* As believers in the marketplace, the way we do our job reflects the character of our God.

* If we do a good job, it speaks well of God.

* If we do a bad job, it damages His reputation.

* Case in point - notice the events that took place in this story (vs 17-22):

* 1) A man had a problem - his son was demon possessed.

* 2) The disciples had a solution - they could cast out the demon.

* 3) They failed to do their job - they weren’t properly prepared (not enough time spent in prayer and fasting).

* PAUSE - read vs 22-24 - the man said “IF you can do something…”

* Can you see the doubt in his statement?

* Certainly he had faith before he showed up, otherwise why would he have come in the first place?

* He probably heard Jesus was coming to town and he showed up as a ready, willing, and able customer full of faith and hope.

* But now, because the disciples failed to do their job, the man began to doubt.

* It shook his faith.

* This is what was at stake if the disciples didn’t do their job - Christ’s reputation was at stake.

* So what do we do?

* Vs 25-29 - We spend time alone with God, and He will give us the insights we need.

* EX: when I built our franchise system my best ideas came early in the morning when I was praying.

* This system allowed us to gain the reputation as the best in our industry, and opened the door for us to share our faith with lots of people.