THE “IF” OF PRACTICAL PRAYER

MARK 9:1-13

We have been in the middle of several series as of late. An “IF” series and a series on “Practical Praying” among others. Tonight, in this message, those two series merge into one. I must be honest- I did not plan it that way but the Lord does indeed sometimes move in mysterious ways.

I. THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH [v. 14-19]

1. Practical Praying Must Believe God Exists [v. 14-16, Heb. 11:6a]

2. Practical Praying Must Believe God Responds [v. 17-18, Heb. 11:6b]

3. Practical Praying Must Believe in God’s Word [v. 17-19, Heb. 11:7, Rm. 10:17]

II. THE FOCUS OF FAITH [v. 17-23]

1. The Focus of the Downtrodden Man [v. 17-19]

2. The Focus of the Dumb Spirit [v. 17, 20]

3. The Focus of the Caring Saviour [v. 21-23] “you’ve got the IF in the wrong place”

III. THE FULFILLMENT OF FAITH [v. 23-32]

1. It Should be a God-given Faith [v. 23, Mk. 11:22-24]

2. It Should be a Humble Faith [v. 24, Luke 18:13]

3. It Should be a God-honoring Faith [v. 25-32]