A Greater Measure Of Faith

A Greater Measure of Faith

{Watch today’s message at:https://youtu.be/sfH934QEMbI

{Listen to today’s message at: https://mega.nz/file/fNcFhYbA#S8ugZb6OiKM3TqrVafwuIn7MKkrSLJkf4Aq0N1gxNUg}

As we move into this new season, after the COVID -19 pandemic, and coming back from a general shut down of churches, where we are once again meeting in our new facility that God has do gracious given, and one that is changing every week as we ready ourselves for a move of God. It has also been a time that has seen many stepping up into various ministries, as well as new ministries, within the church.

And as I see it, it is our faith in God and His calling upon our lives and upon the church that has been at the heart of this new move God is doing.

As we look at this, we see much the same move happening on the part of the disciples as they were growing in their faith under the guidance and tutelage of Jesus.

What the disciples wanted was to do great things for God, and then seeing the faith Jesus possessed and the miracles He performed, they asked Jesus to increase their faith so that these great things could be accomplished in and through them as well.

“And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith’” (Luke 17:5 NKJV)

When I read this, I think back to about how I had once prayed this prayer, and then how God went about increasing my faith, and that was through trials and tribulations.

I remember one of my seminary professors asking the class what they thought it meant when the disciples requested greater faith. And there were all these answers from the class, and I just sat back and started to chuckle to myself. When the professor saw my response, he said, “Okay Lee, what do you think it means?” And I said, “It means that God is going to put you through hell and back,” which was exactly what happened to me, from the loss of my businesses, finances, and family. Basically, you name it, I lost it.

But, like Peter during that critical time in His life when he followed Jesus at a distance, my faith never failed as well. It got challenged, but from it grew, to where faith has been recorded as my number one gift, which prior to this time never reached above fifth.

Well, the professor kind of chuckled, as most of the class let out a collective gasp, but he said that it was a correct assessment. (That’s something seminary professors say!)

And I believe this is at the heart of God, that is, He wants our faith to increase so that we can do those great works He has called for us to do. I don’t think that Hebrews chapter 11, God’s Hall of Faith, was written by chance.

Look at just a portion of this with me.

“Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” (Hebrews 11:33-34 NKJV)

We can also see this same faith in men like Hudson Taylor who brought the gospel message to China, or George Muller who built orphanages throughout England through prayer alone.

We can to do the same great things for God as well, but it begins with our faithfulness to what God has given, which is what Jesus said.

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.” (Luke 16:10a NKJV)

Like the disciples we want to move directly to the big stuff of faith, because it gratifies our flesh. You see, in our fleshly pride we want to have the biggest and the best. We want to move those mountains for God.

We see the disciple’s frustration over this when they tried to cast out a demon from a young boy who was possessed, but were unable to do so. They asked Jesus why, and Jesus responded it was due to their lack of faith.

“Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’” (Matthew 17:20 NKJV)

A mustard seed is a very small seed, but it grows into a very large plant. And what Jesus is saying is that with this small amount of faith, they could, and we can, do great exploits for God. A little faith can have incredible results. Or to say it like this, “A little faith can go a long way.”

But, here is where the rubber meets the road. “Faith in what, or in who?” The faith we need, and the faith the disciples needed wasn’t to be found within themselves, and it isn’t to be found in their or in our abilities or capabilities, but rather it should be in the Lord God and in Him alone.