1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:07,060 You’re listening to a sermon from Pastor Colin Smith of Open the Bible. 2 00:00:07,060 –> 00:00:15,560 To contact us, call us at 1-877-OPEN-365 or visit our website, openthebible.org. 3 00:00:15,560 –> 00:00:19,120 Let’s get to the message, here is Pastor Colin. 4 00:00:19,120 –> 00:00:24,299 Well, please, open your Bible at Matthew Chapter 6. 5 00:00:24,360 –> 00:00:30,459 The Bible says that when everything else passes away there are three things that will remain, 6 00:00:30,459 –> 00:00:35,459 faith, hope, and love remain forever. 7 00:00:35,459 –> 00:00:41,060 Faith, hope, and love are our distinct calling from God and I am absolutely persuaded 8 00:00:41,060 –> 00:00:47,180 to the core of my being, that the greatest need of the Christian Church today 9 00:00:47,180 –> 00:00:53,939 is a fresh outpouring, a filling, of faith and of hope and of love. 10 00:00:54,779 –> 00:00:57,400 Why do we need to grow in faith? 11 00:00:57,400 –> 00:01:02,060 What does that look like and how is that possible? 12 00:01:02,060 –> 00:01:07,220 Luke records that the disciples on one occasion said to Jesus, 13 00:01:07,220 –> 00:01:17,639 Lord increase our faith, Lord increase our faith, that’s our prayer for this series. 14 00:01:17,639 –> 00:01:23,099 These men, the disciples, had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 15 00:01:23,099 –> 00:01:25,860 they were followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, 16 00:01:25,860 –> 00:01:32,459 but they came to a point in their lives where they knew that they had to grow in their faith. 17 00:01:32,459 –> 00:01:37,739 And you’ll know what that’s like in your life as I know what it’s like in mine. 18 00:01:37,739 –> 00:01:43,559 Perhaps you have been a believer for some time, perhaps for many, many years, 19 00:01:43,559 –> 00:01:49,940 but then suddenly some crisis erupts in your life 20 00:01:49,959 –> 00:01:53,739 and you’ve been a believer for a long time, you suddenly find yourself saying, 21 00:01:53,739 –> 00:02:02,860 well now I’m really going to have to trust God, Lord increase my faith. 22 00:02:02,860 –> 00:02:05,559 Well that is the prayer for our series 23 00:02:05,559 –> 00:02:12,300 and we are starting today at a place where each and every one of us can begin. 24 00:02:12,300 –> 00:02:19,199 Jesus spoke on five occasions about little faith. 25 00:02:19,320 –> 00:02:23,979 The first of those is in our reading from Matthew and chapter 6. 26 00:02:23,979 –> 00:02:29,039 If you have your Bible open you will see it in verse 30 where he says to the disciples, 27 00:02:29,039 –> 00:02:34,000 Oh you of little faith. 28 00:02:34,000 –> 00:02:38,139 Now our Lord used this phrase little faith 29 00:02:38,139 –> 00:02:40,559 almost as if it was a name. 30 00:02:40,559 –> 00:02:46,720 It’s almost as if he’s using this as a name by which he refers to his disciples 31 00:02:46,860 –> 00:02:53,580 And you might feel that little faith could be your middle name. 32 00:02:53,580 –> 00:02:55,539 Little faith. 33 00:02:55,539 –> 00:02:57,000 That’s me. 34 00:02:57,000 –> 00:03:05,279 I have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but I often feel that my faith is small. 35 00:03:05,279 –> 00:03:10,139 Now all of us have times in our lives when we feel that our faith is small. 36 00:03:10,139 –> 00:03:16,259 But no believer should ever be content with little faith. 37 00:03:16,279 –> 00:03:19,479 Our faith needs to grow. 38 00:03:19,479 –> 00:03:24,339 And today, as we begin this new series, I want us to see why. 39 00:03:24,339 –> 00:03:34,119 We’re going to look at five occasions where Jesus spoke about little faith. 40 00:03:34,119 –> 00:03:41,539 And we’re going to see from these five cases, five reasons for growing in faith. 41 00:03:41,539 –> 00:03:46,940 Now the first time then that Jesus refers to little faith is in the passage that was 42 00:03:46,940 –> 00:03:50,479 read for us in Matthew and chapter 6. 43 00:03:50,479 –> 00:03:59,320 And from this, we learn that little faith is ineffective against anxiety. 44 00:03:59,320 –> 00:04:06,220 That’s the first reason that we want to grow in faith because little faith is ineffective 45 00:04:06,220 –> 00:04:08,160 against anxiety. 46 00:04:08,160 –> 00:04:17,200 Look back up to verse 25, if you would, and see that Jesus is speaking here about anxiety. 47 00:04:17,200 –> 00:04:18,920 Do not be anxious. 48 00:04:18,920 –> 00:04:27,480 He says about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, 49 00:04:27,480 –> 00:04:29,160 what you will put on. 50 00:04:29,160 –> 00:04:36,320 Now you read these words of Jesus and it’s very clear these are the things we’re anxious 51 00:04:36,320 –> 00:04:38,859 about all the time. 52 00:04:38,859 –> 00:04:42,899 Do we have enough to cover our costs? 53 00:04:42,899 –> 00:04:46,420 Have we saved enough for the future? 54 00:04:46,420 –> 00:04:52,600 Will we be able to make ends meet or have we actually bitten off more than we can chew? 55 00:04:52,600 –> 00:05:03,500 These are the unavoidable questions of life and their natural tendency is to produce anxiety. 56 00:05:04,359 –> 00:05:08,420 But here Jesus says do not be anxious. 57 00:05:08,420 –> 00:05:11,679 You read that and you say well how can we do that. 58 00:05:11,679 –> 00:05:17,640 Well Jesus tells us why we must not give way to anxiety. 59 00:05:17,640 –> 00:05:22,399 Notice he tells us in verse 26, there’s no need for anxiety. 60 00:05:22,399 –> 00:05:24,079 Look at the birds of the air. 61 00:05:24,079 –> 00:05:29,799 They neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. 62 00:05:29,799 –> 00:05:33,000 Are you not of more value than they? 63 00:05:33,220 –> 00:05:36,540 Look your heavenly father cares for the birds Jesus says. 64 00:05:36,540 –> 00:05:40,260 Do you not think that your heavenly father will care for you as well. 65 00:05:40,260 –> 00:05:46,420 There is no need for you to be anxious. 66 00:05:46,420 –> 00:05:52,200 Then he follows it up in verse 27 by saying there is no point in being anxious. 67 00:05:52,200 –> 00:06:00,940 Verse 27 which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to the span of his life. 68 00:06:00,940 –> 00:06:02,140 You see what Jesus is saying. 69 00:06:02,179 –> 00:06:05,579 Worry doesn’t change a thing. 70 00:06:05,579 –> 00:06:08,959 It can’t make your health better. 71 00:06:08,959 –> 00:06:13,019 It can’t extend your life by a single day or a single hour. 72 00:06:13,019 –> 00:06:19,119 Worry is in its nature completely and utterly unproductive. 73 00:06:19,119 –> 00:06:27,399 So if there is no need for anxiety and there is no point in anxiety why do we worry? 74 00:06:27,480 –> 00:06:29,320 Jesus tells us, 75 00:06:29,839 –> 00:06:34,459 Oh you of little faith. 76 00:06:34,459 –> 00:06:41,279 We worry because our faith is small. 77 00:06:41,279 –> 00:06:46,339 Now, remember that Jesus is talking here to believers. 78 00:06:46,339 –> 00:06:49,700 He doesn’t say to these first-hearers of these words 79 00:06:49,700 –> 00:06:51,239 that they have no faith. 80 00:06:51,239 –> 00:06:54,380 No, he says that they have little faith. 81 00:06:54,500 –> 00:06:58,100 And what Jesus is saying here is that little faith 82 00:06:58,100 –> 00:07:00,920 is ineffective against anxiety. 83 00:07:00,920 –> 00:07:04,880 Yes, you believe, but you’re anxious so much of the time. 84 00:07:04,880 –> 00:07:09,739 It is possible to be a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ 85 00:07:09,739 –> 00:07:14,140 and yet still to be overwhelmed with anxiety. 86 00:07:14,140 –> 00:07:16,359 And none of us wants to be there. 87 00:07:16,359 –> 00:07:18,339 And that’s the first reason 88 00:07:19,299 –> 00:07:22,359 why we all want to grow in faith. 89 00:07:23,160 –> 00:07:25,519 The more we grow in faith, 90 00:07:25,519 –> 00:07:28,920 the more we will prevail over anxiety. 91 00:07:30,119 –> 00:07:33,899 Grow in your faith and you will worry less. 92 00:07:34,799 –> 00:07:38,519 Grow in your faith and you will have greater peace, 93 00:07:38,519 –> 00:07:40,059 you’ll have greater freedom, 94 00:07:41,440 –> 00:07:43,200 and you’ll have greater joy. 95 00:07:45,459 –> 00:07:47,100 So how can we grow in faith? 96 00:07:47,100 –> 00:07:49,359 That’s always the practical question, isn’t it? 97 00:07:49,359 –> 00:07:52,279 Well, there are many, many answers. 98 00:07:52,519 –> 00:07:55,760 To that question, how can we grow in faith? 99 00:07:55,760 –> 00:07:59,000 We’re going to pick up on five of them today. 100 00:07:59,000 –> 00:08:01,600 And God willing, in the weeks that lie ahead, 101 00:08:01,600 –> 00:08:04,700 we’re going to see many more answers to the question, 102 00:08:04,700 –> 00:08:06,440 how can I grow in faith? 103 00:08:06,440 –> 00:08:09,339 I hope you’re going to embrace each and every one of them. 104 00:08:10,399 –> 00:08:11,260 Notice what our Lord 105 00:08:11,260 –> 00:08:12,959 says to little faith here. 106 00:08:14,119 –> 00:08:16,200 Verse 33, 107 00:08:16,200 –> 00:08:19,959 Seek first the kingdom of God. 108 00:08:20,920 –> 00:08:25,779 And all these things will be added to you. 109 00:08:26,880 –> 00:08:27,820 You see the point. 110 00:08:27,820 –> 00:08:32,820 Faith grows as we seek God’s kingdom. 111 00:08:34,280 –> 00:08:37,520 Give yourself to serving the Lord 112 00:08:39,400 –> 00:08:40,799 and you will grow in faith. 113 00:08:42,140 –> 00:08:44,780 Hold back and your faith will remain little. 114 00:08:44,780 –> 00:08:47,400 But give yourself to seek His kingdom, 115 00:08:47,400 –> 00:08:49,340 give yourself to serve the Lord 116 00:08:49,340 –> 00:08:54,099 and you will grow in faith. 117 00:08:56,159 –> 00:08:59,880 Now, the second time that Jesus refers to little faith 118 00:08:59,880 –> 00:09:03,559 is in Matthew and chapter eight. 119 00:09:03,559 –> 00:09:05,260 And here we come to the story 120 00:09:05,260 –> 00:09:08,400 of where the disciples were shaken to the core 121 00:09:08,400 –> 00:09:10,299 by a sudden storm. 122 00:09:10,299 –> 00:09:11,940 And from this story, 123 00:09:11,940 –> 00:09:15,679 we learn that little faith underestimates 124 00:09:15,679 –> 00:09:19,119 the ability of Jesus. 125 00:09:19,159 –> 00:09:20,500 Notice Jesus said to them, 126 00:09:20,500 –> 00:09:22,340 why are you afraid? 127 00:09:22,340 –> 00:09:24,299 Oh, you of little faith. 128 00:09:24,299 –> 00:09:27,099 And then he rose and he rebuked the winds 129 00:09:27,099 –> 00:09:28,500 and the sea. 130 00:09:28,500 –> 00:09:31,280 And there was a great calm. 131 00:09:32,900 –> 00:09:35,419 Now, if you look up a few verses 132 00:09:35,419 –> 00:09:39,080 in Matthew and chapter eight to verse 18, 133 00:09:39,080 –> 00:09:41,619 you will see that the disciples 134 00:09:41,619 –> 00:09:45,260 got into the boat at the express command 135 00:09:45,260 –> 00:09:47,940 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 136 00:09:47,960 –> 00:09:52,960 He commanded them, He gave orders Matthew said, 137 00:09:53,619 –> 00:09:57,299 that they go over to the other side of the lake. 138 00:09:57,299 –> 00:10:00,239 And it seems that the water was calmed 139 00:10:00,239 –> 00:10:02,900 when the disciples set out in obedience 140 00:10:02,900 –> 00:10:04,500 to the command of Jesus. 141 00:10:04,500 –> 00:10:09,280 What could be more pleasant than an evening boat trip 142 00:10:09,280 –> 00:10:11,900 with the Lord Jesus Christ. 143 00:10:11,900 –> 00:10:13,520 But do you know the story? 144 00:10:13,520 –> 00:10:18,140 Suddenly, unexpectedly, everything changed. 145 00:10:18,140 –> 00:10:19,719 Verse 24. 146 00:10:19,719 –> 00:10:22,739 And behold there arose a great storm on the sea 147 00:10:22,739 –> 00:10:26,659 so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. 148 00:10:27,599 –> 00:10:31,659 And Matthew tells us that Jesus was asleep. 149 00:10:32,960 –> 00:10:36,099 So you see here you are in a crisis 150 00:10:36,099 –> 00:10:38,380 and the first question you have is, 151 00:10:38,380 –> 00:10:41,479 what in the world is Jesus doing? 152 00:10:42,419 –> 00:10:46,520 And the truth is he doesn’t appear to be doing anything. 153 00:10:48,140 –> 00:10:50,400 He doesn’t seem even to be engaged. 154 00:10:52,039 –> 00:10:55,840 So the disciples go and they waken the Savior. 155 00:10:55,840 –> 00:10:59,159 Save us, Lord, they say we are perishing. 156 00:10:59,159 –> 00:11:02,000 See, that’s what faith does. 157 00:11:02,000 –> 00:11:06,359 Faith’s first instinct in times of trouble 158 00:11:06,359 –> 00:11:10,520 is to turn to the Lord and to ask for help. 159 00:11:11,599 –> 00:11:14,840 And Matthew records that Jesus said to them, 160 00:11:14,840 –> 00:11:16,799 why are you afraid? 161 00:11:17,880 –> 00:11:19,419 Oh, you of little faith. 162 00:11:20,479 –> 00:11:21,919 Now, what I want you to notice here 163 00:11:21,919 –> 00:11:26,919 is that little faith is obedient to Jesus. 164 00:11:27,239 –> 00:11:29,299 The disciples obeyed the command of Jesus. 165 00:11:29,299 –> 00:11:31,059 They got in the boat when he told them 166 00:11:31,059 –> 00:11:33,239 to cross to the other side of the lake. 167 00:11:33,239 –> 00:11:37,000 Little faith obeys the Lord Jesus. 168 00:11:37,000 –> 00:11:40,760 And little faith prays to the Lord Jesus. 169 00:11:40,760 –> 00:11:42,419 The disciples called on Jesus. 170 00:11:42,419 –> 00:11:46,479 They asked him for help, save us, we are perishing. 171 00:11:46,479 –> 00:11:50,659 So little faith obeys, and little faith prays. 172 00:11:51,559 –> 00:11:54,539 And yet little faith still lives in fear, 173 00:11:56,119 –> 00:12:01,119 because little faith underestimates the ability of Jesus. 174 00:12:03,000 –> 00:12:06,200 Do you see it is possible to be an obedient, 175 00:12:06,200 –> 00:12:10,280 praying believer and still to underestimate 176 00:12:11,000 –> 00:12:15,039 what Jesus Christ is able to do? 177 00:12:15,039 –> 00:12:16,500 It’s what little faith does, 178 00:12:17,559 –> 00:12:22,559 and none of us wants to underestimate the ability of Jesus. 179 00:12:24,719 –> 00:12:27,140 Now, notice where the story ends 180 00:12:27,140 –> 00:12:29,919 because here’s where we pick up another lesson 181 00:12:29,919 –> 00:12:32,179 on how to grow in faith. 182 00:12:32,179 –> 00:12:33,859 Verse 26, Matthew records, 183 00:12:33,859 –> 00:12:37,719 then he, that is, Jesus, rose, 184 00:12:37,719 –> 00:12:39,320 he got up from sleeping in the boat 185 00:12:39,320 –> 00:12:41,559 and he rebuked the winds and the sea 186 00:12:41,559 –> 00:12:45,940 and there was a great calm and the men marveled, 187 00:12:45,940 –> 00:12:49,159 saying, what sort of man is this 188 00:12:49,159 –> 00:12:53,559 that even winds and sea obey him? 189 00:12:54,780 –> 00:12:59,340 Faith grows as we get to know Jesus. 190 00:13:00,559 –> 00:13:05,559 Walk with him, learn of him, look to him. 191 00:13:06,559 –> 00:13:09,559 And your faith will grow. 192 00:13:10,599 –> 00:13:14,320 You know, Paul says that he is able to do 193 00:13:14,320 –> 00:13:19,320 far more abundantly above all that we ask 194 00:13:21,000 –> 00:13:23,799 and even above all that we think. 195 00:13:24,880 –> 00:13:29,919 Little faith believes enough to ask Jesus for help. 196 00:13:29,919 –> 00:13:32,719 Little faith thinks that God can help. 197 00:13:32,719 –> 00:13:35,159 That is why he or she asks. 198 00:13:36,239 –> 00:13:40,719 But God is able to do far abundantly more 199 00:13:42,200 –> 00:13:45,599 than little faith asks or thinks. 200 00:13:46,799 –> 00:13:48,719 He’s able to do far more 201 00:13:48,719 –> 00:13:52,280 than any of us here today even thinks. 202 00:13:53,200 –> 00:13:58,200 Walk with him and you will find out what he can do. 203 00:13:58,200 –> 00:13:59,799 There’s so much that he can do. 204 00:14:02,039 –> 00:14:07,039 Now, the third time that Jesus refers to little faith 205 00:14:08,320 –> 00:14:10,299 is in Matthew in chapter 14. 206 00:14:10,299 –> 00:14:13,599 And you might like to turn over to that with me now. 207 00:14:13,599 –> 00:14:15,719 This is the story of when Jesus 208 00:14:15,719 –> 00:14:19,640 came to his disciples walking on the water. 209 00:14:19,640 –> 00:14:20,599 And from this story, 210 00:14:20,599 –> 00:14:25,359 we learned that little faith is easily distracted. 211 00:14:25,760 –> 00:14:28,460 Notice Matthew 14 and verse 31, 212 00:14:28,460 –> 00:14:30,719 immediately, Jesus reached out his hand 213 00:14:30,719 –> 00:14:31,780 and took hold of him 214 00:14:31,780 –> 00:14:34,000 that is Peter saying to him, 215 00:14:34,000 –> 00:14:36,479 Oh, you off little faith. 216 00:14:37,840 –> 00:14:39,940 Why did you doubt? 217 00:14:41,619 –> 00:14:44,320 Now, again, this is a story that some of us know well. 218 00:14:45,440 –> 00:14:48,640 The disciples were in the boat at night 219 00:14:49,659 –> 00:14:52,799 and Jesus had gone up to a mountain on his own 220 00:14:52,799 –> 00:14:54,179 in order to pray. 221 00:14:55,039 –> 00:14:56,760 But late in the night, 222 00:14:56,760 –> 00:15:01,200 Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water. 223 00:15:02,140 –> 00:15:03,520 And first the disciples thought 224 00:15:03,520 –> 00:15:05,460 that they were seeing a ghost, 225 00:15:05,460 –> 00:15:08,039 but Jesus said, take heart. 226 00:15:08,039 –> 00:15:11,200 It is I, do not be afraid. 227 00:15:12,119 –> 00:15:15,380 And Peter said, Lord, if it’s you command me 228 00:15:15,380 –> 00:15:17,219 to come to you on the water. 229 00:15:17,219 –> 00:15:18,859 And Jesus said come. 230 00:15:20,280 –> 00:15:21,700 Peter got out of the boat 231 00:15:22,700 –> 00:15:26,840 and he walked on the water to Jesus. 232 00:15:28,760 –> 00:15:31,460 Now here we learn something else about faith. 233 00:15:31,460 –> 00:15:35,539 Faith takes bold initiatives 234 00:15:35,539 –> 00:15:38,700 at the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. 235 00:15:40,020 –> 00:15:41,619 When we look at this story, 236 00:15:41,619 –> 00:15:43,580 Peter getting out of the boat, 237 00:15:43,580 –> 00:15:46,659 our first thought is most likely, 238 00:15:46,659 –> 00:15:49,580 well, Peter must have had a great faith to do that. 239 00:15:49,580 –> 00:15:50,979 I mean, I’m not sure I would’ve done it. 240 00:15:51,020 –> 00:15:52,260 Would I have gone out of the boat? 241 00:15:52,260 –> 00:15:55,200 Peter must’ve had great faith to get out of the boat. 242 00:15:55,200 –> 00:15:58,000 And yet what Jesus says to him here is, 243 00:15:58,000 –> 00:15:59,739 oh, you have little faith. 244 00:16:02,500 –> 00:16:05,219 Spurgeon suggests that Peter’s faith 245 00:16:05,219 –> 00:16:08,059 was little from the beginning 246 00:16:08,059 –> 00:16:13,059 because little faith is always looking for a sign. 247 00:16:15,500 –> 00:16:18,039 This isn’t what he says, I quote, 248 00:16:18,119 –> 00:16:23,119 little faith is far too eager for signs. 249 00:16:24,159 –> 00:16:26,119 Spurgeon says I do not think 250 00:16:26,119 –> 00:16:29,520 Peter’s faith suddenly became little. 251 00:16:29,520 –> 00:16:31,719 It was always little 252 00:16:31,719 –> 00:16:35,940 and the sight of the wind made its littleness apparent. 253 00:16:37,119 –> 00:16:42,119 He continues, strong faith is content without signs. 254 00:16:42,799 –> 00:16:47,500 It believes God’s bare word 255 00:16:47,500 –> 00:16:51,760 and asks for no confirming miracle. 256 00:16:54,119 –> 00:16:58,880 Now, it’s clear from the story that little faith, 257 00:16:58,880 –> 00:17:03,260 that’s the name by which Jesus addresses Peter here, 258 00:17:03,260 –> 00:17:06,619 little faith can achieve great things. 259 00:17:06,619 –> 00:17:08,760 But it’s also clear from the story 260 00:17:08,760 –> 00:17:11,939 that little faith gets easily distracted. 261 00:17:11,939 –> 00:17:13,900 Here’s Peter taking what looks 262 00:17:13,900 –> 00:17:16,140 like this bold initiative of faith. 263 00:17:16,140 –> 00:17:19,380 He’s responding to the invitation of Jesus to come. 264 00:17:20,900 –> 00:17:23,719 But Matthew tells us that when he walked on the water, 265 00:17:23,719 –> 00:17:28,719 he saw the wind, verse 30, and he was afraid. 266 00:17:29,599 –> 00:17:33,339 So picture of this, his eye is on Jesus 267 00:17:33,339 –> 00:17:35,660 as he walks towards the master, 268 00:17:35,660 –> 00:17:37,479 but you see the thing with little faith 269 00:17:37,479 –> 00:17:40,020 is it’s easily distracted. 270 00:17:40,020 –> 00:17:42,319 And when he saw the wind, 271 00:17:42,319 –> 00:17:45,680 oh, well then he was afraid and he began to sink. 272 00:17:47,160 –> 00:17:49,500 Now this is one of the marks of little faith. 273 00:17:50,479 –> 00:17:54,500 It looks to Jesus and then it looks away to something else. 274 00:17:56,260 –> 00:17:58,459 Now we’re asking the practical question 275 00:17:58,459 –> 00:17:59,839 throughout this series, 276 00:17:59,839 –> 00:18:03,020 how can my faith grow? 277 00:18:03,020 –> 00:18:04,400 Well, again from this story, 278 00:18:04,400 –> 00:18:07,760 we’ve got another very obvious answer and it’s this, 279 00:18:07,760 –> 00:18:12,020 that faith grows as we worship. 280 00:18:13,459 –> 00:18:16,239 And that’s where the story ends here. 281 00:18:16,239 –> 00:18:19,800 Verse 32, when they got into the boat, 282 00:18:19,800 –> 00:18:24,800 the wind ceased and those in the boat worshiped him 283 00:18:25,319 –> 00:18:30,319 saying, truly you are the son of God. 284 00:18:32,479 –> 00:18:36,680 Worship is the gaze of the soul 285 00:18:36,680 –> 00:18:38,920 upon the Lord Jesus Christ 286 00:18:38,920 –> 00:18:43,920 and your faith will grow as you worship. 287 00:18:47,319 –> 00:18:52,319 Now, the fourth time that Jesus speaks about little faith 288 00:18:53,719 –> 00:18:56,380 is in Matthew, Chapter 16. 289 00:18:56,380 –> 00:18:59,199 And again, you might like to turn there. 290 00:18:59,199 –> 00:19:03,400 And here we see that little faith 291 00:19:03,439 –> 00:19:07,260 forgets what Jesus has done. 292 00:19:08,260 –> 00:19:09,760 Matthew 16, in verse eight, 293 00:19:09,760 –> 00:19:11,619 but Jesus aware of this said, 294 00:19:11,619 –> 00:19:14,099 oh, you of little faith, 295 00:19:15,099 –> 00:19:17,400 why are you discussing among yourselves 296 00:19:17,400 –> 00:19:20,959 the fact that you have no bread? 297 00:19:22,520 –> 00:19:24,640 Now, the context of this here 298 00:19:24,640 –> 00:19:27,780 is that Jesus had said to the disciples 299 00:19:27,780 –> 00:19:30,000 in verse six, watch and beware 300 00:19:30,000 –> 00:19:34,400 of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadduces. 301 00:19:35,660 –> 00:19:38,699 And Matthew tells us that on that particular day, 302 00:19:38,699 –> 00:19:41,839 the disciples had forgotten to pack lunch. 303 00:19:41,839 –> 00:19:44,760 They had forgotten to bring bread. 304 00:19:44,760 –> 00:19:47,660 And so when Jesus referred to leaven, 305 00:19:47,660 –> 00:19:51,619 they thought that he was raising the subject of lunch. 306 00:19:51,619 –> 00:19:53,140 Did he say leaven? 307 00:19:53,140 –> 00:19:54,939 Oh, no, we forgotten the bread. 308 00:19:54,939 –> 00:19:58,060 Oh, we should have brought some lunch. 309 00:19:58,140 –> 00:19:59,800 Yes, says one of the disciples. 310 00:19:59,800 –> 00:20:04,140 But why did he say beware of the leaven of the Pharisees? 311 00:20:04,140 –> 00:20:05,000 Oh, says another. 312 00:20:05,000 –> 00:20:07,859 Well, maybe he’s saying that we shouldn’t be asking 313 00:20:07,859 –> 00:20:10,359 the Pharisees to give us bread. 314 00:20:10,359 –> 00:20:12,300 I mean, they did give alms, 315 00:20:12,300 –> 00:20:14,660 they did give help to people who were in need. 316 00:20:14,660 –> 00:20:17,180 Maybe Jesus is saying, don’t ask them. 317 00:20:17,180 –> 00:20:18,660 No, no, no, says someone else. 318 00:20:18,660 –> 00:20:22,140 Maybe he’s saying that we shouldn’t eat with the Pharisees 319 00:20:22,140 –> 00:20:24,739 because we are not walking 320 00:20:24,819 –> 00:20:28,060 in fellowship with them and so forth. 321 00:20:29,020 –> 00:20:32,099 Their conversation was all about food. 322 00:20:34,020 –> 00:20:36,640 And Jesus says, verse 8, 323 00:20:36,640 –> 00:20:39,619 “‘Oh, you of little faith, 324 00:20:40,719 –> 00:20:43,140 “‘why are you discussing among yourselves 325 00:20:43,140 –> 00:20:46,619 “‘the fact that you have no bread?’ 326 00:20:47,599 –> 00:20:50,300 And then he says, verse 9, 327 00:20:51,119 –> 00:20:55,459 “‘Do you not remember?’ 328 00:20:56,739 –> 00:21:01,199 And he reminds them of how he fed 5,000 people 329 00:21:01,199 –> 00:21:04,400 with five loaves and two fish, multiplying them 330 00:21:04,400 –> 00:21:05,800 so that all the people 331 00:21:05,800 –> 00:21:08,459 had plenty to eat with 12 baskets left over. 332 00:21:08,459 –> 00:21:10,199 And how on another occasion, 333 00:21:10,199 –> 00:21:11,560 he did something very similar 334 00:21:11,560 –> 00:21:14,699 with a crowd of about 4,000 people. 335 00:21:14,699 –> 00:21:18,280 Verse 9, “‘Do you not remember?’ 336 00:21:19,099 –> 00:21:25,880 Little faith forgets what Jesus has done.’” 337 00:21:26,780 –> 00:21:29,880 And this points us surely to another way 338 00:21:29,880 –> 00:21:32,199 in which faith grows. 339 00:21:33,199 –> 00:21:36,199 Faith grows as we remember 340 00:21:36,199 –> 00:21:39,939 the words and the works of Jesus. 341 00:21:39,939 –> 00:21:41,199 That’s how faith grows. 342 00:21:42,500 –> 00:21:45,280 And this is why the Lord’s Supper 343 00:21:45,300 –> 00:21:48,140 is such a marvelous gift 344 00:21:48,140 –> 00:21:50,439 for the strengthening of our faith. 345 00:21:50,439 –> 00:21:55,140 Faith grows as we fix our minds and our hearts 346 00:21:55,140 –> 00:21:57,839 on what Jesus has done. 347 00:21:59,339 –> 00:22:03,020 And this is why a daily diet of the Word of God 348 00:22:03,020 –> 00:22:06,040 is so vital to a growing faith. 349 00:22:06,040 –> 00:22:09,819 Little faith forgets what Jesus has done, 350 00:22:09,819 –> 00:22:13,900 but faith grows as it is nourished 351 00:22:14,900 –> 00:22:16,199 by the Word of God. 352 00:22:18,359 –> 00:22:21,319 And then the fifth and the last time 353 00:22:21,319 –> 00:22:24,719 that Jesus referred to little faith 354 00:22:24,719 –> 00:22:29,339 is found in the next chapter, Matthew and chapter 17. 355 00:22:29,339 –> 00:22:34,339 And here we learn, that little faith gives up too soon. 356 00:22:36,479 –> 00:22:40,479 Notice verse 19 and 20 of this passage. 357 00:22:40,619 –> 00:22:45,199 The disciples came to Jesus privately and said, 358 00:22:45,199 –> 00:22:48,199 why could we not cast it out? 359 00:22:48,199 –> 00:22:53,199 And he said to them, because of your little faith. 360 00:22:57,479 –> 00:23:00,939 Now the story here is that Jesus had gone up on the mountain 361 00:23:00,939 –> 00:23:04,439 with Peter, James and John where his glory 362 00:23:04,439 –> 00:23:08,599 was revealed in the transfiguration. 363 00:23:08,640 –> 00:23:12,160 The other nine disciples were left behind 364 00:23:12,160 –> 00:23:13,300 at the bottom of the mountain. 365 00:23:13,300 –> 00:23:17,140 And while Jesus was gone, a man whose son 366 00:23:17,140 –> 00:23:21,800 was possessed by an evil spirit came to the disciples 367 00:23:21,800 –> 00:23:23,719 and asked them for help. 368 00:23:24,660 –> 00:23:29,520 Now, the disciples had been in situations like this before. 369 00:23:29,520 –> 00:23:32,180 Much earlier, the Gospels tell us 370 00:23:32,180 –> 00:23:34,939 that Jesus had sent them out. 371 00:23:34,939 –> 00:23:36,920 In Mark chapter six and verse seven, 372 00:23:36,920 –> 00:23:40,880 we read these words that Jesus gave them authority 373 00:23:40,880 –> 00:23:42,619 over unclean spirits. 374 00:23:44,300 –> 00:23:48,540 And Mark tells us that they cast out many daemons 375 00:23:48,540 –> 00:23:53,119 and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. 376 00:23:53,959 –> 00:23:58,219 So, these disciples had been successful many times 377 00:23:58,219 –> 00:24:00,479 in bringing deliverance to people 378 00:24:00,479 –> 00:24:03,239 who were oppressed by evil powers. 379 00:24:03,239 –> 00:24:05,000 But on this occasion, 380 00:24:05,839 –> 00:24:07,939 they were unable to help. 381 00:24:08,880 –> 00:24:12,560 And this man brought his afflicted son, 382 00:24:12,560 –> 00:24:15,900 I expect that the disciples said and did 383 00:24:15,900 –> 00:24:18,560 what they had said and done before 384 00:24:18,560 –> 00:24:21,560 but this time, nothing happened, 385 00:24:22,719 –> 00:24:24,300 and they are perplexed. 386 00:24:25,359 –> 00:24:26,280 Why is this? 387 00:24:27,599 –> 00:24:29,920 I expect they were embarrassed as well. 388 00:24:31,959 –> 00:24:34,119 Jesus came down the mountain 389 00:24:34,119 –> 00:24:37,479 and Jesus immediately delivered the boy 390 00:24:37,479 –> 00:24:40,719 from the evil power that had afflicted him 391 00:24:40,719 –> 00:24:44,040 but I want you to notice what happened next. 392 00:24:44,959 –> 00:24:49,959 Verse 19, then the disciples came to Jesus privately 393 00:24:50,520 –> 00:24:55,520 and said, why could we not cast it out? 394 00:24:59,040 –> 00:25:00,319 Well, that’s the question, 395 00:25:01,199 –> 00:25:02,880 And of course, this is a problem 396 00:25:02,880 –> 00:25:04,819 that all of us will recognize. 397 00:25:05,839 –> 00:25:07,359 Here we find ourselves today. 398 00:25:07,359 –> 00:25:10,400 We’re surrounded in so many ways by great evil 399 00:25:10,400 –> 00:25:14,479 that manifests itself in all kinds of ways. 400 00:25:16,099 –> 00:25:21,000 And the church seems powerless. 401 00:25:23,439 –> 00:25:26,979 People say, why can’t the church do something about it? 402 00:25:27,780 –> 00:25:32,900 Why could we not cast it out? 403 00:25:34,819 –> 00:25:35,839 That’s the question. 404 00:25:37,380 –> 00:25:38,540 And Jesus says, 405 00:25:39,979 –> 00:25:44,560 Because of your little faith. 406 00:25:47,140 –> 00:25:49,699 Now you read that and you think, 407 00:25:49,699 –> 00:25:54,699 ah, what he’s saying is you need greater faith. 408 00:25:55,459 –> 00:25:57,819 If only you had stronger faith. 409 00:25:57,819 –> 00:25:59,260 If only you believed more, 410 00:25:59,260 –> 00:26:01,859 then you would have been successful 411 00:26:01,859 –> 00:26:03,520 in dealing with this problem. 412 00:26:04,699 –> 00:26:07,140 But I want you to notice that is not what Jesus is saying, 413 00:26:07,140 –> 00:26:10,780 because in the very next verse, verse 20, 414 00:26:10,780 –> 00:26:11,599 he says, 415 00:26:13,939 –> 00:26:16,780 If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, 416 00:26:16,780 –> 00:26:18,400 that’s the smallest of all seeds. 417 00:26:19,359 –> 00:26:22,520 If you have, in other words, even the littlest faith, 418 00:26:22,660 –> 00:26:26,459 then you will say to this mountain, 419 00:26:26,459 –> 00:26:30,319 move from here to there and it will move 420 00:26:30,319 –> 00:26:34,979 and nothing will be impossible for you. 421 00:26:36,760 –> 00:26:37,800 Now, you see very clearly 422 00:26:37,800 –> 00:26:39,800 what Jesus is saying there in verse 20 423 00:26:39,800 –> 00:26:44,780 is that even the smallest faith can move mountains. 424 00:26:46,800 –> 00:26:51,800 Even little faith can see great things happen. 425 00:26:52,020 –> 00:26:53,900 We saw that already in the story of Peter 426 00:26:53,900 –> 00:26:56,099 who had little faith walking on the water. 427 00:26:58,680 –> 00:27:01,739 So why were the disciples not able 428 00:27:01,739 –> 00:27:06,739 to deliver the boy from the evil power that afflicted him? 429 00:27:08,619 –> 00:27:11,699 Well, if you look at your Bible very closely, 430 00:27:11,699 –> 00:27:14,780 you will see that there is a footnote here 431 00:27:14,780 –> 00:27:16,780 and the footnote reads, 432 00:27:16,780 –> 00:27:20,660 some manuscripts insert verse 21, 433 00:27:22,020 –> 00:27:25,280 but this kind never comes out 434 00:27:25,280 –> 00:27:29,819 except by prayer and fasting. 435 00:27:31,180 –> 00:27:34,239 Now, whether or not that was originally 436 00:27:34,239 –> 00:27:36,680 part of Matthew’s gospel, 437 00:27:36,680 –> 00:27:41,640 for sure it is recorded in the gospel of Mark, 438 00:27:41,640 –> 00:27:44,900 Mark chapter nine and verse 29, 439 00:27:46,439 –> 00:27:49,739 and fasting, in its nature, 440 00:27:49,800 –> 00:27:53,479 is something that you do over a period of time. 441 00:27:54,859 –> 00:27:57,979 You can’t fast for five or 10 minutes. 442 00:27:57,979 –> 00:28:00,439 You do it over a period of time. 443 00:28:00,439 –> 00:28:01,479 That’s the point. 444 00:28:02,400 –> 00:28:04,900 And it seems to me that when Jesus says, 445 00:28:04,900 –> 00:28:08,219 Oh, you of little faith here, 446 00:28:08,219 –> 00:28:12,079 he’s saying, you’ve given up too soon. 447 00:28:13,780 –> 00:28:16,280 Even with a little faith, 448 00:28:16,280 –> 00:28:19,660 even with faith as small as a grain of mustard seed, 449 00:28:19,719 –> 00:28:23,339 you would have been successful if you had persevered, 450 00:28:23,339 –> 00:28:24,900 but that’s what you didn’t do. 451 00:28:27,239 –> 00:28:30,660 When there’s a difficult passage of Scripture to understand, 452 00:28:30,660 –> 00:28:33,119 and this one isn’t easy to understand, 453 00:28:33,119 –> 00:28:36,300 it’s helpful to be able to look at some commentaries. 454 00:28:36,300 –> 00:28:39,579 What have people who are wiser than us 455 00:28:39,579 –> 00:28:41,760 been able to see and discern? 456 00:28:41,760 –> 00:28:45,660 And I find great help after meditating on this myself, 457 00:28:45,660 –> 00:28:48,099 just to check what John Calvin said, 458 00:28:48,099 –> 00:28:50,719 and to find that this is actually the point that he makes. 459 00:28:50,719 –> 00:28:51,760 He says this, 460 00:28:52,979 –> 00:28:57,979 When Satan has taken deep root in anyone 461 00:28:59,260 –> 00:29:03,819 and has been confirmed by long possession, 462 00:29:04,660 –> 00:29:09,060 the victory is difficult and painful, 463 00:29:09,060 –> 00:29:13,540 and therefore, the contest must be maintained, 464 00:29:13,540 –> 00:29:18,540 maintained, continued with all of our might. 465 00:29:20,540 –> 00:29:24,819 So I’m convinced that Jesus critique of the disciples here 466 00:29:24,819 –> 00:29:28,540 is not that their faith was too small, 467 00:29:28,540 –> 00:29:31,500 because he says even faith like a grain of mustard seed 468 00:29:31,500 –> 00:29:32,979 would move mountains. 469 00:29:32,979 –> 00:29:36,479 His critique is that they gave up too soon. 470 00:29:39,599 –> 00:29:42,560 Now, here’s the application for us, and it’s very obvious. 471 00:29:43,859 –> 00:29:46,319 When you are faced with great evil, 472 00:29:47,339 –> 00:29:51,000 when you find yourself in a struggle with great darkness, 473 00:29:52,199 –> 00:29:53,500 keep praying. 474 00:29:55,160 –> 00:29:56,640 Keep fasting. 475 00:29:58,380 –> 00:30:02,260 Keep seeking the face and the help of God. 476 00:30:03,979 –> 00:30:07,739 If you have a loved one who seems trapped 477 00:30:08,579 –> 00:30:10,500 by the power of the enemy, 478 00:30:11,359 –> 00:30:14,339 and it’s been like this for a long time, 479 00:30:15,900 –> 00:30:17,280 don’t give up hope. 480 00:30:18,380 –> 00:30:23,339 Remember that Jesus said that we ought always to pray 481 00:30:23,339 –> 00:30:25,579 and not to lose heart. 482 00:30:27,280 –> 00:30:29,180 Someone here today has been fighting 483 00:30:29,180 –> 00:30:30,839 a particular temptation, 484 00:30:30,839 –> 00:30:33,339 and that battle for you has been hard, 485 00:30:33,339 –> 00:30:35,319 and it’s been quite discouraging. 486 00:30:35,319 –> 00:30:37,479 And now you’re tempted to say, 487 00:30:37,619 –> 00:30:38,819 oh, it’s no use, 488 00:30:38,819 –> 00:30:41,079 I can’t overcome this. 489 00:30:42,760 –> 00:30:45,719 I want you to hear the word of the Lord Jesus Christ to you. 490 00:30:45,719 –> 00:30:49,680 Oh, you have little faith. 491 00:30:51,680 –> 00:30:53,439 You’re giving up too soon. 492 00:30:55,439 –> 00:30:58,459 Understand that some victories 493 00:30:58,459 –> 00:31:03,119 are only one after a long and hard struggle. 494 00:31:03,939 –> 00:31:05,939 Stay in the battle 495 00:31:07,339 –> 00:31:09,819 and your faith will grow 496 00:31:11,780 –> 00:31:12,619 as you persevere. 497 00:31:14,839 –> 00:31:16,560 So here from the scriptures, 498 00:31:16,560 –> 00:31:21,560 we have seen five reasons for growing in faith. 499 00:31:22,939 –> 00:31:25,780 Why should we individually and together 500 00:31:25,780 –> 00:31:28,859 be praying and crying out to the Lord Jesus Christ? 501 00:31:28,859 –> 00:31:31,160 Lord increase our faith. 502 00:31:31,819 –> 00:31:33,599 Why should we own that? 503 00:31:33,599 –> 00:31:35,780 Why should we pursue that together? 504 00:31:37,540 –> 00:31:39,040 Well, we want to grow in faith 505 00:31:39,040 –> 00:31:43,660 because little faith is ineffective against anxiety. 506 00:31:45,420 –> 00:31:49,660 Little faith underestimates the ability of Jesus. 507 00:31:50,739 –> 00:31:54,119 Little faith is just so easily distracted. 508 00:31:55,079 –> 00:31:58,500 Little faith forgets what Jesus has done 509 00:31:58,520 –> 00:32:00,839 and little faith gives up too soon 510 00:32:00,839 –> 00:32:05,579 and none of us wants to be content to remain there. 511 00:32:08,160 –> 00:32:09,119 From these stories, 512 00:32:09,119 –> 00:32:14,119 we’ve seen five strategies for growing in faith. 513 00:32:15,800 –> 00:32:18,719 Faith grows as we see God’s kingdom. 514 00:32:19,839 –> 00:32:22,520 Faith grows as we get to know Jesus. 515 00:32:23,719 –> 00:32:26,500 Faith grows as we worship. 516 00:32:27,260 –> 00:32:29,439 Faith grows as it is nourished 517 00:32:29,439 –> 00:32:34,439 by the word and faith grows as we persevere. 518 00:32:38,339 –> 00:32:42,599 May God grant that we will grow in faith. 519 00:32:43,880 –> 00:32:44,880 Let’s pray together. 520 00:32:47,560 –> 00:32:51,380 Father, we want to come before you today with confession. 521 00:32:52,239 –> 00:32:56,359 And confess that we who believe in you 522 00:32:56,359 –> 00:32:58,160 are often anxious. 523 00:33:00,640 –> 00:33:05,000 That we often underestimate what you are able to do. 524 00:33:07,420 –> 00:33:10,140 That we’re too easily distracted. 525 00:33:12,520 –> 00:33:16,900 That we forget your words and your works. 526 00:33:17,199 –> 00:33:19,699 And we often give up too soon. 527 00:33:22,640 –> 00:33:24,300 Have mercy upon us. 528 00:33:26,099 –> 00:33:29,260 And Lord, we are crying out to you, 529 00:33:29,260 –> 00:33:30,839 increase our faith. 530 00:33:32,839 –> 00:33:37,479 We’re grateful for all that it means to be in Christ. 531 00:33:37,479 –> 00:33:39,359 But we don’t want to drift through out lives 532 00:33:39,359 –> 00:33:42,040 content with just a little faith. 533 00:33:42,060 –> 00:33:45,959 We ask that in your mercy and in you grace, 534 00:33:45,959 –> 00:33:49,140 you will help us to seek your kingdom. 535 00:33:50,520 –> 00:33:52,599 To daily walk with Jesus. 536 00:33:54,219 –> 00:33:56,060 To grow as we worship. 537 00:33:58,540 –> 00:34:00,880 To be nourished in the word. 538 00:34:02,780 –> 00:34:05,199 And when the battle is tough, 539 00:34:06,239 –> 00:34:07,319 to persevere. 540 00:34:08,060 –> 00:34:09,139 To persevere. 541 00:34:10,360 –> 00:34:13,699 Hear our prayers for these things we ask 542 00:34:13,699 –> 00:34:14,959 in Jesus’ name. 543 00:34:16,060 –> 00:34:16,899 Amen. 544 00:34:18,840 –> 00:34:20,060 You’ve been listening to a sermon 545 00:34:20,060 –> 00:34:22,260 with Pastor Colin Smith of Open the Bible. 546 00:34:22,260 –> 00:34:26,260 To contact us, call us at 1-877-OPEN- 365 547 00:34:27,659 –> 00:34:30,919 or visit our website, openthebible.org.