Posted on by pastorkevinjud

I believe, Help my Unbelief

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Pentecost 17, 2024 Proper 19
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
September 15, 2024
Isaiah 50:4-10, James 3:1-12, Mark 9:14-29

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

            What is a disciple?  What is an apostle?  What do these terms mean?  In the Gospel of Mark the terms are pretty clear.  Disciple means follower.  Apostle means sent one.  The word “disciple” is used 42 times in the Gospel of Mark; the word “apostle” is only used twice.  The first in Mark 3:14–15 (ESV) 14 And [Jesus] appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons.”

            In the beginning of Mark 6 we read,  Mark 6:7 (ESV) 7 And [Jesus] called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.”  They return at the end of Mark 6.  Mark 6:30 (ESV) 30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.”

            The apostles were sent by Jesus with authority over unclean spirits and they returned and reported to Jesus.  They were sent on a mission and then the mission was finished. 

            Later, in Mark chapter 8 Jesus tells the disciples what is going to happen to Him, Mark 8:31 (ESV) 31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.”  This appears to be a big change in Jesus’ mission and the disciples are greatly troubled. 

            Six days later Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on a high mountain and He is transfigured before them and Elijah and Moses appear with Him and they are overshadowed by a cloud and the voice of God says, Mark 9:7 (ESV) 7 …“This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 

            While Jesus and the three disciples are up on a high mountain, what are the other nine up to?  As Jesus, Peter, James and John are coming down the mountain they see a large crowd gathered around the disciples and the scribes who are arguing.  Coming down the mountain to this scene of chaos conjures up memory of Moses coming down from Mt. Sinai with the 10 Commandments and hearing the chaotic sound of the gathered crowd worshiping the golden calf they built. 

            Jesus comes down from the Mount of Transfiguration to find His disciples arguing with the scribes and a whole crowd of people is gathered around.  What is going on?  It turns out that the disciples have been trying to drive an unclean spirit out of a boy but are unable to do it.  Perhaps the disciples are remembering all that they had done when Jesus gave them authority and sent them to drive out unclean spirits.  Maybe they are thinking that doing this in front of a crowd and the scribes will really show everyone the disciples’ power.  It will show everyone the disciples’ greatness.  But what happens?  Nothing happens.  The disciples are unable to drive out the unclean spirit.  This must cause incredible delight for the scribes who are looking to discredit Jesus and His followers.  Jesus has told the disciples that He will be rejected by the scribes.  You can almost hear their taunting, “What’s wrong?!  Is the demon too strong for you?  You work for the devil; you’d think he would cooperate. We knew it.  You all are just a bunch of phonies.”  Maybe they start to stir up the crowd to denounce the disciples or even attack them.  It appears that the disciples and the scribes are battling about who is the greatest? Who is the best?  They are caring not so much about God but, rather, about themselves. 

            There is great temptation to make being a Christian be all about yourself and who you are and what you do.  It can be all about how good you are, how dedicated you are at prayer, how much you read the Bible, how often you attend church, how much you serve, how much you give.  You tell yourself, “I may not be perfect, but I am doing a lot better than that other guy. I have my little pet sins, but I am not like those really bad people.”  It is a great temptation to make Christianity all about you.  But then it would not be Christianity it would be Youianity. Youianity.  The religion all about you. 

            Being a follower…being a disciple of Jesus is all about Jesus.  And yet we see here the disciples trying to show off their power; trying to demonstrate their greatness.  They currently do not have the authority to drive out unclean spirits, but they are going to try to do it anyway.

            Now the father of this boy possessed by an unclean spirit just wants his boy to be better.  He’s heard about Jesus and came to his disciples, but the disciples could not drive out the demon and now he and his boy have become the center of an argument between the scribes and Jesus’ disciples.  The disciples and the scribes are going at as to who is better, all the while the boy is still possessed by an unclean spirit.  There is a lot of noise and confusion and anger and it is helping no one.  The father is losing hope.

            Jesus arrives and the father explains what is happening and how he asked the disciples to cast it out and they were not able.  Mark 9:19-20 (ESV) 19 And [Jesus] answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”  20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.”  The father tells Jesus that this has been going on since childhood and the spirit has cast the boy into fire and into water trying to destroy him.  The hopeless father begs Jesus, Mark 9:22 (ESV) 22 …But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”  The father has experienced nothing but failure with freeing his son from this evil spirit and he wants to believe that Jesus can help, but he is not too sure.

            Mark 9:23-24 (ESV) 23 And Jesus [says] to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”  24 Immediately the father of the child [cries] out and [says], “I believe; help my unbelief!” 

            The father has heard what Jesus can do.  He wants to believe it is true.  He believes Jesus can help, but then he still has doubts.  And yet we see here that he is oriented in the right direction.  He is not seeking additional strength from within — he is asking Jesus for help. “I believe, help my unbelief.”

            This is a wonderful short prayer that you can use over and over in your struggles.  “I believe, help my unbelief.”  The simple prayer of this father can also be paired with the simple prayer of the thief on the cross.  “Luke 23:42 (ESV) 42 … “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  “I believe, help my unbelief.”  Both of these short prayers orient you to receive from Jesus rather than trying to find comfort in yourself. 

 When you seek forgiveness you do not look to yourself; you look to Jesus.  What we do as a church is not from us, it is from Jesus

            It seems that the crowd watching the argument between the disciples and the scribes now notice that the boy and his father are over a ways talking with Jesus and the crowd comes running towards them.  Jesus immediately rebukes the unclean spirit, Mark 9:25 (ESV) 25 … “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”  The demon comes out of the boy and it appears the boy is dead, but Jesus takes him by the hand and lifts him up and he is fine.

            Later, Mark 9:28–29 (ESV) 28 …when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” 

            This is a puzzling declaration.  What does Jesus mean?  Well, prayer directs the disciples away from themselves.  Prayer forces the disciples to quit looking at themselves and instead look to Jesus.  Prayer shows it is not about the disciples being powerful or great.  Prayer orients you, in faith, away from yourself and toward Jesus.  Christianity does not bring you power and greatness…power and greatness is from Jesus. 

            When you seek forgiveness you do not look to yourself; you look to Jesus.  What we do as a church is not from us, it is from Jesus.  By nature, you are drawn to be curved in on yourself; to be most concerned about your emotions, your feelings, your ideas, your desires.  Jesus calls you away from yourself to live in love for God and love for your neighbor.  Being a follower of Jesus is not at all about being powerful and great, it is about following Jesus.

            This lesson is valuable for all of us, but it is very important for the guy up front wearing the white robe and green stole who is called to teach and preach.  As we learn from our epistle lesson, James 3:1 (ESV) 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”  Along with Jesus’ first disciples, pastors and teachers need great humility and constant prayer to remember that all that we teach and preach is from Jesus — and about Jesus.  It is about Jesus and not about me.  It is not about you.  It is about Jesus for you.

            And so…as a disciple of Jesus…follow Jesus.  And when you struggle…pray…“I believe, help my unbelief.”  Amen.

Posted on by pastorkevinjud

Don’t Get Distracted by the Fish

WORSHIP VIDEO LINK (linked after 10:45 AM Service)

WORSHIP AUDIO LINK

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BULLETIN

SERMON TEXT BELOW

Epiphany 3 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
January 21, 2024
Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Cor. 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20

Sermons online: 
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com   click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org   
Audio:                         pastorjud.podbean.com 
itunes:                         bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

What do you think of when you hear about the prophet Jonah?  What image comes to mind?  Is it that great Sunday School story about a man being swallowed alive by a great fish and living to tell about it? 

            Now our friend the great fish only gets mentioned in three verses in the book of Jonah, but I worry he distracts us from the greater message in this short book.  Although, in a way I think we are okay being distracted by the fish because Jonah is a rather disturbing figure.

            Jonah is a prophet of God living in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  God comes to Jonah and says, “Get up, go to the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it, because their wickedness has come up before me.”  Jonah gets up and Jonah goes, but he does not go toward Nineveh on the Tigris River in what is now northern Iraq.  Jonah gets up and goes to the port city of Joppa, modern Tel Aviv, and hops on a westbound ship headed for Tarshish which is probably in modern day Spain, as far away from Israel as he can get on the Mediterranean. Jonah really does not want to go preach to the Ninevites.  And it is not because Jonah doesn’t know God; Jonah knows God.  Jonah knows God too well.  Jonah knows that God is gracious and compassionate.  Jonah knows that God is slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness. Jonah knows that God wants Nineveh to be saved, but Jonah doesn’t want the Ninevites to be saved.  Jonah would prefer they are destroyed because Jonah hates the Ninevites.

            Now Jonah is not without reason for hating the Ninevites. He is not just being a bigot who only likes his own kind.  Nineveh is an important city in Assyria and the Assyrians are a fearsome people bent on the destruction of Israel.  The Ninevites are Israel’s enemy.  They are known for being especially brutal in war and remarkably cruel to the prisoners they capture before they execute them.

            This account of Jonah is probably recorded between 800 and 750 BC.  God will use the Assyrians to overrun Israel in 722 BC and the 10 northern tribes will be taken into exile, never to return as punishment for their ongoing idolatry. 

At the time of this account of Jonah, the Assyrians have overrun Damascus and are now threatening the Northern border of Israel so Jonah has good reasons for not wanting to help save the Ninevites. 

This is why Jonah is a disturbing character.  Jonah is troubling.  We want to think, I would never act like Jonah, but we do not really want to look at Jonah too closely because it is a little too much like looking in the mirror.  Jonah knows that God is merciful, but he does not want God to show mercy to the Ninevites. 

Who are your Ninevites?  Who are the people you do not want forgiven?  Is it those idiots in the other political party and their media toadies spewing propaganda?  Who is it that you do not want forgiven?  Is it evil groups and countries and leaders like Hamas, Iran, the Houthis, Kim Jong Un?  Is it the cultural influencers who want access to your children in order to push their godless, hedonistic infertility agenda that rejects marriage and babies and families in order to indulge their every perverse desire? 

Or maybe your Ninevites are closer to home.  Perhaps it is that former friend who betrayed you, hurt you and, you fear, will hurt you again.  Or the next door neighbor that you have been feuding with for years?  Or your estranged brother or sister?  Or your ex-husband or ex-wife?  You don’t want to forgive them.  You don’t want God to forgive them.  You want them to be punished and prevented from hurting you.  Perhaps it is the one who abused you.  You have every right to hate your abuser, and Jonah has every right to hate the Ninevites and yet God’s grace extends even to them.

            Jonah receives instruction from God to go to the Ninevites.  Does Jonah get on his knees and pray, “Thy will be done?”  No.  Jonah thinks, “my will be done,” and he high-tails it out of there figuring if God can’t find me, he can’t make me go.  But that plan is flawed.  God is, of course, omniscient; all knowing.  You can’t run away from God.

            God knows exactly where Jonah is going and once Jonah is on the boat headed for Tarshish, God sends a great storm to shake up Jonah and the men sailing with him.  After trying unsuccessfully to outrun the storm, Jonah tells the sailors to throw him overboard and the sea grows calm.  We see here that Jonah is not against all foreigners.  Jonah is willing to die for these Gentile sailors.  Jonah is brave, but he is full of hate.  Jonah would rather die than have the Ninevites saved.

            As Jonah is sinking, a great fish swallows him and he is inside the fish for three days and three nights.  Jonah prays a prayer put together from different Psalms and in that prayer he agrees to fulfill the original mission on which God has sent him.  Then the fish vomits Jonah up onto the beach.

            God gives Jonah a second chance.  He tells him, “get up, go to the great city of Nineveh, and preach to it.”  So Jonah goes to Nineveh, about 500 miles inland and when he gets there he preaches to them this simple message, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be destroyed;” a simple message from a reluctant preacher. 

            And the reaction is utterly amazing; miraculous. The Ninevites believe Jonah.  They immediately repent of their evil ways. They put on rough goat hair sackcloth worn during times of grief and mourning.  The king declares a general time of repentance and fasting for both humans and animals.  The Word of God is powerful.  “Nineveh will be destroyed,” this is a harsh word of law, but it is preceded by a bit of Gospel.  “Forty more days.”  The destruction is not going to be immediate.  There is a chance.  God’s law and gospel drive the Ninevites to immediate and deep repentance.  God sees their repentance and He turns from His anger and does not destroy Nineveh. 

Jonah wants limits on God’s mercy and grace.  He wants mercy and grace for some but not for others.  Jonah wants his enemies destroyed.  We see here how God’s mercy and grace…God’s love… is boundless.  God’s mercy and grace is not limited to our understandings and desires.  God mercy and grace is truly for all. 

            We marvel at the Ninevites’ immediate reaction of repentance and obedience.  It is truly a miracle of God, like the people responding to John the Baptist’s preaching in the desert, or like the first disciples, Andrew, Peter, James and John answering Jesus’ call and immediately leaving their fishing boats and following Him. We marvel, because our contrition and repentance is so often slow and hesitant.  Contrition is sadness and mourning over our sin, and repentance is a change of heart; turning from sin and turning back to God.  We can be slow of heart and so we marvel at the Ninevites’ unhesitating obedience to a message from God. 

            Now, you’d think that Jonah would be happy that he is such an effective preacher with his short sermon.  But he is mad.  He is really mad.  Jonah wanted Nineveh destroyed.  He knows he is being used as a mouthpiece of God and he does not like it.  After Nineveh repents and is saved, Jonah sits down outside the city and pouts.  He tells God, “This is why I ran away in the first place.  Why did you save them?  I’d just as soon die.” 

            Jonah wants limits on God’s mercy and grace.  He wants mercy and grace for some but not for others.  Jonah wants his enemies destroyed.  We see here how God’s mercy and grace…God’s love… is boundless.  God’s mercy and grace is not limited to our understandings and desires.  God mercy and grace is truly for all. 

            It is hard for your sinful side to understand how God can love someone that you hate.  But when you take a genuine look inside of yourself, you have to wonder how God can love you, and yet he does.  His love is beyond comprehension.  He loves you so much that he turns his anger away from you and your sin, and turns all of that anger onto Christ on the cross.  Jesus is your Savior.  He paid the full price for your sin and took upon himself the anger of God.  His grace is overwhelming and it comes to you in the power of God’s Word just like it came to the Ninevites.

            So when you hear about Jonah, do not get distracted by the fish.  The fish swallowing Jonah is interesting and it is a picture of Christ emerging from the tomb, but the great fish is only a supporting character in this story.  When you think about Jonah think of his reluctance to bring God’s grace and mercy to his enemy and let that convict you of your own unforgiving tendencies.  Then think of the Ninevites’ incredible repentance and God’s amazing grace.  Remember God’s lavish gift of forgiveness offered even to the worst of sinners. The fish swallowing Jonah is amazing, but even more amazing is the power of God’s word and the miracle of God’s love and forgiveness for you.            Amen.