Matthew 17:14-21 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,… I. THE DIVINELY APPOINTED ALTERNATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. (Mark 9:2, 17). II. SPIRITUAL WORK CAN BE DONE ONLY BY SPIRITUAL MEN (Mark 9:28, 29; Acts 19:13-16). Correspondence in the worker to the work to be done is never overlooked in any other department of activity. Who employs a plague-stricken nurse to tend a plague-stricken patient? Christ's own argument (Matthew 12:25-28); Satan will not cast out Satan. III. THE WEAKNESS OF THE CHRISTIAN APART FROM CHRIST. IV. THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF FAITH. 1. The disciples could do nothing without faith. 2. The father of the lunatic child could receive nothing without faith. How this is to be explained. Faith is more than belief; it is a consequent putting of ourselves into connection with God. The wire must be brought into connection with the battery before it can be charged with electricity. The pitcher must be placed in connection with the fountain before it can be filled. V. THE OMNIPOTENCE OF FAITH. By believing we place ourselves in connection with Almighty God. What pool cannot the ocean fill? What earthly space cannot the sun illumine? No man, then, who desires to be saved, need despair. You cannot expel sin from your own heart; but the word of Christ is omnipotent. (Anon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,WEB: When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him, saying, |
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