“Help”
January 2nd, 2010Today, we are beginning a new sermon series entitled “Heroes.” Why is a man who cries out to Jesus, “help my unbelief” a hero of our faith? Becau
se he did not run away from Christ in shame when he felt that his faith was not enough. He ran to Christ in hope, proclaiming his desire and need for Christ’s help. Sometimes, that is enough.
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Mark 9:14-29
1. Years ago, I counseled a woman that had left the church and did not have any intention of going back.
a. Her story broke my heart. 25 years of marriage to a physically and emotionally abusive man.
b. Pastor – “stay together”. That was it.
c. As her children hit their teens, they began to act out, get in trouble (minor – truancy, etc.).
d. Confronted her husband – he was not willing to change. Talked to her pastor – “stay together.”
e. Ultimately, it got so bad that she took her teenage kids, and left – both her husband and the church.
f. She is now making a new life.
g. I told her that all churches do not respond to domestic violence with the same apathy that her church did.
h. But, her comment to me about her experience revealed the depth of pain that she had suffered…“the church did not care about me or my children’s well-being. They did nothing.”
2. I would submit that that woman did not leave the church as much as the church drove her away. It declared with its actions (or inaction) that she did not matter.
a. I think that that church and that pastor have more to answer to than that woman.
b. The church let her down. They were unable or unwilling to deal with the question that this woman’s life posed to them – “where is God in the midst of the abuse that I am suffering?”
c. It is not just this woman, however, that poses a challenge to the church today. Every life that we encounter poses a similar question to those of us in the church.
d. “If your God is real, where is he in the midst of my life?”
e. And we had better come up with better answers than the ones we have been giving. Otherwise, we are going to be in a world of hurt.
3. The gospel lesson that was read for you this morning tells of a very unique encounter that Jesus had with a man whose son was possessed.
a. We hear this story and our hearts go out to the man and his son. It is painful to watch those that we love suffer.
b. Not only painful, it can do things to our faith. It chips away at our resolve.
c. The man had brought his son to the disciples and they were unable to heal the boy. How disheartening! Here, the disciples are preaching the power of God, but when the chips are down, they are not able to exhibit any.
d. The man had to be on the verge of giving up. Into the scene comes Jesus. He has just experienced the glory of the transfiguration.
e. Perhaps, he still had “glow.” Mark says, “When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him.”
f. And the man cries out to Jesus for help.
4. Today, we are beginning a new sermon series entitled “Heroes.” What can we learn from some of the “lesser-known” characters in the bible?
a. Why would I characterize this man as a hero of the faith?
b. One reason – he brought whatever vestige of faith was left in his life to Jesus.
c. When he proclaims to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief!” he is saying, “I know my faith is not perfect, or complete, but let it be enough…I cannot believe on my own. I cannot do this alone.”
d. John Wesley – “although my faith is so small that it might rather be termed unbelief, yet help me!”
e. This man is a hero of the faith because he looks a lot like you or like me – broken and bruised by life – and yet he brings what little faith he has to Christ.
f. He is a hero because he demonstrates that we cannot do this alone. We need each other. And we need to be there for one another. Because, if we do not, how will we help one another, especially at times when our faith seems shaken?
5. Wonderful television commercial advertising college gear. It talks about how trust is difficult, but sometimes, we need to step out in faith – relying on one another.
a. One scene – a girl in an Ohio State Buckeyes t-shirt about to do a trust fall off of a picnic table.
b. All of the “catchers” have University of Michigan gear. She thinks twice about it.
c. By the end of the commercial, she trusts, she falls, and they do catch her.
d. Her actions posed a question to the group – will you be worthy of the trust I am giving you?
e. That girl = every unchurched person, every person in need, in this community. You Christians talk a good game about God’s love, but do you really mean it when it counts?
6. My friends, this is the first Sunday of a new year, a new decade.
a. There is a lot going on in the world, a lot going on in our lives. But, we have an opportunity for a new beginning, of sorts.
b. 2010 holds whatever promise – whatever possibilities – we want it to hold.
c. It can be an exciting, transforming year, or it can be business as usual.
d. God is good, and will be faithful as he has always been.
e. But, we must be willing to move forward together. To make real God’s promises together. No one of us can do it on our own.
f. We need help. We need one another. We need Christ.
7. God will be faithful to us, just as Jesus was faithful to the father in today’s gospel.
a. God will take whatever shred of faith that we can present to him and do great things with it.
b. But, God’s faithfulness poses a question to us – a challenge. What will you do with it?
c. Play it safe – do nothing. We are no better than the church that drove that woman away. Because, our fear has forced us to hide the light of God’s love and grace away.
d. Risk – we will be like the father. In spite of our brokenness, we will trust in Christ.
e. We will reach out…We will share ourselves…We will invite others to church…We will work with Christ and with one another to advance God’s kingdom.
8. My friends, God does not need you to have super-human faith. And neither do I. We need you to bring whatever faith you have…
a. I know you have fears. I know there are times when you lack faith. I know that sometimes, you don’t want to say “amen” as much as you want to cry out, “help my unbelief.”
b. That is o.k. That is human. But, if you are willing to submit that kernel of faith to God’s purpose, God will do great things with it.
c. Are you up for the challenge? Are you ready to live a life that means something? Are you ready to be transformed and to transform others?
d. Will you join me in 2010 in moving forward in ministry to this congregation, to this community, and to the world?
e. Will this be the year that you get off of that seat you are in and become a part of a great adventure?
f. People need to know of God’s love. Will you help them know? Will you help? Amen.
Sermon delivered at Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church Anaheim Hills – January 3, 2010.
