A Father Who Fought Until He Won Mark 9:14-27

The Healing of a Boy with an Evil Spirit 14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 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." 19 "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." 20 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.

Mark 9: Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. 22 "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." 23 " 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." 24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil [a] spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."a 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

Introduction "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." -- Billy Graham, Christian EvangelistBilly Graham

Work for his child This was a father who worked hard to find the best for his child. –He did not abandon his child –He was not embarassed by his child’s affliction –He did his best for his child I've had a hard life, but my hardships are nothing against the hardships that my father went through in order to get me to where I started. – Bartrand Hubbard We give honour to the fathers who worked for their children.

War for his child My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys.“ – Harmon Killebrew The father in this story FOUGHT for his child –He fought the enemy many years –He fought the disease many years –He fought through the crowd to find Jesus –Any fool can be a Father, but it takes a real man to be a Daddy!! Lord, bless the fathers who fight for their children!

Wait for his child Since childhood this father WAITED for Jesus. How many times did he pull him from fires over the years? How many times would have to wrestled the boy to stop him from being hurt? How long before Jesus would come? Isaiah 40:31 (Amplified Bible) 31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. Give honour to the waiting fathers

Worship for his child In a moment, his wait had turned to worship Jesus called him to have more faith He had to humble himself before God He was waging a war within himself with his belief and unbelief Jesus changed the whole situation – moment for rejoicing when the boy stood up. 1 Timothy 2:8 (New International Version) I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. Give honour to our worshipping fathers

Conclusion 4 years: My Daddy can do anything! 7 years: My Dad knows a lot…a whole lot. 8 years: My father does not know quite everything. 12 years: Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either. 14 years: Oh, Father? He is hopelessly old-fashioned. 21 years: Oh, that man-he is out of date! 25 years: He knows a little bit about it, but not much. 30 years: I must find out what Dad thinks about it. 35 years: Before we decide, we will get Dad's idea first. 50 years: What would Dad have thought about that? 60 years: My Dad knew literally everything! 65 years: I wish I could talk it over with Dad once more. Be the father you were meant to be!!!