Walking with Imperfect Faith

Scene:  coming down off the Mt. of Transfiguration

Mark 9:14-29  (with Matt. 17-21 and Luke 9:37-43) - probably epilepsy more than that = demon spirit

Going to examine & learn .... from:

I.  The disciples' failure   
      Why could they not cast out the demon?  in light of Mark 3:14-15, 6:12-13

2 answers given....  Mark 9:29
(1)  "this kind"  (genas) = a more powerful demon!  (apparently not every demon has equal power)

(2)  "only by prayer (and fasting)"  point = if have great faith you'll do a lot of prayer!!  Will be in communication with God.  That is prayer!
Matt. 17:19-20

by contrast ... disciples likely were guilty of...
(3)  self-confidence - due to former successes

AND
(4)  spiritual laxity  (laziness!) - hence the need for spiritual DISCIPLINES!!
examples:  meditation, prayer, fasting, self examination, confession, Bible Study, etc.  - if don't discipline self, won't get it done.

Lession for us?  Beware of the Same!!!

II.  The effect their failure had on others.
(1)  the father .... NOW doubts even Jesus' ability!! - because the disciples fail.

(2)  the crowd ... the same??

(3)  Scribes - a reason to challenge, accuse, taunt - are slandering Christ and disciples over failure
Compare:  David and Nathan - 2 Sam. 12:13-14 - was a long-term sin.

(4)  Disciples themselves ?  confidence in their ability is shaken?

(5)  Christ Himself? = disappointed, frustrated.  Which indicates .. they could (should) have done better!!
They DID have the authority and power to do this.  Unable because of their laxity!!

Lesson Here?  On one hand, you'll never have perfect faith  (in this life)
BUT that is no excuse for laxity, laziness, indifference!!
Your faith walk affects other people's faith!!
    "   successes affect other people's faith!!
    "   failures affect other people's faith!!

III.  The Father's Confession   Mark 9:24
which = every honest Christian's cry!!  - we all have imperfect faith!!

Which, on one hand, can't be helped!!  (Rom. 3:23)  Heb. 11:1
(hard to be fully confident in things we haven't seen!!)
BUT ... Heb. 11:2, 6 - Yes, walk by faith... however, still walk!! even when faith is lacking or weak.

IV.  The importance of faith (in the Christian walk) - Matt. 17:19-20
On one hand, leaves me confused - (and doubting my faith)
However, leaves NO doubt as to the Importance of faith!  2 Cor. 5:6-7 - we are here.  We live by faith, not by sight.

V.  The Mountain top experience vs. the Valley floor experience!
Example:  Rafael's painting "The Transfiguration" 

On one hand, was commissioned to paint "transfiguration"
However, he saw the 2 events connected!!

Mountain top = glory, God's presence manifest, place of sight and certainty and worship and fellowship.
Valley = sin, sickness, doubt, confusion, fear, uncertainty, jealousy, anger, division, demons, death

Mountain top = good times with God, we occasionally visit 
Valley = where we live
God calls us to work, not stay on the mountain.

Mountain top = where we gain encouragement, enlightenment, inspiration, confidence
Valley - where you USE that stuff!

Mountain top = where we worship
Valley - where we WORK!! do ministry

Mountain top IS a Reality!!
BUT in is NOT a daily reality!! - is a once in a while reality.

Mountain top = where we acquire faith and confidence.
Valley = where that faith is TESTED and DEVELOPED

Example:  New Year's Eve party vs. New Year's Eve deathbed experience.
At which do you learn? grow? develop? become?
This is God's design, should not despise that!

Mountaintop (experience) Awaits us  (heaven)
meanwhile, we live, walk, minister, serve, and grow ..... in the Valley!!

This is God's plan.  God's design!!    Don't despise it.  don't WASTE it!!!

God will use the hard times to develop Christ-like character.

 

The Transfiguration

 Previous weeks = Peter's confession and Peter's rebuke

Today:  Mark 9:2-13
           Luke 9:28-36
           Matt. 17:1-8

SOME QUESTIONS:
(1)  Why these three?  (inner circle)
Jesus could have gone alone...  so,,, obviously He wanted THEM to see/hear  2 Pet. 1:16-18 - not a dream.

(2)  Why climb the mountain?  (Mt. Tabor - 2, 000 ft., Mt. Hermon - 9,000'.  Probably climbed Mt. Hermon - was the closest to where they were.
      #1.  Privacy - away from the crowds
Add?  #2.  "Atmosphere?  setting? 
On one hand, Jesus was Omnipresent - Daniel in lion's den, Shadrach, Meschah, Abednigo in furnace, Samson in temple of Dagon
However - met with Moses on Mt. Sinai    Elijah on Mt. Carmel

(3)  Why Moses and Elijah?  = thought to represent the "Law and Prophets" - no definite answer.  Matt. 5:17

(4)  How did the disciples KNOW Moses and Elijah? 
Note:  Moses been dead 1400 years.
Elijah been dead 900 years. 
They still looked pretty good!!  Compare to Our Hope!

(5)  Is this event linked to former verses?
Mark 9:1 - Matt. 16:28, Luke 9:27

The disciples got a glimpse of glory!  (similar to Moses on Mt. Sinai)
But ... this is not new glory, additional glory, earned glory.
Rather.... this = Jesus' eternal and natural state!!
He left his natural state when he came to earth and put on flesh.  What they saw here was his normal, natural state.

So, on one hand are a lot of questions about this event....
However, is lots we can know ... be sure of!!!

I.  The Cloud contains the Presence of God  (the cloud is NOT God)
On one hand, He is hidden by the cloud!
However, His glory bleeds through!!

The Shekinah - pillar of cloud, fire - Ex. 13:21
                 flooding the tabernacle - Ex. 40:34-35 - visible glory of God showing His approval
                 flooding the Temple - 1 Kings 8:10-11
                 departing the temple - Ezekiel 10 & 11 - glory of God left them.

II.  The Voice is that of God the Father!
AND ... He's speaking TO the disciples!! - they heard it audibly!

III.  His Message is clear and simple
(A) "this is my Son" = affirming Christ's unique, special, divine, ministry, message, path!!
(B)  "hear Him!"  - (which = hear and obey!) - unless you obey, you didn't hear!!
Deut. 6:4-9 - the "Shema' = hear with head AND hands!
Compare:  James 1:22-25

IV.  God's Presence inspires Fear - Matt. 17:6
On one hand, a Christian has no fear of condemnation!
However, He = all Powerful Righteous God!! - Heb. 12:28-29

(Non-Biblical comparison = the lion in C.S. Lewis' "Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe")

V.  God's Plan is often confusing.
On one hand, it's  obvious that Jesus = God's man, with God's power and God's approval.
However, suffereing Messiah??  condemned?  crucified??

POINT:  God's plan(s) often baffle us!!  because of limited knowledge, understanding, insight..)
In everyday life, God's plan sometimes doesn't make sense to us.
Therefore, FAITH = trusting Him WHEN we're baffled!!!

But, in spite of the confusion...
VI.   We share the disciples' HOPE!  (are really not that much different!)
On one hand, we now see the need for suffering and the cross.
However, still hoping for His glorious Kingdom!! and Him to make things right.
Example:  1 Thes. 4:16-17 - clouds of glory

AND, VII.  WE will share in Jesus' glory!  1 John 3:2

AND, VIII.  We can BEGIN the transformation ... NOW!
Rom. 12:2 - be transformed, change mind, renew thinking
2 Cor. 3:18 - we are being transformed slowly

So..... John 11:40

Peter's Rebuke

Last week = Peter's Confession

Today = Peter's rebuke!

Mark 8:27-30, 31-38 - 'began to teach them, must be rejected, must be killed.  Vs. 34 - must deny self, take up..., follow me!

Parallel accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke
Matt. 16:21-27

OBSERVATIONS

(1)  This is Peter's account!  (Mark is writing Peter's story, memoirs)
Peter hasn't hidden his failures!! - admission of sin and failure has to come before forgiveness can happen.

(2)  Peter is NOT Satan! 
this could be ... "you're acting like Satan!"  or "you're influenced by Satan"
OR, Jesus looking beyond Peter to who's behind him!
Compare:  Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28 - Satan standing behind the thrones of kings

(3)  "Suffer, die, rise" specific to all 3 accounts!
Because = are central to the gospel!!  1 Cor. 15:3-4 - can't take any one of these out.

(4)  (contrary to Peter's THEN view...) the Messiah suffering and dying does NOT obscure God's glory!
rather Manifests it!!!
World = "cross is man's foolishness"
Christian = "cross is God's glory!"
(will be evident to ALL at His return!)

(5)  Peter's rebuke that he received from Christ was NOT because he QUESTIONED Jesus, but because he CHALLENGED Him!!!
"why Lord?  I don't understand" vs. "NOT SO!!" = questioning God in humility and honesty is never a problem.

APPLICATION:

(1)  You can be devoted to Christ and still be far off base (in your thinking)  (ie:  concerning His will)
2 Cor. 4:5-7 "jars of clay" - because we are human and fallible.
Being confident that you are right does not mean you ARE right!!

(2)  Failure needn't be fatal
this wasn't Peter's last blunder!  example:  the denial!
BUT - he'll get up and go on!  Contrasted with Judas Iscariot, (who committed suicide)
We're all going to mess up, we're all jars of clay!!

(3)  Faith doesn't always understand God's message (method) but FAITH always accepts God's message (methods)
Example:  world = "not good reasoning!  Blind Faith!!
Christian = it is enlightened Faith!!
On one hand, we don't have all the answers.
However, we have enough answers to TRUST Him with the mysteries.

(4)  Jesus' challenge is NOT just "will you die for Him?"
                                 rather = "will you LIVE for Him?? = that's the real issue.
Hence... (1)  "deny 'self' - Christ on throne, self at foot
             (2)  "daily'!!  Luke 9:23

(5)  It may cost you a lot to follow Christ .. but you'll be amply rewarded!!
Matt. 16:27
Rom. 8:18

Closing Scripture:  1 Cor. 15:58

Peter's Confession

Mark 8:27-30 - pivotal point in book of Mark.  

The setting:  Caesarea Philipi - 30 miles north of Sea of Galilee, 120 miles north of Jerusalem

Is a major spring, primary source of the Jordan River.  Huge cave there, spring originally flowed from the mouth of the cave from a deep abyss.  (earthquakes have diverted the flow)

Because of the spring = place of Pagan Worship - early was to "Pan" - Greek god of forests
Pan - 1/2 man, 1/2 goat

The cave = Portal to the Underworld - Gateway to Hades!!
Story is told that they would offer sacrifices by casting into the spring.  if offering disappeared, it meant was accepted.  if floated out, not accepted..(tradition says that children were also offered)

Became the place of temples and worship 

temple of Herod, then Augustus, later = Philip to Tiberius

Matt. 16:13-18 - use of 'gates of hell' = coincidental???

In the text:

The People's View of Jesus - good man, great man, miracle worker, messenger from God, a prophet (a Revisiting Prophet!)  They were expecting a man anointed by God to free them from their enemies.  

Peter's View - (and the other disciples)
On one hand, He is Messiah (according to Jewish expectation)
However, He is More than Messiah!!  - "Son of Living God.."
Point = a recognition of His Deity!! - to what extent??  Don't know.
But ... more than an anointed man!!

Jesus' Response - not a denial of Peter's statement .. but =
(1)  affirmation of Peter's confession
On one hand, "Peter... you got that right!"
However, NOT by own reasoning!  "revealed by the Father"

(2)  statement of Peter's transformation - "Simon into Peter" (the rock)
in other words, "Peter, you are blessed .. but this = just beginning!!"

(3)  a declaration concerning His church
vs.  the world's (many) out callings.  word for church meant any called out gathering.

Question:  Was this conversation for only Peter?  the 12"
OR does it have application for us?  today?

#1.  Do you know what your neighbor says about Jesus?
on one hand, it doesn't matter (doesn't change the truth, facts)
However, this = your ministry field!   Begins with:  "where are you NOW?"

#2.  do you know where YOU stand concerning Jesus?
Have you  (A)  confronted the issue? - example:  Liar, Lunatic, Lord
               (B)  made a personal decision?  "MY Lord"
or            (C)  are you willing to leave it unaddressed?  (note:  your answer/response has eternal consequences!!)

#3.  IF you've recognized Jesus as Lord .. it's because God has revealed it to you.!!
Matt. 16:17, John 6:44-45 - listen and respond
        (A) IF He's called you .. He's chosen you!!
In exploring the mystery of election, DO NOT overlook the privilege of election!!

        (B)  IF He's called you... He will enlighten you.  1 Cor. 2:9-10
(reasonable prayer here = "Lord, if this be true then show me, help me see!"

#4.  IF You've recognized Jesus as Lord... you much still decide if you'll make Him YOUR Lord!
Example:  demons, Judas Iscariot

#5.  If you accept (receive) Him as your personal Lord, you will experience a new birth.
(beginning) - John 1:11-13 - child, heir, co-heir with Christ

#6.  IF you accept (receive) Him as your personal Lord, you will begin a personal transformation!
example:  Simon into Peter.

Contrast:  Positional Righteousness ... immediate
         vs.  Practical righteousness ... gradual change
Example:  Peter's Rebuke!!  nevertheless Phil. 1:6

#7. When you accept (Receive) Him as your personal Lord... you become part of HIS church
ie:  HIS called out group (versus the world's groups)

Which IS Universal - Christ's called out group
Which will be Triumphant! - over evil, gates of Hell

Big difference = then the disciples = don't tell!! - not yet His time!
                        now all = DO TELL!!!

So.... do you Know?  recognize who Jesus is??
         have you accepted?  received?  (bent your knee?)
         will you follow?  (grow, transform?)
         will you tell?

Closing Scripture:  Matt. 28:18-20

Feeding the 4000

Mark 8:1-4 - different from the feeding of the 5000.   On the east side of the sea of Galilee - Gentile territory, mostly Gentile crowd

Matt. 15:29-31 - many miracles - non-Jews praising the God of Israel.

This one different.  Feeding of the 5000 was mostly a Jewish crowd.

Mark 8:4-10 - disciples didn't ask Jesus to do the same miracle.  Now are back in Jewish territory.
Mark 8:11 - Pharisees' question Jesus.  Not to discover the truth but to "test" Him!!  (trip Him up)  

Compare:  Mark 1:12-13 - "tempt" - from same Greek word as "test".

Pharisees want a 'sign from heaven!"  This doesn't mean another miracle or bigger miracle!!  They want proof of the Source of His miracles!!

Note:  they don't deny the miracles ... only the Source - example:  Matt. 12:22-24

Jesus' Response = Mark 8:12-13 - "Exasperation:!!  Because - NO SIGN WILL SATISFY!! 
Example:  Luke 16:27-31
Problem is not that they Can't Believe... Problem = they WON'T BELIEVE!!

Jesus' Reply  "no sign but sign of Jonah" - Example:  Jesus' resurrection.
Matt.  16:1-4

Mark 8:13-21
Matt. 16:11-12
Yeast = seems insignificant!!
yet = mighty influence!!!

Lessons?  Life Application for us??

(1)  It's not just unbelievers who are slow to see/learn
Why were the disciples so slow?  Answer = they are human and have tendency to set own agenda for the Kingdom of God

(2)  Nevertheless,  You don't have to have all the answers to be a faithful follower!

(3)  And... There's a difference in being slow to grasp and being defiant.  (some don't want to see!!)

Past Revelation denial is Rebellion!! - ie:  once He makes it clear to you.
Light Received increases light.
Light rejected increases darkness.

(4)  A little false doctrine can have a huge effect   (similar to a little yeast)

(5)  (As a general rule)  Jesus doesn't stay where He's not welcome!  He may be welcome in your quiet time, your Bible Study, your prayer time, but is He welcome in your work time, recreation time, finances, etc.