Mark 9:16 (KJV)
And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
The context here is the casting out of a dumb spirit from a boy. Jesus had been in the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John. While He was away, a man brought his son to the remaining nine disciples, hoping they could cast out the spirit. Though Jesus had previously given them power to do so, they were unable to help this time. Apparently, it wasn’t a blanket power they could use at their discretion.
As the disciples struggled, a crowd gathered, attracting the attention of some scribes. When Jesus arrived, these scribes were questioning the disciples.
Imagine attempting to do the work of the ministry without Christ!
• The inability to help the boy.
• The frustration of a multitude of people.
• The pressure of interrogation from educated scribes drilling God called men—men who don’t play on the same field.
Then Jesus arrived. He confronted the scribes, answered the multitude, and helped the boy.
What a difference Jesus makes!
Later, the disciples asked why they couldn’t cast out the spirit. Jesus answered, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”
I’m afraid we often make a major mistake here. We focus on the prayer and fasting as if we’ve discovered a secret formula: “Oh! That’s the key. When I can’t do what I want to do, I just need to pray and fast more!”
No! The answer isn’t doing more, not even more prayer and fasting. The answer is the presence of Christ.
Ministry without Christ is powerless, meaningless, fruitless, and frustrating.
#JesusMakesTheDifference #PowerInHisPresence #MinistryWithChrist #FaithNotFormula #ChristAlone
Ministry Without Christ: Frustration, Failure, and the Forgotten Key
Before starting any ministry work this week, take a moment to intentionally invite Christ into it through prayer. Ask Him to lead, empower, and work through you. Have you ever experienced frustration in ministry? What helped you refocus on Christ? Share in the comments!
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