2026 Luke 9-3, How to Overcome Failure? Belief, Cross and Partnership
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2026-07-19 16:31
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How to Overcome Failure? Belief, Cross and Partnership
Luke 9:37-50
Haenyeo (female divers) go undersea to catch abalone and shellfish. It is said that Abalones are only revealed right before they take their last breath. Some lose their lives underwater, thinking, "Just one more, then I'll head up." They have to come up to the surface of the sea to breathe, but when they go back down, the abalone is nowhere to be seen again.
Life on this earth is like living underwater. I'm telling you that you would die if you try hard to catch something undersea without coming to the surface of the sea breathing the breath from God in heaven. Worship and prayer are like this. Three disciples saw the glory of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. And they came down the mountain. What happened?
Look at verses 38-40. A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” We see the disciples who were incompetent and who failed to heal a suffering boy. Why? How can we overcome failure?
First, belief
The disciples cast out demons in the past. But why can't they do it now? Verse 41 says, “You unbelieving and perverse generation.” The disciples failed to heal the demon-possessed boy because of their unbelief. In fact, the whole generation was unbelieving. The generation was characterized by two words, ‘unbelieving’ and ‘perverse.’ To, Jesus, the boy was a victim of the unbelieving and perverse generation.
The crowd was unbelieving. They came to Jesus. They listened to Jesus’ sermon and saw His miracles. However, they were like spectators watching football game. They enjoyed Jesus’ sermon and miracles but simply withdrew without devotion. The religious leaders were unbelieving. They were called by God to take care of suffering people. But they did not pray for the boy. They just tried hard to defend their authority and prestige. They studied the Scripture and had a form of godliness but denied its power. The boy’s father was unbelieving. He must have had a great hope in his son. But when he saw his son suffering, he became helpless, fearful, fatalistic and sorrowful to do anything. He could not believe anything.
How about the disciples? They followed Jesus. They were trained by Jesus. Then they should have healed the boy with the authority and power of Jesus. Yet, yet they failed and were rebuked because of lack of faith. They claim that they follow Jesus, yet they live by the values of the world.
Perversity is not taking the right path but wrong track. You have taken the wrong direction. Do not think that your direction is set just because you attend church. There are people who seem to follow Jesus but are unbelieving and perverse. They are always more interested in the world and themselves than in Jesus and his life-saving ministry. Then there is no power manifesting to drive the demons away and heal the sick.
The main key is the object of faith. Life is not about me but God. Changing from me to God is faith. However, there are people who do not change until they die. They come to church. They do bible study. Yet, they do not put their faith in Jesus but something else like ‘me’ or ‘money’ or ‘human relationship.’ We should be imitating Jesus, the object of faith, but we are copying the ungodly and unbelieving world. We do exactly what the world does. Jesus laments and rebukes us, “You unbelieving and perverse generation. How long shall I stay with you and put up with you?”
Jesus says, “Bring your son here.” Then He rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. Jesus did not try to treat the symptoms of epilepsy. He rebuked the impure Spirit, that is demon. It was the demon that continually tormented they boy seeking to destroy him. These days, most people live as if they were only flesh, ignorant spiritual reality. As a result, innumerable men and women suffer from the torment of demon possession. They see doctors, counsellors and massage therapists. They take medicine, drink, take drugs but no work. I have asked, “What is wrong with you?” Usually the answer is, “I don’t know, I don’t really know.” They are right. They cannot know the root of their problems because they do not acknowledge the existence of demon possession. Many people live with demons all the time, yet they study and work hard to make money and live a comfortable life. Then, like the boy, they suddenly scream out of frustration or sadness or anger. Salvation is casting out the demons within man by the name of Jesus.
Perversity also refers to behavior or attitudes that are stubbornly contrary or deliberately go against what is normal, that is the order of God. The original order established by God is God-Man-Material, but the order has been reversed to material-man-God. This is perversity. How can we expect healing the sick and casting out demon if we are unbelieving and perverse? That is why that child is suffering from demon possession. Who can heal that child? It is when we believe in Jesus and have the right order.
In our generation, there are many possessed by demons. Why? It is because people do not believe in Jesus and are perverse. Jesus was heartbroken and lamented, “How long shall I stay with you and put up with you?” In John 6:28-29, the crowd asked Jesus, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
If there are people in the church who believe in God and have spiritual order in their lives, there are work of casting out demons and healing the sick.
Our church is doing campus salvation ministry. But if we are like this unbelieving and perverse generation, nothing will happen. On the other hand, if there are some who by faith pray and go out to campus to share the gospel of Jesus, there will be spiritual revival in SFU and Vancouver. If you doubt, "Can I really live a fruitful life?" Then nothing happens. Ultimately, our battle is a battle of faith.
Today, I want you to check your faith above all else. Also, do not look at a person's outward appearance; you must look at their faith. I want you to meet believing spouse.
Today, what do you lack? Money, career, health or ability? Instead of searching for useless things, seek faith in Jesus first. Faith is everything.
Second, the cross
After healing the boy, Jesus said (v 44), “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you. The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” Why did Jesus tell them again about the cross? Verse 43 says, “And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did.” When Jesus cast out the demons, everyone was marvelling. Then, the disciples cheered with joy. "Wow, our Lord is amazing! His popularity is skyrocketing. He will soon seize power. Our time has come." They were excited by great expectations.
Jesus challenges them. “Listen carefully. I am going to be crucified soon.” He talked to them about the death on the cross. Listen carefully. A life of faith is about cross. Are you expecting peace, success, wisdom, salvation from Jesus? That is good. However, listen carefully. His cross is first. You have to accept His cross and you have to go the way of cross; suffering, sacrifice and devotion first then glory will be yours.
The question is this, “Is it the cross or your desire?” Why did they fail? Because their human expectation and ambition got the better of them. That is greed. We are the same. We claim to believe in Jesus, yet we are just like the disciples. We are greedy and humanly ambitious.
Verse 45 says, “But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.” They failed. Why? They did not understand about the truth of cross, ‘no cross, no resurrection, no sweat, no harvest, no pain, no gain.’ The cross of Jesus is power and wisdom of God. So, Paul shouted, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)
Verse 46 says, “An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.” When Jesus talked about the cross, they were silent. But they raised their voices abut ‘who is the greatest.’ Jesus’ disciples were having a power struggle. "I must take the initiative. I am the best. I am the leader." Because of the mindset that "I am the center," families are broken and churches face difficulties. This is spiritual ignorance. We need to lay all of this down and hold onto the cross.
Jesus said. “I must suffer, be rejected, and be put to death on the cross.” This is the Creator’s self-denial and bearing the cross. The solution lies in death. The answer lies in the cross. It is my own death. If you hold onto the cross, you overcome failure, incompetence and disappointment. It is only possible by bearing the cross. However, the disciples do not accept this at all.
The oldest brother (still young) in a certain family is dying of cancer. In front of his dying brother, three younger brothers fight amongst themselves. "If he dies, his room is mine.” “No, that is mine.” “His computer and bicycle are mine.” Wouldn't the dying brother’s heart be torn?
The human Jesus stood before death on the cross. It was so difficult that he prayed to God with tears three times that he would not drink this cup. Jesus was in deep agony and sorrow. But what are the disciples doing at that moment? Jesus called them to participate in His divinity and preach the good news of God’s kingdom. But they are fighting against one another over who is the greatest. “I will be First Prime Minster in Jesus’ kingdom.” “No, that is mine.” Jesus is going to shed His blood on the cross to give the world eternal life, yet we are arguing over who would own the room, the computer and the bicycle.
What is church? Who is a Christian? Isn't the one believing in Jesus and bearing the cross? However, we chase after our own ambition and pleasures, and we try to seize control of our lives. No. you (I) must die. You must let God control your life and plans. You must suffer loss, be misunderstood, and sacrifice for the church of God. Then, the grace and power of Jesus will overflow in the church. Demons will be cast out, the sick will be healed, and we will experience God's power in our lives.
Verse 47 says, “Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him.” At that time, a child was ignored and treated nothing. Now Jesus teaches his disciples, “The smallest one is the greatest.” I believe this is important. Jesus identified Himself with the lowliest child.
Does a little child insist the initiative? What is the core? The cross. I have died with Jesus on the cross. My pride, greed, selfishness and plans—they are all dead. Only then do we overcome failure and disappointment.
Look at verse 48. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” In this world, who are treated important and great? Probably, successful people with wealth and lots of achievements. But Jesus says that the truly great man is one who accepts the helpless in the name of Jesus. It is one who serves and sacrifices as a slave to help child like people until they can stand on their own two feet in God.
I want you know Christ Jesus. I want you to hear and practice Christ’s teachings. It is, sacrificing, serving, and suffering loss. If you say, "I will never suffer a loss," it means you do not know Jesus. If you live like that, nothing remains in the end. You lose everything. Would you lose some of your time, material possessions, and plans for the Lord? That is what it means to be a Christian and to be a church. When each of us welcomes a child representing the weak, helpless, we and the church are filled with God’s grace and power to heal the sick and drive away the demons. Live like little children. And serve children like people.
Third, partnership.
Look at verses 49-50. “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.” John someone driving out demons. He was doing a wonderful work of God. However, John was not happy and could not accept it because this man was not one of them. Jesus rebuked John because of his exclusivism.
It is more important to do things through others than through myself. I am much happier when things go well through others. I ask you to share your faith. When I see you experiencing God's grace and doing the work of God, I feel truly happy and I fill fulfilled at my work. It is not about doing everything alone. There must be things done through others. You need to learn this right now. You must rejoice when things work out through others. Then there will be no failure or disappointment. A life of faith is not exclusivity, but partnership.
May God bless us to overcome unbelief in us so that we can heal many demon possessed suffering people in our campus and the world.
Luke 9:37-50
Haenyeo (female divers) go undersea to catch abalone and shellfish. It is said that Abalones are only revealed right before they take their last breath. Some lose their lives underwater, thinking, "Just one more, then I'll head up." They have to come up to the surface of the sea to breathe, but when they go back down, the abalone is nowhere to be seen again.
Life on this earth is like living underwater. I'm telling you that you would die if you try hard to catch something undersea without coming to the surface of the sea breathing the breath from God in heaven. Worship and prayer are like this. Three disciples saw the glory of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. And they came down the mountain. What happened?
Look at verses 38-40. A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” We see the disciples who were incompetent and who failed to heal a suffering boy. Why? How can we overcome failure?
First, belief
The disciples cast out demons in the past. But why can't they do it now? Verse 41 says, “You unbelieving and perverse generation.” The disciples failed to heal the demon-possessed boy because of their unbelief. In fact, the whole generation was unbelieving. The generation was characterized by two words, ‘unbelieving’ and ‘perverse.’ To, Jesus, the boy was a victim of the unbelieving and perverse generation.
The crowd was unbelieving. They came to Jesus. They listened to Jesus’ sermon and saw His miracles. However, they were like spectators watching football game. They enjoyed Jesus’ sermon and miracles but simply withdrew without devotion. The religious leaders were unbelieving. They were called by God to take care of suffering people. But they did not pray for the boy. They just tried hard to defend their authority and prestige. They studied the Scripture and had a form of godliness but denied its power. The boy’s father was unbelieving. He must have had a great hope in his son. But when he saw his son suffering, he became helpless, fearful, fatalistic and sorrowful to do anything. He could not believe anything.
How about the disciples? They followed Jesus. They were trained by Jesus. Then they should have healed the boy with the authority and power of Jesus. Yet, yet they failed and were rebuked because of lack of faith. They claim that they follow Jesus, yet they live by the values of the world.
Perversity is not taking the right path but wrong track. You have taken the wrong direction. Do not think that your direction is set just because you attend church. There are people who seem to follow Jesus but are unbelieving and perverse. They are always more interested in the world and themselves than in Jesus and his life-saving ministry. Then there is no power manifesting to drive the demons away and heal the sick.
The main key is the object of faith. Life is not about me but God. Changing from me to God is faith. However, there are people who do not change until they die. They come to church. They do bible study. Yet, they do not put their faith in Jesus but something else like ‘me’ or ‘money’ or ‘human relationship.’ We should be imitating Jesus, the object of faith, but we are copying the ungodly and unbelieving world. We do exactly what the world does. Jesus laments and rebukes us, “You unbelieving and perverse generation. How long shall I stay with you and put up with you?”
Jesus says, “Bring your son here.” Then He rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. Jesus did not try to treat the symptoms of epilepsy. He rebuked the impure Spirit, that is demon. It was the demon that continually tormented they boy seeking to destroy him. These days, most people live as if they were only flesh, ignorant spiritual reality. As a result, innumerable men and women suffer from the torment of demon possession. They see doctors, counsellors and massage therapists. They take medicine, drink, take drugs but no work. I have asked, “What is wrong with you?” Usually the answer is, “I don’t know, I don’t really know.” They are right. They cannot know the root of their problems because they do not acknowledge the existence of demon possession. Many people live with demons all the time, yet they study and work hard to make money and live a comfortable life. Then, like the boy, they suddenly scream out of frustration or sadness or anger. Salvation is casting out the demons within man by the name of Jesus.
Perversity also refers to behavior or attitudes that are stubbornly contrary or deliberately go against what is normal, that is the order of God. The original order established by God is God-Man-Material, but the order has been reversed to material-man-God. This is perversity. How can we expect healing the sick and casting out demon if we are unbelieving and perverse? That is why that child is suffering from demon possession. Who can heal that child? It is when we believe in Jesus and have the right order.
In our generation, there are many possessed by demons. Why? It is because people do not believe in Jesus and are perverse. Jesus was heartbroken and lamented, “How long shall I stay with you and put up with you?” In John 6:28-29, the crowd asked Jesus, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
If there are people in the church who believe in God and have spiritual order in their lives, there are work of casting out demons and healing the sick.
Our church is doing campus salvation ministry. But if we are like this unbelieving and perverse generation, nothing will happen. On the other hand, if there are some who by faith pray and go out to campus to share the gospel of Jesus, there will be spiritual revival in SFU and Vancouver. If you doubt, "Can I really live a fruitful life?" Then nothing happens. Ultimately, our battle is a battle of faith.
Today, I want you to check your faith above all else. Also, do not look at a person's outward appearance; you must look at their faith. I want you to meet believing spouse.
Today, what do you lack? Money, career, health or ability? Instead of searching for useless things, seek faith in Jesus first. Faith is everything.
Second, the cross
After healing the boy, Jesus said (v 44), “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you. The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” Why did Jesus tell them again about the cross? Verse 43 says, “And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did.” When Jesus cast out the demons, everyone was marvelling. Then, the disciples cheered with joy. "Wow, our Lord is amazing! His popularity is skyrocketing. He will soon seize power. Our time has come." They were excited by great expectations.
Jesus challenges them. “Listen carefully. I am going to be crucified soon.” He talked to them about the death on the cross. Listen carefully. A life of faith is about cross. Are you expecting peace, success, wisdom, salvation from Jesus? That is good. However, listen carefully. His cross is first. You have to accept His cross and you have to go the way of cross; suffering, sacrifice and devotion first then glory will be yours.
The question is this, “Is it the cross or your desire?” Why did they fail? Because their human expectation and ambition got the better of them. That is greed. We are the same. We claim to believe in Jesus, yet we are just like the disciples. We are greedy and humanly ambitious.
Verse 45 says, “But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.” They failed. Why? They did not understand about the truth of cross, ‘no cross, no resurrection, no sweat, no harvest, no pain, no gain.’ The cross of Jesus is power and wisdom of God. So, Paul shouted, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)
Verse 46 says, “An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.” When Jesus talked about the cross, they were silent. But they raised their voices abut ‘who is the greatest.’ Jesus’ disciples were having a power struggle. "I must take the initiative. I am the best. I am the leader." Because of the mindset that "I am the center," families are broken and churches face difficulties. This is spiritual ignorance. We need to lay all of this down and hold onto the cross.
Jesus said. “I must suffer, be rejected, and be put to death on the cross.” This is the Creator’s self-denial and bearing the cross. The solution lies in death. The answer lies in the cross. It is my own death. If you hold onto the cross, you overcome failure, incompetence and disappointment. It is only possible by bearing the cross. However, the disciples do not accept this at all.
The oldest brother (still young) in a certain family is dying of cancer. In front of his dying brother, three younger brothers fight amongst themselves. "If he dies, his room is mine.” “No, that is mine.” “His computer and bicycle are mine.” Wouldn't the dying brother’s heart be torn?
The human Jesus stood before death on the cross. It was so difficult that he prayed to God with tears three times that he would not drink this cup. Jesus was in deep agony and sorrow. But what are the disciples doing at that moment? Jesus called them to participate in His divinity and preach the good news of God’s kingdom. But they are fighting against one another over who is the greatest. “I will be First Prime Minster in Jesus’ kingdom.” “No, that is mine.” Jesus is going to shed His blood on the cross to give the world eternal life, yet we are arguing over who would own the room, the computer and the bicycle.
What is church? Who is a Christian? Isn't the one believing in Jesus and bearing the cross? However, we chase after our own ambition and pleasures, and we try to seize control of our lives. No. you (I) must die. You must let God control your life and plans. You must suffer loss, be misunderstood, and sacrifice for the church of God. Then, the grace and power of Jesus will overflow in the church. Demons will be cast out, the sick will be healed, and we will experience God's power in our lives.
Verse 47 says, “Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him.” At that time, a child was ignored and treated nothing. Now Jesus teaches his disciples, “The smallest one is the greatest.” I believe this is important. Jesus identified Himself with the lowliest child.
Does a little child insist the initiative? What is the core? The cross. I have died with Jesus on the cross. My pride, greed, selfishness and plans—they are all dead. Only then do we overcome failure and disappointment.
Look at verse 48. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” In this world, who are treated important and great? Probably, successful people with wealth and lots of achievements. But Jesus says that the truly great man is one who accepts the helpless in the name of Jesus. It is one who serves and sacrifices as a slave to help child like people until they can stand on their own two feet in God.
I want you know Christ Jesus. I want you to hear and practice Christ’s teachings. It is, sacrificing, serving, and suffering loss. If you say, "I will never suffer a loss," it means you do not know Jesus. If you live like that, nothing remains in the end. You lose everything. Would you lose some of your time, material possessions, and plans for the Lord? That is what it means to be a Christian and to be a church. When each of us welcomes a child representing the weak, helpless, we and the church are filled with God’s grace and power to heal the sick and drive away the demons. Live like little children. And serve children like people.
Third, partnership.
Look at verses 49-50. “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.” John someone driving out demons. He was doing a wonderful work of God. However, John was not happy and could not accept it because this man was not one of them. Jesus rebuked John because of his exclusivism.
It is more important to do things through others than through myself. I am much happier when things go well through others. I ask you to share your faith. When I see you experiencing God's grace and doing the work of God, I feel truly happy and I fill fulfilled at my work. It is not about doing everything alone. There must be things done through others. You need to learn this right now. You must rejoice when things work out through others. Then there will be no failure or disappointment. A life of faith is not exclusivity, but partnership.
May God bless us to overcome unbelief in us so that we can heal many demon possessed suffering people in our campus and the world.