“When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.”  After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!” (Mark 9:25-26)

How quick we are to react with unbelief.  We often expect the worse.  All things are in the Lord’s hands and He will accomplish what He purposes.  Guard your mind so that You are not led by the doubts and confusions of this world.  Things may not happen the way you expect or in your thinking of what it may look like, but the Lord will accomplish His will on earth as it is done in heaven.

Lord, grant that I would learn to wait upon You and not jump to conclusions.  You resurrect the dead.  Out of nothing, You have created everything.  Lead me to see that in You is all hope and an eternal future.  Guide me to live believing that all things are possible with You.  Lead me out of myself so that I do not live as one who is deaf and dumb, but live looking to You and see things as they are.

Lord Jesus, You speak the word and it is as You say.  Help my unbelief so that I trust that in You I can do all that You ask.  There are those things in my life which would hinder me.  Remove the obstacles that keep me from living the faith You have given me.  Teach me all I need to know in order that I would hold fast to You through all of the mayhem  that comes in this age.  Raise me to be with You after the last day.  Amen.

Scripture: John 3:1-17

 

Script: 

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

 

Sammy: Good morning everyone! Hey, Pastor! Guess what?

 

Pastor: Oh boy. Here we go.

 

Sammy: Guess what!

 

Pastor: What happened, Sammy?

 

Sammy: There are new babies coming to our farm!

 

Pastor: There are? That’s great news!

 

Sammy: I found out from Farmer John that we have lambs, baby goats, chicks, piglets, and foals coming soon.

 

Pastor: That’s a lot of babies.

 

Sammy: Yes it is. I am excited but a little nervous, too. It’s been a while since I’ve been around little baby animals. What do you think I could do to help with the new babies? You guys seem like you know how to take care of animal and human babies.

 

Pastor: Boys and girls, what is it like to have a new baby around? What are some things Sammy can do to help with the new babies on the farm?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Sammy: These are great answers. I am going to try my best to help Farmer John with the new animal babies on the farm. I cannot wait to meet them–they are going to be so cute!

 

Pastor: Sammy, speaking of babies, Jesus is talking in the Gospel today about being born again.

 

Sammy: That’s silly, Pastor. We can only be born once.

 

Pastor: Not according to Jesus.

 

Sammy: He knows better than me, but can you please explain how someone can be born again?

 

Pastor: Well, first we are born as babies. Our mamas give birth to us. And then we are born again when we are baptized into the family of God.

 

Sammy: Oh so it’s like we are born two times!

 

Pastor: Exactly! We are born to our mamas, and then we are born by the Spirit.

 

Sammy: Why do we need to be born again by the Spirit?

 

Pastor: God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to die for our sins so that we could be saved. We all sin, but Jesus didn’t come to tell us we are bad, he came to earth to rescue us because he loves us. When we say we believe in Jesus and we are baptized into Jesus’s family, we are born again by the Spirit.

 

Sammy: That’s a gift, Pastor.

 

Pastor: Yes it is, Sammy. Let’s pray together. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for baptism. Thank you for new life in you. Thank you for rescuing us. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:23-24).

Jesus confronts head on the lack of belief.  How often do we not receive because we do not ask?  Yes, there can be wrong motive, but often, we do not receive because we do not ask.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, for all things are possible with Him.  One of the most poignant and helpful statements comes to us with the words, “Help my unbelief!”  We need the Lord’s help each and every step of the way.  He will help our belief.

Lord, help my unbelief.  There are many times I think too much about my situation and do not ask for Your help.  Teach me how to come to You with all things trusting that whatever the answer, it will be what is right.  You have told me that by Your power through me I can move mountains.  Help my unbelief so that I live in Your presence and if You say to me, “Tell that mountain to be moved,” You will move the mountain.  All things are possible with You.

Holy Spirit, You know when I am confronted by a wall of unbelief.  Wake me up to trust that all things truly are possible if I will act on what You tell me to do.  I know it is not me, but You who moves the mountain, but I also know that You have great purpose in everything that happens.  Lead me to trust in You above all things.  Guide my faith so that I put into action the things You give me to do.  Amen.