Sugar Creek Community Church

02/19/2024

February 18, 2024 Church Service Notes

Announcements: Easter Luncheon after church service on March 17.

Prayer List:
Michael Turner & Glenda Newell
Joe & Sheila Wyatt
Autumn Sparks Early
Herb & Lucy Leesman
Ron Stewart
Bob Durham
Joe Briggs Family
Theresa Robertson
People in accidents
Chiefs Parade Victims
Unspoken Requests

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 13:10-16
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A10-16&version=NIV

Recap of the past few weeks sermons relating to the books (A Pilgrims Progress & Resting in God's Salvation) and assurance in the fact that salvation does not mean all of your troubles are over.

Week 1: How can God forgive me after all I have done?
* God did not abandon Adam & Eve and he will not abandon us as what we have done cannot compare to what they did. The question is not "how good are you" but "how good is God"?
*Genesis 3:15 says doubt is cause by the devil and God immediately began his plan for assurance.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%203:15&version=NIV

Week 2: I cannot stop thinking about what I have done.
*Psalm 51
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51&version=NIV
*David goes to God knowing of his transgressions asking for mercy and forgiveness knowing it is not what he can do for what he has done, but it is about what God can do for what he has done - forgiveness.

Week 3: If God really saved me then why do bad things still happen?
*We must go through hardships and fix our eyes upon Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who endured the cross. The sufferings of the present time will not compare to the glory that will come for believers in heaven.
*Hebrews 12:2
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A2&version=NIV
*Acts 14:22
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+14%3A22&version=NIV
*Romans 8:18
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A18&version=NIV

Week 4 (today's message) - The Unpardonable Sin (Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit)
*Matthew 12:22-37 tells us that evil does not drive out evil and that you are either with God (a believer) or against God (a non-believer) and that through the holy spirit we have faith to hear and sight to see that Jesus is the Messiah.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A22-37&version=NIV

*We have all sinned against or rejected Jesus at some point. However, the only unpardonable sin is the complete rejection of Jesus/The Holy Spirit. We can all be born again and as long as we have not drawn our last breath denying God we have not committed the unpardonable sin. John 3:16 tells us that God sent his only son to save the world, not condemn it.

Through our faith in Jesus we get our assurance over all doubt.
Psalm 73 shows that doubt is the gap between our current faith and perfect faith. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+73&version=NIV

God in the Holy Spirit is living in our hearts once we are a believer and bigger is he that is in me than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A4&version=NIV
He gives us all the assurance we need (Psalm 23)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+73&version=NIV

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

01/21/2024

January 21, 2024

Opening Scripture:
Matthew Chapter 7 (Sermon on the Mount)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207&version=NIV

Prayer List:
Martin & Terri Stitzer Family
Madilyn Frasier & Family
Stewart Family
Everyone affected by the weather
Stephanie VanSickel
Heather & Adam Durham Family
Tom Westfall Family
Judy Miller Family
Les McCarty Family
Steve Jacobs Family
Neal & Alisha Dromey
Elise Kirkpatrick

Message:
Stay in the Race and Finish the Race

Phillipians 1:1-11
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phillipians+1%3A1-11&version=NIV

Aesop's Fable of The Tortoise & The Hare (https://fablesofaesop.com/the-hare-and-the-tortoise.html)

- How we finish the race is what matters (not how we start)
- Similar to New Year's resolutions....we start fast with good intent, but how do we finish?
- Human nature is for us to fizzle on our resolutions, but as Christians we are called upon to finish the race which requires us to continue in our growth in our faith along the way
-Matthew Chapter 14: 22-34 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+14%3A+22-34&version=NIV

The book of 1 Peter tells us that the struggles in Life are real but we know through the word of God in the Bible (in which we must live as all of his word is written and contains the answers to life's struggles) that through our faith in Jesus we have the strength to clear the hurdles of life and finish the race.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%201&version=NIV (click on arrows to read each book of the chapter)

3 Lessons from this sermon:

1. Slow & steady wins the race. Don't give up and keep moving toward the goal by staying the course and following God's word. There are no short cuts and we must watch/understand the obstacles that life throws our way by surrounding ourselves with good people, especially our church family.

2. Stay humble by not getting too proud of our accomplishments, keeping God first and remembering that we are always in need of him and we should not try to shoulder our burdens alone.

3. Don't get discouraged and drop out of the race by valuing each day and lesson it presents while not getting caught up in worldly possessions. Keep the faith and know that the end is better than the beginning if we stay in God's word and follow his plan.

King David ( https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/520477/jewish/The-Story-of-King-David-in-the-Bible.htm %20Crowned%20as%20King) and Paul ( https://www.biblestudy.org/beginner/learn-basic-bible-timeline/life-of-apostle-paul.html) are great examples of staying in the race and following God's plan.

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
and patience is better than pride.

May God Bless each of you as you go through this week! We hope to see you next Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and spri...

12/24/2023

Summary/Notes for December 24th Sermon:

Christmas - A Season of Love

As Charles Dickens wrote in a Christmas Carol, "There are the best of times and the worst of times". This was illustrated by Reverend Mark Connolly in his writing of Spiritual Christmas....... http://www.spirituality.org/is/137/page01.asp

Psalm 85:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2085&version=NIV

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 The Lord's Supper:
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Exodus Chapter 12: The Passover
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+12&version=NIV

James Francis: One Solitary Life
https://www.celebratingholidays.com/?page_id=4456

12/18/2023

December 17 Church Service

Opening Scripture:
Matthew 6:25
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Prayer List:
Stewart Family
Ron & Barb Whitten Family
Roy Turner
Vicki Baker's Sister Connie
Sharon Niece Friend
Ethel Howe
Herb & Lucy Leesman
Connie Fountain Family
Davis Family
Duane Chrisman
Mike Kriegal
Unspoken Requests

Sermon: Is Bigger Always Better?
Scripture - Luke 2:1-12
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

In the world we live, we have always equated size with success (homes, cars, power, wealth, status, rulers/kings, etc).

Many stories in the Bible, however, show where God rewards the small with victory/blessings.
- Old Testament: David vs. Goliath
- New Testament: small prayers, mustard seeds of faith, and the MOST important story of God coming to earth in the human form of his son through the birth of Jesus to an earthly young mother and a simple carpenter father who would guide him in a manager in a small town.

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus uses little things to do amazing things for his people.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

John 6:9 Jesus' first ministry to the people was a small group feeding a mass of people....
9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Mark 12:41-44
The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

We cannot hide behind our "smallness/lack of importance/simple being" nor does our age matter (Jesus came as a baby, Jeremiah did God's work as a teenager, Moses was 80 years old). Luke 1:37 tells us nothing is impossible with God.
37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

Tiny acts of kindness do not go unnoticed. Success does not always come in large packages. Luke 16:10 tells us that whoever can be trusted with small things can be trusted with big things.
10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much

Our small church which has been spreading the word for 35 years and each of our members are a messenger of God's word in our world as we continue to be a guiding light in each of our families, workplaces, and communities.

10/23/2023

Sugar Creek Community Church Service 10/22/23

Opening Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:17-20&version=KJV #:~:text=Matthew%205%3A17-20%20King%20James%20Version%2017%20Think%20not,pass%20from%20the%20law%2C%20till%20all%20be%20fulfilled

Prayer Requests:

Helen Pinkerton
Tasha and Cedric
Tammy Bunch
Trudy
Polly Green
Tammy’s Friend
April Scott
Sharon Niece
Carla Rae
Atlanta High School Family/Community
Dewayne Lawson
Roy Turner
Jim Hunter
Caleb
Julian Molick
Karen and Sam Davis
Polly Green
Unspoken Requests
Our Nation
Our World

Sermon Scripture:

Malachi 3:6-7
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi%203%3A6-7&version=NIV

Romans 7:15
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+7%3A15&version=KJV

Sometimes we do what we want done and leave things undone that God wants us to do.
Sometimes we want to please ourselves and others but do not think about what is pleasing to God
Most want to please God but very few of us feel that God is pleased with us
We know he forgives us but is likely not pleased with our daily actions.
- Do we read our Bible daily?
- Do we pray daily?
Proverbs 8:16-19
- Things God does not like
Spiritual War/Sinful Nature is going on in each of us
Romans 3:23
1 John 1:8
Galatians 5:17-18
We each reach the age of accountability at different times

How can we please God?
Hebrews 11:6 - we must have faith
1 Corinthians 13 - we must do things in faith and love through the grace of God
By faith we are justified by God even in our failings
We cannot live with one foot in the world and one foot in God. We become stuck.

Luke 22
Peter was told he would deny Jesus 3 times
Jesus told Peter he prayed for him THAT HIS FAITH WOULD NOT FAIL after he denied Jesus 3 times.
Our actions may fail BUT GOD NEVER FAILS
Our faith in that is what pleases God

Christian life is not easy with the many temptations of the world.
Psalm 51:3
Sinlessness is not a precondition for being saved
We need to focus less on ourselves & more on God and his word
God never changes as he knows we have always turned away from his decrees and he tells us to return to him and he will return to us
God accepts us for who we are and he offers us a never ending invitation to turn back to him no matter what we have done

God will run back to meet us when we return to him!

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

10/16/2023

Sugar Creek Community Church Service 10/15/23

Opening Scripture: Matthew 5: 13-16
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:13-16&version=NIV

Prayer List:
Ron Stewart
Weezie Great Niece Husband
Jim Hunter
Tim Anders Family
Corey Casey
Belinda West-Reidmiller
Joe Wyatt
Nicki Zajac
Theresa Deacon
Steve & Amy Osborn
Barbs Great Niece
Israel Conflict
Our Country
Brenda Mark

Message Scriptures:
Genesis 12
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+12&version=NIV

Matthew 24
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24&version=NIV

Message:
DO YOU BELIEVE WE ARE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS?

God made Abraham, “the father of faith”, and around 2085 BC God promised Abraham he would make a blessed place for his people and those who followed him would be blessed and those who were against his people would be punished. May 14, 1948 the nation of Israel was established.

None of us know for sure when the last days will be though many have made predictions.

Danger of apathy (indifference) happening occurs in each of us in which we do not pay attention to what is happening in the world around us. Do we take note of the fact that one day Christ will return and The Rapture will occur with all the believers being gathered up with God? At that time The Tribulation will occur and chaos will accompany it for 7 years on earth. At the conclusion of the 7 years the great battle of Armageddon will occur between God and his Angels and Satan's unbelievers in Israel. For the next 1000 years Satan will be bound and God will rule the earth. A new heaven and earth will be formed.

Matthew 24 talks about signs of the last days (see link above).

We must not be indifferent to all of these things hoping it will all pan out in the end. Multiple scriptures tell us so. Doing so can have eternal consequences on not only ourselves but also those we know and love.

David Jeremiah book “Signs”. 3 attitudes to avoid of which one is indifference. Carelessness and calisness are cousins to indifference. We must not think there is plenty of time.

In the days before Noah and the flood people were living normal lives being indifferent. Are we doing the same?

Do we think what is going on in our world today is just another false alarm? Are the events in Israel just another battle? Do we think I still have time to get my life and relationship with God in order?

Maybe the mountain is not erupting at the moment but you can certainly feel the earth trembling.

Are each of us ready for the end days? Have we prepared as much as we can? Have we studied the Bible as much as we can? Have we shared the word of God as much as we can? Are we done growing as much as we can toward God?

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times - Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will...

10/09/2023

Sugar Creek Community Church 10/8/23

Opening Scripture: Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205-7&version=NKJV

Hymn: Nothing But the Blood

Announcements:

Prayer List:
Pete Davis
Jerry Hayes
Roy Turner
Caleb Williams
Julian Mollick
Carla Rae
Belinda West-Reidmiller
Louise and Ron Stewart
Tammy Bunch
Polly Green
Jim Hunter
Nicky Zajac

Sermon Scripture: Genesis 42: 1-2

42 When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” 2 And he said, “Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.”

Sermon Notes:
Don’t Just Stand There, There is Grain in Egypt

Historical Context of scripture:
Jacob is the main character (Isaacs son and Abrahams grandson)
There is a famine in the land at the time of the scripture
Jacob learned there is grain in Egypt
He tells his sons don’t just stand there, go get the grain so we don’t starve

How does scripture apply to us today:
Millions of people have heard about Jesus Christ and his salvation but have not really made a move toward his word (The grain in Egypt in this scripture) and are starving to death, lost in their own sin, and are not sure what they are hungering/thirsting for and they are running out of time as everyday we are closer to Jesus returning.
The grain is ready and we cannot put off getting it. Same holds true to adherence to Gods word. We don’t know when our time will be up so we should not put off till tomorrow what we can do today.
Millions of Christians who have accepted Jesus into their hearts need to stop watching and act.
Acts 1:4-11 Jesus was resurrected and he told his followers they knew all they needed to know about his kingdom for now and he was lifted into the sky. The angels told the people to not stand and watch but to go out and do what you know to do. Just do it.
James 1:21 & James 4:17
Don’t just stand there - pray something
You know enough Bible right now to do whatever it is that God wants you to do
Read the Bible and pray everyday
As a child of God it is your position that counts, not you petition
Don’t just stand there, do something
Matthew 5:16
Message for the church
Revelation 3
Be cold or hot but do not be lukewarm
Churches are closing every week due to lukewarmness
Fire brings things out of being lukewarm. We must keep the fire going.
Fire starts in individual people and spreads to others
Study the word of God and put it into practice and it will spread to others
Don’t Just Stand There, There is Grain in Egypt!
Use the Lord’s word to nourish each of us and to feed those around us.

The Beatitudes - And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. ...

09/25/2023

Church Service 9/24/23

Opening Scripture: Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Prayer List: James 5:15-16
15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Larry Baker
Carla Rae
Rhonda Stewart
Ron & Louise Stewart
Becky Davis
Nicky Zajac
Sam & Karen Davis
Roy Turner
Sonny & Pauline
Trudy Styles
Alisha Dromey
Corey Casey
Tammy Bunch
Polly Green
Nancy Corbin

Psalm 100: A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Sermon: Ephesians 4:6-7
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Message:
Discussion of events in daily life that stir the emotion of anger which is a sin (going back to Cane & Able)

Anger-a strong feeling of emotion & displeasure.
We live in a world full of anger.

Righteous Anger - defines right from wrong and dispels hate (abortion, human trafficking, abuse/neglect, pride in ourselves/others, lying). Not a sin if anger is controlled and directed properly at an action
John 2:13-17
Nehemiah 2:13-15
Exodus 32
Galatians 1:6-9

Sinful/unrighteous Anger - petty angers that we allow to build up, keep coming back, and which we think about plotting revenge - usually directed at a person
Ephesians 4:31

To deal with anger (David Jeremiah):
Do not nurse it - do not the sun go down on your wrath
Do not rehearse it - do not let the devil push the replay button
Do not converse it - when we are angry about someone/something we want to go tell someone and we spread discontentment/anger
Ephesians 4:29
Reverse it - change our anger to love to change the actions of offender
Romans 12:20
If we are not lifting someone up we are tearing them down

09/17/2023

Church 9/17/23

Fish fry on 9/30/23 at 5:00 - bring my a lawn chair and a side dish

Opening - John 17 - prayer of Jesus for all believers

Prayer List:
Glad to have Weezie and Mildred back and feeling better
Carla has a hurt leg
Louise & Ron Stewart
Taylor Durham
Roy Turner
Kim & Joe Merenda
Martin Stitzer’s Mom Sara
Becky Davis travel

Looking for a special - anyone who is not interested in singing or reading let Virgil know

1 Peter 4 - scripture for the sermon

This past Monday marked the 22nd anniversary of 9/11. ~3000 deaths and many more injured/affected. “Never Forget” became the call/message.

Why does God allow such things to happen/suffering in the world? Why do bad things happen to good people?
*The simple answer is it is hard for us to humanly understand or know.
*God's judgement on the people?
*Living in the last days?
From Genesis through Revelation the Bible speaks of 2 types of suffering
*Temporary - limited to this life / not permanent and will end with our earthly lives
*Eternal - Those who reject the gospel of Jesus Christ will suffer eternally

Are any of us deserving of the good things from God?

Should we only be blessed with good and not have any sufferings?

Why do we blame God for anything that is not good in the world?

- Evil exists in the world as a result of man’s rebellion against God
- Man has the choice of free will

If things happened in our timing, when/how we wanted them to - God would not be God.
God is not a puppet on a string for us nor did he create us to be a puppet on a string for him
God is Love - he is loving
Our perspective is limited - God’s is not

God told us that there is no other way than through the cross.
Jobe 13:15 - though he slay me yet I trust him

We must TRUST God’s plan for all of us as that is the only true way to understand - Keep FAITH in God through all circumstances

09/11/2023

Church 9/10/23

Announcement: Fish fry on September 30

Opening Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:7

Prayer Request: Weezie & Johnny; Ronnie & Louise; Gene & Helen Pinkerton; Roy Turner, Mildred Fortney, Holly Turner, Stevens Family, Martin Stitzer mom

Sermon Scriptures: Psalm 51 & Psalm 32

The power of guilt that hangs over us that haunt us “If Only”I had not……

2 sources of guilt
From Satan himself - stunts the believer and keeps us from God - 2 Corinthians 12:10
From Ourselves - we justify our words, thoughts, actions that make us feel guilty to hide from the guilt - Génesis 3

Romans 3:10 says we are all guilty of sin and we feel the sting of guilt

Psalm 51: 1-12 how David dealt with the guilt of taking another man’s wife/committed adultery with Bathsheba

Guilt is a good thing when it leads us to repentance /when we own responsibility of our actions that cause guilt

Psalm 32 if you confess your transgressions that cause guilt to God he will relieve you of your burden of guilt.

09/11/2023

Church Sermon 9/3/23

Philippians Chapter 1

The power of baptism is a sermon. The lives of those baptized is a miracle. The choice to be born anew is an even greater miracle than birth.

John 3 story of Nicedemus and miracle of eternal life

Born again is a miracle of God. It is God initiated.

Story of Elijah in the Old Testament of Gods love of us

Romans 3:23 we have all fallen short of the glory of God (ERA goes up and batting average goes down as we go through life. We hit home runs and we strike out). God plants a mustard seed of faith through someone and something in life and through the miracle of life we learn we need God and through the process we learn we will never reach perfection but if we trust and believe in God he will never stop working in us in miraculous ways. Everything God starts he finishes. He uses the good and bad in life to make us more like Jesus.

Book of Jude

10/24/2022

Sunday 10/23/22 Summary:

Prayer List for our congregation members - Larry Baker; Ron Stewart; Gene & Helen Pinkerton; Sharon Niece Family

Title of Sermon "The Sin That Besets Us All"

Scripture Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us

Scripture Mark 9: 14-29
Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

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.”

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a co**se that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

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.”

Question is "What is the sin that so easily entangles (besets) all of us?"

The answer is the sin of "If you can" - Sin of unbelief. We are all sinners and we all have doubt/questioning of God (biblical examples of Sampson, David, Asaph, Jobe were given) in which we question what we believe and we must be like the father in Mark9: 14-29 and know we believe and ask God to heal/help our unbelief.

It is easy to be passionate about our faith one minute and then the next minute think about God "If you can......". God wants our full commitment/Faith in him - on the unlimited capacity of an all powerful God - Everything is possible.

Prayer is more than a wish list to God. It is communing with God, It is listening to God, It is reading his word and gathering with his people. Follow his word and know he can do anything. Lord help my unbelief!