Mark 9:14-29

TITLE: Some jobs are tough TEXT: Mark 9:14-29 PROPOSITION: Some work is difficult and challenging for us. QUESTION: Why? KEY WORD: Failures SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 9:14-19 INTRODUCTION:

1. Obeying the gospel is simple - Faith, Repent, Confess, Baptism

2. Some things God requires are more difficult

3. My dad, “Coat and pants do all the work, vest gets the gravy.”

4. Here is an example of where the apostles failed.

Take things for granted

1. They healed many, cast out demons

2. Began to think - Easy, anybody can do this

3. This Christianity thing is easy

4. What happens when things get tough - obstacles, challenging, harder than expected

5. Commands not grievous - 1 John 5:3 - Love of God that we keep His commandments. And his commandments are not grievous.

Lack of faith

1. Jesus called them faithless (19)

2. Do you believe? (23) The man believed - came for a second try

3. Help my unbelief (24) Humble, seeking help in any area of weakness

4. Prayer and fasting are required (29)

5. The failure was of the apostles, not the man nor his son seeking to be healed

Some jobs are tougher

1. Nehemiah building Jerusalem - opposition

2. Noah - preached 120 years - converted only family

3. Elijah at juniper tree - all alone, I give up

4. Jeremiah - won't speak his name any more (Jeremiah 20:9)

5. Jesus in the garden - let this cup pass from me

6. Moses leading the children of Israel - gripe, complain, grumble

In the church today:

1. Elders - helping people who seem determined to mess up their lives

2. Deacons - getting people to be involved

3. Preachers - communicating the simple gospel

4. Teachers - explaining and applying the instructions of the Bible