*MAIN IDEA: Faith in Jesus can happen on the mountaintop and in the valley.
1- Jesus is patient. (v. 14-19)
“And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”
What’s He patient with?
• Their arguing and division
• The disciples lack of faith
Mark 3:13-14: And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.
2- Jesus is looking for authentic, struggling faith. (v.20-24)
And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
• Jesus didn’t panic when he encountered the demon, the demon panicked when he encountered Jesus.
• “I believe, help my unbelief!”
3- Only Jesus can give us the faith we need. (v.25-29)
And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
• Faith is not us taking control of a situation, but allowing Jesus to take control.
- Jesus is patient: How has Jesus been patient with you?
- Jesus is looking for authentic, struggling faith: Even if your faith is struggling, are youbringing it to Jesus?
- Only Jesus can give us the faith we need: How can you depend on Jesus this week?
Matthew Weaver 
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