Faith is an interesting issue. Over the years, I’ve heard stories of people who seemed to demonstrate great faith as they recounted the ways that God has answered prayer. One such person was George Mueller. He lived from 1805-1898. In an era when people would pay “pew rents” in order to have reserved seating at church, Mueller abolished that practice, refused to take a salary from the church and lived entirely on “gifts from Christians for his personal support.” He went on to open orphanages that were also supported entirely on faith. As I understand it, he did not actively raise funds for the orphanages, but prayed with the kids for God to provide - and God did so in wonderful and miraculous ways.
I’ve also learned of other heroes of the faith who did not experience miraculous encounters of providential provision, but instead experienced suffering in profound ways. People like Elisabeth Elliott, who packed up and moved with her husband and several others to Ecuador, only to find their initial endeavors met with seeming futility as her husband and several other men were killed by the very people they were trying to reach.
We could visit other people, even those close to us, who have experienced miraculous healings, provisions of jobs, and other answers to prayer, while others in that same circle have experienced the loss of a job, ongoing illness, and even the death of a spouse and a child.
Why does faith seems to work well for some and not for others? Does God show favorites or is there something more that God is doing?
As we continue our study in the book of Luke, I think we will begin to consider some of those issues. We’ll also get to see a bit of what Jesus expects of us - whether our faith is rewarded with miracles or with the mundane.
If you have your Bibles, open to Luke 17. Over the last few weeks, we’ve observed Jesus going back and forth among speaking to His disciples, the religious leaders, and the crowds. Last week, we observed what seemed to be a bit of an aside to His disciples in response to His parable of the rich man and Lazarus. He was essentially talking about stumbling blocks and forgiveness. As we read this morning, we’ll briefly review the four verses we considered last week, and then continue on to the verses we’ll focus on this week.
Luke 17:1–10 ESV
And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”
If we could reduce verses 5-10 to a single sentence, we might say…
True faith, even in its smallest measure, is powerful when accompanied by a willing heart to humbly serve God.
It seems like the disciples are responding to Jesus’ difficult teaching about the radical call to forgiveness with this request to increase their faith. So as we consider this text today, we’ll seek to ask and answer three questions:
What is faith?
Do we need more?
What does Jesus expect of us?
So let’s first consider the elephant in the room…
What is faith?
We talk about faith in so many different ways. We talk about our religion as faith. We talk about trusting in Jesus as our Savior as having faith. We also seem to refer to faith as some wish or hope for something in the future or for something that is not a reality to come to reality.
George Mueller believed in faith that God would supply his needs, and He did.
So is faith a superstitious or magic mantra that must be followed?
“Faith” and it’s derivatives are only used twice in the OT.
Deuteronomy 32:20 ESV
And he said, ‘I will hide my face from them; I will see what their end will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faithfulness.
Here that word “faithfulness” is more a matter of “trustworthiness.” (Strongs) Is that the kind of faith that Jesus and his disciples are thinking of?
Habakkuk 2:4 ESV
“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,
but the righteous shall live by his faith.
Here, the word translated faith is similar to the other - but it can also be translated “faithfulness” or “trustworthiness” or “honesty” or “steadfastness.” This seems to be anything but a supernatural belief. It’s more about a steadiness or constancy.
So when the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith - what is it that they are really asking?
In Hebrews 11, the writer there provides several examples of people who took God at His word, trusting in His promises. This afternoon, let me encourage you to go to that chapter and read over some of those heroes of faith.
The writer there summarizes faith stating…
Hebrews 11:1 ESV
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Assurance
Conviction
Now, I don’t know if the definition of faith from Hebrews 11 is the definition that the apostles are thinking of, but it’s a good, biblical definition.
Think about the context. Jesus has just finished urging them to have a posture of forgiveness - even up to 7 times in a day - their response is “Increase our faith.”
What were they thinking?
How did they hear that?
I do wonder if they were wrestling with the reality that if we forgive someone, we lose control. That person no longer owes us, their ledger has been reconciled.
When we step out in faith, like Mueller and Elliott, we recognize that God is in control. We may hope for certain outcomes, but have no guarantee of accomplishment or fulfillment.
It seems then that walking by faith in God is a steady, trusting walk understanding that God is in control.
They asked for more faith.
By the way - did you notice who made this request to Jesus? The apostles. Elsewhere, Jesus talks to the disciples. What’s the difference? I have some thoughts, but I’d love for you to wrestle with that. Feel free to send me your thoughts on that.
Which then begs the question about faith…
Do we need more?
Is faith about the substance or the quantity? Did George Mueller have great faith and Elisabeth Elliott have small faith?
Or, is faith more about a presence/absence? Let’s look again at what Jesus says:
Luke 17:6 ESV
And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
Jesus seems to be talking about the presence or absence of faith, not the size of faith.
The mustard seed is quite small. Elsewhere, Jesus describes the Kingdom of God like a mustard seed.
Mark 4:30–32 ESV
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
Based on the size of this seed, it’s not about the quantity of faith, but rather the quality. Not the size, but the substance. Jesus seems to be talking about wholeness.
Look at the context too. There must have been a mulberry tree close by as he referred to “this mulberry tree.” I understand that this tree (specifically the black mulberry) has a vast root system - which means in order for faith or anyone to remove it, a great effort would be exerted. Anderson Tree service has some massive moving equipment. I’m not sure they could pick up one of these fully intact. Much less, plant it into the sea. David even told me that just removing mulberries are a huge pain. How much more challenging would it be to plant it in the sea. To that end, why would we plant a mulberry in the sea? It wouldn’t thrive!
Jesus seems to be talking in hyperbole, not literally. The point the Jesus makes is that even a small faith (like a mustard seed) demonstrates trust in God’s ability to do what seems impossible. In the context, ability to help the forgiver in the face of prolific forgiveness.
Let’s put ourselves in their shoes for a moment. If you or I have been offended by someone, then forgiveness means wiping the slate clean, giving them a fresh start, releasing control. That ultimately means giving the offender an opportunity to offend us again! On one hand that seems like idiocy. Why would we do that?
And yet, that is the very thing that Jesus calls us to.
What’s more, that’s the very thing that Jesus does! He offers you and me salvation, knowing full well that we will fail. He knows how often we will fall short, time and time and time again. That besetting or entangling sin (Heb. 12:1-2) may draw us back into its clutches - and Jesus forgives that!
Brother and sister in Christ, I hope you realize the depth of what Jesus is calling us to. He invites us to join Him in radical faith - releasing the rebel, forgiving the repeatedly unforgivable - because He’s done it for us!
In answer to this question - do we need more faith? I think Jesus’ answer is…no - we just need whole faith.
Now, faith is trusting in the unknown. It’s hoping in the One that we can’t control.
In response to this, Jesus seems to urge fealty or fidelity. On one hand, He seems to change course abruptly with this illustration of a master/servant relationship. But it prompts us to reflect on the concept of being His child, His servant….
What does Jesus expect?
It’s possible that these guys may have been tempted to pride. We can be prone to boast in our ability to forgive. “Ha, ha, look at my faith. This happened because I believed!”
Instead, Jesus points us back to that which we CAN control - obedience. Let’s reconsider His illustration.
Luke 17:7–10 ESV
“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”
This scenario is something that most of us, maybe even all of us, only understand from movies or TV shows. The lives of those who have entered into service as a profession - like the servants on Downton Abbey or The Crown - have done so for the benefit of the ones they serve, and yet also for their own stability. The master promises to provide a safe and stable home while the servant promises to care for the needs of the master and his property. It’s a mutual, symbiotic relationship.
Faith, when it is lived out, is then a faithful trust, a dutiful obedience. There is an old word that we don’t use often that may get to the point of what Jesus seems to be calling for us to do - that is fealty.
One dictionary defines this as:
a feudal tenant's or vassal's sworn loyalty to a lord; or a formal acknowledgement of loyalty to a lord.
Let’s notice a couple of things about the servant in this little illustration.
He obediently serves…
regardless of the circumstances - Whether things like hunger or fatigue faced him, this servant was expected to serve, even after a long day of serving in the fields or with the animals.
In a similar way, as servants of God, there may be days when we may not feel like serving - when the circumstances of life have weighed us down or we simply want to lash out because we feel like life might not be all that we hoped it would be - regardless - we are called to faithful service. We are called to press on. We are called to honor God.
Secondly, he obediently serves…
properly - he gets dressed for the assignment. This servant doesn’t wear his field garments for dinner service. He changes, puts on dinner service attire and serves the master.
There are times when as followers of Christ we may be tempted to put on Christ-like garments (actions, attitudes, language) in some circles but not in others. We act like his servants in some places, but not in others.
Do I act like a Christian in church but not in class or at work?
Do I serve Christ when there are activities going on, but not when no one can see me?
Do I act with biblical ethics even when it’s difficult and costly to me?
Thirdly, it seems like this servant serves the master…
willingly - he recognizes he is in his position by the grace of the master. He does not expect gratitude. He knows that it was his duty.
In our culture and age, we like to look at life as being completely under our control and our worth is wrapped up in so many different things - job, position, talents, net-worth, skills, self-esteem, relationships, etc. But I do think it’s helpful for us to have the mindset of this servant. Our salvation is based on Jesus’ “All-Sufficient Merit” and not on our ability to be right or good. He covered our sin debt and ransomed us from the domain of darkness. He has endowed us with His Spirit and promised us life with Him. As one song writer said “We belong to Him.”
What’s wonderful about our Heavenly Master is that while there are times when He can seem to be cruel and harsh from certain perspectives, we have to remember that He is also gentle, loving, kind, generous and gracious.
Matthew 11:29 ESV
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
While we are the ones who should live with gratitude for all that He has given, there will come a day when he will welcome us into our eternal rest, stating:
Matthew 25:21 ESV
‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Closing thoughts
Faith - trusting in God’s sovereign control.
Fealty - loyally living out our faith to God in response to His gracious provision.
I mentioned Elisabeth Elliott at the beginning. While her step of faith was initially met with tragic disappointment, she and others returned to the same tribe that killed her husband. Eventually many in that tribe came to faith. In spite of further losses in her life, Elisabeth faithfully served God through teaching, speaking, and writing. She stepped out in great faith, and faithfully walked with Christ with joyful fealty until her death in 2015.
In the midweek email, I referenced the old hymn “Trust and Obey” and bit of the story behind that song. I’d like to close by reading some of those words.
Logos Digital Hymnal Trust and Obey
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will;
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows
And the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.
Faith - Fealty.
Let’s pray.
Benediction
1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Questions for reflection and discussion
Read: Luke 17:5-10
What did the disciples ask Jesus to do? (17:5)
Why did the disciples think more faith would help them forgive in the way that Jesus instructed? (17:5)
How much faith is needed to do great things? (17:6)
Why did Jesus tell the story of the servant and the master? (17:7–9)
What attitude should we have in working for the Lord? (17:10)
What is our “duty” as Christians?
What “duty” would the Lord urge you to fulfill this next week?
Why is a spirit of humility important for a Christian’s witness?
Sources:
Anyabwile, Thabiti. Exalting Jesus in Luke. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke 9:51-24:53. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
Hillyer, N. “Müller, George.” In Who’s Who in Christian History, edited by J.D. Douglas and Philip W. Comfort. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1992.
Logos Hymnal. 1st edition. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995.
Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Liefeld, Walter L. “Luke.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, edited by Frank E. Gaebelein, Vol. 8. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.
McKinley, Mike. Luke 12-24 for You. Edited by Carl Laferton. God’s Word for You. The Good Book Company, 2016.
Stein, Robert H. Luke. Vol. 24. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992.
Strong, James. A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.
The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press, 2005. Print.
Wilcock, Michael. The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.
