded of his goodness and his love. Lord we ask all these things. That you would enliven your word to us.

[6:41] You make it real to us. Pray just now as we meet in such freedom. And such peace. We pray just now for our brothers. And our sisters in Kazakhstan. Lord you know the full extent.

[6:54] Of the situation that they are facing. This week and this month. But also we have been facing for decades now. We ask you to be with these pastors. Especially who are facing.

[7:06] Hefty fines. And these fines will put them into debt. And will cause great trouble for them. In their own lives. Lord be with them. Thank you that you have your people.

[7:18] In every corner of this world. Brothers and sisters. Who love you as we do. Brothers and sisters. We will one day spend eternity with. And we will hear their stories of faithfulness to you.

[7:32] So remember the wide range of churches. And of your people across this world. Lord we pray especially today for ourselves. Our own denomination. As we meet this month.

[7:42] In General Assembly. Pray just now for the delegates going from the island. Pray just now for those who are travelling to Edinburgh. Those who are travelling from distances.

[7:53] Some travelling from North America. And others from England. Some travelling from mainland Europe. Lord we ask that you would bless the travel. And keep them safe. We ask that all that would be discussed.

[8:04] Would be for your name's sake. And for your glory. We are also mindful that at the same time. We have various other denominations meeting. We pray just now for the meeting. Also of the free church continuing.

[8:14] As they meet in their General Assembly Lord. That we would see the gospel flourish. In their congregations too. Pray Lord for Church of Scotland. As they meet in their General Assembly. Pray Lord for the faithful ministers.

[8:26] Left in that denomination. Where there seems to be. Signs. This year of even more drift. Lord we pray for the faithful few.

[8:38] Give them strength. Those who have decided to stay against all the current. Give them Lord the strength. Give them the peace. That their decision is correct. Give them Lord wisdom.

[8:50] To keep proclaiming the gospel. Despite the rest of it seems. That ancient. The perishing denomination.

[9:01] Being against them. Lord encourage your people there. Pray just now Lord for ministers who are leaving. And some who have left. And some who are in the process of leaving. To join ourselves and other denominations. Give them peace too.

[9:13] And give them strength. Lord we do not pray for ourselves. We do not pray Lord for the good of the free church. But we pray for the good. Of the Christian church in Scotland.

[9:25] It is not our desire. To see our denomination grow. It is our desire to see your kingdom grow. Your kingdom spread. However you choose to do that Lord. We ask you to be glorified.

[9:37] Help us Lord then. To have a wider vision. To understand that our calling. Is to serve you here. Our calling is to see. Hearts and minds.

[9:49] Come to Jesus. To see those who are lost. Now say that they are found by him. Help us to have a heart. For our nation. But more immediately have a heart.

[10:00] A renewed heart. For North Tulsa. Pray just now for friends and family. Who are far from you. Who have no care for you. Lord you would work in their hearts.

[10:10] And their minds. You would revive them. And bring them to a saving knowledge of yourself. Pray just now for those who have prayed for. For many years. Many decades perhaps.

[10:21] Lord you know the situation. We ask you bless them. Lord help us to serve you well. In this place. And this week. Help us. We come before you just now.

[10:32] We confess that we come before you in weakness. We come before you as those who have sinned against you. We come just now proclaiming our risen saviour. Who has taken on himself.

[10:42] The full punishment. Due to his people. So that if we trust in him. And trust in who and what he has done. We know that we are free. And free indeed.

[10:53] Ask all these things. In and through. And for his precious name's sake. Amen. Let's read a passage. First of all from Luke chapter 9.

[11:05] Later on we can turn back. To our series in Mark. But for now reading. In Luke chapter 9. Luke 9. That's on page 815.

[11:18] Page 815. Of the church Bibles. Luke chapter 9. Verse 37. Luke 9.

[11:29] Verse 37. Luke chapter 9. Verse 37. Let's hear. The word. Of God. On the next day.

[11:43] When they had come down from the mountain. A great crowd met him. And behold. A man from the crowd cried out. Teacher. I beg you to look at my son. For he is my only child.

[11:55] And behold. A spirit seizes him. And he suddenly cries out. It convulses him. So that he foams at the mouth. And shatters him. And will hardly leave him.

[12:06] And I begged her disciples to cast it out. But they could not. Jesus answered. O faithless and twisted generation. How long am I to be with you.

[12:17] And bear with you. Bring your son here. While he was coming. The demon threw him on the ground. And convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit. And healed the boy.

[12:28] And gave him back to his father. And all were astonished. At the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling. At everything he was doing. Jesus said to his disciples.

[12:40] Let these words sink into your ears. The son of man is about to be delivered. Into the hands of men. But they did not understand. This saying. And it was concealed from them.

[12:52] So that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him. About this saying. An argument arose among them. As to which of them. Was the greatest.

[13:02] But Jesus knowing the reasoning. Of their hearts. Took a child. And put him by his side. And said to them. Whoever receives this child. In my name.

[13:12] Receives me. And whoever receives me. Receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all. Is the one who is great. John answered.

[13:24] Master we saw someone. Casting out demons in your name. And we tried to stop him. Because he does not follow with us. But Jesus said to him. Do not stop him.

[13:35] For the one who is not against you. Is for you. And so on. And we praise God for his holy. And his perfect word. We're going to sing this time.

[13:46] From Psalm 131. Sing Psalms. Psalm 131. Psalm 131. Sing Psalms.

[13:57] Psalm 131. It's on page 173. Psalm 131. My heart's not proud.

[14:08] My heart's not proud. O Lord. Nor haughty is my eye. I do not occupy myself. With things too great or high. My spirit I have calmed. My heart is pacified.

[14:19] My soul is like a little child. Close to its mother's side. Psalm 131. To God's praise. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[14:30] My heart's not proud. O Lord. Not haughty is my eye.

[14:41] I could not occupy myself. With things too great or high.

[14:56] My spirit I have calmed. My heart is pacified.

[15:10] My soul is like a little child. O say it's mother's side.

[15:26] But like a little child. My soul is calm in me.

[15:42] O Israel. Hope in God. The Lord. Nermat eternally.

[15:57] Amen. So for a short time. Turn back to the chapter. We were working through the book. I should say. Mark chapter 9.

[16:08] Mark chapter 9. Carrying on our series. Mark chapter 9. It's on page 793. Mark chapter 9.

[16:18] Page 793. Looking at verses 14. Down to verse 29. It's the same account here. Mark's account of this boy.

[16:31] Who has the unclean spirit. If you remember last week. We were on the Mount of Transfiguration. Where Jesus saw. Where the disciples saw. The glorious transformation.

[16:43] Or really as we said. The glorious unveiling. Of who Jesus is. We saw a glimpse. As to the holiness. And a glimpse. As to the shining divinity of Jesus.

[16:55] And we saw. All that meant. With Elijah and Moses. Talking with him. And how that showed us. This turning point. In Jesus' mission.

[17:06] That reminded us. That he had come. To fulfill. The law. And the prophets. And from that moment of holiness. That moment of glory. And beauty.

[17:17] We now land. In verse 14. We're now back. As it were. To the real world. And it's quite an image. As you read verse 14 there.

[17:28] And when they came. To the disciples. What's the journey there? What's the travel? Well they've come. From the top of this mountain. With the glory.

[17:38] And beauty. Of our saviour. Glowing. The voice of God. Thundering down. And now we're walking. Back down. Into the world. We're now back down.

[17:50] Into the chaos. Into the sadness. And this is a sad scene. We'll be looking. Of course. At the theology. And looking at the reality here. But just for a second.

[18:02] Let's step back. This was a real dad. With a real boy. This was a real dad. Who obviously loves his child. Who cares for his child.

[18:12] And his child is not well. His child is suffering. And just think yourself. As to the pain of this man. For ourselves of course. You know. A sick child.

[18:24] You can go to hospital. You can get tests done. And the news might still be impossibly hard to bear. But at least there's something you can do. There is something you can do.

[18:35] Things can be tried. Treatments can be tried. For this man. There is nothing you can do. There's no advanced medical science. They had doctors. And they had doctors.

[18:46] I'm sure tried their best. And we know. That there's more than physical ailment here. But we'll get to that in a second. But this man is helpless. There's nothing he can do.

[18:57] His child. His demon possessed. And this poor man. You can see the desperation. And we'll see that. In a second. We'll just go through. The account we have here.

[19:08] Just following. The journey of Jesus. From the mountain. Back into the conversation. With this man. First of all. Seeing verses 14.

[19:19] Down to verse 16. Jesus is now back. To the people. He's back to the people. What does Jesus find. When he comes back down.

[19:31] Verse 14. When he came to the disciples. They saw a great crowd. Around them. And the teachers of the law. Arguing with them. That's with the disciples. Jesus comes back down.

[19:44] With the three disciples. And the rest of them are down there. And they're arguing. He walks back into a situation. Where the teachers of the law. The scribes. The Pharisees.

[19:54] They're there. And they're arguing. With the disciples. They're arguing theological points. With the disciples. They're trying to win a point. Over the disciples. And they're arguing over the fact.

[20:06] That this boy. Cannot be cured. By the disciples. And the teachers of the law. Are seeing. And seizing on this chance. So Jesus comes back down. And he enters in.

[20:17] To these teachers of the law. The scribes. The Pharisees. The hypocrites of the day. Trying to catch him out. Once more. All the joy they had.

[20:29] All the peace they had. And now back. To this. And you can hear. The tone. Of Jesus. In his question. Of verse 16.

[20:41] Of verse 15. First of all. The crowd sees Jesus. Coming down. Walking towards them. They run up to him. They're overwhelmed. And they come and gather around him. But Jesus doesn't. See.

[20:51] That he doesn't care. For the. The. The. The. The excitement of the crowd. To them. He's a celebrity. Jesus is not here for that.

[21:02] Jesus asks. The cutting question. Of verse 16. What are you arguing. With them about? What's your argument about? Jesus asks.

[21:17] The crowd. This question. But we see. A single man. Answers. The question. Verse 17. A man.

[21:27] In the crowd. Answered. So Jesus asks. The whole crowd. The grammar. Tells us that. He asks. The whole crowd. What are you all. Arguing about? That's a question. He asks. And the man.

[21:38] In the crowd. Says. Teacher. Rabbi. I brought. You. My son. Who is possessed. By a spirit. That has robbed him. Of speech. And so on.

[21:48] And so on. Here we see. Jesus now. He is back. To facing evil. Back to the crowd. For right now. He's back. To facing. One on one.

[21:59] With evil. He will meet a man. A poor man. That is obviously distressed. And he's not having a go. At the disciples. At the end of verse 18.

[22:10] He says. I asked your disciples. To drive out the spirit. But they could not. There is no tone there. Of him having a go. He's just stating a fact. I asked them for help. They can't help me.

[22:21] Can you help me? Is what's being said there. He needs help. His son. His wee boy. Needs desperate help.

[22:32] And this man is saying. They can't help me. Can you help me? So what is the son's. Situation. Well the man says himself.

[22:42] We've got a son. I brought to you. My son. Who is possessed. By a spirit. Has robbed him of speech. It seizes him. It throws him to the ground. He foams in the mouth.

[22:53] He gnashes his teeth. He becomes rigid. And we see. In other parallel passages. As we read. It throws him into the fire. It throws him into water. This is. A demon.

[23:05] That is attacking this boy. Now. Right from the outset. We need to answer. Perhaps the obvious question. That many ask here. That's a valid question.

[23:17] Is this not just epilepsy. That's been described. He's foaming the mouth. He's fitting. His teeth are clenching. He's convulsing.

[23:28] He goes rigid. It sounds. Very much. Clearly. Like a form of epilepsy. Or some. Fitting. Disorder. You would say. Clearly. Well.

[23:41] That might. Sound. And make sense. But really. By saying. Well. Obviously. This is just epilepsy. We're doing two things. First of all. We're going against God's word. But second of all. We're also patronizing.

[23:52] These people. The people of Christ. They. They knew. What epilepsy was. As a medical condition. They didn't call it that. Perhaps. But they knew it. And we know that.

[24:03] From Matthew chapter 4. I'll read. Matthew chapter 4. Matthew 4. Verse 24. Epilepsy is categorized. As a physical thing. That Jesus healed.

[24:15] Alongside. Demonical oppression. So. They knew the difference. Matthew 4. Verse 24. Says. Speaking of Jesus. So. His fame. Spread. Throughout all Syria.

[24:26] And they brought him. All the sick. Those afflicted. With various diseases. And pains. And those oppressed. By demons. That's their two categories. Those of physical illness. And those of spiritual oppression.

[24:37] Epileptics. And paralytics. And he healed them. So those oppressed. With demons. He also brought.

[24:48] Was brought to him. Epileptics. And paralytics. And he healed them. They knew the difference. Now this does sound. Very close to that. But quite sadly.

[25:00] And horrifying. Is what Satan is doing here. This is clearly demonic. If it was normal epilepsy. We'd have. Perhaps these symptoms.

[25:11] But you note. The symptoms. Are causing the boy. He's being thrown. Into water. He's being thrown. Into fire. As the father himself. Says.

[25:21] This is. The demon. Seeking to destroy. The boy. This is not just. A normal medical condition.

[25:32] Of epilepsy. This is a boy. That is suffering. From. Possession. We've. Encountered this before. We saw before. The man in the caves.

[25:43] Who was cutting himself. Some will say. Well that's a man. Who's obviously just got. Severe. Mental. Issues. Going on there. A severe. Trauma. Perhaps.

[25:54] Where a physical trauma. Or a mental. Trauma. In his life. And it's causing him. To go into the caves. And cut himself. We saw that. That these things. Run parallel. Very often. In scriptural terms.

[26:09] This man. Was. Deeply traumatized. But he's traumatized. Because. Of the demons. That were attacking him. And we said before. We saw the evidence before. That man's condition. Was demonic. Not just physical.

[26:21] And so does this boy. Jesus healed those. Who are epileptic. This is not the case here. There is something. Else going on here. Something dark. Going on here.

[26:34] And the people of the day. Knew that. They weren't fools. They knew the difference. Themselves. They were smart. Intelligent people. In these days. There's a problem. We have. And this is not just us.

[26:44] This is a thing. It's a known thing. That historians. Have to work with. But every generation. Ourselves included. We think. We are the pinnacle. Of human knowledge. And those who came before us.

[26:56] Are less understanding. Are more clueless. As a danger. Because. We think. We're more advanced. Because we have. Tablets. And phones. And the internet.

[27:06] Wherever else. We think. We're. Advanced. Technologically. We're advanced. Technologically. We're far advanced. To those in Christ's day. But people.

[27:16] Are people. And they weren't fools. They weren't idiots. They knew. The difference. And here we see. This poor man. Knows. The difference.

[27:29] This is a demon. Seeking to. Kill this boy. To destroy. This man's life. By robbing him. Of his child. It throws him into fire. It seizes him. It throws him into water.

[27:41] We read. In their parallel passages. And here we see. Satan's work. To kill. To steal. To destroy. That's what's going on here. And we perhaps.

[27:52] Look at this. Account. With modern eyes. And we think. We're past this. We don't see. In our culture. In our. Our nation. We don't see. Perhaps. Demonic possessions.

[28:04] Wherefore we think. Well Satan now. Doesn't bother us anymore. He's just changed. Tactics. He's just changed. Tactics. This worked. In this day.

[28:14] And if you speak. To missionaries. Reformed. Confessional. Missionaries. Who subscribe. To the confession. Of faith. Who love their Lord. And Savior. Who are.

[28:25] Completely solid. As we would say. Perhaps. Speak to missionaries. Who have served. In other parts. Of this world. Who have served. In parts. Of rural.

[28:36] Thailand. Missionaries. I've spoken to. Served. In parts. Of. Certain parts. Of Africa. Who have served. In parts. Of Central Asia.

[28:48] Don't think. For a second. Satan. Is not still. Possessing. And is not still. Using. This sort of power. There are missionaries. Who have seen this. Who have dealt with this.

[28:59] Who have prayed. Against this. Who have faced. Been faced. With this. This is going on still. Not to the same extent. As it was. In Christ's day. Satan. Poured all his energy.

[29:09] Out. Around Jesus. To distract. And distress. Away from the gospel. Work. But this is still. Going on. We live in a world still. With a prince of the power of the air. Where Satan is still active.

[29:20] And in our culture. Perhaps. We're not seeing possession. But in our culture. We see. Satan at work. Not the exact same way. But he is still as active. In many ways.

[29:31] As he was then. He's been defeated. Yes. Jesus. Has stamped on his head. With his foot. Yes. But he's still. Active. He's still active.

[29:42] This man is helpless. If it was just medical alone. He'd be helpless. But it's not medical.

[29:54] It's demonic. But it's nothing he. Can do. And your disciples. Jesus. Your disciples. Haven't been able to help me. So Jesus answered.

[30:08] And note who he answers. He's not saying this to the man. He answered. Them. The crowd. The man's there. For a genuine reason. And Jesus is not dealing harshly with the man.

[30:19] He says to the crowd though. Who just want a spectacle. The crowd is there. They've got no care for this boy. No care for the man who's suffering. No care for the poor boy. Whose whole life is gone.

[30:30] They want to see just the spectacle of Jesus healing someone. They're there for the argument. They're there for the show. Verse 19. Jesus says.

[30:40] And he answered them. O faithless generation. How long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?

[30:53] Bring him to me. They've seen it all. They've seen at this point. Miracle after miracle.

[31:04] Half his crowd. A number of his crowd. Were probably there when Christ fed the 5,000. Then fed the 4,000. They've seen the healings. They've seen his miracles.

[31:16] And yet. They don't believe. And again. Here's the point we keep making. Many people say. I would believe in Jesus. If he appeared before me. And told me to believe in him.

[31:27] If I could see him doing something. If I could have seen the miracles I believe. You wouldn't. But chances are you wouldn't. These crowds saw the miracles. They saw the bread and the fish being multiplied.

[31:41] They saw blind people. Who they knew for years being blind. They saw them regain their eyesight. They saw friends who were lame. Legs all twisted.

[31:52] They saw them healed. They saw it all. And yet they didn't believe. And Jesus says. You unbelieving generation. Why don't you believe yet?

[32:04] You're seeing it all. But yet you don't believe. Friends. Nothing changes. Each week. We are being presented with. The living God. As he shows himself through his word.

[32:15] And you're being asked again and again. To trust in him. And yet. You do not believe. You've seen it all. You've heard it all. And yet you don't believe.

[32:26] So they bring. Jesus. The boy. In verse 20. And they brought the boy to him. And here's how we know.

[32:38] For more evidence. Perhaps. If we need more evidence. That this is demonic. They brought the boy. To him. And when the spirit saw him. Immediately.

[32:48] There's Mark's favorite word. Immediately. It convulsed the boy. And fell on the ground. And rolled about. Foaming at his mouth. And here we see again. What was said.

[32:58] The sad reality. Of verse 22. The father tells Jesus. And as a father is talking. There's a son. Foaming and convulsing. In front of them. And the father is there.

[33:09] The son in front of them. With this. Sad scene playing out. And the father. Is describing to Jesus. How hard their life has been. Jesus says.

[33:20] With compassion to the dad. He asks him questions. Now. Jesus knows the answers. The question is. Why is Jesus asking. These kind of. Medical history questions.

[33:33] To the dad. Why is he asking. How long has he been like this for. Why does he need to ask that. Because the dad. Needs to talk about it. If any of you know. I'm sure many of you do. But when something hard happens.

[33:45] Eventually at times. Talking things through. Helps. Jesus asks. The father. How long.

[33:57] Has this been happening to him. The father answers. From childhood. And often cast him into the fire. And into water. To destroy him. But if you can do anything.

[34:09] Have compassion on us. And help us. If you can. Do. Anything. This is a life.

[34:19] Of constant worry. This man is going through. A life. Of constant pain. And the poor boy. A life. Of suffering. For this poor boy. And you can see. The desperation. And the pain of the dad.

[34:30] If you can do anything. Your disciples. Could do nothing. If you can do. Anything at all. To help alleviate. Just the smallest part. Of my boy's suffering. That's all I want from you.

[34:43] And we see. Christ's response. In verse 23. Jesus says. To him. Said to him. If you can. Now. Don't read that. In a harsh way.

[34:54] We shouldn't. Because the tone's not harsh. Jesus repeats back. To the man. What he said. If you can do anything. Jesus says. If you can. He's saying it. In a.

[35:04] In a. Gentle. But firm way. Where he's catching the man out. And saying to the man. It's not if I can. It's I can. And I will. If you can.

[35:16] Said Jesus. Everything is possible. For one. Who believes. Verse 24. This poor man.

[35:29] Says. I believe. Help. My unbelief. Face. In a situation. That's impossible. For him. He says.

[35:41] I do believe. But I need help. Because. My unbelief. Was here too. Brothers and sisters. Is this not our cry. At times. Not for.

[35:53] Perhaps. Demon. Possessed. Children. But for lots of things. Brothers and sisters. We believe. In Jesus. We love Jesus. We trust in Jesus.

[36:04] We come to him. For help. But we come to him. Not fully believing. At the full extent. Of his ability. Nor his desire. Nor his love.

[36:16] And we come to Jesus. Saying. Lord. If you can. Lord. If you can. And to bring this. To ourselves. Thinking of this month. We might come to the Lord.

[36:26] Saying. Lord. If you can. Could you please. Bring to faith. My family members. Lord. If you can. Would you please. Bring your power. Gospel power. To North Tolstada.

[36:38] Lord. If you can. Could you please. Encourage us. As a congregation. And enliven us. Lord. If you can. Lord. If you can. And to that. We're reminded.

[36:50] That Jesus. Can. And we say. Lord. We believe. Help. Our. Unbelief.

[37:01] And the challenge. Believers. For us today. In this passage. Is. Do we. Genuinely. In our prayers. In our thoughts. Do we believe. In the full power. Of our saviour.

[37:12] Or do we have a prayer. Like this man. That says. Lord. I believe. But help. My unbelief. We should be praying. That way. We should be saying. Lord. I believe. You can. Come.

[37:22] And transform. North Tulsa. You can. Come. And transform. This person. I've been praying for. For years. You can. Come. In your power. And change. This situation. But at times.

[37:34] I struggle. To believe. That Lord. Help. My unbelief. And that is our prayer. To the Lord today. Lord. We believe. But help. Our. Unbelief. Verse 25.

[37:48] When Jesus saw. That a crowd. Came running together. He rebukes. The unclean spirit. Saying to it. You mute. And deaf spirit. I command you.

[37:59] Come out of him. And never enter him. Again. And here we see the evidence. Again. Of this boy. It was just. A normal.

[38:09] Condition of epilepsy. Epilepsy does not. Turn on and off. At the command. Of anyone. As we know. The second Jesus. Commands the spirit. Look what happened. The spirit is clinging on.

[38:21] The evil spirit. Is going. And defying. Jesus. Crying out. And convulsing him. Terribly. It came out.

[38:32] The boy. Is left like a corpse. His body. Is exhausted. His mind. Is exhausted. His spirit. Is exhausted. His poor boy. His whole life. Has been demon possessed. And the crowd.

[38:43] Are saying. He's dead. Jesus. What have you done? This boy. Is now dead. But Jesus. Verse 27. Took him by the hand.

[38:54] And lifts him up. And the boy. Rises up. This boy. Is cured. In a second.

[39:07] The demonic. Is removed. In a word. From. Jesus. We touched on this last week. And indeed. A few weeks ago too. Perhaps this sounds.

[39:20] I say this very carefully. But. This is the text. To say it. If you know. You know. If you don't know. Brothers and sisters. You may soon know. It's up to God.

[39:31] How these things work out. As we seek. To do things. Like back to church Sunday. Now. Sounds like something. We're just doing. Because it's an easy thing to do. We're doing that. Because we know.

[39:41] God can work through his word. As we seek. To do things like that. To reach out. More and more. In the community. Satan. Hates. That. Work.

[39:52] He hates it. Brothers and sisters. He will try to oppose it. In every way possible. And I know. This sounds. Far-fetched. Perhaps. To those who don't know it. But to those who know it.

[40:03] Do you know it's true? He hates it. And he will oppose it. In every way possible. So do not be surprised. In the coming days. Or weeks. As you perhaps pray.

[40:13] For those who come. To the. To the. Back to church Sunday. Or later on in the year. As we talk about doing. Hope explored. And Christianity explored. As you engage. And invite folks to that.

[40:24] Don't be. Surprised. If you see pushback. And see attack. It will happen. Satan hates this work. Spiritually.

[40:35] If you feel attacked. It will happen. Satan hates this work. But in a word. In a word. You go to your saviour.

[40:46] And you go to the one. Who defeats. The devil. You go to the one. Who casts the devil out. From glory. Down to the ground. You go to the one. Who is in full control.

[40:57] And full power. Who stands in the head. Of the serpent. You go to him. And you say. I can't do this. You can. When Satan attacks. You go straight to Jesus. And you say. Lord. I am here.

[41:08] Help me. And you will know his help. The power of prayer here. Let's not underestimate.

[41:21] The need. For prayer. Here in North Tolstair. We share the gospel. But our battle is not against. Against flesh. And blood. Is it?

[41:32] This boy's problem. Was not a physical disease. Our battle. Is against. The spiritual darkness. Which is clouding. The hearts. And the minds.

[41:43] Of our friends. And family. And our neighbours here. We are in darkness. The God of this world. The smallest g. There possible. The God of this world.

[41:53] Has blinded them. And we are reminded here. Our saviour. Has instant power. Instant power. Over the demons.

[42:05] But nothing stands up. To him. In a second. This boy's life. This boy's life. Is changed. Oppressed. From birth. Demon oppressed.

[42:18] From birth. Attacked. From birth. And yet. In a second. We see. His whole future. Is now changed. He is free.

[42:30] And with that. The suffering. Of his father. And no doubt. The suffering. Of a wider family. If we're there. Alleviated. In that second. This boy. Is set free.

[42:41] And Jesus. Is shown. As being all. Powerful. Yet again. Our saviour. Did not stay. As it were. On the mount. Of transfiguration. He did not stay. Unveiled.

[42:51] He stepped. Back down. And he became. Back into the world. He came back into the world again. He became once more. A friend. Of those. Who were lost. He walked alongside.

[43:02] Once more. Those who were struggling. Dear friends. Please. Please don't. Mishear me. I'm not saying today.

[43:13] You are possessed. By demons. But biblically. I have warrant. To say. That today. If you. As of yet. Don't know Jesus. You are still being blinded.

[43:24] By. The evil one. Scripture tells us that. That's. Simple. Theology. I'm not saying that. To have a go. Quite the opposite.

[43:34] I'm saying that. Because it needs to be said. Why? Because. There is. A way. There is one way. For you to come. And have your eyes opened. We heard today.

[43:47] Of this man. Jesus. The God. Man. Who transformed. This wee boy's life. That same. Power. Is available. Right now.

[43:59] In the same person. The person of Jesus. Right now. For you. Come to him. I don't know.

[44:11] If you've prayed before. Or not. If you've never prayed before. On your way home. Just now. Or even this evening. This afternoon. Just. Don't even close your eyes. Just. Do whatever.

[44:21] You're doing. But. In your mind. Just say. Lord. I've not prayed before. Perhaps. Lord. I've not prayed for years. But please.

[44:34] Save me. Please. Open my eyes. Please. Come and. Work in my life. In the same way. The same. Powerful way. As you worked in the life. Of this boy. Come and know.

[44:47] Jesus. Come and pray to Jesus. And I come and know. What it is too. You have your life. Transformed. Transformed. By. Jesus. Bow our heads. In that. A word of prayer.

[44:57] Thank you for the gift. Once more. Of your word. We're reminded. Through these accounts. As to the. Both. The strength. And the power.

[45:08] Of the evil one. But with that. The eternal strength. The eternal power. Of our saviour. The one. Who releases. The demon oppressed. From their demons.

[45:19] The one. Who restores. Those who are like dead. Back to life. The one. Who gives back. The years. The locusts have taken. The one. Who is there. Just now. As a power.

[45:30] Over. Your people. Pay the Lord. For ongoing safety. And protection. From the evil one. As he seeks to disrupt. And distress. And destroy. Both our fellowship. But also.

[45:41] The gospel work. I ask. I ask the Lord. For peace. For encouragement. As we seek to serve you well. In North Tulsa. I pray for any here. Who as of yet. Don't know Jesus. As we're reminded once more.

[45:51] From your word today. We have a saviour. Who has power. Not only. Over the demons. Not only over. The evil one. But a saviour. Who has full power. Over their lives also. Who can transform them.

[46:03] In a second. And take them. From not knowing you. To being in full knowledge. And full communion with you. And at full peace. With you too. It's all these things. We give you praise Lord.

[46:14] For the one who. Leads our praise. Our sung praise. We thank you for. Those week after week. Who are willing. To step up. And to sing that praise. And to lead us. In that worship.

[46:26] I ask all these things. In Jesus name. Amen. Let's conclude. Again. And sing Psalms. Sing Psalms. 46a.

[46:36] Sing Psalms. Psalm 46a. Verse 59. Page 59. Sorry. Psalm 46a.

[46:48] On page 59. 46a. On page 59. We can sing verses 1. Down to verse 5.

[47:00] Psalm 46a. Verses 1. Down to verse 5. God is our refuge. And our strength. Our ever present aid. And therefore. Though the earth gives way.

[47:10] We will not be afraid. Though mountains fall into the sea. Though waters foam and roar. We will not fear. Though mountains quake. As waves engulf the shore.

[47:22] Psalm 46a. Verses 1 to 5. To God's praise. Vamos. T vollkommen now and no one waterfall. And then for example. Let's do your time ago. Amen. Amen. inac硬 Blogfit. Amen. Live andwarm supply.

[47:32] ¡Avaöyle caught water with проход costs! Move 58a sakes. Anteil Ins Zuschauer 16a. Over�u v camé. V'n twenty我ire. But known. I would say. Follow that completely. Amen. Amen. Google ialar infarusto.

[47:43] Internet Da horizon. drawing 19a heritage. Act 2019 by specialists. I am by themelon mocras. With nature. Good. Him. At a son happening. In the sea. Point of dominations. we will not be affaigned.

[48:02] Though mountains fall into the sea, though waters fall and void, we will not fear.

[48:24] Though mountains quay, as waves end up the storm, a river flows through saints, the city of our God, the holy place in which the Lord most high passes thou hold.

[49:14] The best with this holy place, the best with this holy place, for God will come, a beautiful day, to be an everlasting world.

[49:50] In the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, for of you now and forevermore. Amen.