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.”
2 Timothy 1:7
What is the answer for doubt? Matthew 17:20 another example of our text.
“I tell you the truth, if you have the faith of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain move from here to there, and it will move, nothing will be impossible for you.”
What is the answer to failure?
“For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.” Proverbs 24:16
God offers in His Word faith building- to fortify your faith and make it useful for you to live life abundantly!
Lacking direction?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Inadequacy
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13
He promises to take that mustard seed of faith and nurture it to make you a man/women of God .
He promises to take that little bit of faith and help you get through life’s trials if you will let Him.
If your car only started one out of every three times, is it reliable?
If you work only one or two days a month are you a reliable employee?
If you fail to worship God on a regular basis, are you faithful?
Faith honors God and God honors faith! Repeat.
Henry Blackaby
The author of experiencing God says, “We should attempt things so great that they are doomed for failure unless God intervenes.”
Scratched on the wall of a Nazi prison camp
“I believe in the sun even when it does not shine. I believe in love even when it is not expressed, and I believe in God even when He is silent.”
Jesus talked a lot about faith, if you take the time to read it.
Faith is what we are to put into action as a Christian.
O ye of little faith or moving mountains?
if you are not where you want to be, but willing to let God change you …nothing is impossible to you! Amen.
I am winding down, but that does not mean anything.
To grow your faith, you have got to get the right perspective of faith.
You take your faith and put it in God’s hands.
He grows your faith.
Right perspective-
When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers thought he was so big we could never kill him, and David looked at the same giant and thought he’s so big I can’t miss.”
God takes each one of us and wants to build our faith on His firm foundation and the testimony of His faithfulness.
This week I was encouraged by two testimonies that were shared with me.
One was how God met a need concerning school loans and how he provided a way of payment.
The other was a blessing of a bonus at a time that they needed it.
That came to me at a time that I needed to be reminded of God’s goodness. (yes, even preachers need encouragement sometimes)
We need each other.
For discipleship
Teaching
Encouragement , and God will be faithful.
Some needed to hear that this morning.
I want you to know that was not by accident or coincidence, but by the sovereignty of God.
I don’t know what is up with each of you, but I know our God does.
James says
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-4
God does not expect you to praise God when you are having troubles and ask Him for more problems- that would be creepy. But He is telling us to expect that at the end of a trail and situation that God has it under control.
Listen to me-
A basketball in my hands is worth 20 dollars. In Michael Jordan’s hands is worth 33 million.
A sling shot in my hands is a toy. But in David’s hand a mighty weapon.
2 fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands are a couple sandwiches, but in Jesus hands feeds thousands.
It depends who hands it is in. what and who are you putting your faith in?
