We lack humility (Luke 9:46-48). The disciples were attempting to use God’s power to prove their own greatness. They were competing with one another. Sadly, the same happens with us. Many times in ministry, I have leveraged my influence and gifts to compete with others, using my role as pastor/teacher to prove that I was “greater” than other pastors and teachers. Not only do those moments leave me unfulfilled, they also leave me powerless. That’s true for all of us.
We lack compassion (Luke 9:49-50, 54-55). The disciples had lost the plot. God has poured out His power into our lives so that we can display His compassion in the world. He’s not going to pour His power into our lives if we’re seeking to use it to power up on others or tear them down.
We lack faith (Matt. 17:19-20). The disciples lost God’s power because they had so little faith in Jesus. Jesus makes it clear that we only need a tiny amount of faith to move mountains—to do the impossible. They had too little faith in the One who had given them the power in the first place. We need to remember that huge faith in the wrong person means nothing, whereas small faith in Jesus can (and does) change the world. Sadly, there are times when, just like the disciples, I have large faith in my “greatness” but little to no faith in Jesus. These seasons always turn out to be the “terrible times” in my life and ministry.
We lack prayer (Mark 9:28-29). This failure taught the disciples that prayer was the essential foundation for all effective living and ministry. We need to learn the same truth. Apart from Him, we can do “nothing.” But in Him, we have the power to do everything He’s called us to do.
Too often, when our churches (big or small) aren’t making a difference in peoples’ lives or the world, it’s because we have the “form of godliness,” but we’re “denying its power.” The good news is that we can get it back by admitting our need, remembering the plot, believing in God’s ability and refusing to do anything apart from prayer—full dependence on Him. When we do, we will “bear much fruit” (John 15:5).