Help My Unbelief
Pastor Erickson preaches from Mark 9:24 and the account of John the Baptist in prison in Matthew 11, teaching three levels of faith: the measure every person is given, great faith like the centurion's, and unwavering faith. He shares how he prayed for help with his unbelief in a season of deep grief, and calls the church to trust that God's ways are perfect and to ask God for unwavering faith.
The message in 6 points
A prayer for more faith
He reads John's question to Jesus in Matthew 11 and the father's cry in Mark 9:24, Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief. He leads the church to pray for more faith and another level of faith.
49:33The measure of faith
All faith is not equal, he says, just as it takes more faith to believe a giant cargo plane can fly than the first small airplane. Everyone is given a measure of faith to build up or snuff out, yet like the disciples in the storm we can forget what God has already done.
52:23Great faith that stays humble
Great faith is the substance of things hoped for and does not give up until the answer comes. The centurion said he was not worthy and only asked Jesus to speak the word, and Jesus marveled. Humility in a crisis gets the attention of the Healer, while entitlement gets nowhere.
1:02:36Unwavering faith as an identity
From Romans 4:20, Abraham staggered not at the promise of God. Unwavering faith is not undecided from day to day; it becomes who a person is, believing at all times that God can do it.
1:07:02John the Baptist in the prison cell
John was born for one job, to prepare the way for Christ, and then sat in Herod's prison, discouraged and doubting. Pastor Erickson tells of his own lonely years and the loss of his closest friend, when his faith wavered and he prayed, help my unbelief.
1:09:44God's ways are perfect
Jesus answered John with proof and said blessed is he who is not offended in me. Even John's death drew his followers to Jesus, the Shepherd, in Mark 6. He calls everyone to the altar to ask for unwavering faith that will not give way to fear.
1:26:49
In his words
“I'm preaching about great faith. Humility during a crisis gets the attention of the Healer, just like entitlement gets us nowhere.”
“I have unwavering faith, it's my identity. I just believe at all times that God can do it. Will he do it? I don't know, but I believe that God can do it.”
“I don't understand all things, but this one thing I'm sure of: my God will never fail and his ways are perfect.”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added.
Scripture
He reads
Matthew 11:3-5
3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
King James Version.
Mark 9:24
24And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
King James Version.
Mark 4:36-40
36And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
King James Version.
Hebrews 11:1
1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
King James Version.
Matthew 8:7-10
7And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
King James Version.
Romans 4:20-21
20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
King James Version.
Matthew 11:6
6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
King James Version.
Isaiah 61:1
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
King James Version.
Mark 6:34
34And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
King James Version.
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