Parable Of The Mustard Seed Series

Sowing Seeds: Life, Faith, Service

Sermon #3-Mustard Seed Faith

Matthew 13:31-33

We have been in a series called Sowing Seeds; Life, Faith, Service.

The first week we looked at God’s Word and how important it is to plant it in good soil and to get the most out of applying God’s Word.

Last week we looked at weeds in our life.

Allowing stuff to grow up around your life and if not tended too, stuff will choke out the things God is trying to do in your life.

The text this morning is the parable of the mustard seed and pertains to our faith in Christ.

Matthew 13:31-33

Short and to the point parable by Jesus to the crowd that had been following Him. He says the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.

At the time, a mustard seed was the smallest of seeds and at maturity was tree like and over 10 feet tall.

So what is Jesus telling us about faith?

First, Jesus meant that faith as it concerns Him was based on the reality of His deity, based upon the truth of His promises, and His record of being faithful to His people.

He talks about having all kinds of faith –

Little faith

Much faith

Saving faith

Healing faith

He talks about ways that we show a lack of faith.

Little faith-

We don’t like to think of our faith as being little.

Example of the disciples in a boat with the Son of God and Jesus is sleeping and they become fearful of the storm coming and wake Jesus up in a panic.

Jesus rebukes the storm. He tells them that they had little faith because they did not recognize who Jesus is (write down)

Jesus stilling the storm was Jesus exercising His authority over our storms of life and yet many times we don’t get it, we ask just like they did, who is this that he can calm a storm?

Much faith-

Jesus gives us an example of people with much faith. That is what we want to be- a person of much faith, but often we fall short.

Acts 6:5A

“This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”

So we see that if we want to be a person of much faith. We cannot do it on our own, but need to be a person filled with the Holy Spirit of God. Amen.

See the difference? Between a person of little faith and a person of much faith?

Little faith does not recognize who Jesus is and is looking at the situation.

Much faith understands faith is bigger than He /She is and knows that they must be filled with the Holy Spirit of God.

They must be empowered by God even to have the faith needed in life situations.

Much faith-

Ephesians 6:16-

“Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Take up the shield of faith- you can (positive) protect yourself from the enemies darts.

Take your stand- in Jesus name.

When you have done all that you know to do- stand firm.

Much faith- trusting God

Little faith- “Why are you afraid? O ye of little faith.”

Apostle Paul tells us “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men (women) be strong.”

Much faith-

Jesus saying to Peter, “Come” and Peter getting out of the boat and walking on water.

Little faith- Peter taking his eye off of Jesus and beginning to sink.

Saving faith- Jesus reaching down and pulling Him up in the midst of a storm and rebuking the storm.

D.L. Moody

“Faith takes God without any “ifs “

I will walk by faith- say that this morning-

I will walk by faith! No if. Ands. Or butts

Let God be true and every man a liar

Faith makes all things possible- that is if you have faith in Jesus Christ.

The Word of God is meant to be planted in the ground of your life. (heart) and it is intended to give you faith to accomplish all that God wants from your life.

What is the answer to anxiety? Faith in God

“Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” Phil 4:6

What is the answer for confusion? Faith

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33

What is the answer for disappointment?

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the

good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

What is the answer to fear?

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”