They Could Not Help Him
Donald Cantrell
Mark 9:14-29
I - The Lack that is Pointedly Marked (14 - 18b)
II - The Lashing that is Painfully Magnified (19)
III - The Lord that is Powerfully Mentioned (20 - 27)
IV - The Lesson that is Plainly Manifested (28 - 29)
Theme: ''The disciples were powerless because they were prayerless''
This sermon contains a fully alliterated outline with sub-points.
Introduction:
MOST CHRISTIANS ARE POWERLESS by Gary Wilkerson
''Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required'' (Luke 12:48, ESV).
Most Christians are powerless. To some readers, this statement will sound bold and to others it will sound obvious. Either way, it is a commentary on the church I would rather not have to make.
Consider what ''normal'' Christianity in the typical believer looks like today. This person is a bit self-seeking and a little materialistic, and most of his daily choices are about improving his life. That includes his spiritual pursuits, from his church groups to the podcasts he downloads, to the seminars he attends.
There is nothing wrong with any of these things. Our Lord wants our lives to be blessed, but for some Christians these are nothing more than worldly pursuits. They are about self-improvement, not the kingdom of God, and they can drain a believer of true gospel power.
What passes for normal Christianity today must be an outrage to God. It is not only powerless; it is passionless, lacking self-sacrifice. In other words, it is cross-less-and therefore Christ-less.
The definition of ''normal'' is ''something that is normal is how you expect it to be, and is not unusual or surprising in any way''.
I am afraid the faithlessness and powerlessness may be the new normal in our churches. Look at the following information about decline in the Southern Baptist Convention:
Twenty years ago, a ''faithful church member'' was someone who attended three times a week (Sunday morning, Sunday night and ...
Donald Cantrell
Mark 9:14-29
I - The Lack that is Pointedly Marked (14 - 18b)
II - The Lashing that is Painfully Magnified (19)
III - The Lord that is Powerfully Mentioned (20 - 27)
IV - The Lesson that is Plainly Manifested (28 - 29)
Theme: ''The disciples were powerless because they were prayerless''
This sermon contains a fully alliterated outline with sub-points.
Introduction:
MOST CHRISTIANS ARE POWERLESS by Gary Wilkerson
''Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required'' (Luke 12:48, ESV).
Most Christians are powerless. To some readers, this statement will sound bold and to others it will sound obvious. Either way, it is a commentary on the church I would rather not have to make.
Consider what ''normal'' Christianity in the typical believer looks like today. This person is a bit self-seeking and a little materialistic, and most of his daily choices are about improving his life. That includes his spiritual pursuits, from his church groups to the podcasts he downloads, to the seminars he attends.
There is nothing wrong with any of these things. Our Lord wants our lives to be blessed, but for some Christians these are nothing more than worldly pursuits. They are about self-improvement, not the kingdom of God, and they can drain a believer of true gospel power.
What passes for normal Christianity today must be an outrage to God. It is not only powerless; it is passionless, lacking self-sacrifice. In other words, it is cross-less-and therefore Christ-less.
The definition of ''normal'' is ''something that is normal is how you expect it to be, and is not unusual or surprising in any way''.
I am afraid the faithlessness and powerlessness may be the new normal in our churches. Look at the following information about decline in the Southern Baptist Convention:
Twenty years ago, a ''faithful church member'' was someone who attended three times a week (Sunday morning, Sunday night and ...
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