1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:03,320 Well, there should be one in front of you. 2 00:00:03,320 --> 00:00:04,400 Go ahead and. Grab that. 3 00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:07,520 We're going to be going deep into the word of the Lord. 4 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:10,040 This morning, so we need those Bibles open. 5 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:12,240 And we got a lot of ground to cover. 6 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:15,680 Because like Carlos said, it's. Been about 5. 7 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:18,360 Weeks, we took a break from the book of Mark to do a sermon 8 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:20,800 series on Advent. So it's been a while since we've 9 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:22,440 been in the book of Mark. So we got a lot of. 10 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:24,240 Work to do this morning. I'm just going to be upfront 11 00:00:24,240 --> 00:00:25,720 about that. Got a lot of work. 12 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:27,600 I'm probably going to preach over the. 13 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:29,920 Speed limit and. Pray that I don't get any 14 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:31,920 speeding tickets. From you guys, so just. 15 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:34,720 Grab on and hold on to. To to what you? 16 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:38,160 Can and before I jump. In I will say this last Sunday 17 00:00:38,160 --> 00:00:39,800 was. New Year's Eve. 18 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:41,480 And so we're just. A little bit low on volunteers 19 00:00:41,480 --> 00:00:45,520 and so I found myself. In the The Roots Room last 20 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:47,560 Sunday, which was. Awesome. 21 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:50,960 On average I lead roots once. Every eight years. 22 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:54,360 So I'm. I'm not down there often, and I 23 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:55,560 was. I was hanging out with with 24 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:57,440 Kale. We had a classroom together and 25 00:00:57,560 --> 00:00:59,160 Kale had to. He had to leave for just a 26 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:02,960 moment and I noticed that the kids were getting just a little 27 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:04,800 bit antsy. And I didn't really know what to 28 00:01:04,800 --> 00:01:06,400 do next. So I was like, all right, we got 29 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,680 these pages to color. So let's let's color these pages 30 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:11,320 and. I can't remember. 31 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:14,080 Who it was I. Think maybe it. 32 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:16,480 Was it was Lyra? Maybe one of the van? 33 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:19,920 Gorp one, one of the kids, I go, all right, everybody, let's 34 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:22,880 let's get these coloring pages out and let's color these and 35 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:26,480 one of the kids goes. Hey, Pastor Cole now? 36 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:28,120 'S not the time that we color those. 37 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:32,920 I was. I was like. 38 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:34,040 That can't be. That can't be. 39 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:37,040 Is that, is that true? And I looked at it at another 40 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:38,280 kid. I can't remember who it was. 41 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:39,960 But they were like, yeah, you're wrong. 42 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:43,880 I was like. Alright, we're not in color 43 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:46,960 right now. But it struck me that I have. 44 00:01:46,960 --> 00:01:49,760 The incredible privilege to be part of a local church where I 45 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:50,640 don't have to. Do. 46 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:54,800 Everything and I don't know. What's going on everywhere, all 47 00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:56,720 the time? And the reason why is because we 48 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:57,440 have. Excellent. 49 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:00,000 Volunteer teams with amazing volunteers. 50 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:04,360 So if you're plugged in, thank you, cleaning team, get plugged 51 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:06,600 into that. Roots always needs. 52 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:09,440 Volunteers, as you can see. As you look around here SO. 53 00:02:09,759 --> 00:02:12,560 Get plugged in, in whatever way you can it it makes. 54 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:14,400 Our church, a community project, that's. 55 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:16,760 Fun to be a part of. So I love you guys, and I love 56 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:18,640 being. Part of a church where I am 57 00:02:18,640 --> 00:02:22,120 wrong in the in the kids ministries. 58 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:26,000 So yes, 5. Weeks away from the book of 59 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:28,280 Mark. And now we're back into. 60 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:33,880 It so holy moly, before we look at the text, I wouldn't. 61 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:40,680 And maybe you disagree with me. That's cool. 62 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:45,360 I wouldn't describe. Myself as an argumentative 63 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:54,240 person, now or anymore? But I went through a season my 64 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:56,920 last couple years of college, my first couple years of young 65 00:02:56,920 --> 00:02:58,640 adulthood. When I was a young Christian. 66 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:03,040 I went through a season where I was passionately. 67 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:10,520 Always arguing about something. I was a stage cage. 68 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:15,640 Culvist I was arguing about everything all the time. 69 00:03:15,640 --> 00:03:18,240 And as I look. Back at that season of my life. 70 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:21,760 This week, there was one argument that really stood out 71 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:23,200 to me. It was my senior year of 72 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:25,840 college. We were in the duplex. 73 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:28,160 That we called the duplex. Weedy, you know what I'm. 74 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:31,760 Talking about here. It was a duplex where 7-8, 75 00:03:31,760 --> 00:03:33,720 sometimes 11 other guys. Lived it. 76 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:37,840 Depended on the week, and so it was like any college duplex. 77 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:40,920 You can imagine the piles of dirty clothes everywhere. 78 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:42,960 You can imagine the dishes. Piling up. 79 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:47,480 But once a week, I let a Bible study at that at that duplex, 80 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:49,000 and these guys would get together. 81 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:50,800 Bros would get together. We'd read the Bible. 82 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:52,800 Together, study the Bible. Together, and there was. 83 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:54,560 One week. Where I. 84 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:59,080 Found myself in the middle. Of a Bible study in a heated 85 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:02,080 argument. And sometimes when you're in an 86 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:06,280 argument, you lose yourself. You've you stop listening to the 87 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:08,240 other person. The other person stops listening 88 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:09,160 to you. You. 89 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:12,720 Stop formulating. Thoughts that are coherent to 90 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:13,560 the. Argument. 91 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:16,000 You stop pursuing the truth. You start to defend. 92 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,600 Yourself, rather than to actually discern the truth. 93 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:21,240 And so this argument lasted for. I don't know. 94 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:23,880 Minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes I don't. 95 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:25,280 Really know but the argument. Went. 96 00:04:25,280 --> 00:04:27,320 On and on and on. Neither. 97 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:28,920 Person gaining ground? Neither. 98 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:32,040 Person giving ground and it. Probably would have went. 99 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,680 On and on forever. Besides, one of my buddies on 100 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:38,240 the outside stepped in. And he finally broke the ice. 101 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:42,040 And what he? Said was. 102 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:46,920 Cole, what are you yelling about? 103 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:51,000 And I heard that and it, like, sobered me up. 104 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:53,880 I was like, dude, I didn't even know I was. 105 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:58,120 Yelling and it struck me in the middle of this argument. 106 00:04:59,640 --> 00:05:03,720 I was yelling. It's been a few years since my. 107 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:05,720 Senior year of college. Just a few. 108 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:09,920 A couple. And the crazy thing is when I 109 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:11,640 look. Back at that argument. 110 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:16,520 Do you want to know? What we were arguing about. 111 00:05:18,840 --> 00:05:20,640 Because I'll tell you. At the end of the sermon, let's. 112 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:22,560 Go ahead and stand for the. Reading of the word of God. 113 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:28,800 What are you yelling about, Cole? 114 00:05:31,840 --> 00:05:33,760 We. Pick up in Chapter 9. 115 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:40,760 Verse. 14 Jesus has just transfigured himself on top of a 116 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:41,960 mountain with a couple of his key. 117 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,200 Disciples and then verse 14 as he comes. 118 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:46,960 Down the morning picks up or down the mountain picks up right 119 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:48,480 here. And when they came. 120 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:50,240 To the disciples they saw a great. 121 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:56,240 Crowd around them and scribes arguing with them and. 122 00:05:57,040 --> 00:05:59,120 Immediately all the crowd when they saw Jesus. 123 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:00,920 Were greatly amazed, and they ran up to him and. 124 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:05,360 Greeted him and he asked them. What are you yelling about? 125 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:08,120 Well, in Jesus words, what are you arguing? 126 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:12,480 About with them, and someone from the crowd interrupts, 127 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,240 Answers him Teacher, I brought my. 128 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:17,080 Son to. You. 129 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:20,600 Because he has a spirit. That makes him mute, and 130 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:24,080 whenever it seizes him, it throws him down and he foams. 131 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:26,600 And grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. 132 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:28,400 So I asked your disciples to cast it. 133 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,360 Out and they were not able. And so. 134 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:34,560 Jesus answered them. O faithless generation, how long 135 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:37,520 am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? 136 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:40,720 Bring him to me. And they brought him the boy. 137 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:47,520 And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the 138 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:50,800 boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the 139 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:53,480 mouth. And Jesus asked his father how. 140 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:57,960 Long has this been happening to him and the dad said from 141 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:01,560 childhood. And it is often cast him into. 142 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,280 Fire and into water to try to destroy him. 143 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:10,640 But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us if 144 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:13,840 you can. And Jesus said to him. 145 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:20,760 If you can, all things are possible for the one who 146 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:23,240 believes and immediately the father of the child. 147 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:25,640 Cried out and said I believe. Help. 148 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:28,880 My unbelief and when Jesus. Saw that the crowd came running 149 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:32,120 together, he rebuked. The unclean spirit saying to. 150 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:35,160 It you mute and deaf spirit, I command you come out of him and 151 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:37,600 never enter him again. And after crying out and 152 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:40,240 convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a 153 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:42,720 corpse, so that most. Of them said he is. 154 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,320 Dead but Jesus. Took him by the hand and lifted 155 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:47,240 it up. And he arose. 156 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:49,960 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him 157 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:53,120 privately, why could we not cast it out? 158 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:56,320 And he said to them, well, this kind cannot be driven out by 159 00:07:56,360 --> 00:08:01,600 anything but prayer. Like I said. 160 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:04,880 We got some work to do. You can have a seat. 161 00:08:10,090 --> 00:08:11,370 So if you're new. And. 162 00:08:11,650 --> 00:08:13,770 Late to the ball game. Let me catch this up. 163 00:08:14,010 --> 00:08:16,610 And also this would probably be a good time to say if you're 164 00:08:16,610 --> 00:08:19,490 behind or you haven't listened to our other sermons on the Book 165 00:08:19,490 --> 00:08:21,290 of Mark. We've got those on Spotify 166 00:08:21,290 --> 00:08:24,610 iTunes, so it's really easy. All you got to do to catch up 167 00:08:24,610 --> 00:08:26,530 with us is take a month off of. Work and go. 168 00:08:26,530 --> 00:08:30,450 Listen to those 30 sermons. Tell them your pastor said it 169 00:08:30,450 --> 00:08:32,159 was OK. All right. 170 00:08:32,159 --> 00:08:33,960 A little doctors. No, no, don't do that. 171 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:35,120 But you can catch. Up. 172 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:37,600 But if you don't have time to catch up, let me just give it to 173 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:40,120 you in a nutshell at this. Point in the book of. 174 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:43,000 Mark Chapter 9 Jesus has. Launched his public ministry 175 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:44,440 heal. The sick raise the dead cast 176 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:47,360 that out demons and Jesus has just revealed his divine. 177 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:49,760 Identity through his Transfiguration. 178 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:52,320 On top of a mountain. Huge mountaintop moment. 179 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:54,600 Jesus is on top of the mountain. In the midst. 180 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:56,880 Of a couple, three of his closest disciples. 181 00:08:56,880 --> 00:08:59,680 Literally glowing and raiding with the glory of God. 182 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:03,880 And after this epic moment. They come down the mountain, 183 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:07,120 probably just floating. Because they're so excited and 184 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:09,760 they find the other. Disciples doing what? 185 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:15,640 Arguing. Verse 14. 186 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:19,680 And when they came. To the disciples. 187 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:22,200 They saw a great crowd around them. 188 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:26,280 And scribes arguing with them, and immediately all the crowd 189 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:27,800 when they saw Jesus were greatly. 190 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:29,240 Amazed. And they ran up to him and 191 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:32,200 greeted him. But Jesus wanted to know what 192 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:37,520 are you arguing about with them. Now we need to pause here for 193 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:39,640 for just a second. Because. 194 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:42,200 Already I know we're only a couple verses in, but. 195 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:43,520 Already we have some theological. 196 00:09:43,520 --> 00:09:45,080 Work that we need to do as a church so. 197 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:47,560 What I want you to do is I want you to zoom in. 198 00:09:47,560 --> 00:09:51,600 On the word in verse 14 arguing and let's. 199 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:54,920 Get a grip. On this one word together before 200 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:57,800 we move deeper into the story. What's What's going on with the? 201 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:00,080 Arguing thing right here. What are they arguing about? 202 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:04,480 Is this is this a? Is this a genuine dialogue in 203 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,280 pursuit of the truth? Or is. 204 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:10,800 This Is this something else? Is this an ego contest of 205 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:15,440 religious leaders defending their pre-existing biases 206 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:18,120 religious? Leaders don't do that though, do 207 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:22,400 they? I can't personally read the 208 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:27,520 Greek, but I read scholars who do, and one of the foremost, 209 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:31,520 Mark scholars draws out this point about the word arguing. 210 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:34,160 And it's an important textual point, he says. 211 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:38,480 Quote. The Greek word for arguing here 212 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:45,120 carries combative connotations. So why? 213 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:49,560 Why is that important? It's important. 214 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:54,200 Because it's important. Because I don't want us living 215 00:10:54,200 --> 00:11:00,480 wrongly as Christians, and as we try to divide the word of God 216 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:05,440 rightly, it becomes clear biblically, that there's a 217 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:09,760 difference between arguing and fighting for truth. 218 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:11,560 Do you? Hear that? 219 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:15,840 There's a difference between arguing. 220 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:17,880 And fighting for truth. And there has to be because 221 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:19,240 watch. What I'm going to do is I want. 222 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:22,640 I want to put up two. Thought patterns in the. 223 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:27,080 Bible side by side. And I want to show you what the 224 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:28,640 rub. Is when I say that. 225 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:31,800 OK, so watch these two. Different thought patterns work 226 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:34,440 themselves out in the Bible. We'll start with biblical 227 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:36,360 thought. Pattern #1. 228 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:38,400 Do. Not be. 229 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:42,000 Argumentative beginning of the Bible. 230 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:44,960 Middle of the Bible. End of the Bible. 231 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:49,240 It's all over the Bible. Don't be an argumentative 232 00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:52,000 person. Textual support? 233 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:56,440 Lots. I'll give you 2 second, Timothy. 234 00:11:56,560 --> 00:12:01,080 Chapter 2 verse 23 quote. As a servant of the Lord. 235 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:07,000 You must not argue. Pretty clear. 236 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:14,480 Titus, Chapter 3, verse nine. Avoid foolish controversies. 237 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,720 Dissensions. And quarrels. 238 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:23,720 Why should I avoid them? Four, because they are 239 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:30,360 unprofitable and worthless. Seems pretty clear. 240 00:12:31,680 --> 00:12:35,000 Avoid being argumentative. Right. 241 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:40,480 And that's that's not. Hipster skinny jeans ELE 242 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:44,160 Everybody love everybody Young millennial pastor Cole. 243 00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:49,080 That's God don't be argumentative. 244 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:53,400 And yet. Alongside. 245 00:12:53,400 --> 00:12:57,480 Of that thought pattern, and apparently perfectly compatible 246 00:12:57,480 --> 00:13:01,200 with the Bible's expectations To not argue is biblical thought 247 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:07,200 pattern number two, fight for the truth supporting. 248 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,280 Texts. Lots. 249 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:11,760 Here's two. First Peter 3. 250 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:15,360 Always be prepared to make. A defense to anyone who asks you 251 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:19,600 for a reason for the hope that is in you Always be. 252 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:25,240 Prepared to defend the truth. Or how about Galatians? 253 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:30,120 Paul gets into a theological. Fight with people who are 254 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:32,240 undermining the Gospel with heresy. 255 00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:37,600 And he says quote. We did not give in to them for 256 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:39,760 a. Moment so that the. 257 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:41,560 Truth. Of the gospel. 258 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:46,960 Might remain with you. Didn't give in to it for a 259 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:50,200 moment. Don't give in to heresy for a 260 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:52,480 moment. Don't give it an inch. 261 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:56,560 Fight for truth, right? If you're. 262 00:13:56,560 --> 00:13:58,320 In a community. Group in this church, a small 263 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:00,360 group. I hope there are very few weeks 264 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:02,560 that go by where. Your group doesn't fight for the 265 00:14:02,560 --> 00:14:05,680 truth. Disagreement going back and 266 00:14:05,680 --> 00:14:08,200 forth. A mutual searching for the truth 267 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:10,120 together. Pointing to the Bible. 268 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:12,040 Listening. Looking at each other. 269 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:15,480 In the eyes, God forbid, our church just becomes an echo 270 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:19,640 chamber. Right disagree or away this is 271 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:21,640 this is a safe. Place for you to disagree in 272 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:23,920 this church. Fight for the truth. 273 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:29,120 But you see the rub, right? Fight for the truth. 274 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:33,360 But don't argue and that. Brings about an obvious 275 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:34,240 question. Well, how do you? 276 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:36,640 Fight for the truth without being argumentative or to. 277 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,280 Phrase it the other way. How do you avoid arguments? 278 00:14:39,280 --> 00:14:41,080 Without being a Sissy. About the truth. 279 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:43,720 And so we have to. Reconcile these two biblical 280 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:45,360 thought. Patterns that apparently in 281 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:48,480 God's mind, go together by asking ourselves the question. 282 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:51,000 OK then, what's the difference between arguing? 283 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,400 And fighting for the truth. And there's a lot of ways that 284 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:55,280 we could answer this question biblically. 285 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:59,680 That would be helpful. Like tone, temperament, the 286 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:03,120 presence or absence of love. Those are all good answers. 287 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:05,240 I'm going to give one this morning. 288 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:08,000 No. What's the difference between? 289 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:10,280 Being argumentative and fighting for truth. 290 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:14,280 You know. You feel it. 291 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:21,400 It's your motive. It's your motive, for example, 292 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:25,880 if the chief motive you have in engaging in an argument. 293 00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:30,360 Is just to win the argument without regards to what's true 294 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:32,080 or false. You're argumentative. 295 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:37,600 You are. If the chief motive. 296 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:42,560 You have in engaging in argument is embarrassing the other person 297 00:15:42,880 --> 00:15:46,400 or. Slaying them right, Shaming 298 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:51,200 them. You're argumentative and BI. 299 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:55,000 Don't need to tell you this. Being argumentative is it's 300 00:15:55,000 --> 00:16:02,360 poison everywhere. Church, of course, your 301 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:04,480 friendships. Of course. 302 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:08,080 Your marriage? Absolutely. 303 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:15,160 It's poison everywhere, period. That's why God in His word says. 304 00:16:15,160 --> 00:16:18,680 Quote. Avoid such people. 305 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:23,400 The Bible doesn't talk that way about very many types of people, 306 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:30,680 but argumentative people. Make sure your motive is right. 307 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:34,280 On the other hand, I do want to say this though, if the chief 308 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:36,640 motive you have in engaging in an argument. 309 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:39,760 Is to mutually pursue the truth with another person. 310 00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:42,360 Then you're doing a good thing and you're fighting for the 311 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:46,200 truth, and that relationship is going to hold fast and by the 312 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:48,720 spirit of God, you guys are going to find the truth and. 313 00:16:48,720 --> 00:16:49,720 That's good. We need. 314 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:51,640 People to disagree. We need people to stand up for 315 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:53,800 the truth. We need people to not just 316 00:16:54,040 --> 00:16:56,600 parrot what the people in the community are saying. 317 00:16:56,880 --> 00:17:00,320 People who don't backpedal in the face of lies and people who. 318 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:01,560 Say no, that's not. True. 319 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:02,800 Look at God's. Word thus. 320 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:05,640 Far and and no further. You do need to fight for the 321 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:07,720 truth. That's just not what's happening 322 00:17:07,720 --> 00:17:08,720 at the bottom. Of the mountain. 323 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:14,040 In this story, Jesus comes down from the mountain and he asked 324 00:17:14,040 --> 00:17:17,760 what are you yelling about? What are you arguing about? 325 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:20,599 And you want to know what they're arguing about? 326 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:24,599 Well, before anybody can answer, there's actually an 327 00:17:24,599 --> 00:17:28,560 interruption. Look at verse. 17 and someone. 328 00:17:28,560 --> 00:17:32,120 From the crowd, answered him. Teacher, I brought my son to 329 00:17:32,120 --> 00:17:35,560 you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute, and whenever it 330 00:17:35,560 --> 00:17:37,400 seizes him, it throws him down and he. 331 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:39,360 Foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. 332 00:17:39,360 --> 00:17:41,160 So I asked your. Disciples to cast it out. 333 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:43,640 And they were not able. And he answered them. 334 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:46,800 Oh, faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? 335 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:50,320 How long am I to bear with you? Bring the boy to me. 336 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:53,480 And they brought the boy to him. And when the Spirit saw him, 337 00:17:53,480 --> 00:17:56,640 immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground 338 00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:58,280 and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 339 00:17:58,280 --> 00:18:04,000 And Jesus asked his Father, how long has this been happening to 340 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:05,800 him? Isn't that interesting? 341 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:09,680 Jesus rolls up. He finds his disciples. 342 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:11,640 Arguing. Hey, what are you guys? 343 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:17,760 Arguing about and then in place of the argument, a person stands 344 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:22,560 forth, there's an interruption, and rather than treating the 345 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:26,280 person like an interruption. Jesus, like Jesus, always does 346 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:27,960 in the. Book of Mark treats him like a 347 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:30,640 person. Man steps forward, he says. 348 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:33,880 My child's possessed by a demon. And your disciples can't. 349 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:35,720 Heal him. And here's the kicker. 350 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:42,160 It's been happening to this boy for his entire life, since 351 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:45,520 childhood. Since. 352 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:49,320 Childhood Wait, let me let me plead with you for just a. 353 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:51,800 Moment, I know that. This is just this. 354 00:18:51,800 --> 00:18:56,720 Character is just ink on a page to us, but try to. 355 00:18:56,720 --> 00:18:59,640 Humanize this. Dad for just a second, being a 356 00:18:59,640 --> 00:19:03,800 parent's Hard Super. Rewarding. 357 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:07,600 Super hard being a. Parent is hard when your kids 358 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:13,360 won't share their. Toys being a parent's hard. 359 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:17,880 When bedtime goes 25 minutes late. 360 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:22,360 That's. Legitimately hard and. 361 00:19:22,360 --> 00:19:27,400 Here this boy probably has. Burn marks on him. 362 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:30,800 He's been seized by a. Demon that makes his mouth foam 363 00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:33,040 and. Grind his teeth, and his father 364 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:36,840 has had to watch this. Happen forever, helplessly. 365 00:19:37,360 --> 00:19:39,600 And so I want you to see this, Dad, because I want you to see 366 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:41,920 that this is not just. A college student with parents 367 00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:45,400 paying for his tuition, Who's on fire for Jesus and. 368 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:48,080 Faith just comes easily. For him, because he's just 369 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:49,440 surrounded by roommates who love. 370 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:55,760 Jesus this is. A dad who is tired, exhausted 371 00:19:56,120 --> 00:20:01,160 and burnt out. And what does faith? 372 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:11,320 What does Faith even look like for a tired, exhausted, burnt 373 00:20:11,320 --> 00:20:16,440 out dad? Here's what it doesn't. 374 00:20:16,560 --> 00:20:22,080 Look like verse 21. Jesus asked the Father how long 375 00:20:22,080 --> 00:20:25,800 has this been happening to him? And, he said from childhood it 376 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:28,680 has often cast him into the fire and water to destroy. 377 00:20:28,680 --> 00:20:35,120 Him. But if you can do anything. 378 00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:41,640 If you're like. The other healing magicians who 379 00:20:41,640 --> 00:20:47,080 are pagans and work with mysteries if you can do anything 380 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:49,560 have. Compassion on us and help us and 381 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:55,120 Jesus said if you. Can all things are possible for 382 00:20:55,120 --> 00:20:57,400 the one who believes? Are you guys in this story with 383 00:20:57,400 --> 00:21:02,360 me still? So the reason why I say this is 384 00:21:02,360 --> 00:21:04,640 not what faith? Looks like for an exhausted, 385 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:07,440 burnt out dad is because apparently the phrase. 386 00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:12,320 If you can, gets underneath. Jesus's skin, which is rare. 387 00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:13,920 There's not a lot of things that get underneath. 388 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:15,480 Jesus. 'S skin, but this phrase does. 389 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:18,240 I think there's probably some historical reasons for why this 390 00:21:18,240 --> 00:21:20,240 is. I can't prove this, but I do 391 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:22,760 think this dad is treating Jesus as just. 392 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:25,920 Another Pagan, Healer, or Mystic. 393 00:21:26,880 --> 00:21:29,200 So I think maybe. That might be going on, but for 394 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:31,640 sure in the text. Here's here's what we do. 395 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:34,360 See. This is not somebody with. 396 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:38,320 Authentic belief who just happens to be struggling with on 397 00:21:38,320 --> 00:21:41,560 belief, because as we'll. See, in just a nano moment, 398 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:45,120 Jesus has boundless. Compassion towards those of us 399 00:21:45,280 --> 00:21:47,480 who have belief but are struggling with unbelief. 400 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:49,640 And so that's not what this is. At verse 22. 401 00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:55,160 This is unbelief. And this is not a. 402 00:21:55,160 --> 00:21:59,640 Criticism of this dad. I I get it right. 403 00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:03,360 I I almost have a breakdown when my kids don't eat their food. 404 00:22:03,360 --> 00:22:06,120 I I get it How hard it is to be a dad, right? 405 00:22:06,120 --> 00:22:09,000 This isn't a criticism. I'm just calling a spade a 406 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:10,760 spade. Right. 407 00:22:10,760 --> 00:22:14,240 And no, no matter what the circumstances are, what we're 408 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:15,960 looking at right here is on belief. 409 00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:19,320 And we know this because of the word can. 410 00:22:20,640 --> 00:22:25,720 He doesn't trust that Jesus. Can heal his son. 411 00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:31,360 Which is to say, he doesn't know who Jesus is, which at the most 412 00:22:31,360 --> 00:22:34,800 fundamental level is what faith is, a knowledge of who. 413 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:38,480 Jesus is and a trust in Him. He's the one through whom? 414 00:22:38,480 --> 00:22:43,400 All things are possible, and yet Jesus in his boundless kindness. 415 00:22:43,600 --> 00:22:48,840 Rather than leaving him, draws him deeper by filling him with 416 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:50,400 the truth. If you can. 417 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:54,800 Brother, all things are possible for the one who believes. 418 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:58,160 In me and apparently this. Truth does it. 419 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:02,160 Just does it, bro. Because here's. 420 00:23:02,360 --> 00:23:05,720 A dad who's got you know, this jabroni has some. 421 00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:09,680 Dark circles under his eyes. You know he's got some wrinkles 422 00:23:09,680 --> 00:23:12,200 on his forehead. You know he's. 423 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:17,040 Looking haggard right now it's. Been a long time since he's felt 424 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:20,600 some hope, but apparently this truth lights a spark in this 425 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:22,920 dad's eyes. It lights a fire under his rear 426 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:25,000 end. It ignites something deep within 427 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:27,120 him. Because here's a man for his 428 00:23:27,120 --> 00:23:31,480 child's whole life has seen his. Beloved child tormented by 429 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:32,960 demons. I mean can. 430 00:23:32,960 --> 00:23:36,640 You imagine how heavy gravity feels to. 431 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:39,200 This dad every time he. Wakes up in the middle. 432 00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:41,440 Of the night. And his son is gripped. 433 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:47,040 By another seizure man. What does faith even look? 434 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:51,400 Like for a tired, exhausted burnout dad. 435 00:23:54,360 --> 00:23:56,720 Verse 24. Here's what it looks like 436 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:00,960 immediately when the father of the child. 437 00:24:00,960 --> 00:24:04,440 Hears Jesus say this, he cries out and said. 438 00:24:04,600 --> 00:24:11,600 I, I believe, help my unbelief. That's what it looks like. 439 00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:20,440 Unbeliever no more, he says. Five of the most beautiful words 440 00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:25,520 in Scripture, I believe help my unbelief. 441 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:27,040 So it's radically. Different. 442 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:31,840 This is authentic belief that is now just. 443 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:34,240 Struggling with some unbelief and we know. 444 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:36,760 This because of how Jesus. Responds to this confession. 445 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:40,480 He doesn't respond by saying sorry, it's got to be uncut. 446 00:24:41,160 --> 00:24:43,760 Sorry, it's got to be. 100% pure. 447 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:48,800 With No struggle mixed again. Shake the magic 8 ball again. 448 00:24:48,840 --> 00:24:51,840 No. How's Jesus respond? 449 00:24:54,280 --> 00:24:56,040 Look at the text. He heals. 450 00:24:56,040 --> 00:24:58,560 His son, verse 25. And when Jesus saw that, the 451 00:24:58,560 --> 00:24:59,760 crowd. Came running together. 452 00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:03,480 He rebuked the unclean spirit and said, Get out, you mutant. 453 00:25:03,480 --> 00:25:06,400 Deaf spirit, I command you. Come out of him and never enter 454 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:10,080 him again and it works. After crying out and convulsing 455 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:12,760 him terribly, the spirit came out and the boy was like a 456 00:25:12,760 --> 00:25:15,280 corpse. So that most of them said he's 457 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:18,400 dead, but Jesus. Took him by the hand, lifted him 458 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:19,880 up. And he arose. 459 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:23,240 And when he entered the house, his disciples asked him 460 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:26,280 privately, why couldn't we do it? 461 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:31,640 Why couldn't we do that? Why could we not cast it out 462 00:25:32,120 --> 00:25:34,040 and? Jesus said to them this. 463 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:38,960 Kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer. 464 00:25:41,160 --> 00:25:48,080 And then the story ends. And to be frank with you, I 465 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:50,360 don't know what to make of that final verse. 466 00:25:50,360 --> 00:25:52,440 Not because I didn't study it, I did. 467 00:25:52,760 --> 00:25:55,120 There's just a lot of thoughts about what people think with 468 00:25:55,120 --> 00:25:57,960 that final verse. This kind cannot be driven out 469 00:25:57,960 --> 00:26:01,960 by anything but prayer. And I'm not positive what it 470 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:04,160 means. But I don't think it means and 471 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:05,640 I'm open to being wrong about this. 472 00:26:06,240 --> 00:26:08,440 But I don't think it means that there's like different types of. 473 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:11,080 Demons that require different strategies. 474 00:26:11,320 --> 00:26:13,160 Right, because I don't think there's any kinds. 475 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:15,520 Of demons that can be driven out without prayer. 476 00:26:17,040 --> 00:26:18,880 And So what? I think Jesus is saying this 477 00:26:18,880 --> 00:26:21,920 kind of. Thing, as in all demon 478 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:24,680 possessions, cannot be driven out by anything but prayer. 479 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:26,960 So I think what Jesus is saying, it looks confusing on the 480 00:26:26,960 --> 00:26:28,000 surface. I actually think he's just 481 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:29,480 saying. Something that's super simple, 482 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:31,000 right? He's saying you can't do the 483 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:32,640 work of God. Without the power of God and. 484 00:26:35,120 --> 00:26:37,360 Apparently, that's why the disciples. 485 00:26:37,360 --> 00:26:40,000 Couldn't drive out this. Demon they were attempting. 486 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:45,000 It in their own strength, which you never do right apart from 487 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:47,040 the power of God. But you can't do the. 488 00:26:47,040 --> 00:26:54,080 Work of God without the power of God without prayer, which raises 489 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:55,760 an interesting textual question though. 490 00:26:58,080 --> 00:26:59,600 I don't know if you saw this in the story. 491 00:27:01,520 --> 00:27:08,720 But the demon came out. Right, but Jesus said this 492 00:27:08,720 --> 00:27:10,160 demon. Cannot be driven out. 493 00:27:10,840 --> 00:27:12,480 With anything besides. Prayer. 494 00:27:15,040 --> 00:27:21,160 So where's the prayer? The the. 495 00:27:21,160 --> 00:27:24,080 Disciples didn't lift up their gaze and say a prayer. 496 00:27:26,520 --> 00:27:29,080 Nobody bows. Their head folds. 497 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:32,920 Their hands and says. Our Father who art in heaven. 498 00:27:34,080 --> 00:27:37,080 We now exorcise this demon. So where's the prayer? 499 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:43,600 It's there. We just passed over it too 500 00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:50,280 quickly. The prayer was verse 24, I 501 00:27:50,280 --> 00:27:56,840 believe help my unbelief. That's the prayer that was. 502 00:27:56,840 --> 00:28:01,360 Necessary for the exorcism. And let's take it out of its. 503 00:28:01,360 --> 00:28:03,760 Context a little bit here. That's the prayer that's 504 00:28:03,760 --> 00:28:10,360 necessary for every square inch of your life to, I believe, help 505 00:28:10,680 --> 00:28:13,280 my on belief. Again, that's different than 506 00:28:13,280 --> 00:28:15,800 verse 22 when he says if you can. 507 00:28:16,600 --> 00:28:22,120 And here's how doubt in whether or not Jesus can do this or can 508 00:28:22,120 --> 00:28:24,680 do that. Is ultimately a doubt. 509 00:28:24,680 --> 00:28:26,600 In the divine identity of. Jesus. 510 00:28:27,360 --> 00:28:30,920 It's a doubt that questions his work, whether his work on the 511 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:33,880 cross was sufficient for the forgiveness of sins. 512 00:28:33,880 --> 00:28:36,120 It's a doubt that questions. His sufficiency. 513 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:38,160 Whether or not he. Really has the. 514 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:40,920 Power to accomplish his will. And it's a doubt. 515 00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:43,680 That ultimately questions Jesus himself. 516 00:28:43,680 --> 00:28:45,120 And that's. What the Bible would call 517 00:28:45,120 --> 00:28:49,520 unbelief, but when? The dad says 2 verses. 518 00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:54,800 Later, I believe help my own belief He's no longer doubting 519 00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:59,680 Jesus. So like however you interpret 520 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:04,320 these 5 words, don't confuse these 5 words with this man 521 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:07,680 saying I mean I. Kind of believe in Jesus as my 522 00:29:07,680 --> 00:29:14,000 savior. Hedging my bets, I'm 5050 on it, 523 00:29:14,760 --> 00:29:16,680 right? I kind of believe Jesus is my 524 00:29:16,680 --> 00:29:18,560 savior, but I also kind of. Sort of. 525 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:21,640 Believe it might be personal enlightenment or my own. 526 00:29:21,640 --> 00:29:23,800 Works. Based righteousness or or or 527 00:29:23,800 --> 00:29:24,480 whatever. It is. 528 00:29:24,480 --> 00:29:25,880 That's not what he's doing this, Dad, is. 529 00:29:25,880 --> 00:29:28,280 No longer. He's no longer the man. 530 00:29:28,280 --> 00:29:30,840 He was in verse 22. He's a new creation. 531 00:29:31,520 --> 00:29:33,360 He's a different. Man in verse 24. 532 00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:38,360 So when he says I. Believe what he believes in. 533 00:29:38,400 --> 00:29:44,400 Is Jesus Christ and when he says help my own belief what he means 534 00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:49,040 is he's struggling. With believing that Jesus will 535 00:29:49,040 --> 00:29:50,360 do the thing that he. Asked. 536 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:54,080 Not that Jesus can. Do the thing that he asked. 537 00:29:55,440 --> 00:29:58,920 But that Jesus will he. He has saving faith, right? 538 00:29:58,920 --> 00:30:04,040 I believe in you, Jesus. But that's mixed with like this 539 00:30:04,160 --> 00:30:07,040 circumstantial, everyday sort of unbelief. 540 00:30:07,040 --> 00:30:09,920 That pops up like I believe in Jesus. 541 00:30:11,440 --> 00:30:13,800 But I don't know if I'm praying for the right thing. 542 00:30:13,800 --> 00:30:17,720 Right now. So I I don't know if you will do 543 00:30:17,720 --> 00:30:18,960 this thing. He's praying. 544 00:30:18,960 --> 00:30:21,960 I. Believe you can, but help my own 545 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:22,920 belief. That you? 546 00:30:22,920 --> 00:30:24,240 Will. Does that make sense? 547 00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:31,440 Good because. If you're awake, then there's 548 00:30:31,440 --> 00:30:35,040 rarely a day that goes by where you don't feel those 5 words in 549 00:30:35,040 --> 00:30:39,760 your heart. I I believe Help. 550 00:30:39,760 --> 00:30:44,400 My own belief. Rarely a day where you don't 551 00:30:44,400 --> 00:30:48,720 feel that. And not only does. 552 00:30:48,720 --> 00:30:52,360 Rarely a day go by where you don't feel that it's pretty much 553 00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:56,560 in every domain of your life, right? 554 00:30:56,560 --> 00:31:00,040 Like, for example, I started writing out how this prayer 555 00:31:00,040 --> 00:31:03,000 works itself out through my life and my domains of life. 556 00:31:03,280 --> 00:31:05,720 It turns out we don't have time for me to go through all those. 557 00:31:06,200 --> 00:31:09,080 But I'll give you 3, OK? Here's how these 5 words. 558 00:31:09,080 --> 00:31:12,040 Impact a couple key domains of my life. 559 00:31:12,360 --> 00:31:17,600 As a dad, Jesus I. Believe that you can save my 560 00:31:17,600 --> 00:31:21,400 kids and regenerate their hearts and make them into. 561 00:31:21,400 --> 00:31:25,000 Lovers of Jesus. But help my own. 562 00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:27,240 Belief When I? Look at the failures in my own 563 00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:29,400 parenting and wonder what's going to become of it. 564 00:31:30,440 --> 00:31:37,400 I believe help my own belief. As a leader, I believe you. 565 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:42,520 Can grow our church and move our mission forward, but help my own 566 00:31:42,520 --> 00:31:44,360 belief. When I read all the literature 567 00:31:44,360 --> 00:31:47,360 about America trending away from Christianity and churches 568 00:31:47,360 --> 00:31:51,240 closing their doors, I believe help my own belief. 569 00:31:52,240 --> 00:31:56,040 It's everywhere in my life. As a preacher. 570 00:31:57,480 --> 00:32:00,520 I believe that you. Use your words to save. 571 00:32:00,520 --> 00:32:03,880 People and convict people and transform people, but help my 572 00:32:03,880 --> 00:32:05,920 own belief. Because sometimes it just sounds 573 00:32:05,920 --> 00:32:07,880 like it just. Feels like I'm shouting into a 574 00:32:07,880 --> 00:32:11,480 void up here and I can never find the right words to 575 00:32:11,480 --> 00:32:14,040 encourage people in Jesus, so I believe that you. 576 00:32:14,040 --> 00:32:16,040 Can use this Lord, but help my own. 577 00:32:16,040 --> 00:32:19,360 Belief that you will. Use it I mean. 578 00:32:20,280 --> 00:32:22,880 It's just impossible to walk away from this verse without 579 00:32:22,880 --> 00:32:32,240 saying wow belief in. Jesus is compatible with doubt 580 00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:39,760 in some circumstances, right? Like, let me just. 581 00:32:39,760 --> 00:32:46,440 Vent for a minute. About breakfast food I. 582 00:32:46,440 --> 00:32:52,400 Can't be the only one here who wrestles with this, but it's so 583 00:32:52,400 --> 00:32:53,640 hard. Sometimes. 584 00:32:54,720 --> 00:32:59,360 To get all the butter in all the little squares in the waffle. 585 00:33:02,360 --> 00:33:04,520 Right. I mean, I can't be the only one 586 00:33:04,520 --> 00:33:05,560 who. Struggles with this. 587 00:33:05,560 --> 00:33:06,720 I don't know how it works with the. 588 00:33:07,240 --> 00:33:10,480 I take out a. Gob of butter that's sufficient 589 00:33:10,480 --> 00:33:15,080 for like 4 waffles and I spread it on and I look at. 590 00:33:15,080 --> 00:33:19,400 It and I'm like that hit 4. Pockets and the other 40 squares 591 00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:25,360 are barren. I feel like and I feel like. 592 00:33:26,640 --> 00:33:30,280 This personal confession. Unless I fill every square with 593 00:33:30,280 --> 00:33:36,680 butter, I'm a failure, right? And too often, guys, we. 594 00:33:36,680 --> 00:33:39,680 Think of our hearts like a pancake. 595 00:33:40,200 --> 00:33:41,720 Right. With a pancake, you pour syrup 596 00:33:41,720 --> 00:33:46,600 on that sucker it effortless. Spreads across every square inch 597 00:33:46,600 --> 00:33:49,640 of the pancake momentarily. That's not. 598 00:33:49,640 --> 00:33:52,760 What your heart is like Your heart's not like a pancake. 599 00:33:52,760 --> 00:33:56,840 Your heart is like a waffle. Pour syrup into a waffle and 600 00:33:56,840 --> 00:33:58,120 there are still. All these. 601 00:33:58,120 --> 00:34:04,920 Pockets that need what syrup? But you got the syrup. 602 00:34:06,080 --> 00:34:10,520 It's genuine syrup. It's saving syrup. 603 00:34:13,080 --> 00:34:17,400 There's just pockets. That you need to push it into 604 00:34:17,880 --> 00:34:20,400 getting syrup into all the pockets of the waffle. 605 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:27,000 Is a lifetime project. And getting the gospel into all 606 00:34:27,000 --> 00:34:30,080 the pockets of your heart? It's a lifetime project. 607 00:34:30,080 --> 00:34:31,840 It's. Just going to be these. 608 00:34:31,840 --> 00:34:35,520 Pockets you need to. Press them into parenting and 609 00:34:35,520 --> 00:34:37,400 singleness and. Relationships. 610 00:34:37,400 --> 00:34:40,560 And work and vocation and. It's not that you don't got the 611 00:34:40,560 --> 00:34:44,760 syrup, you got the syrup. It's just through these pockets. 612 00:34:44,760 --> 00:34:47,360 Man, you need. The church and people and 613 00:34:47,360 --> 00:34:50,360 preaching and singing and. The Bible. 614 00:34:50,360 --> 00:34:54,400 And with the Spirit of God, you can really believe in Jesus. 615 00:34:54,400 --> 00:34:57,400 Like, really? And after you've endured your 616 00:34:57,400 --> 00:35:00,120 child's entire childhood, watching him being tormented by 617 00:35:00,120 --> 00:35:02,560 demons, you can still struggle to believe that. 618 00:35:03,200 --> 00:35:05,680 I believe in you, Jesus. But I'm not sure anything's ever 619 00:35:05,680 --> 00:35:08,360 going to change but the beautiful. 620 00:35:08,360 --> 00:35:13,040 Thing is that even though. This dad experiences unbelief. 621 00:35:14,840 --> 00:35:19,280 He ultimately acts on his faith. Not as doubt. 622 00:35:21,200 --> 00:35:22,920 Doubt is. So natural. 623 00:35:24,320 --> 00:35:29,120 But when doubt and faith are at war in your heart, act on your 624 00:35:29,120 --> 00:35:31,800 faith. Because this I think. 625 00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:33,320 This is a word that we need to hear. 626 00:35:34,400 --> 00:35:35,920 Because no one else is going to tell us this. 627 00:35:36,680 --> 00:35:39,720 The culture always tells us to doubt our faith, and certainly 628 00:35:39,720 --> 00:35:41,760 there are times where we need to question what we believe and 629 00:35:41,760 --> 00:35:43,960 whether or not it's biblical. But you know what? 630 00:35:43,960 --> 00:35:47,720 The world, the culture, is never going to tell us to doubt or 631 00:35:47,720 --> 00:35:51,240 doubt. So you need to learn the. 632 00:35:51,240 --> 00:35:55,600 Skill of doubting your doubt. Especially in the brave new 633 00:35:55,600 --> 00:35:58,560 world that we live in, we need to learn the skill of doubting 634 00:35:58,560 --> 00:36:00,080 our doubt, like when you experience. 635 00:36:00,080 --> 00:36:03,120 Doubt it's a. Totally natural thing, but do 636 00:36:03,120 --> 00:36:05,720 this. Do this. 637 00:36:05,880 --> 00:36:08,160 Oh wow, that was a weird thought. 638 00:36:09,280 --> 00:36:11,640 I've lived most of my life. As a Christian and did I just 639 00:36:11,640 --> 00:36:13,720 doubt the existence of God in my head? 640 00:36:14,680 --> 00:36:18,720 That's a new thought. What if rather than acting out 641 00:36:18,720 --> 00:36:22,160 on that right now? Doing a big Facebook post. 642 00:36:23,280 --> 00:36:26,200 Rather than just doubting my faith, what if I applied the 643 00:36:26,200 --> 00:36:28,400 same intellectual vigor that I applied to my? 644 00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:30,960 Faith to my doubt. What if I doubted my doubt? 645 00:36:31,320 --> 00:36:33,520 Maybe what if I? That thought that crossed my. 646 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:36,080 Head that doubt. What if that was not because I 647 00:36:36,080 --> 00:36:38,040 spontaneously? Just became the first human 648 00:36:38,040 --> 00:36:39,840 being to intellectually disprove the Trinity. 649 00:36:42,440 --> 00:36:44,680 What if it's just because I missed lunch and I'm hangry? 650 00:36:46,480 --> 00:36:49,080 Or maybe it the? The doubt stays longer. 651 00:36:49,880 --> 00:36:51,560 Right. It's not just a passing thing, 652 00:36:51,560 --> 00:36:53,840 but it starts to. Rent from the apartment, right. 653 00:36:54,760 --> 00:36:57,480 And so maybe you need to drill in a little bit deeper. 654 00:36:57,480 --> 00:37:01,720 Maybe I experienced that doubt because I'm wounded. 655 00:37:02,880 --> 00:37:06,720 Or I'm hurt, or I didn't get something I wanted. 656 00:37:07,200 --> 00:37:10,360 And when I don't feel like I get things I want, I lash. 657 00:37:10,360 --> 00:37:12,680 Out. And whenever a person lashes 658 00:37:12,680 --> 00:37:14,920 out, they always lash out at those closest. 659 00:37:14,920 --> 00:37:18,280 To them, and in my case that's God, and so maybe this is less 660 00:37:18,280 --> 00:37:19,680 an. Intellectual doubt. 661 00:37:19,920 --> 00:37:23,440 And maybe I'm just lashing out at God right now and I just need 662 00:37:23,440 --> 00:37:25,640 to be with. Jesus, and let this doubt. 663 00:37:25,640 --> 00:37:27,800 Pass. Examine your doubt. 664 00:37:28,920 --> 00:37:31,880 Is it? Is it just a selfish? 665 00:37:31,880 --> 00:37:34,240 Impulse manifesting itself through you. 666 00:37:35,440 --> 00:37:37,800 Could it be a? Tool in the hand. 667 00:37:37,800 --> 00:37:40,200 Of God that just jolt you into deeper relationship. 668 00:37:40,200 --> 00:37:43,240 With it, with him. Whatever it is, learn to doubt 669 00:37:43,240 --> 00:37:46,440 your doubt. Jesus, I believe help my 670 00:37:46,480 --> 00:37:47,680 unbelief. That's how you do it. 671 00:37:49,280 --> 00:37:52,400 I believe help my unbelief that's how you doubt your doubt 672 00:37:52,440 --> 00:37:53,480 with. Jesus. 673 00:37:54,080 --> 00:37:57,200 Not without. Jesus, that's what this man. 674 00:37:57,200 --> 00:38:02,080 Does and it works, and then the story ends. 675 00:38:03,600 --> 00:38:06,920 And strangely enough. When we come to the. 676 00:38:06,920 --> 00:38:10,600 End of our text this morning. I find this odd. 677 00:38:11,560 --> 00:38:14,320 The story ends, and we never know what the disciples were 678 00:38:14,320 --> 00:38:16,480 arguing about with the religious leaders. 679 00:38:17,480 --> 00:38:20,080 It's how the story starts, you would think. 680 00:38:20,080 --> 00:38:22,520 That that argument. Would come to a conclusion. 681 00:38:23,440 --> 00:38:25,320 Maybe they were arguing. About the law of God. 682 00:38:26,520 --> 00:38:28,360 Maybe they were arguing about the identity of. 683 00:38:28,400 --> 00:38:30,960 Jesus, it could be about why the disciples. 684 00:38:30,960 --> 00:38:34,200 Couldn't cast out the demons, but ultimately the text doesn't 685 00:38:34,200 --> 00:38:36,920 tell us. We don't know what they were 686 00:38:36,920 --> 00:38:40,520 arguing about. So we can have some guesses, but 687 00:38:40,520 --> 00:38:43,080 those are just guesses, and so I think it's. 688 00:38:43,080 --> 00:38:46,840 Strange that Mark ends the story without telling us what the 689 00:38:46,840 --> 00:38:49,440 argument was even about. Why do you think that is? 690 00:38:52,400 --> 00:38:56,120 I'll take a crack at it. There I am. 691 00:38:57,240 --> 00:39:00,360 My senior year. Of college, Dirty dishes all 692 00:39:00,360 --> 00:39:04,000 around me. Piles of dirty clothes in a 693 00:39:04,000 --> 00:39:06,640 duplex in the midst of a Bible study. 694 00:39:07,240 --> 00:39:08,920 And I find myself in the midst of an. 695 00:39:08,920 --> 00:39:11,440 Argument. And that argument continues to 696 00:39:11,440 --> 00:39:13,480 go on and on and on and on and on. 697 00:39:13,880 --> 00:39:16,240 Neither person. Gaining ground neither person 698 00:39:16,240 --> 00:39:19,520 listening to the other and it spirals to the point where the 699 00:39:19,520 --> 00:39:22,600 only way I snap out of the hypnosis is in the middle. 700 00:39:22,600 --> 00:39:24,160 Of the conversation, my friend says. 701 00:39:25,040 --> 00:39:27,640 What are you yelling about, Cole? 702 00:39:28,960 --> 00:39:30,800 And it strikes me in that moment I'm. 703 00:39:30,800 --> 00:39:33,360 Yelling. And granted, it's been a few 704 00:39:33,360 --> 00:39:37,200 years since that argument. Apparently whatever I was 705 00:39:37,200 --> 00:39:39,760 arguing about seemed important enough for me at the time to be 706 00:39:39,760 --> 00:39:43,080 yelling about. And here's the the weird thing, 707 00:39:43,200 --> 00:39:45,880 I remember the person I was arguing with. 708 00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:52,240 I remember him really well. Tyler just a sweetheart of a 709 00:39:52,240 --> 00:39:54,280 bro. Solid. 710 00:39:54,280 --> 00:40:00,120 Dude passionate, passionate advocate for disability 711 00:40:00,120 --> 00:40:02,800 awareness. He had cerebral palsy. 712 00:40:03,320 --> 00:40:06,920 He was funny as heck. Fun to spend time with and he 713 00:40:06,920 --> 00:40:09,800 tragically died a few years ago crossing the road on his 714 00:40:09,800 --> 00:40:14,720 wheelchair in Cedar Falls. I loved Tyler and he rolled. 715 00:40:14,720 --> 00:40:19,200 His eyes at me and said Oh. Cole more than anybody, which is 716 00:40:19,200 --> 00:40:23,120 saying a lot. So I love my relationship with 717 00:40:23,120 --> 00:40:26,000 him, so I remember the person. Really. 718 00:40:26,000 --> 00:40:28,440 Well, in fact, when I was prepping the sermon, I went back 719 00:40:28,440 --> 00:40:31,520 to his Facebook and. Looked at our messages and back 720 00:40:31,520 --> 00:40:35,240 and forths that we had before he passed away, and there he. 721 00:40:35,240 --> 00:40:38,920 Was in my inbox. Just being Tyler and just being 722 00:40:38,920 --> 00:40:42,200 super encouraging. Like, dude, I always knew you'd 723 00:40:42,200 --> 00:40:44,320 be a church. Planner We didn't always agree 724 00:40:44,320 --> 00:40:46,840 on things like you always had a way. 725 00:40:46,840 --> 00:40:49,280 Just. Being super encouraging. 726 00:40:49,280 --> 00:40:53,240 So I remember the person really well, but do you want to know 727 00:40:53,240 --> 00:40:55,200 what we were arguing about that night? 728 00:40:59,280 --> 00:41:04,280 Because I can't even remember. I don't even. 729 00:41:04,280 --> 00:41:12,240 Remember I remember the person though, and so maybe. 730 00:41:12,240 --> 00:41:14,200 That's a lesson for us this morning. 731 00:41:15,600 --> 00:41:20,840 Don't be argumentative. Be like Jesus because in the 732 00:41:20,840 --> 00:41:22,960 middle. Of a world arguing about who 733 00:41:22,960 --> 00:41:30,120 knows what, There's often an exhausted, stressed out, burnt 734 00:41:30,120 --> 00:41:33,760 out person with dark circles under their eyes who needs you 735 00:41:34,320 --> 00:41:37,440 to fight for their faith rather than just? 736 00:41:37,440 --> 00:41:42,760 Arguing so be like Jesus. And win the person. 737 00:41:44,080 --> 00:41:47,000 Sound good. Heavenly Father, thank you for 738 00:41:47,000 --> 00:41:49,040 the. Goodness of your word, I pray 739 00:41:49,040 --> 00:41:51,560 that you would use it to. Bring us to faith in Jesus to 740 00:41:51,560 --> 00:41:53,840 equip us. To encourage us. 741 00:41:53,840 --> 00:41:57,520 If we need rebuke, I pray that we would receive that as a gift 742 00:41:57,520 --> 00:41:59,880 from the loving hand of God. And I pray that you would make 743 00:41:59,880 --> 00:42:03,400 us tender. People who fight for the truth 744 00:42:03,400 --> 00:42:08,080 but are not argumentative, who care about deep doctrine about 745 00:42:08,280 --> 00:42:10,560 Jesus. But we're not just people who 746 00:42:10,560 --> 00:42:13,760 want to win arguments. We're people who want to win 747 00:42:13,760 --> 00:42:18,040 people to Jesus. So we believe. 748 00:42:18,680 --> 00:42:22,840 But Lord, help our unbelief. Amen.