Matthew 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ’Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.“
Faith – what is it?
According to the Bible, "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1, New International Version).
Its like knowing the sun is still there on a cloudy day, just because you can’t see it does not make it not there, does it
Faith is believing in the unseen, trusting in God that he is good and he loves you and the promises are indeed true. Faith is believing there is more than life, believing in heaven fixing our thoughts on what is to come rather than what is demanding. Its critical that we keep in view were we are going, on a recent trip to the USA (I live in the UK), I made a mistake on not doing that. I wanted to travel to Bloomington, so booked the flights arrived at the airport, stood for an hour in freezing winds waiting for a taxi, was praying for one to arrive and for me to get the hotel safely, one did arrive and I showed the driver my hotel print out and he read the details and looked then looked at me and said “no such place” what look this is real sir I have a print out from the hotel look at the address, he did and said no such road in this town sir, but if the went to the Bloomington in Indiana you might find it there, you see I was standing in Bloomington Illinois and not Indiana which was a good 300 miles away, IL not IN as it clearly said on the booking form if only I had eyes to see. The look on the drivers face was priceless though, victory he had me, then the light went on and he said I could drive you there only take 4 – 5 hours, I hastily retreated to the airport and thankfully finally managed to arrive in Bloomington Indiana a bit later than planned but God got me there!
You see we should never lose sight of the fact that we are heaven bound, our journey is eternal and our task now is to serve God and grow his kingdom here on earth by letting him grow us while we are on earth.
Process
With God the process is important, significantly important. Consider the creation poem spelt out in Genesis. God said and it was, God saw, God named and it became. A process like a seed planted in soil, it germinates, becomes alive, parts of it become roots, part of it becomes a shoot and it starts seeking the light, pushing up through the soil or it starts seeking food, nourishment, anchorage and pushes down into the dirt. You see our spiritual journey, our spiritual growth is a process. Jesus shows us that if we start with something as small as a mustard seed of faith it can be grown so that it is bigger than mountains, bigger than nations a kingdom shaping and making faith starts from the smallest of seed
It starts with a small seed of faith, a gift from God planted in the hearts of man, a seed of life a seed of transformation if it can germinate and grow. For a Seed to germinate and grow it must firstly have life in it, secondly be in the right soil with the right amount of water and at the right temperature, then the process can begin, life starts. Lets look at this process from a spiritual perspective. You see creation is a driving force a process that cannot be stopped and in a Christian it starts with salvation and as far as I know never ever ends, it spans our lifetime, it spans our understanding and knowledge in reality it spans eternity. It starts with a cross its promise is seen in Jesus risen from the dead ascending to heaven showing the way for all who follow him, he came to the earth in flesh and left it the same way. Which gives us fleshing things that we are hope eternal, hope for transformation, hope to grow and be changed by the touch of God himself, this is the meaning of life this is life
Step one, prepare the ground make hole place seed in:
The first step is preparing the ground, like ploughing a field, well for me this is like talking to someone’s heart seeking to reach a place of deeper meaning that we all have. We all have a place that yearns for more to life than we know, we have a place that needs love, needs acceptance, needs relationship and all those things that stem from that. This place in all of our hearts is the place were the seed of faith falls, the seed of faith is a gift from God, faith starts with God you see it’s a divine spark that resonates in us, in our souls, it’s a life beyond life that when it starts growing it makes us fully human, brings us into our divine purpose and transforms us into people that can bring glory to God. But like any seed it needs the right conditions to grow, needs to find the right soil, soil that is receptive to receive the good news that Jesus brings, good news that brings eternal life
But our hearts are places were we carry the rocks of hurt and pain from life, sometimes there is no fertile soil left its just rock, stripped bare by broken relationships, rejection, abuse and hate
But even the tiniest of cracks a little seed could get in and from that seed who knows what might grow, a mighty tree on top of a mountain. Jesus told of the state of the soil of the heart in the parable of the sower. To start lets remember all Christians are sowers, God gives us seed, that is the good news that Jesus died, rose from the dead and all who turn and bring Jesus into their hearts will be saved and washed clean of their sins by Jesus blood, that’s the seed of faith I’m talking about here. It’s a seed we are call to sow indiscriminately to all not just the ones who look like they might receive it, we are to scatter it near and far to all.
Matthew 13
The Parable of the Sower
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear."
AND this is the meaning of the parable as Jesus explains to the disciples
18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
When I first gave my life to Jesus this parable really used to worry me when I first read it, you see I experience such joy at the time of my salvation, could not stop smiling and laughing, I was fearful that I had the seed that was springing up with no root, but I do know I’ve good soil as my seed and the growth that has come from it has and will stand firm in times of trouble and persecution as it has done. You see when this seed is planted we need to get on with growing with pushing up through the dark soil and seek the light so our little shots can grow to bring the harvest Jesus spoke of 100, 60 or 30 times that which was sown.
Step Two, Water, new birth and Action:
When we give our lives to Jesus we receive back salvation, new life we are washed clean by the power of his blood shed on the cross for us, we are given a new heart a new start we are re born or born again
But we don’t stay as babies we grow through childhood into maturity just as a seed when germinated grows, so do we. When reborn we aren’t meant to stop there, one of the greatest promises of Jesus is transformation, the Holy Spirit and basically the touch of God in our lives starts changing us starts a metamorphosis in us when old things are made new, when old ways are taken from us and new ways become our way. Its like a caterpillar changing to a butterfly, like a acorn growing to a great tree it’s the stuff of Gods purpose for his creation. The best thing is its not achieved by us its achieved by God if we let him, we just need to let go and let God, Jesus the Holy Sprit do what they want to do, like a seed does not “think” or plots its own course it just is and does what it is called to do. Let me put this thought to you to help in this, Jesus is ALIVE, yes its true he lives! In fact Jesus rules he reigns, when we give our lives to Jesus he actually comes and lives with us, in us we are told in the bible, the king of all things is with us, think of it how glorious is that how amazing! You see its not a question of what would Jesus do its what can Jesus do through us, its what is Jesus doing right now? You see Jesus rules his kingdom, we participate in the spreading of his kingdom, not simply by imitating how he lived while on earth but by surrendering to his dynamic, life transforming presence within us, by letting him change the way we see, think, feel, hear, speak and serve. It is the life of Christ in us, continuing his work, exercising his reign, manifesting his presence. This is how we grow, I ask you how could we not be transformed and changed by the touch of God, by the force of creation within us, its is not something to be scared of it is a well spring of joy a fountain of celebration. We can then live, live to bring God the Glory. God’s glory is not just recognised through forgiven people its this process of transformation the makes us compelling people, people that are fully human that’s what we are all growing and changing into then Gods glory is seen in us in our lives. You see its not just living like Jesus is letting Jesus live through us that serves God and his kingdom. So we are saved reborn then the new life begins we start the transformation, its needs us to surrender the members of our body to God, this means our eyes, tongues, ears, minds or hearts and our all, this is true worship this is when the true journey begins.
Step Three, struggle pushing through the soil seeking the light:
I find it amazing when you consider how a seed germinates and then the shoot pushes up through the soil seeking the light, I mean how does that work, it’s a wondrous thing if you ask me. Its like a Christian pushing towards heaven, we have our daily lives our struggle through the soil, the rocks, the shear weight of it all at times pressing down on all sides. Just like the shoot seeking the light so we need to fix our focus on Jesus and remember one day we will push through the soil and heaven awaits. Its letting God take control, he knows how to get us to the light, knows the path, knows the best way through the dirt to break through. To do this we must led Godly lives, we must allow God to lead us, we must surrender to be set free, this means giving our bodies to God, let God see through our eyes, let God speak through our mouths, let God use us for his purpose for his way and kingdom on earth. Consider Francis of Assisi, when he gave his life to Jesus he sensed God telling him “Francis, all those things that you have loved in the flesh you must now despise, and all those things that you formally loathed you will drink great sweetness and immeasurable delight”. On leaving the town were he heard this St Francis saw a leaper, before Christ he hated leapers, despised them, he leaps off is horse gets on his knees before the leaper and kisses his hand, then goes to the leaper colony and begs forgiveness for his attitudes and kisses all and gives money and time to help them, so what would Jesus do more what can Jesus do if we let him.
Step four, Growth, bearing fruit:
As a seed grows into good soil eventually it will break through the dirt reach the surface and start growing so that it can make more seeds to propagate itself. Christians follow a similar process but it does have its differences. Firstly the seed we seek to bear is from God its sharing the good news of Jesus its telling others about Jesus, its also showing others that we are transformed different, not by our own strength or ways but by Jesus. Its all about surrendering to Jesus letting Jesus be through us, through our speaking, through our attitudes, through our ways and manners, it is truly being like Jesus to show others Jesus. This is true worship as it says in Romans 12:1 – 2 “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any more to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve that Gods will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will”.
The key act of maturing as a Christian is surrender, its letting God have our thoughts our words our attitudes, it really is crucifying our pride and self centred ways. What Paul is saying to believers here is “Brothers and Sisters, let God have his way with you. Do not resist him. Do not give in to the patterns of this world. Allow God to transform you”.
Allow God to transform you, it’s the work of the Holy Sprit that brings the transformation changes us from our likeness to a Christ likeness, but we have a very real responsibility to allow this process to happen to respond to Gods leading and pressure, it is a life long process. The key element in this process is keeping in the presence of God, we can do this by studying the bible, reading and filling our hearts with Gods word, we need to grow our prayer life to keep in Gods will and we need to invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts, the key is Word and Spirit, we need Gods word and Gods Spirit. How do we start well it starts with prayer we just have to ask and let God begin his work in us. Then the Holy Spirit can start transforming us, bringing forth the fruits of the spirit, Galatians 5 : 22 – 26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
You see if we live oozing love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, we will stand out, shine as compelling, compassionate and transformed people, people other people would want to be with.
Step five, Harvest time:
Isaiah 32:2 Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land
When we are saved, transformed and growing under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we become if you like an oasis of God here on earth. People like this build up communities, they become shelters from the evil of the world to those around them, their faith shields others, their prayers intercedes for others, these people carry Christ to the lost, the hurting, the sick, the ignorant, those in need and I can guarantee people like this will be sought out, will be listened to when they are people completely transformed in the service of their King, Jesus. Then the harvest can begin, then thirty, sixty or a hundred fold that which was sown will be yielded back. Amazing, this does not then just transform an individual, it transforms communities and nations. Transforms as the Kingdom of God moves right here right now and it starts with us, starts with giving our hearts to Jesus and surrendering to God, then the divine enters our lives, we can be holy as we are holy set apart for the Glory of God. As Jesus said "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ’Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.“
Are you willing, are you ready for the greatest of all adventures and a journey when it starts here and may never end, you will then find the true you, your true purpose, your true life and it will be glorious and compelling!
Finally..
The truth is if we are Christians we can’t not go through this process. We all must have seen seeds trying to grow with out light or the wrong soil, they look sickly, spindly not healthy and alive. If we don’t seek God we become like that spiritually
We become deaf to his voice, our hearts return to stone and we are basically dying on our feet, its not the abundant life Jesus promised or wants us to have, so we need to be disciplined and focussed on seeking God at all times.
Here are three daily steps to help:
Prayer, try praying when you wake, during the day were ever you go, try bring all situations to God and listen for an answer, you might be greatly surprised
Bible study, start reading the word more, make say an extra 15 – 30 minutes just find somewhere quite and start by prayerfully asking the Holy Spirit to guide you to lead you and to feed you with the word
Listen for God he does still speak and the more you train your spiritual ears to hear the better you will receive, as it said in the parable of the sower “2But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it” and 9He who has ears, let him hear
So take heart and keep seeking God and as he transforms us as Jesus works through us as we become more like him, we will see the harvest that is promised! Then we will see the favor of the Lord here on earth as is says in Isaiah 61 The Year of the LORD’s Favor
Isaiah 61 The Year of the LORD’s Favor
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed." I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
This is a promise for us, from the faith the size of a mustard seed to the Lord can change nations. This is were we are going, this is what we are called to be and do so lets trust God hold onto our faith and grow and shine for God to the nations! He brings the soil and the seeds and with our faith will make it sprout.
If we let God transform us, we will rebuild the ancient ruins, this nation will once again be transformed by the gospel message, the devastated places will see the church growing sprouting up in a garden planted by the Lord, flowing forth with rightness and praise as the lost are found and the prodigals come home, willing to surrender for that?
I pray that you are.
