"Come Out"

June 12, 2013

“Come Out!”

Blessings folk!

Today’s reading:

Matthew 17:14-21
Mark 9:14-29
Luke 9:37-43a
John 14:9

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A father’s cry for mercy before the Lord.
His son was described in ways that we think are “politically incorrect” today.
He was a lunatic...he had seizures.
He was vexed...very ill and suffered terribly.
He fell into fires.
He fell into water.
We learn that this occurred because something was making it happen.
Something threw him in the fire.
Something threw him in the water.
Something seized him, causing him to scream convulse, foam at the mouth, mauling.
Something vexed him.

We learn what the something was - a demon.

The boy was brought to Jesus.
The demon slammed him to the ground.
The cry of the father - I believe. Help my unbelief!
Jesus rebuked the demon and the demon came out.
Notice that Jesus called the spirit by name - deaf/mute.
Commanded it to leave.
Commanded it to not return.
The boy was cured.

Jesus had given a strong response to the situation…”you unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”

Who was Jesus speaking to?
What was He expecting?

The father had stated that he had brought his son to the disciples who “could not cure him”.

The disciples came to Jesus privately...could we say ashamed?

Why could they not drive out the demon?

Do you ever feel that way?
Why can we not do something?

Jesus gave them the forthright answer.
Because of the littleness of their faith.

If we have the faith of a mustard seed then nothing will be impossible.

Where is our faith?
Usually in what we can do.
Usually in medication.
Our faith is usually in fear.
We say it is in the Lord, but our actions declare otherwise.

Matthew 17:21 tells us “this kind (of demon) does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

There are “kinds”.
There can be process.

You will also note that some of the “contemporary” Bible translations omit the verse.
Beware.

There is so much the Lord desires to do through us.
Yet, we do not believe.
We grieve the Spirit.
Repent.
Believe.