Give God a surprise!

Welcome!


Today: Give God a surprise!


Passage: Mark 9


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.”. (Mark 9, NIV)-emphasis added


We looked into this yesterday. This man was so discouraged that the disciples couldn’t handle the case of his son successfully. He thought they could do something because they were with Jesus

Same is the experience with many, who approach the church today. They expect something, but see that people are very “busy” with their own stuff!

We saw one problem “within” yesterday. See Mk 9:33 below (emphasis added)


33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.


When Jesus asked, they all kept quiet (?) like good kids

They had so much to talk between them, but so little to speak to Jesus. That is why we are ineffective; no
talk to Jesus, but talking to everybody else


28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.[b]


Talk less to people, more to God; lot of problems will be solved.

There was also another problem with them. This was about others


38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” (emphasis added- Mk 9:38, NIV)


They saw another person (church) doing good. They didn’t like it (How come they be so much like us?)

This is the second problem why churches are not effective: “Only my church should grow and every other church must come down” –wrong attitude

There is a way to surprise God; sincerely ask God to bless that other church!

God will start blessing ours, as He bless them too!

Be a blessing!

BG


Prayer: Lord Jesus, I got it. I was too much about me and mine, too little concerned about others. Help me to be more humble, and to see the greatness in others, by having the same attitude that is in you. Amen


“Talking to God and talking for God are the two best ways to talk”