SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Comforts - Jesus and a Hurting Dad - August 4, 2019
Video - It's all in the Bible 5 minute countdown
Prayers
Second Video at the end of message - Muscadine Bloodline - Go Rest High on That Mountain (Acoustic Cover)
INTRODUCTION
A leper - A heart that touches
A Centurian - A heart that marvels
The Samaritan woman at the well - A heart that accepts
The Two Daughters (bleeding and Jairus daughter) - A heart that cares
The Pharisee and the woman who anoints Jesus' feet - A heart that confronts
The Canaanite woman - A heart that reaches
The blind man - A heart that restores
Fathers take a bad rap today. Unfortunately often misperceptions still have an element of truth.
Father Knows Best, My Three Sons, Leave It to Beaver
Howard Cunningham from Happy Days, Archie Bunker from All in the Family
Homer Simpson to American Dad
Absent, irresponsible, knuckleheads
There are real fathers out there
Cinderella Man by Ron Howard
James J. Braddock, successful boxer lost everything in stock market crash of 1929
Critical moment when the heat is turned off in his cellar apartment, kids taken. He takes a trip to Madison Square Garden to the club and begs with hat in hand from the sports writers and boxing aficionados.
I. A MOMENT OF AWE
A. This chapter begins with a real mountaintop experience.
“And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.”
Mark 9:1-9 NIV
B. A story of a father's love to a dark tale off a father's love
II. A PAINFUL FAILURE
A. A failure that reflected poorly on Jesus
“When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.””
Mark 9:14-18 NIV
B. A failure following success
“Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.”
Mark 6:7 NIV
“They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.”
Mark 6:12-13 NIV
III. AN OVERLOOKED PAIN
““You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.””
Mark 9:19-22 NIV
A. Jesus first responds to the pain of the father
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
B. Jesus cares about those of us who love those who are hurting
IV. AN HONEST FAITH
“Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!””
Mark 9:21-24 NIV
A. "If you can" pseudo faith
B. A journey of faith
1. In verse 17, his desire is for Jesus to help the boy.
2. In verse 22, his request is for Jesus to help both himself and the boy.
3. In verse 24, his request is simply for Jesus to help him.
C. With faith all things are possible
Jesus did say, “Everything is possible for one who believes” in verse 23.
“When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.”
Mark 9:25-27 NIV
V. A FATHER'S STORY (CONCLUSION)
Field of Dreams
Catch
A. Jesus cared for the disciples by rescuing them from their failure.
B. Jesus cared for the father by reaching into his heart and pulling him from the shadows of his pain.
C. Jesus cared for the boy by rescuing him from his oppression.
D. The Eternity we hope for coming from our salvation in Jesus
John puts it this way in the Book of Revelation about our heavenly home.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.””
Revelation 21:3-5 NIV
Video - Muscadine Bloodline - Go Rest High on That Mountain (Acoustic Cover)
Frank E. Great, 1901
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth and song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
O yes, He cares-- I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
CHALLENGE
Comfort someone who is hurting because someone else is hurting.
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