10 Tweets

Here is last weekend’s sermon in 10 Tweets, “The Faith that Vanquishes Evil” (Casting Out a Demon), Mark 9:14-27, Series: Marvels & Wonders: A Study of the Miracles of Jesus

1/ "According to his biographer, he looked as if for the first time he had discovered there was evil on Earth."

2/ There is a direct connection in the Bible between doubting God and the presence of evil.

3/ As Jesus is taking on diseases & disabilities thru miracles, he’s also taking on the prince of evil, Satan, the lying snake in the Garden

4/ Faith in God puts no limits on what God is able to do.

5/ Andrew Wilson: "God never says no to a request for healing. He either says ‘Yes’ or ‘Not yet.’"

[Check out "God Always Heals: Good news for our bodies—in this life and the next" by Andrew Wilson here.]

6/ While doubting God is satanically inspired, God loves doubters.

7/ If you focus on a formula, you’ll end up replacing faith in Jesus with faith in a formula.

8/ Apparently, some demons can be driven out without prayer. Get your head around that one.

9/ Faith is about carrying out ministry believing that nothing of any lasting value will be accomplished apart from the power of God.

10/ As a parent or in ministry, don't wait until you find yourself completely helpless. Prayerfully parent. Prayerfully lead. Now.

One More Thing

Hi Five Oakers, The weekend is coming and there are a few things I want to share with you:

The Weekend Sermon

Confronting evil, denying the Devil, exorcising a particularly tough demon...just another day in the ministry Jesus in Mark 9, our passage for this weekend.

FYI

Ed Welch on "God’s House"

 God’s response evokes permanence, rock-solid love, and a very active divine hand in the future of his people. Jesus later clarifies that this house—our house—is permanent because it is his house. “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2).

Joshua Reich on "10 Ways to Know if You’re Putting Your Kids Before Your Spouse"

No one gets married thinking they will put their kids before their marriage, but over time without being intentional, it happens. It’s easy to do. Kids need our attention, they scream for it (literally). We also rationalize that it’s easier and the right thing to do. Or, we rationalize that we will have time for our spouse later in life, but later in life rarely comes.

One More Thing

Another Wendell Berry quote from Jaber Crow that I hope I can slip into this weekend's sermon:

“If the devil doesn't exist... how do you explain that some people are a lot worse than they're smart enough to be?”