Disappointments
– Each time we feel disappointed, it draws something from our spiritual reserves. It plants a seed of doubt in our mind. The seed grows into anger, bitterness, shame, guilt, and all kinds of negativity. Eventually it bears the fruit of unbelief.
– “Disappointment has had far more lasting effects on people than bad teaching… Unless resolved, disappointment is a cancer that grows until it takes the life of its host.” (Bill Johnson)
– How can we prevent disappointment from spreading like cancer?
– How can we not fall into unbelief?
– How can we keep our faith in faithless generation?
– We can draw three lessons from today gospel story (Mark 9:14-29).
(1) Bring the hopeless person into the presence of Jesus
– The question we need to ask ourselves is: How can I bring the hopeless person into the presence of Jesus?
Three practical suggestions:
(a) Encourage them to read the gospel (know Jesus)
(b) Teach them to pray (connect with Jesus)
(c) Introduce them to Spirit-filled worship (proclaim Jesus)
(2) Know that Jesus’ heart is to evoke faith in a faithless generation
– Faith is not a precondition for healing & deliverance.
– Jesus’ power & goodness are not limited by our unbelief.
– His heart, mission, and pleasure is to evoke faith in a faithless generation.
Questions we may ask the Lord:
(a) Lord, what faith are you evoking in me right now?
(b) What promise are you trying to remind me?
(c) What character of God must I hold on to?
(d) How can I evoke faith in the person I am helping?
(3) Come home to the Father when you feel restless
Some self check questions:
(a) Have I trusted myself too much & God too little?
(b) Have I wandered too far off from my fellowship with the Father and the Son?
(c) Have I taken off the yoke that I am supposed to share with Jesus?
Summary
(1) Bring the hopeless into the Presence
(2) Evoke faith among the faithless
(3) Come home when you feel restless
