Pentecost 16 - Proper 19

Proper 19

13 September 2015

Mark 9:14-29

Even the demons believe and shudder

Lord Jesus Christ, without whose blessing we are not able to please You, mercifully grant that Your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and govern our hearts.

Lord Jesus Christ, our support and defense in every need, continue to preserve Your Church in safety, govern her by Your goodness, and bless her with Your peace; thank You for Your compassion, which brings You to our world of pain and dismay. Give us faith to overcome our doubts, and help us believe that all things are possible with You.

Jesus descends from the transfiguration. And meets a defiant demon. An anxious father. An astonished crowd. And despairing disciples. Despair threatens to overwhelm our faith too. By pointing out how we fail to change or improve. Suggesting that God neither cares for us nor has power to help. However, Jesus does not linger in the glory of the transfiguration.  Graciously He descends to a world of despair and doubt. So that He might deliver you.

It always seems to happen. Especially after a hallowed moment. You spend some time away from it all. From the noise and the commotion. From the chaos and confusion.  You find yourself refreshed and renewed. Then Bam! It’s back to reality.  After a superb Sunday. Comes…A manic Monday. Followed by a terrible Tuesday!

Peter, James and John had just returned with Jesus. From the mountain top experience of the Transfiguration. A grand and glorious holy moment. But no sooner had they returned. There was the crowed. Witnessing yet another argument. Between the scribes and the rest of Jesus’ disciples. The Master is gone. The experts continue the debate with the other disciples.

Jesus does all things well. That was the statement made concerning His authority of sickness and disease. In the previous miracle. The man was deaf and mute. Today the boy is terrorized by a demon. Who made the boy mute.  Similar symptoms. This time, an evil spirit. Today we see the Savior demonstrate His mighty power over the father of lies the devil himself.  Yes, the devil himself will acknowledge that God exists. He’s more spiritual then the fellow who has convinced himself, in his own mind, that there is no God. Says, James in his epistle, “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” (James 2:19) The devil knows that God exists. Jesus by His exorcism of the boy with an evil spirit demonstrated how far He will go to win for you salvation.

1. Man is powerless with respect to dealing with the devil and his hoard.

The teachers of the law and Jesus’ disciples were drawing a crowd.  They were arguing. Again! Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a – spirit that makes him mute. Wherever it seizes him, he's thrown down, foams, grinds his teeth, becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” This desperate man is making a wrong assessment.  

Why didn't You help me Jesus? I brought my son to You Jesus. I through Your disciples could help. But they didn't have the power. They had not the strength.  He came. Expecting Jesus to be there. Or that His power could come through the disciples.

And there’s the problem. You can’t stifle sin! You can’t legislate morality. You can’t defeat the enemy.   Fix my kid!  I tried the youth group. It didn’t work.  Save my marriage! I asked the preacher. He didn’t solve my problem.  My life’s a wreck! The Christian counselor didn’t successfully address our issues. That political candidate promised! To clean up our streets. Fight crime. Curb pornography.  Stop abortion. And legislate traditional marriage! He didn’t solve our nation’s ills!  “I asked your disciples to cast it out and they were not able!”    

Who today can stand against the devil and his wiles? You cannot by your own reason, strength or will.  “But a natural man cannot accept the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually appraised.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) “You were dead in your trespasses and sins.”(Ephesians 2:1) “The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the Law of God, for it is not able to do so.” (Romans 8:7)

By your very nature. You are found to be blind, dead, and enemies of God. Your sinfulness has driven a huge wedge between any significant bond between you and your neighbor. Weighed on the balances of God’s perfect holy Law you have been found wanting.  Yet, this power, to defeat the devil. Comes not from legislation. Or from the power of the human will. But from weakness. Through prayer, and fasting.  

Transition: Man by his very nature is powerless against the devil. All can see the devil’s mark on this world.

2. The devil can make life a living hell on earth.

With this boy. It had been a long painful struggle. “From childhood.” How often had his family heard the indictments? “He’s a challenge. There’s something about him. You know, that boy’s not right!”

Each of us has struggles and crosses – those areas of our lives where the devil will strike us hard. Even in “secular” language, we are comfortable saying, “These are demons we must battle”. There are those places in our lives where the devil knows we are weak. Places, where if we would visit, will not be a safe place but a dangerous circumstance. For we can sense his attempt to destroy us. Out of a sense of survival, we might say “I won’t go there” And if we do. A friend might say, “She’s in a bad place.”

The devil had made every attempt to destroy this boy. The demon tried to burn him in the fire. Yet another time he almost drowned. These were not merely “battle scares”. This boy had been attacked. Continuously.  The devil had leashed this onslaught upon him. These were not isolated incidents. But constant blows this poor lad had received. And this "gnashing of teeth?"  Isn’t this the condition of those cast into outer darkness? Who has the strength and power to slay the enemy? What does this might look like? It looks like death. It’s the image of a man. Suffering on a cross. And its power comes only through prayer.

Do you know your weaknesses? The devil knows them – Better then you know yourself. Our struggle, says St. Paul “is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:16) Know your enemy! “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Transition: Know your enemy well. Better yet, run to the safe arms of the Savior for salvation and life.

3. Jesus once again is able to heal, restore and destroy.

He alone is able to destroy. The spirit shook the young man violently. It threw him into convulsions. It shrieked as it came out. The crowd thought he was dead. As he lay lifeless on the ground. How many thought to themselves – fool, idiot! Serves him right! Turning his son over to that itinerate preacher! But Christ raised him up. Just as He will raise you up. On the last great day. Jesus alone is able to heal. The lad is returned to his father whole.

Christ alone is able to restore. How long had this family had to live not knowing? Not knowing. When the spirit would seize him next. Not knowing. How the spirit would try to destroy him. Imagine. Not knowing what the day would bring. Imagine. Not being able to plan for tomorrow. Because you are so overwhelmed by the circumstances of today! Imagine. Not even knowing there would be a tomorrow. And if there were a tomorrow - How would it turn out to be?

The young man is healed at the Savior’s command – Restored. Redeemed. Forgiven!

Read the next verse. Next Sunday's Gospel. Jesus takes His disciples aside to show them the “big picture”. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days, He will rise. (v.32)

That, my friends, is where the victory took place. That is where your redemption was won - for you – at the cross and open tomb. Of course, the disciples couldn’t understand it –and neither can you. Unless you are focused on Christ. The words of Jesus spoken then - are directed to you – “Everything is possible for him who believes!” Kyrie Eleison! Lord I believe! Help me overcome my unbelief!

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Words – 1,500

Passive Sentences –5%

Readability – 80.2%

Reading Level -3.9

Time in the Word - Pentecost 16 - Proper 19

This coming Sunday’s theme, “The Faith of a Christian,” is seen in all three of our readings. In the Old Testament lesson: [Isaiah 50:4-10] The Christian faith endures suffering. In the Epistle lesson: [James 3:1-2] The Christian faith is expressed in impartial service. In the Gospel lesson: [Mark 9:14-29] Christian faith is needed when confronting demon possession. As we begin our program year, starting our adult Bible classes and continuing with our Sunday School classes, the Hymn for the Day expresses the hope and desire that all of God’s children, but especially our youth would remain faithful to Christ. The extent to which faithfulness is expressed can be seen in how well the Christian faith is fed and nourished. Thus, a hunger and thirst for the Means of Grace is paramount.

Collect for Proper 19 – Lord Jesus Christ, our support and defense in every need, continue to preserve Your Church in safety, govern her by Your goodness, and bless her with Your peace.

Collect for Pentecost 16 – Grant, merciful Lord, to Your faithful people pardon and peace that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve You with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, 7 September 2015—Psalm 31:14-16, Antiphon, Psalm 31:24 – Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!  The Psalmist’ faith and trust in the Lord is unwavering; His defense against his powerful enemies is his reliance on God’s faithfulness and discerning judgment. Praise advances to the encouragement of the saints. 

Tuesday, 8 September 2015—Psalm 116:1-9; key verse, verse 9—that I might walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Psalms 116 is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise to God for deliverance from death – hence the emphasis on verse 9 as the key verse. It may have been written by a king. Verse 16 is very similar to the writing style of King David; however, they are very close to the events of King Hezekiah who thanked the Lord for sparing his life in Isaiah 38:10-20. As a whole, psalm 116 is song of seven stanzas falling into three main divisions:  verses 1-6, verses 7-14, and verses 15-19. 

Wednesday, 9 September 2015—Isaiah 50:4-10—The Christian faith endures suffering. Isaiah the prophet endured harsh treatment at the hands of his enemies for speaking the truth and being faithful. For this he had to suffer. Yet, as you read these words think of the One whose entire life was that of suffering. Centuries before Christ was even born, Isaiah, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was able to predict with great accuracy the events of Christ’s life as they are outlined in the Gospels. Pay particular attention to verses 5-8 and then see their fulfillment in Christ in such places as Luke 9:51; 1 Timothy 3:16, Matthew 27:30 and Romans 8:31-34.   

Thursday, 10 September 2015—James 3:1-12—The Christian faith is expressed in a tamed tongue. Because a teacher has great influence, he will be held more accountable. See Matthew 23:1-33. Since the tongue is so difficult to control, anyone who controls it perfectly gains control of himself in all other areas of life as well. This is a lesson each must bear in mind. Gossip, slander, and malice are all deadly. 

Friday, 11 September 2015—Mark 9:14-29—Christian faith is needed when confronted by demon possession.

The devil can make life a living hell on earth. With this boy it had been a long painful struggle “from childhood.”  How often had his family heard the indictments? “He’s a challenge. There’s something about him. You know, that boy’s not right!”  Each of us has struggles and crosses – those areas of our lives where the devil will strike us hard. Even in “secular” language we are comfortable saying, “…these are demons we must battle.”  There are those places in our lives where the devil knows we are weak.  Places, where if we would visit will not be a safe place but a dangerous place for we can sense his attempt to destroy us. Out of a sense of survival we might say, “I won’t go there,” and, if we do, a friend might say, ‘She’s in a bad place.”

With this young man, the devil tried to burn him in the fire and yet another time he almost drowned. These were not merely “battle scares” this young man had accrued.        This was an onslaught the devil had leashed upon him. These were not isolated incidents but continued blows this poor man had received.

Do you know your weaknesses? The devil knows them – better than we know them ourselves. Our struggle, says St. Paul, “is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:16) Know your enemy! “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Know your enemy well. Better yet, run to the safe arms of the Savior for salvation and life.

Saturday, 12 September 2015—Isaiah 40:11; John 10:11— Sunday’s hymn of the day is Shepherd of Tender Youth (LSB 864).  The only offensive weapon the Christian has is the Word of God. Each generation runs the risk of becoming apostate. How is the faith handed down from generation to generation? It is taught and it is caught.

A Prayer for obedience to God’s Word—O holy and most merciful God, You have taught us the way of Your commandments. We implore You to pour out Your grace into our hearts. Cause it to bear fruit in us that being ever mindful of Your mercies and Your laws, we may always be directed to Your will and daily increase in love toward You and one another. Enable us to resist all evil and to live a godly life. Help us to follow the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to walk in His steps until we shall possess the kingdom that has been prepared for us in heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

A prayer for God to guide us—Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with Your most gracious favor, and further us with Your continual help, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in You we may glorify Your holy name and finally, by Your mercy, obtain eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

A prayer for education—Almighty God, our heavenly Father, since You have committed the care and nurture of children to Your people, gracious enlighten those who teach and those who are committed to their instruction that they may know the truth and trust in You all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House and from Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House.

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B – John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

 Image © Ed Rioja Higher Things

Pentecost 16 - Proper 19

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Friedheim

10653 N – 550 W

Decatur, IN 46733

260.547.4248

www.zionfriedheim.org

A 21^st Century Parish with a 1^st Century Faith

Acts 2:42

Chartered February 25, 1838

Celebrating our 174^th Year

Pentecost 16 - Proper 19

16 September 2012

Mark 9:14-29

Jesus the Great Physician

Lord Jesus Christ, our support and defense in every need, continue to preserve Your Church in safety, govern her by Your goodness, and bless her with Your peace;

Are there areas of your life that you cannot control? Are you searching for help at the right place? Are you learning to depend more completely on God? Do you rely on God even in the midst of doubt and fear? Is your belief mixed with unbelief? True faith is recognizing our own inability and the Lord’s power to save and heal. Jesus has the power to fix problems.

1. The Search for help.

Vv. 14-19 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.  As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.  Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.

A.      The demon-possessed boy exposes our natural inability to control our circumstances.

1.       Sickness, poverty, accidents, and countless other situations remind us of our inability to do anything to save ourselves.

2.       This boy had symptoms of epilepsy, but the Bible clearly attributes this to a demon. This does not mean that all disease (or epilepsy) is demonic, but this one was as some may continue to be.

B.      This failure exposes the disciples’ inability to do the Spirit’s work with their own power.

1.       They had cast out demons before (6:12) but this case was more difficult (v.28)

2.       This event comes right after the mountain top experience of the transfiguration. How soon were they to forget what they had just experienced. 

2. The Struggle for Faith.

Vv.20-26   So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

A.      Belief is often mixed with fear unbelief.

1.       The man shows faith by bringing his son.

2.       But he shows doubt by saying “if you are able…”

3.       Jesus addressed the man’s doubts and fears, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

4.       The man speaks the confession of faith, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

B.      Christ has the ability to control what we cannot control. Vv. 25-27 “When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.”

1.       He could heal the boy no one else could heal.

2.       He could raise his from the dead if necessary, as he was telling them that He would Himself be raised from the dead. (8:31, 9:9-10, 9:31)

C.      Our inability is linked to our failure to rely completely on God. Vv. 28-29 “After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.”

1.       The disciples who had been with Jesus throughout these many years just couldn’t get it.

2.       This man, despite his flaws, hung in there believing even in the midst of his unbelief.

This man’s prayer, mixed with fear and faith, speaks to us today. Lord I believe, help me in my unbelief. Help me when I struggle. Help me when I’m facing misery, fear and doubt. Help me when the way is not so clear and the future unknown. Lord I believe – have mercy – rescue and save!