Help Me

I. Introduction: While living on this earth, Jesus encountered two individuals whose condition was pitiful and could not be made whole if Jesus did not intervene. They both wanted His mercy and His help. One questioned if Jesus could help him, the other wondered if Jesus was willing to help him. Their stories should touch us and teach us for they reveal God’s compassion for man’s misery.

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Mark 9:14-27

II. “If you can”

A. Mark 9:14-27

B. If He can?

C. He is the one who raised the dead, walked on the sea, turned water into wine, and fed thousands with a small amount of food—He has the power.

D. Why did the father have a difficult time believing?

E. His son has been abused by this demon since he was a child. He probably has cried to God many times for his son’s deliverance.

F. The man hoped for his son’s healing but expressed some doubt that it could really be accomplished.

G. We sometimes pray for things with the thought in the back of our minds that God cannot really do anything about our problem. James 1:5-8 – ask without doubting

H. Sometimes we must ask “help my unbelief” or as the apostles once asked “increase our faith.”

I. Even small faith (mustard seed) is powerful There are many challenges to faith yet if we can hold onto the smallest grain of faith we can stand up to great challenges.

J. Jesus did have the power commanded the demon to leave the boy.

K. Jesus still has power

L. Ephesians 1:21 – He is “far above all principality and power and might and dominion” Hebrews 4:14-16 – Power to help in a time of need

M. Hebrews 7:24-25 – Power to save to the uttermost

N. Isaiah 59:1 – Our sins separate us from Him He can save us but He will not force us to be saved. We must call to Him for salvation—for freedom from Satan’s grasp.

III. “If you are willing”

A. Mark 1:41-45

B. A leper came to Jesus in Galilee desiring to be cleansed

C. He was totally helpless as he saw the leprosy gradually take over his body and pitiable; no one could visit with him w/o being unclean. Cast out from society – no greeting of embrace, covered beard with mantle, bareheaded, discolored ripped garments; had to cry unclean when approached (self-shame and ostracism) Looking at his body, his skin dying and his hair white or yellowed from the progression of the disease , he knew that there was no natural cure to cleanse his body and allow him to rejoin society—hopeless situation.

D. Society looked down on him as unclean, perhaps punished by God but Jesus looked on him with compassion.

E. Jesus knew that he alone had the power to free the leper from his prison The leper knew Jesus had the power to heal him, but would He do it? With great humility, the leper asked if Jesus was willing to help Him. Jesus had compassion on this pitiful man and his situation.

F. Jesus reached out and touched the leper.

G. How long had it been since anyone touched him? No one could touch the leper else he would be unclean. Jesus touched him; a cleansed man because He healed him.

H. Jesus still looks on men with compassion and a willingness to help

I. Some have no faith in God and will ask him for nothing

J. James 4:2 – “You do not have because you do not ask”1 John 5:14-15 – God will answer us according to His will How tragic those who have access to God’s blessings but will not ask

K. Some do not ask God because they do not think that God cares to answer

L. Matthew 7:7-11 – ask your benevolent Father who hears prayers Matthew 10:29-31 – God takes care of lesser creatures and us

IV. The cry for help

A. Those who are not Christians are like the demon possessed boy, bound by Satan and unable to purchase their own freedom.

B. Those who are not Christians are like the leper, diseased with sins having no hope for a cure unable to live in God’s presence because of transgressions.

C. Jesus is the only deliverer who can free the sinner and heal his soul.

D. 2 Peter 3:9 – God is not willing that anyone perish Luke 13:5 – We must repent if we do not want to perish

E. Are you willing to humble yourself and turn from sin to serve the loving God?

F. Will you believe that Jesus is God’s Son and confess it before us? Will you repent of your sins and be baptized so those sins can be washed away and the guilt of sin removed? Will you devote your life to Him and know His love, power, and wisdom?

G. Do we doubt God’s power—the God who spoke the worlds into existence?

H. Do we doubt God’s willingness—the God who gave His only Son to die so that we could be freed from Satan and cleansed of sin?

I. Don’t let your pride keeps you from asking for help. We cannot get help if we do not ask.

J. He can. He will. Will you let him help you this morning? Will you come up to me so I can baptize you to free you from sin and Satan? If so, come now while we stand and sing.