Mark 9:14-29

*There is a reference to Cranmer, you will find a short telling of that story HERE.

Mark 9:14-29

1. Let us learn how dependent Christ's disciples are on the company and help of their Master.
2. Let us learn how early in life we are liable to be injured by Satan.
3. Let us learn how faith and unbelief can be mixed together in the same heart.
4. Let us mark the complete dominion which our Lord exercises over Satan and all his agents.

"The contrast, we must all feel, is very great. Yet it is but a faint emblem of the change of scene that Jesus voluntarily undertook to witness, when He first laid aside His glory and came into the world. And it is after all a vivid picture of the life of all true Christians. With them, as with their Master, work, conflict, and scenes of weakness and sorrow will always be the rule. With them too, visions of glory, foretastes of heaven, seasons on the mount, will always be the exception."

"Let us strive to realize every day our need of the grace and presence of Christ. With Him we may do all things. Without Him we can do nothing at all. With Him we may overcome the greatest temptations. Without Him the least may overcome us."

"If young hearts can be filled by Satan, they can also be filled with the Spirit of God."

"It is of the utmost importance to our comfort to know, that a true believer may be known by his inward warfare, as well as by his inward peace."

Questions:

1. Are we daily aware of our need for Christ and His grace? Do we really believe that without Christ the only thing we can do is nothing?

2. Parents, are we diligent to use every means to point our children to Jesus and pray for them, even while they are very young?

3. Do we struggle with sin and doubt and unbelief? Does it surprise us to hear that this inward warfare against these foes is actually proof of truly believing?

4. Do we find great comfort in the fact that Jesus is for us and is able to save us to the uttermost, that in His hands we are safe?