A. INTRODUCTION
“Your faith growth exceedingly.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3
1. From seed-faith. “Faith as a grain of mustard seed” (Matthew 17:20).
Grow your little-faith. “O you of little faith” (Matthew 14:31).
Grow your weak-faith. “Weak in faith” (Romans 14:1).
Grow your strong-faith. “Abraham ... was strong in faith” (Romans 14:20).
2. Growth in faith is a possibility. “Your faith groweth exceedingly” (2 Thessalonians 1:3).
3. The phrase “from faith to faith” (Romans 1:17).
a. From saving faith to walking by faith.
b. From doctrinal faith to living by faith.
c. Grow from understanding faith to living by faith.
d. First seeking faith to the assurance of faith.
B. TEN PRINCIPLES TO GROW YOUR FAITH
1. By prayer. “Lord, increase our faith” (Luke 17:5).
a. Pray to learn what to do in service.
b. Pray for insight to learn the Word.
c. Pray for discipline that leads to holiness and worship.
d. Pray for experiences that will stretch your faith.
e. Pray for courage and wisdom to take a leap of faith.
2. By the Word of God. “Faith cometh by hearing ... the Word of God” (Romans 10:13).
a. Hear – small pinky (Revelation 1:3).
b. Read – ring man (Revelation 1:3).
c. Study – tall man (2 Timothy 2:15).
d. Memorize – pointer (Psalm 119:11).
e. Meditate – thumb (1 Timothy 4:15; Psalm 1:3).
3. By obedience and exercise, “Oh you of little faith” (Matthew 14:31).
a. How to get strong muscles? Exercise.
b. How to stay on an exercise routine? Obedience.
c. Effective exercise is:
(1) Regular
(2) Repetitive
(3) Stretching
(4) Increasing in strength and stretching
4. By looking to Jesus. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1).
a. How do we walk? Keep eyes on Jesus.
b. Walk according to Scriptures. “But if we walk in the light … the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
c. Don’t focus on problems and obstacles. “When he (Peter) saw the wind was boisterous” (Matthew 14:30).
5. By the indwelling Christ. “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I am still alive. I live by the indwelling Christ in me, who gives me His life and faith to live for Him” (Galatians 2:20, ELT).
6. By seeking the Lord. Intimacy. “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek’” (Psalm 27:8). How do you seek? Continuous action. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
7. By constant cleansing of the blood of Christ. “If we walk in the light … the blood of Jesus ... cleanseth from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
a. Condition one: light walking.
b. Condition two: recognize our sin.
c. Condition three: confess and forsake sin.
What To Do With Your Sin
• Confess it to God.
• Repent and not do it again.
• Learn from it.
d. Become wiser and closer to God.
8. By not trusting in yourself
a. Dead-faith. “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20), i.e., good works
b. It takes two wings to fly, which is faith and obedience.
9. By surrendering to God.
a. Live by “the faith of Christ” not by your faith (Galatians 2:20).
b. “Our faith gives us victory to overcome the world” (1 John 5:4).
10. By gratitude.
a. Thanksgiving grows our faith. “So, walk in Him ... established in the faith ... with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7).
b. Why does gratitude strengthen faith? It turns all energies to God.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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