1. “Help my Unbelief”
Mark 9:23-24

2. The Account – Mk. 9:14-39
Disciples failed to cast a demon out of a boy
Jesus rebukes His disciples
Jesus tells the father, “If you can believe…”
“Help my unbelief!”

3. How is your faith?
2 Cor. 13:5
Not simply speaking of belief in God and His word
Do we trust Him as we ought to?
Is there room for improvement?

4. Our need for faith What is faith?
“to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance” (Louw&Nida)
“Firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing” (Vine’s)
Heb. 11:1
Forsaking
All I
Trust
Him!

5. Was God’s design on purpose? (cf. Eph. 3:10-11)
Our need for faith
The way God created this world – Psa. 19:1, 8:1, Rom. 1:20
Concerning His word – 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:3
While evidence is compelling, both still require faith!
Was God’s design on purpose? (cf. Eph. 3:10-11)
No matter what you believe in these matters, (you DO believe something) there is a degree of faith!

6. Our need for faith
Faith exemplified
Abraham – Rom. 4:34, Jas. 2:23, (Gen. 15:4) Heb. 11:17-19
Ezra – Ezra 8:22-23

7. Our need for faith
Heb. 11:6 – without faith
James 1:6-8 – ask in faith
Rom. 12:3 – measure of faith
1 John 5:4 – victory
Luke 7:5, “Increase our faith”

8. Our need for faith Most of us struggle with faith from time to time!
Matt. 14:30 – Peter began to sink, “Lord save me!” He denied Jesus and doubted his faith – John 21:15-19

9. How To Increase our Faith
You are NOT going to understand everything!
Deut. 29:29, 2 Pet. 3:16
Don’t be frustrated if you don’t know (but don’t quit studying!)

10. How To Increase our Faith
Know that God does care!
1 Pet. 5:7, Psa. 37:25 Heb. 13:5

11. How To Increase our Faith
Make up your mind to trust God!
Accept what God says!
Jesus did! Lk. 22:41-44, 23:46
Psa. 4:5, Prov. 3:5

12. How To Increase our Faith
Evaluate what God has done for you!
“Count your many blessings”
Psa. 40:5, Job 5:9

13. How To Increase our Faith
Be patient –
A mature faith has to mature
Luke 21:19, Jas. 1:4
It will not come overnight – Psa. 34:8, cf. Abraham (Gen. 12:11-20)
Do something to show your faith!

14. How To Increase our Faith
Obey God!
Rom. 10:17
James 1:22-25
If you want God on your side, you have to be on His side – 1 John 5:2-3

15. How To Increase our Faith
Pray about it
Cf. James 1:5
Ask for the right things - James 4:3
Are our prayers self- serving? 1 John 5:14

16. How To Increase our Faith
Do your part!
Don’t expect a miracle!
When you approach God, plan to do what you can do. Cf. John 11:39, 44

17. How To Increase our Faith
Associate with those that will build up your faith!
1 Cor. 15:33
Heb. 10:24-25
Rom. 1:8, 1 Thess. 1:8 – a faith spoken of everywhere!
Avoid doubters, cynics & agnostics!

18. “Most Christians feed their body three hot meals a day and their spirit one cold snack. And they wonder why their faith is so weak!”
F.F. Bosworth

19. What are you doing to increase your faith?