WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.139 Welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:05.240 --> 00:00:06.520 We're glad that you're here. 00:00:07.140 --> 00:00:10.480 And we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:13.839 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:14.220 --> 00:00:18.280 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced there's no one so good. 00:00:18.339 --> 00:00:19.500 They don't need God's grace. 00:00:19.859 --> 00:00:22.140 And no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:22.219 --> 00:00:27.420 which is why we turn back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in his word. 00:00:28.120 --> 00:00:30.560 We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:36.540 You'll remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus and his life and his death and his resurrection. 00:00:37.200 --> 00:00:40.219 And when we were in the first half of the Gospel, chapters 1 through 8, 00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:43.100 I would tell you over and over that we had two questions. 00:00:43.380 --> 00:00:45.859 Who is Jesus and how do we respond to him? 00:00:46.700 --> 00:00:51.060 And those questions are still relevant, but as we make our way into the second half of Mark, 00:00:51.120 --> 00:00:54.439 the question really is, what does it actually look like to follow Jesus? 00:00:54.439 --> 00:01:00.539 We saw before in chapter 8 that Peter had one idea of what it meant for Jesus to be the Christ, 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:04.039 and reality was actually quite different. 00:01:04.539 --> 00:01:09.000 We're continuing that theme this morning as we're in Mark 9, 00:01:09.259 --> 00:01:11.459 looking at verses 14 through 29, 00:01:11.719 --> 00:01:15.680 as we are continuing to ask this question of what does it look like to have faith? 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:19.539 What does it look like day to day as we follow after Jesus? 00:01:19.540 --> 00:01:23.960 In this passage, we're going to see two different pictures of unbelief. 00:01:24.120 --> 00:01:29.180 So two negative examples that are going to help us understand positive application 00:01:29.180 --> 00:01:33.080 for what it means to walk after Jesus in this world. 00:01:33.160 --> 00:01:35.360 And I'll tell you at the beginning what those are. 00:01:35.460 --> 00:01:37.260 So there's two types of unbelief. 00:01:37.460 --> 00:01:42.700 First of all, the disciples have too much faith in themselves. 00:01:43.580 --> 00:01:46.820 The disciples have way too much faith in themselves. 00:01:46.819 --> 00:01:51.219 The second type of unbelief we see in the father of this boy, 00:01:51.799 --> 00:01:54.500 which is too little faith in God. 00:01:55.299 --> 00:01:59.739 Too much faith in ourselves, too little faith in God. 00:01:59.859 --> 00:02:03.379 It's with that that I'm going to invite you to turn with me to Mark 9, 00:02:03.939 --> 00:02:05.199 starting at verse 14. 00:02:05.399 --> 00:02:07.599 You can turn on your phone. 00:02:07.699 --> 00:02:08.699 You can turn in your Bible. 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:10.599 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:13.780 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's Word. 00:02:13.780 --> 00:02:17.060 And God tells us that his Word is more precious than gold, 00:02:17.340 --> 00:02:20.479 even the finest gold, and that it's sweeter than honey, 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:23.400 even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb, 00:02:23.539 --> 00:02:26.020 which is why we read now starting at verse 14. 00:02:26.020 --> 00:02:28.860 And when they came to the disciples, 00:02:29.159 --> 00:02:31.420 they saw a great crowd around them, 00:02:32.219 --> 00:02:34.020 and scribes arguing with them. 00:02:34.540 --> 00:02:37.120 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, 00:02:37.180 --> 00:02:40.260 were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 00:02:40.740 --> 00:02:41.980 And he asked them, 00:02:42.340 --> 00:02:44.800 What are you arguing about with them? 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:47.760 And someone from the crowd answered him, 00:02:48.100 --> 00:02:50.740 Teacher, I brought my son to you, 00:02:50.820 --> 00:02:52.939 for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 00:02:52.939 --> 00:02:56.340 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, 00:02:56.639 --> 00:02:59.919 and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. 00:03:00.659 --> 00:03:03.479 So I asked your disciples to cast it out, 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:05.120 and they were not able. 00:03:06.020 --> 00:03:06.819 Verse 19. 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:08.759 And he answered them, 00:03:08.900 --> 00:03:10.680 O faithless generation, 00:03:11.500 --> 00:03:13.360 how long am I to be with you? 00:03:13.900 --> 00:03:16.579 How long am I to bear with you? 00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:18.219 Bring him to me. 00:03:18.919 --> 00:03:20.500 And they brought the boy to him, 00:03:20.500 --> 00:03:22.280 and when the spirit saw him, 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:24.120 immediately it convulsed the boy, 00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:26.539 and he fell on the ground and rolled about, 00:03:26.699 --> 00:03:27.560 foaming at the mouth. 00:03:28.300 --> 00:03:29.819 And Jesus asked his father, 00:03:30.039 --> 00:03:32.219 How long has this been happening to him? 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:33.560 And he said, 00:03:33.699 --> 00:03:34.360 From childhood. 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:38.500 And it has often cast him into fire and into water 00:03:38.500 --> 00:03:39.740 to destroy him. 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:41.680 But if you can do anything, 00:03:41.840 --> 00:03:44.400 have compassion on us and help us. 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:46.420 And Jesus said to him, 00:03:46.920 --> 00:03:47.740 If you can, 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:52.319 all things are possible for one who believes. 00:03:53.719 --> 00:03:56.960 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 00:03:57.420 --> 00:03:58.460 I believe. 00:03:59.180 --> 00:04:00.719 Help my unbelief. 00:04:01.680 --> 00:04:04.159 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:06.240 he rebuked the unclean spirit, 00:04:06.420 --> 00:04:07.099 saying to it, 00:04:07.480 --> 00:04:09.340 You mute and deaf spirit, 00:04:09.640 --> 00:04:10.599 I command you, 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:12.840 come out of him and never enter him again. 00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:16.759 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, 00:04:16.939 --> 00:04:17.560 it came out, 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:19.360 and the boy was like a corpse, 00:04:19.519 --> 00:04:20.800 so that most of them said, 00:04:20.939 --> 00:04:21.579 He is dead. 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:24.060 But Jesus took him by the hand 00:04:24.060 --> 00:04:25.439 and lifted him up, 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:26.600 and he arose. 00:04:27.280 --> 00:04:28.780 And when he had entered the house, 00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:30.600 his disciples asked him privately, 00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:32.819 Why could we not cast it out? 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:34.600 And he said to them, 00:04:35.280 --> 00:04:39.180 This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer. 00:04:39.180 --> 00:04:41.920 I invite you to pray with me 00:04:41.920 --> 00:04:43.680 as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:47.480 Our Father in heaven, 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:50.780 we thank you again that you speak to us. 00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:55.060 We ask that you would do that this morning by your word, 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:59.360 that you would show us our need for your grace. 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:03.480 You'd show us how you meet and supply that need. 00:05:03.480 --> 00:05:05.100 And most of all, 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:07.319 that you would show us Jesus Christ 00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:09.060 with more beauty and clarity 00:05:09.060 --> 00:05:10.720 than we've seen before. 00:05:10.860 --> 00:05:12.740 That you would grow our love 00:05:12.740 --> 00:05:14.500 and our affection for him 00:05:14.500 --> 00:05:15.400 and our reverence 00:05:15.400 --> 00:05:16.600 and our awe for him. 00:05:16.759 --> 00:05:17.920 And we ask these things 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:19.500 in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:05:19.960 --> 00:05:20.240 Amen. 00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:25.319 If you remember last week 00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:27.840 from the beginning of chapter 9, 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:29.160 we had the transfiguration 00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:31.379 where Peter and James and John 00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:34.139 had this vision of what Jesus truly was 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:36.060 in all his divine glory. 00:05:36.220 --> 00:05:39.600 He had this light that was shining from inside of him 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:42.199 that glowed all the way through his clothes. 00:05:42.340 --> 00:05:44.879 And so after they'd heard Jesus telling them 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:47.060 about the suffering of the Christian life, 00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:50.720 they also were able to see how great and glorious 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:52.439 it would be as well. 00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:55.759 That it would not just be following Jesus in suffering, 00:05:55.879 --> 00:05:58.600 but also following him in victory. 00:05:59.319 --> 00:06:02.660 It's after that story that we enter into this one, 00:06:02.959 --> 00:06:03.759 verse 14, 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:05.800 and when they came to the disciples. 00:06:06.220 --> 00:06:06.840 In other words, 00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:10.740 they have come down from this glorious vision of Jesus, 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:14.800 understanding who he is in all of his splendor. 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:17.699 And immediately they experience this whiplash. 00:06:18.280 --> 00:06:19.420 Because on the one hand, 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:22.460 they have seen Jesus alone on the top of the mountain. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:23.319 On the other hand, 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:27.199 they walk right back into a problematic situation. 00:06:27.740 --> 00:06:29.840 They saw a great crowd around them 00:06:29.840 --> 00:06:32.300 and the scribes arguing with them. 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:35.480 And so they go from this glorious vision 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:39.780 into a headache-inducing situation. 00:06:39.779 --> 00:06:43.479 Peter, James, and John are probably wondering 00:06:43.479 --> 00:06:46.239 where their Tylenol is as they come off the mountain. 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:47.459 Okay. 00:06:48.419 --> 00:06:51.679 Jesus has come, though, in the midst of this argument, 00:06:52.199 --> 00:06:54.359 and there appears to be a new distraction. 00:06:54.579 --> 00:06:55.299 Verse 15, 00:06:55.859 --> 00:06:57.339 all the crowd, when they see Jesus, 00:06:57.459 --> 00:07:00.399 they pull away from whatever this great argument was, 00:07:00.459 --> 00:07:03.079 and they're amazed just that Jesus is there with them. 00:07:03.179 --> 00:07:06.779 Of course, Jesus, as always, is a question asker. 00:07:06.779 --> 00:07:07.739 Verse 16, 00:07:07.839 --> 00:07:09.059 and he wants to know, 00:07:09.339 --> 00:07:12.739 what is this that all of them have been quarreling about 00:07:12.739 --> 00:07:15.659 while he has been up on the mountain? 00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:18.319 They don't get a direct answer, 00:07:18.459 --> 00:07:20.179 but we find out in verse 17, 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:21.879 it must have something to do 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:23.559 with the fact that the disciples 00:07:23.559 --> 00:07:26.000 have been trying to heal this boy, 00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:27.019 this son, 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:28.279 and they've not been able to. 00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:29.899 And it's the father, 00:07:30.459 --> 00:07:32.179 unsurprisingly, that speaks up. 00:07:32.679 --> 00:07:34.539 Teacher, I brought my son to you, 00:07:34.540 --> 00:07:37.180 for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:38.319 Verse 18, 00:07:38.460 --> 00:07:40.760 so I asked your disciples to cast it out, 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:43.200 and they were not able. 00:07:45.900 --> 00:07:48.620 Now, if you're familiar with the gospel of Mark, 00:07:48.760 --> 00:07:50.060 if you've been with us, 00:07:50.100 --> 00:07:52.560 this should be very surprising. 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:54.800 We should be confused as we hear 00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:57.740 that the disciples are unable to perform this healing, 00:07:57.740 --> 00:08:00.920 because we saw Mark chapter three. 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:03.860 Jesus chose them for two reasons, 00:08:03.860 --> 00:08:05.019 that they would preach, 00:08:05.780 --> 00:08:07.819 and they would heal and cast out demons. 00:08:08.939 --> 00:08:11.079 This is what they've been called to do. 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:12.259 Not only that, 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:14.819 Mark chapter three proceeds into Mark chapter six, 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:17.259 where Jesus sends them out two by two 00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:18.420 to do that very thing, 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:19.960 to preach and to heal. 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:20.439 And remember, 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:22.560 they come back so excited 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:24.400 to tell Jesus the stories 00:08:24.400 --> 00:08:25.720 of what happened while they were out. 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:28.440 So the obvious question for us 00:08:28.440 --> 00:08:30.180 is what has happened? 00:08:31.340 --> 00:08:33.000 Why is it that the disciples 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:35.000 who are trying to fulfill the mission 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:36.139 that Jesus gave them, 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:38.120 who have been able to succeed 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:40.240 so well in the past, 00:08:40.940 --> 00:08:42.740 fail at this point? 00:08:45.040 --> 00:08:49.360 Thankfully, Jesus doesn't leave us to wonder. 00:08:49.580 --> 00:08:52.660 He gives us our first answer in verse 19. 00:08:52.659 --> 00:08:55.039 And he answered them, 00:08:55.199 --> 00:08:56.879 Oh, faithless generation, 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:59.759 how long am I to be with you? 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:03.539 Now, Jesus uses the word generation here, 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:05.819 which means that he's most likely speaking 00:09:05.819 --> 00:09:07.500 of more than just the disciples, 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:10.360 but certainly not less than them, 00:09:10.719 --> 00:09:12.600 because it's their unbelief, 00:09:12.699 --> 00:09:13.659 their faithlessness, 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:15.839 which has led to this situation 00:09:15.839 --> 00:09:17.399 where they're trying to heal, 00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:19.939 and they find themselves completely incompetent. 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:21.879 Of course, that would make us to ask, 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:23.360 well, what is it that the disciples 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:24.679 are doing differently this time? 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:27.159 Why is it that they were able to have faith 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:29.340 last time, but not this time? 00:09:29.799 --> 00:09:33.279 Jesus gives us the final answer in verse 29, 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:34.899 when the disciples want to know, 00:09:35.419 --> 00:09:36.860 why could we not cast it out? 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:38.259 And he said to them, 00:09:38.980 --> 00:09:41.139 this kind cannot be driven out 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:43.480 by anything but prayer. 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:49.019 Why is it that the disciples were unable to heal 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:50.159 in this situation? 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:52.680 The answer is very simple. 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:55.779 They forgot to pray. 00:09:58.139 --> 00:09:59.220 In other words, 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:03.899 the disciples thought that they were really hot stuff. 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:08.679 And they had decided that they were great enough 00:10:08.679 --> 00:10:10.100 and powerful enough 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:13.539 that they would be able to do this on their own. 00:10:13.620 --> 00:10:15.100 They had forgotten that Jesus 00:10:15.100 --> 00:10:16.939 was the source of their power. 00:10:17.059 --> 00:10:18.959 They had forgotten how dependent 00:10:18.959 --> 00:10:21.019 they actually were on him. 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:24.439 They forgot that they needed God's help. 00:10:24.440 --> 00:10:30.140 The point, brothers and sisters, is this. 00:10:32.020 --> 00:10:35.940 There are blessings and power from God 00:10:35.940 --> 00:10:38.120 that we do not have 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:39.640 because we have not prayed. 00:10:41.540 --> 00:10:45.340 There are blessings and power from God 00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:46.560 that we do not have 00:10:46.560 --> 00:10:47.960 because we have not prayed. 00:10:48.920 --> 00:10:50.460 You could put it in the opposite. 00:10:51.280 --> 00:10:54.000 There are blessings and power from God 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:55.379 we will not have 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:59.100 until or when we pray for them. 00:11:00.440 --> 00:11:02.759 James chapter four says the same thing. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:03.980 You do not have 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:06.240 because you do not ask. 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:08.919 Now this raises a question, 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:11.620 which is why has God set up the world 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:13.220 so that it works in this way? 00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:15.179 Why wouldn't he just set it up 00:11:15.179 --> 00:11:16.460 so that we would know 00:11:16.460 --> 00:11:17.460 that we belong to him 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:19.039 and we could go out at that point 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:20.820 and have all the power 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:22.519 and the blessings that we would need 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:24.199 without having to return back 00:11:24.199 --> 00:11:25.639 over and over again 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:27.399 to answer him in prayer? 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:29.759 Well, the answer part is 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:32.120 that not that God is punishing us, 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:35.019 but that he is protecting us. 00:11:35.699 --> 00:11:38.199 It is not that God is punishing us. 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:40.399 It's not that he's angry and upset 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.340 that people won't pray 00:11:41.340 --> 00:11:43.139 or he's trying to be withholding 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:44.759 until people come and beg him 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:46.139 like some vindictive God. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:49.299 No, he wants to protect his people 00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:51.419 from what is most dangerous to them. 00:11:52.359 --> 00:11:54.419 And what is it that is most dangerous? 00:11:54.859 --> 00:11:58.219 It's the idea that we don't need God. 00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:05.259 Look with me on verse seven 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:06.519 of your worship guide. 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:09.099 Tim Keller spells this out for us 00:12:09.099 --> 00:12:09.959 in his book on prayer 00:12:09.959 --> 00:12:10.679 when he tells us, 00:12:10.679 --> 00:12:12.339 God often waits to give a blessing 00:12:12.339 --> 00:12:13.799 until you have prayed for it. 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:14.479 Why? 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:17.159 Good things that we do not ask for 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:18.560 will usually be interpreted 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:19.560 by our hearts 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:21.720 as the fruit of our own wisdom 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:22.779 and diligence. 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:25.320 God wants to rescue us 00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:26.500 from the self-sufficiency 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:28.100 that leads to overconfidence 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:30.860 and sets us up for failure. 00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:32.820 In other words, 00:12:32.920 --> 00:12:34.820 we are in deep trouble 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:37.519 if we believe that our gifts 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:38.779 and abilities operate 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:40.659 without God's help. 00:12:42.560 --> 00:12:43.860 In another place in that book, 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:44.980 Keller says that it's prayer 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:46.460 that actually makes God's blessings 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:48.600 and his power safe for us. 00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:50.879 They no longer present a danger. 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.399 Now you might be wondering 00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:55.100 why and how could blessings from God 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:57.019 present a danger to us? 00:12:57.600 --> 00:12:59.240 Well, I want you to think about it this way. 00:12:59.680 --> 00:13:02.960 Let's say we had an amazing revival 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:05.120 here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:07.419 and within a certain matter of weeks, 00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:08.539 our attendance doubled 00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:11.500 and we were having two or three baptisms 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:14.000 a Sunday of soldiers from Court Carson 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.240 and people from our community 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:16.919 who were coming to know Jesus Christ 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:21.539 and we had never prayed to God for revival. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:24.139 What would be the danger? 00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:27.399 We'd be tempted to go around 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:28.480 telling other churches 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:30.620 about how we had figured out the secret 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:32.860 and if they could just copy us 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:34.759 in the way that our building looked 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:36.519 and the way that we ran marketing 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:39.139 and the times that our Google reviews were great, 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.519 then they too could be like 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:43.560 Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:13:44.560 --> 00:13:45.600 In other words, 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:48.659 we would praise ourselves rather than God 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:53.740 and that would be a great danger to us. 00:13:54.680 --> 00:13:56.340 Imagine how dangerous it would be 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:58.759 if you saw all of your dreams come true 00:13:58.759 --> 00:14:00.860 for your children and they experienced 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:02.620 no obstacles in this life 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:05.039 but instead went from strength to strength 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:06.840 and received blessing after blessing 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:09.879 and you had never prayed. 00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:12.639 What would the danger be? 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:16.100 That you would congratulate yourself 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:20.700 on how smart and wise and gifted you are as a parent 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:23.799 and if other parents could just be as great 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:25.460 and wonderful as you, 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:27.659 then they also could have success. 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:33.179 It would praise yourself rather than God. 00:14:34.319 --> 00:14:35.819 Imagine how dangerous it would be 00:14:35.819 --> 00:14:38.200 if you had victory over sin and temptation 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:40.379 and suddenly your life was free 00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:42.679 of so many of the things that tied you down 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:45.220 and you had never prayed. 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:49.139 What would the danger be 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:55.480 if only other people could be as great as me? 00:14:55.480 --> 00:15:01.759 God loves you too much 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:09.100 to allow you to live a life filled with smug success 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:11.560 disconnected from him. 00:15:13.300 --> 00:15:16.580 God loves you too much 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:23.400 to allow you to live a smug life of success 00:15:23.400 --> 00:15:25.560 disconnected from him. 00:15:27.200 --> 00:15:28.840 What could be worse 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:33.780 than to be incredibly successful and powerful 00:15:33.780 --> 00:15:37.639 and far away from God? 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:37.720 God loves you too much. 00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:38.120 God loves you too much. 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:38.320 God loves you too much. 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:39.020 God loves you too much. 00:15:39.020 --> 00:15:39.620 God loves you too much. 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.200 God loves you too much. 00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:41.020 God loves you too much. 00:15:41.020 --> 00:15:42.220 What does it gain a man 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:43.900 to have the whole world 00:15:43.900 --> 00:15:46.140 and forfeit his soul? 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:51.960 And so what do we do 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:54.759 as Christians in 2022 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:56.580 at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church? 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:59.659 The disciples set a negative example 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:01.419 for us to flip it to the positive. 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:04.319 We cry out to God in prayer 00:16:04.319 --> 00:16:06.139 knowing that he has set up the world 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.000 in such a way 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.840 that that is how we access 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:10.879 his blessings and his power. 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:16.080 And when we see him answer, 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:18.939 those blessings do not lead to pride. 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:20.759 They lead to praise. 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:24.159 When God answers, 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.799 his blessings for us 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:29.120 lead to praise, not to pride. 00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:31.419 Because when we prayed, 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.740 we made it safe. 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:33.480 We said, look, 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:36.200 we know that if and when this happens, 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:38.080 it is not because we are great 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:39.660 and glorious and powerful, 00:16:39.660 --> 00:16:41.520 but because God is. 00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:46.560 That is why God has set up the world 00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:49.139 that his blessings come through our prayers. 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:53.960 Success without prayer leads to pride. 00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:59.120 Success with prayer leads to praise. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:03.060 God wants us to trust him 00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:06.059 and praise him more than anything else. 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:11.039 That is why the disciples were unable to heal. 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:21.880 What do you need done 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:25.339 that you thought you could do on your own? 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:30.539 What blessings and power from God 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:34.039 did you think you can generate by yourself, 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:37.000 but instead you need to pray about? 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:42.119 God invites his people to come to him 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:43.419 and bring their requests. 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:48.500 And he delights to pour out his blessings. 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:53.819 We're going back to the 101 of the Gospel of Mark. 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:55.460 Remember I told you so many times, 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:58.259 neediness is the price of admission. 00:17:59.679 --> 00:18:02.119 And the way God's people show their need 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:04.220 is by coming to him in prayer. 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:09.039 We've seen the disciples here, 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:12.319 they trust too much in themselves. 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:15.500 But our main character in this passage 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:18.419 is actually this father of this son, 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:22.079 this boy who has too little trust in Jesus. 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:25.139 If you look with me at verse 22, 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:28.819 you notice he is low on confidence. 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:32.039 We've heard about how traumatic it is 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:35.059 for this child and the things that he's experienced. 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:37.500 And this father says to Jesus, 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:40.000 but if you can do anything, 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:43.579 have compassion on us and help us. 00:18:45.179 --> 00:18:48.799 Now the word, problematic word for him there is if. 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:52.859 He stands in contrast to the Syrophoenician woman 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:54.519 we saw in Mark chapter six. 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:56.799 Remember, Jesus tells people 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:59.599 that she is a woman of great faith. 00:19:00.159 --> 00:19:01.619 Why was her faith so great? 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:04.419 Because she believed that Jesus could. 00:19:05.399 --> 00:19:06.559 That's why she said, 00:19:06.659 --> 00:19:08.299 even the dogs get to eat the crumbs 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:09.419 from under the table, right? 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:11.960 She keeps pushing because she knows 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:14.399 the character of Jesus' power. 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:18.400 One aspect of faith 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:21.540 is our level of confidence in God's power. 00:19:22.600 --> 00:19:23.920 One aspect of faith 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:26.320 is whether we really truly believe 00:19:26.320 --> 00:19:29.019 that God can do what he says he can do. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:32.480 This man fails to meet that mark. 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:34.860 He says, if. 00:19:35.800 --> 00:19:37.160 If you can do this, 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.780 maybe have some compassion on us. 00:19:38.860 --> 00:19:40.380 And so perhaps he believes more 00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:42.880 in Jesus' compassion than his power. 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:44.760 That helps us understand 00:19:44.760 --> 00:19:46.780 Jesus' statement here in verse 23. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:49.440 Jesus is understandably upset. 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:51.140 He repeats these words, 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.660 if you can, 00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:55.200 all things are possible 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:57.660 for one who believes. 00:19:58.800 --> 00:19:59.560 In other words, 00:19:59.640 --> 00:20:01.260 what's standing between you 00:20:01.260 --> 00:20:02.320 and this healing 00:20:02.320 --> 00:20:03.840 has nothing to do 00:20:03.840 --> 00:20:05.560 with the limits of my power 00:20:05.560 --> 00:20:07.140 because they have none. 00:20:08.100 --> 00:20:10.280 What is standing between you 00:20:10.280 --> 00:20:11.200 and this healing 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.720 is whether you believe 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:14.620 that I am the king of the world 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:18.160 because everything is possible 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:20.740 for one who believes. 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:24.319 Now we have to talk for a minute 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:25.200 about this promise. 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:26.799 We could potentially put this 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.880 under the category 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:29.980 of hard sayings of Jesus 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:32.580 and it could be easily used 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:33.920 or abused, I should say, 00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:34.779 to shame people. 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:35.500 We might say, 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:37.440 well, Jesus makes this promise 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.740 that if you have enough faith, 00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:39.700 anything's possible. 00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:41.180 So clearly, 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:43.140 X has not happened in your life 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:44.799 and so your faith is failing. 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.940 Problem is, 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:50.920 that actually changes some words 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:52.799 in this verse. 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.660 Verse 23 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:57.600 doesn't say God will do everything. 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:59.299 He says that he can. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.279 Okay? 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:02.740 All things are possible. 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.579 The point is not 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:06.200 that your wildest dreams 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:06.920 will come true 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:08.539 if you believe hard enough. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:10.440 The point is that 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:12.759 nothing is too great for God. 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:15.500 The point is not 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.720 that your wildest dreams 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.639 will come true 00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:19.519 if your faith is great enough. 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.460 The point is that 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:23.099 nothing is too great for God. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:24.180 There is a difference 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:26.160 between a can't and a won't. 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.639 Jesus is telling this man, 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:31.180 if your son is not healed, 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:33.259 it's not because I can't. 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:35.660 Don't use that word if. 00:21:36.280 --> 00:21:38.740 It would only be because I won't. 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:43.100 There is nothing too great 00:21:43.100 --> 00:21:44.520 for my power. 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.920 It does say 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:49.180 all things are possible. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:52.520 It does not say 00:21:52.520 --> 00:21:54.960 all things will happen. 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:59.039 walk away from this verse 00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:00.220 knowing that God 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:02.140 is powerful enough, 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:05.480 not that your faith 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.880 controls the universe. 00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:10.539 Be comforted by the fact 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:12.100 that if God says no 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:13.340 to your request, 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:15.720 it's because he's decided 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.720 it's not best, 00:22:17.100 --> 00:22:19.039 not because he's not powerful enough. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:21.960 all things 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:23.139 are possible 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:25.039 for the one who believes. 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.740 In fact, 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.879 James chapter 4 00:22:27.879 --> 00:22:29.019 also talks about this. 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:29.839 I quoted it earlier. 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.240 He says, 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:31.000 you do not have 00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:32.319 because you do not ask. 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.940 And then he goes on to say, 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:35.480 you ask and do not receive 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:37.720 because you ask wrongly 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:40.779 to spend it on your passions. 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:43.559 God doesn't answer 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.279 every prayer 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.420 just because you have 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.240 enough faith. 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:47.859 faith and faith 00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:48.900 through prayer 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.640 is the way 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.279 we access 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:51.240 God's blessings 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.460 and his power. 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.640 So this passage 00:22:56.640 --> 00:22:57.859 raises a question for us. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:59.180 What if we are like 00:22:59.180 --> 00:23:00.500 this father? 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.240 What if we're like 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.859 the disciples? 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:04.579 And maybe we have 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.299 too much confidence 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:05.960 in ourselves 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:07.140 or not enough 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:08.240 in God. 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:09.880 What do we do 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:11.059 with our prayerlessness? 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.859 How do we walk away 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:15.779 from our lack of faith? 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.799 Well, thankfully, 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:18.720 this father, 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.220 as much as he's 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:21.299 a negative model, 00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:22.680 is also a positive one. 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.859 When he understands 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:25.180 what Jesus is saying, 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.200 that his doubt 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:27.240 is getting in the way, 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.740 he immediately repents. 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.519 Verse 24, 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:31.160 immediately the father 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.700 of the child 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.579 cried out and said, 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.759 I believe, 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.680 help my unbelief. 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:38.039 Which is a way of saying, 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:40.160 I want to want it. 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:43.900 I want to believe this. 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:46.640 And I know 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:48.220 I can't change myself. 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:49.080 Remember, 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:49.980 I've told you before 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:50.560 that one way 00:23:50.560 --> 00:23:51.680 to summarize the gospel 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.259 is this. 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:54.040 I know that I need 00:23:54.040 --> 00:23:54.720 to change 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.800 on the one hand. 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.620 And I also know 00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:58.320 on the other hand 00:23:58.320 --> 00:23:59.560 that I am incapable, 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.800 I am powerless 00:24:00.800 --> 00:24:01.920 of changing myself. 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:03.480 And so what is the answer 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.420 in the midst of that? 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.019 It's the one 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:06.060 that this man gives 00:24:06.060 --> 00:24:06.740 that resolves 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.359 that tension. 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:09.019 I need God 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.599 to come 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:11.480 with his supernatural work 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.099 to soften 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:14.200 and change my heart. 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:18.400 I cannot stir up 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.339 enough faith 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:20.259 in my own life. 00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:22.339 I cannot melt 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:23.359 my own heart 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.460 and make it change 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.440 from a heart of stone 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:26.460 to a heart of flesh. 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:28.000 No, the only hope 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.779 for me 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.640 is that a power 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.620 from the outside 00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:32.259 would come and help. 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.599 And so the point 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.099 is this, 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:36.720 faith is a supernatural 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:38.720 gift and work. 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:40.519 Faith is something 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:42.079 that God must work 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.360 within us. 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.759 And so the solution 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:46.240 fits the problem. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.720 We become dependent 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:48.519 on God 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:50.360 by becoming 00:24:50.360 --> 00:24:51.360 dependent on God. 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:53.920 We become dependent 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.480 on God 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.039 by saying 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:55.839 how helpless 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.539 we are. 00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:58.259 We do not become 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:59.559 dependent on God 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:00.299 by becoming 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.299 more disciplined 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.259 and self-controlled. 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:04.019 We do not 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:05.059 become dependent 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.819 on God 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:06.440 by becoming 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:07.440 more rigorous 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.100 in the way 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:08.720 that we live 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.320 our lives. 00:25:09.320 --> 00:25:10.580 No, what this passage 00:25:10.580 --> 00:25:11.340 is telling us 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:12.279 is that we will 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.460 never have enough 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.980 power to do that. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:17.580 We become dependent 00:25:17.580 --> 00:25:18.299 by admitting 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.519 that we need God 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.539 to make us 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.180 dependent. 00:25:22.360 --> 00:25:24.140 We receive help 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:25.080 by asking 00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:25.920 for help. 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:27.779 And so this man 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.539 for us 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.539 reveals one of the 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.460 greatest spiritual 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.039 secrets 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:32.140 of the Christian 00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:32.840 life. 00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:34.679 do you find 00:25:34.679 --> 00:25:35.220 yourself 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.139 prayerless 00:25:36.139 --> 00:25:37.959 with no desire 00:25:37.959 --> 00:25:38.859 to talk to God? 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:42.720 Pray 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.359 that you would 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:43.919 want to pray. 00:25:46.659 --> 00:25:47.639 Pray to God 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.240 that you would 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.299 want to pray. 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:52.279 That's not to say 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:52.980 that all sorts 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.679 of other methods 00:25:53.679 --> 00:25:54.220 or journals 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.819 or systems 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.879 are unhelpful. 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.880 that's to say 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:57.500 that they are 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.360 a handmaiden 00:25:58.360 --> 00:25:59.240 to the main 00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.340 thing that must 00:26:00.340 --> 00:26:01.120 happen which is 00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:02.200 that God is at work 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.320 changing your heart 00:26:03.320 --> 00:26:04.080 and your life. 00:26:06.560 --> 00:26:07.580 Do you find 00:26:07.580 --> 00:26:08.520 yourself not 00:26:08.520 --> 00:26:09.600 wanting to obey? 00:26:11.820 --> 00:26:13.020 Pray that you 00:26:13.020 --> 00:26:13.740 would want to obey. 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:17.020 Recognize you have 00:26:17.020 --> 00:26:17.940 no hope 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:20.000 outside of God 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.640 and his work. 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:23.600 do you find 00:26:23.600 --> 00:26:24.440 yourself struggling 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.259 with Christianity 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.040 as you think 00:26:26.040 --> 00:26:26.420 about it 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:26.660 if you're 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:27.640 completely honest 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.100 you have 00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:28.900 doubts 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:29.800 and questions 00:26:29.800 --> 00:26:30.580 and objections. 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.440 Pray 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.940 that God 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.759 would lead you 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.560 to the answers 00:26:36.560 --> 00:26:37.259 you need. 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.920 Pray that God 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.759 would help you 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.860 in the midst 00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:43.060 of your doubt. 00:26:46.080 --> 00:26:46.920 There's a 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.360 fundamental 00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:48.020 recognition 00:26:48.020 --> 00:26:49.020 that we cannot 00:26:49.020 --> 00:26:49.900 change our 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:50.759 own hearts 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:52.660 and God 00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.360 can. 00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:57.320 Do you 00:26:57.320 --> 00:26:57.880 not have 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.560 enough faith? 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.780 All you have 00:27:00.780 --> 00:27:01.259 to do is 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.980 ask God 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.440 to give you 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:03.000 more faith. 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.019 Are you 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.800 too independent 00:27:05.800 --> 00:27:06.320 like the 00:27:06.320 --> 00:27:06.740 disciples? 00:27:07.540 --> 00:27:08.060 All you have 00:27:08.060 --> 00:27:08.560 to do is 00:27:08.560 --> 00:27:09.220 ask God 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.780 to make you 00:27:09.780 --> 00:27:10.759 more dependent. 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.200 Do you 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:12.920 lack faith 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.500 like this 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:13.880 father? 00:27:14.800 --> 00:27:15.500 All you have 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:15.960 to do is 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.880 ask God 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:17.680 to give you 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:19.040 new faith. 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:21.200 The good 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:21.860 news of the 00:27:21.860 --> 00:27:22.500 gospel is 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:22.740 this, 00:27:22.820 --> 00:27:23.320 that great 00:27:23.320 --> 00:27:24.000 faith does 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.759 not come 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.720 from more 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:27.280 self-discipline. 00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:28.880 Faith comes 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:29.840 to those 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:30.880 who ask God 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:31.880 for help. 00:27:33.300 --> 00:27:34.259 People of 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.140 great faith 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:36.080 are needy 00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:36.400 people. 00:27:37.540 --> 00:27:38.160 People of 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:38.880 great faith 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:39.500 are people 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:39.900 who like 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.519 this man 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.100 who say, 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.240 I can't 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.040 change 00:27:43.040 --> 00:27:44.019 and I need 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:44.680 God to 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.259 change 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.000 me. 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.259 No matter 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.660 what you 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.259 face in 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:51.839 this life, 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:54.660 you are 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:55.240 in desperate 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.879 need of 00:27:55.879 --> 00:27:56.420 God's 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:56.799 help. 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.619 And he's 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.240 waiting for 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.220 you to 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.759 ask. 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.940 He's waiting 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.379 for you to 00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:05.460 ask for 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:05.940 his power. 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:08.240 Finally, 00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:08.839 this passage 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:10.000 tells us the 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.779 exact type 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.400 of power 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:12.079 that we're 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:12.799 believing in. 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:14.480 In verses 26 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:15.339 and 27, 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:16.859 Jesus honors 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.619 this man's 00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:18.200 small, 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:18.980 mustard seed 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.859 size faith 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:21.059 and heals 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.779 his son. 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:23.859 And we're 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.319 told, 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:25.659 verse 26, 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.279 the boy was 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:27.000 like a corpse 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.839 so that most 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.519 of them said, 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.399 he is dead. 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:32.119 Verse 27, 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:32.839 Jesus took 00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:33.299 him by the 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:33.619 hand, 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.159 lifted him 00:28:34.159 --> 00:28:34.379 up, 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.419 and he arose. 00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.480 There's a 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:37.419 picture here, 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.639 a foreshadowing 00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:39.720 of resurrection 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.339 power. 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.539 The kind 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:42.039 of power 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.399 that we're 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:43.060 hoping in 00:28:43.060 --> 00:28:43.580 and looking 00:28:43.580 --> 00:28:44.120 towards and 00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:44.940 praying for 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.620 is a 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:46.360 raise the 00:28:46.360 --> 00:28:47.240 dead kind 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:47.759 of power. 00:28:48.080 --> 00:28:48.320 It is 00:28:48.320 --> 00:28:49.320 Ephesians 1 00:28:49.320 --> 00:28:50.080 kind of power 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:50.800 which tells us 00:28:50.800 --> 00:28:51.100 that the 00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:51.820 very same 00:28:51.820 --> 00:28:52.680 power that 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:53.400 raised Jesus 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:53.940 Christ from 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:54.280 the dead 00:28:54.280 --> 00:28:54.600 is the 00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:55.580 power that 00:28:55.580 --> 00:28:56.160 is work 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:57.040 in us. 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.240 That is 00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:59.160 what gives 00:28:59.160 --> 00:29:00.400 us hope 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:01.060 and confidence 00:29:01.060 --> 00:29:02.120 as we ask 00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:02.960 God for 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:04.220 his help. 00:29:07.580 --> 00:29:08.500 Now there's 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.480 another discussion 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:10.460 in the Gospel 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.040 of Mark 00:29:11.040 --> 00:29:12.040 about prayers 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.940 and what 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.920 is possible 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:15.299 for God. 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.339 This one 00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:16.839 shows up 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.420 in Mark 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:18.500 chapter 14 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.819 as Jesus 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:20.940 is facing 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.940 his death 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:23.079 and he 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:23.859 decides that 00:29:23.859 --> 00:29:24.740 he is going 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.559 to pray 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:26.720 to God. 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.220 This is 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:29.059 verse 35, 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.299 and going a 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:30.879 little farther 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:31.799 he fell on 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.240 the ground 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:32.879 and prayed 00:29:32.879 --> 00:29:34.200 that if it 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.200 were possible 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:37.159 the hour 00:29:37.159 --> 00:29:37.779 might pass 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.259 from him. 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.339 and he 00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:39.599 said, 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.079 Abba 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.500 Father, 00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:41.420 all things 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:42.460 are possible 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:43.680 for you. 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:44.960 Remove 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.599 this cup 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:46.180 from me, 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.319 yet not 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:47.740 what I 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.059 will, 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.039 but what 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:49.500 you will. 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:51.579 Jesus, 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.240 like a great 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.619 teacher, 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.640 remembers the 00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:54.259 things that 00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:54.799 he has 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.180 taught. 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:56.059 He knows 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:57.240 all things 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.779 are possible. 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:00.839 And yet, 00:30:00.879 --> 00:30:01.319 how does he 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:01.700 end it? 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.839 Not your 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.099 will, 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:03.599 not my 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:03.859 will, 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.420 but your 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.220 will be done. 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:06.120 That word 00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:06.539 possible, 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.000 by the way, 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.279 is the 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.380 exact same 00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:09.039 Greek word 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.579 that is here 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:10.059 in chapter 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.480 nine. 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:11.480 Jesus does 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.220 not forget 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.200 this exchange, 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:13.700 but instead 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.279 he draws 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:14.980 back on it 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.779 as he 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.420 faces the 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:16.880 cross and 00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:17.500 is reminded 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.620 that ultimately 00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:19.299 it is God 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:19.600 and his 00:30:19.600 --> 00:30:20.120 will that 00:30:20.120 --> 00:30:21.000 prevails in 00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.440 the midst 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:21.799 of his 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.180 power. 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.039 And so 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.660 we can 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.160 cry out 00:30:25.160 --> 00:30:25.579 to God 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.319 in prayer 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.220 with confidence 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:28.120 and hope 00:30:28.120 --> 00:30:29.900 because 00:30:29.900 --> 00:30:31.500 God 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.440 says yes 00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:32.940 to our 00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:33.420 prayers 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.940 because he 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.759 said no 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.620 to Jesus' 00:30:36.820 --> 00:30:37.039 prayer. 00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:39.240 God 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:40.300 can say yes 00:30:40.300 --> 00:30:40.820 to our 00:30:40.820 --> 00:30:41.120 prayers 00:30:41.120 --> 00:30:41.700 because he 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.900 said no 00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:43.940 to Jesus' 00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:44.340 prayer. 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.279 Jesus 00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:47.340 trusted the 00:30:47.340 --> 00:30:47.860 will of 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:48.400 the Father 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:49.220 and went 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.820 to death. 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.120 We 00:30:52.120 --> 00:30:52.860 cry out 00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:53.539 to God 00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.340 knowing 00:30:54.340 --> 00:30:55.320 that we 00:30:55.320 --> 00:30:56.320 will live. 00:30:56.319 --> 00:31:03.319 in his 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:03.579 book 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.619 Just Mercy 00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:05.399 the 00:31:05.399 --> 00:31:05.700 lawyer 00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:06.179 Brian 00:31:06.179 --> 00:31:06.720 Stevenson 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:07.159 tells 00:31:07.159 --> 00:31:08.619 the story 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:08.980 of a 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.379 man named 00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:09.939 Walter 00:31:09.939 --> 00:31:10.460 McMillan 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:10.759 who 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:11.339 in 00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:12.039 1988 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.480 was 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.000 wrongly 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.539 convicted 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.000 of a 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.220 murder 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:14.419 in 00:31:14.419 --> 00:31:14.919 Alabama 00:31:14.919 --> 00:31:15.819 from 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:16.439 1986. 00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:16.960 It was 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:17.119 a 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:17.279 murder 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.659 of a 00:31:17.659 --> 00:31:18.039 college 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.419 student 00:31:18.419 --> 00:31:18.779 named 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.139 Rhonda 00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:19.539 Morrison 00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:20.119 and it 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.379 happened 00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:20.599 in 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:21.240 Monroeville 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:22.099 Alabama 00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:22.799 and what 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:22.919 had 00:31:22.919 --> 00:31:23.200 happened 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:23.460 is that 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:23.619 the 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:23.960 police 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:24.200 had 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:24.500 brought 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:24.839 forth 00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.919 false 00:31:25.919 --> 00:31:26.419 testimony 00:31:26.419 --> 00:31:27.259 to frame 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:27.679 Walter 00:31:27.679 --> 00:31:28.679 and so 00:31:28.679 --> 00:31:28.980 he was 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.279 eventually 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.799 convicted 00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:30.059 of 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.500 capital 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.039 murder 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:31.759 but what 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.019 Brian 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:32.399 was able 00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:32.740 to do 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.480 was uncover 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.779 new evidence 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.500 that revealed 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.059 that the 00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:36.419 witnesses 00:31:36.419 --> 00:31:36.919 in this 00:31:36.919 --> 00:31:37.459 situation 00:31:37.459 --> 00:31:38.399 had outright 00:31:38.399 --> 00:31:39.259 lied 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:39.799 especially 00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:40.480 the key 00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:40.980 witness 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.659 who he 00:31:41.659 --> 00:31:42.159 convinced 00:31:42.159 --> 00:31:42.939 to appear 00:31:42.939 --> 00:31:43.539 in court 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.379 and confessed 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:44.759 that his 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.319 testimony 00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:46.139 the first 00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:46.759 time around 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.740 was incorrect. 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:48.899 Now much 00:31:48.899 --> 00:31:49.179 of this 00:31:49.179 --> 00:31:49.699 was because 00:31:49.699 --> 00:31:50.539 racism 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.199 was alive 00:31:51.199 --> 00:31:51.619 and well 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:51.859 in the 00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.599 1980s 00:31:52.599 --> 00:31:53.159 in Birmingham 00:31:53.159 --> 00:31:54.000 Alabama 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.900 and so 00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:55.180 as the 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:55.480 second 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:55.980 hearing 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.720 came around 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:57.140 the place 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:57.359 where they 00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:57.599 were going 00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.119 to present 00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:59.039 new evidence 00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.859 there were 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:00.319 members of 00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:00.740 the African 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.099 American 00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:01.619 community 00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.079 who wanted 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:02.559 to come 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:03.180 and support 00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:03.579 Walter 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:04.200 to show 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:04.920 that they 00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:05.660 stood with 00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:05.980 him as 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:06.319 they tried 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:06.980 to overturn 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:08.460 this conviction. 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:09.759 Now the 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.559 second day 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.240 of the 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:11.519 hearing 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:11.859 something 00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:12.460 mysterious 00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:13.019 happened 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:14.000 the black 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.380 supporters 00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:14.900 were not 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.759 able to 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.680 get seated 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:17.460 until many 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:17.940 of the white 00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.519 supporters had 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:19.319 already sat 00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:19.779 down and so 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.299 there were not 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:20.900 many seats 00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.579 left for them 00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:22.240 and so they 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:22.640 had to start 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:23.299 picking who 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:23.859 among us 00:32:23.859 --> 00:32:24.299 is going 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:24.680 to be 00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:25.099 chosen 00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:25.759 to go 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.220 sit in 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:26.419 this 00:32:26.419 --> 00:32:26.779 balcony 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.740 and support 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.480 Walter. 00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.480 One woman 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.099 who was picked 00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:31.960 was Mrs. 00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:32.399 Williams 00:32:32.399 --> 00:32:33.359 and she 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:33.639 was an 00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.500 old revered 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:34.940 member of 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.480 the community 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.940 and so she 00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:37.379 began to 00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:37.720 enter the 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.059 courtroom 00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:39.099 except one 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:39.519 thing had 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.419 changed between 00:32:40.419 --> 00:32:41.039 day one 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.740 and day two. 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:42.919 Day one 00:32:42.919 --> 00:32:43.659 of the court 00:32:43.659 --> 00:32:44.339 hearing it was 00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:44.839 just a normal 00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:45.399 courtroom 00:32:45.399 --> 00:32:46.339 nothing to 00:32:46.339 --> 00:32:46.680 notice. 00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:47.359 Day two 00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:48.019 they'd installed 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.599 this metal 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:49.279 detector and 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:49.700 they'd brought 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.259 in a German 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.339 shepherd to 00:32:51.339 --> 00:32:52.159 sniff everyone 00:32:52.159 --> 00:32:52.500 as they 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:52.859 entered the 00:32:52.859 --> 00:32:53.079 room. 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:54.500 Well as she 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.299 looked at this 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:56.139 German shepherd 00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:56.839 Mrs. Williams 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:57.859 was reminded 00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:58.659 of her time 00:32:58.659 --> 00:32:59.960 in 1965 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:01.039 when she 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.879 walked in 00:33:01.879 --> 00:33:03.000 Selma for 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.839 voting rights 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:04.859 and it 00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:05.559 brought back 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:06.159 her memories 00:33:06.159 --> 00:33:06.819 of dogs 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.440 being set 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:07.700 on them 00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:08.000 German 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.539 shepherds 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.139 specifically 00:33:09.139 --> 00:33:10.759 and so she 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.700 froze in that 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.440 moment was not 00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:13.399 able to make 00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:14.039 her way into 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:14.519 the courtroom 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.720 and so she 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.119 went back 00:33:16.119 --> 00:33:16.619 she was filled 00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:17.279 with shame 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:18.460 and disappointment 00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:19.220 in herself 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:19.819 and her family 00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:21.000 tells the story 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.579 of that night 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:22.099 she went 00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:22.519 back to 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.000 her house 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:23.460 and she 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:24.319 stayed up 00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:25.419 all night 00:33:25.419 --> 00:33:26.119 praying. 00:33:27.220 --> 00:33:27.899 The next 00:33:27.899 --> 00:33:28.720 morning she 00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:30.139 returned with 00:33:30.139 --> 00:33:30.699 her family in 00:33:30.699 --> 00:33:31.259 the car and on 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:32.099 the whole drive 00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:32.759 back she just 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.419 kept repeating 00:33:33.419 --> 00:33:34.480 this prayer 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:36.059 Lord I can't 00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:37.019 be afraid of 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:37.799 no dog. 00:33:38.639 --> 00:33:39.659 Lord I can't 00:33:39.659 --> 00:33:40.379 be afraid of 00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:40.899 no dog. 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.399 That was her 00:33:41.399 --> 00:33:42.139 prayer over and 00:33:42.139 --> 00:33:43.139 over during the 00:33:43.139 --> 00:33:43.879 night and in 00:33:43.879 --> 00:33:44.740 the morning and 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.299 so then that 00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:46.179 next day she 00:33:46.179 --> 00:33:47.059 walks into the 00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:47.679 courtroom and she 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.660 just says over 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.259 and over to 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:50.259 herself I 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:51.299 can't be afraid 00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:52.360 of no dog. 00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:53.220 I can't be 00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:54.360 afraid of no 00:33:54.360 --> 00:33:54.660 dog. 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:55.140 And so she 00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:56.460 walks past this 00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:57.380 German shepherd to 00:33:57.380 --> 00:33:58.340 sit in this area 00:33:58.340 --> 00:33:59.039 so that she can 00:33:59.039 --> 00:34:00.420 support Walter as 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:00.920 they try to 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:01.799 overturn this 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:03.259 unjust sentence. 00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:06.259 And then when 00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:07.000 she makes it out 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:07.900 she yells so 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.700 that everyone can 00:34:08.700 --> 00:34:10.720 hear I am 00:34:10.720 --> 00:34:11.380 here. 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:14.659 She models for 00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:16.119 us the life of 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:17.099 faith because she 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:18.319 is shaking with 00:34:18.319 --> 00:34:19.900 fear on the one 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:22.059 hand and she's 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:23.460 filled with faith 00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:24.319 on the other. 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:25.339 And how does she 00:34:25.339 --> 00:34:26.400 close that gap? 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.980 She closes it by 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:29.279 crying out for 00:34:29.279 --> 00:34:30.480 God's help and 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:31.159 his mercy. 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:33.019 She knows that by 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:34.500 herself she has 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:35.339 no hope of 00:34:35.339 --> 00:34:35.920 entering that 00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:36.299 courtroom. 00:34:36.719 --> 00:34:37.599 She has no hope 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:38.380 of standing for 00:34:38.380 --> 00:34:39.759 justice and yet she 00:34:39.759 --> 00:34:40.619 knows that God 00:34:40.619 --> 00:34:41.779 will meet her in 00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:42.440 that moment. 00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:43.839 Here's what I 00:34:43.839 --> 00:34:44.699 know to be true 00:34:44.699 --> 00:34:46.139 and yet I'm 00:34:46.139 --> 00:34:47.059 tripped up by my 00:34:47.059 --> 00:34:48.179 human weakness 00:34:48.179 --> 00:34:49.059 and frailty. 00:34:49.259 --> 00:34:50.159 I am afraid. 00:34:50.819 --> 00:34:52.059 Help my fear. 00:34:53.139 --> 00:34:53.879 And it's with that 00:34:53.879 --> 00:34:55.179 that she's able to 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:56.019 walk in and 00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:57.039 declare to everyone 00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:58.259 that she is 00:34:58.259 --> 00:34:58.619 present. 00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:00.779 Brothers and 00:35:00.779 --> 00:35:01.759 sisters the same 00:35:01.759 --> 00:35:03.579 is true for us. 00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:05.699 We rely on God's 00:35:05.699 --> 00:35:06.919 power in prayer 00:35:06.919 --> 00:35:08.139 not our own. 00:35:09.319 --> 00:35:10.759 Lord I believe. 00:35:11.419 --> 00:35:12.439 Help my 00:35:12.439 --> 00:35:13.559 unbelief. 00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:15.219 Let's pray. 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:17.079 Our Father in 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:18.599 heaven we thank 00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:20.219 you that you 00:35:20.219 --> 00:35:21.659 don't ask us to 00:35:21.659 --> 00:35:22.820 jump through 00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:24.420 higher hoops 00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:26.299 to make better 00:35:26.299 --> 00:35:27.759 test scores on 00:35:27.759 --> 00:35:29.239 our faith but 00:35:29.239 --> 00:35:29.840 you tell us the 00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:30.599 truth that we're 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:31.360 helpless and 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:32.880 needy and you 00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:34.179 delight to answer 00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:35.579 our request for 00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:36.019 that help. 00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:36.920 We ask this 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:37.420 morning that you 00:35:37.420 --> 00:35:37.840 would give us 00:35:37.840 --> 00:35:38.739 both humility and 00:35:38.739 --> 00:35:39.199 confidence. 00:35:39.840 --> 00:35:40.719 We'd be humble in 00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:41.699 knowing that we are 00:35:41.699 --> 00:35:42.659 helpless without you 00:35:42.659 --> 00:35:43.879 and we'd be 00:35:43.879 --> 00:35:44.539 confident in 00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:45.199 knowing that you 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:46.000 hear and answer 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:46.480 our prayers. 00:35:46.739 --> 00:35:47.500 We ask these 00:35:47.500 --> 00:35:48.079 things in the 00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:48.679 mighty name of 00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:49.359 Jesus Christ. 00:35:49.759 --> 00:35:49.980 Amen. 00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:52.559 I invite you to 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:53.159 stand for our 00:35:53.159 --> 00:35:53.779 closing hymn. 00:35:53.780 --> 00:36:07.840 my health has found 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:09.840 a resting place 00:36:09.840 --> 00:36:12.280 not in device 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:14.060 or greed 00:36:14.060 --> 00:36:16.120 I trust the 00:36:16.120 --> 00:36:18.120 ever living 00:36:18.120 --> 00:36:18.680 one 00:36:18.680 --> 00:36:20.160 his wounds 00:36:20.160 --> 00:36:21.019 for me 00:36:21.019 --> 00:36:22.440 shall breathe 00:36:22.440 --> 00:36:24.900 I need no 00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:27.260 other argument 00:36:27.260 --> 00:36:29.500 I need no 00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:31.320 other plea 00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:34.539 it is enough 00:36:34.539 --> 00:36:36.000 that Jesus 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:36.780 died 00:36:36.780 --> 00:36:38.539 and that he 00:36:38.539 --> 00:36:40.099 died for 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:40.980 me 00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:44.039 I need 00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:44.639 enough 00:36:44.639 --> 00:36:46.220 that Jesus 00:36:46.220 --> 00:36:46.440 saved 00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:48.679 this is my 00:36:48.679 --> 00:36:50.260 fears and 00:36:50.260 --> 00:36:50.440 doubt 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:52.780 a sinful 00:36:52.780 --> 00:36:53.579 soul 00:36:53.579 --> 00:36:54.820 I come 00:36:54.820 --> 00:36:55.639 to him 00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:57.240 he'll never 00:36:57.240 --> 00:36:58.940 cast me 00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.860 out 00:36:59.860 --> 00:37:01.440 I need 00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:02.820 no other 00:37:02.820 --> 00:37:04.400 arguments 00:37:04.400 --> 00:37:05.860 I need 00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:07.400 no other 00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:08.059 plea 00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:10.420 it is 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:11.240 enough 00:37:11.240 --> 00:37:12.700 that Jesus 00:37:12.700 --> 00:37:13.460 died 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.860 and that 00:37:14.860 --> 00:37:15.960 he died 00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:17.320 for me 00:37:17.320 --> 00:37:20.580 heart 00:37:20.580 --> 00:37:20.920 heart is 00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:21.640 leaning 00:37:21.640 --> 00:37:23.539 on the word 00:37:23.539 --> 00:37:24.980 the written 00:37:24.980 --> 00:37:25.940 word 00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:27.620 of God 00:37:27.620 --> 00:37:29.220 salvation 00:37:29.220 --> 00:37:30.800 by my 00:37:30.800 --> 00:37:32.160 savior's name 00:37:32.160 --> 00:37:33.519 salvation 00:37:33.519 --> 00:37:34.200 through 00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:35.780 his blood 00:37:35.780 --> 00:37:37.760 I need 00:37:37.760 --> 00:37:39.160 no other 00:37:39.160 --> 00:37:40.519 argument 00:37:40.519 --> 00:37:42.300 I need 00:37:42.300 --> 00:37:43.780 no other 00:37:43.780 --> 00:37:44.660 plea 00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:46.819 it is 00:37:46.819 --> 00:37:47.659 enough 00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:48.539 that 00:37:48.539 --> 00:37:49.059 Jesus 00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:49.819 died 00:37:49.819 --> 00:37:51.279 and that 00:37:51.279 --> 00:37:52.379 he died 00:37:52.379 --> 00:37:53.159 for 00:37:53.159 --> 00:37:54.539 me 00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:56.619 my 00:37:56.619 --> 00:37:57.239 great 00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:58.319 physician 00:37:58.319 --> 00:37:59.440 heals 00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:00.119 the sick 00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:01.599 the lost 00:38:01.599 --> 00:38:02.539 he came 00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:04.199 to save 00:38:04.199 --> 00:38:05.659 for me 00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:06.879 his precious 00:38:06.879 --> 00:38:07.920 blood 00:38:07.920 --> 00:38:08.619 he shed 00:38:08.619 --> 00:38:09.899 for me 00:38:09.899 --> 00:38:11.079 his life 00:38:11.079 --> 00:38:12.739 he gave 00:38:12.739 --> 00:38:14.399 I need 00:38:14.399 --> 00:38:15.779 no other 00:38:15.779 --> 00:38:17.059 argument 00:38:17.059 --> 00:38:18.759 I need 00:38:18.759 --> 00:38:20.319 no other 00:38:20.319 --> 00:38:21.099 plea 00:38:21.099 --> 00:38:23.399 it is 00:38:23.399 --> 00:38:24.279 enough 00:38:24.279 --> 00:38:25.159 that 00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:25.699 Jesus 00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:26.500 died 00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:27.959 and that 00:38:27.959 --> 00:38:29.139 he died 00:38:29.139 --> 00:38:30.739 for me 00:38:30.739 --> 00:38:35.500 we end 00:38:35.500 --> 00:38:35.879 our time 00:38:35.879 --> 00:38:36.439 together with 00:38:36.439 --> 00:38:37.000 a benediction 00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:38.039 and a benediction 00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:39.079 is simply a good 00:38:39.079 --> 00:38:39.919 word from God 00:38:39.919 --> 00:38:40.819 it is a word 00:38:40.820 --> 00:38:41.640 that is true 00:38:41.640 --> 00:38:42.820 in a world 00:38:42.820 --> 00:38:43.700 filled with words 00:38:43.700 --> 00:38:44.580 that are not true 00:38:44.580 --> 00:38:45.860 and so hear now 00:38:45.860 --> 00:38:46.720 God's good word 00:38:46.720 --> 00:38:47.140 over you 00:38:47.140 --> 00:38:47.780 from Numbers 00:38:47.780 --> 00:38:48.600 chapter 6 00:38:48.600 --> 00:38:49.840 the Lord 00:38:49.840 --> 00:38:50.680 bless you 00:38:50.680 --> 00:38:51.519 and keep you 00:38:51.519 --> 00:38:52.500 the Lord 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:53.300 make his face 00:38:53.300 --> 00:38:54.340 to shine upon you 00:38:54.340 --> 00:38:55.000 and be gracious 00:38:55.000 --> 00:38:55.480 to you 00:38:55.480 --> 00:38:56.300 the Lord 00:38:56.300 --> 00:38:57.039 lift up his 00:38:57.039 --> 00:38:58.059 countenance upon you 00:38:58.059 --> 00:38:58.920 and give you peace 00:38:58.920 --> 00:39:00.360 now and forever 00:39:00.360 --> 00:39:01.559 so go now 00:39:01.559 --> 00:39:02.559 in the grace and peace 00:39:02.559 --> 00:39:03.620 of our Lord and Savior 00:39:03.620 --> 00:39:04.519 Jesus Christ 00:39:04.519 --> 00:39:05.160 amen 00:39:10.820 --> 00:39:13.820 forども 00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:14.440 up to the langdon 00:39:14.440 --> 00:39:15.160 live 00:39:15.160 --> 00:39:15.480 fall 00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:16.500 to whom 00:39:16.500 --> 00:39:18.120 to you 00:39:18.120 --> 00:39:18.840 and vive 00:39:18.840 --> 00:39:19.200 to have 00:39:19.200 --> 00:39:19.500 们 00:39:19.539 --> 00:39:20.640 vind 00:39:20.640 --> 00:39:20.820 of 00:39:20.820 --> 00:39:20.860 Yu 00:39:21.100 --> 00:39:22.920 Cloud 00:39:22.920 --> 00:39:23.920 and 00:39:24.680 --> 00:39:25.019 ede 00:39:25.019 --> 00:39:25.460 with 00:39:26.660 --> 00:39:27.559 the 00:39:27.559 --> 00:39:28.100 number 00:39:28.100 --> 00:39:28.680 and 00:39:28.680 --> 00:39:29.640 Hos 00:39:29.640 --> 00:39:30.059 at 00:39:30.059 --> 00:39:30.340 Seite 00:39:30.340 --> 00:39:31.780 P 00:39:31.780 --> 00:39:31.860 la 00:39:32.360 --> 00:39:32.700 atus 00:39:32.700 --> 00:39:33.620 Musique 00:39:33.620 --> 00:39:34.440 Christ 00:39:34.440 --> 00:39:35.519 hu 00:39:35.519 --> 00:40:05.500 Thank you.