Small faith, BIG GOD | Ashok Kurian

Mom fought to hold onto Indian Christian tradition

Ashok and sibling were very American as they grew up

A lot of contention in home through this

How much faith is required to see God answer prayers?

Mark 9:14-19

[14] And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. [15] And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. [16] And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” [17] And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. [18] 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.” [19] 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.”

Mark 9:20-24

[20] 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. [21] And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. [22] 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.” [23] And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” [24] Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Jesus’ fame is well spread. The father is desperate. Disciples cannot help. Everything has failed for the boy.

Jesus challenges the man’s lack of faith. The father understands that he is being challenged in his faith. The father responds truthfully and says he believes and asks for help for his unbelief.

He was struggling and truthful.

The father is literally asking for more faith to believe.

Mark 9:25-29

[25] 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.” [26] 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.” [27] But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. [28] And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” [29] And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Against all odds. The fathers smallest faith request was heard.

The disciples were dismayed.

Jesus challenged the man, but also encourages him to hope again.

And the man prays: help my unbelief!

God is bigger than our faith

His answers are bigger

He loves his children regardless of our levels of faith

We ask God: can you do this? And he says all things are possible for he who believes.

Application questions:

What are the obstacles in your life that keep you from trusting God more than you do?

What areas in life do you find the hardest to have faith in God?