A Little Faith
FILING INFORMATION:
2001062
Subject: sermon on the mount; faith
Preached originally:
11/18/01 – Rapid City, SD; 03/09/2003 – Brownsburg, IN
Introduction:
A.
Sermon on the Mount:
1. 5:3-12 - beatitudes; instructions on serving others and not ourselves.
2. 5:17-48 - Building up a superior righteousness.
3.
6:1-15 - making sure we do not practice our righteousness to be seen of
men
4.
6:16-24 - put this world into proper perspective as far as priorities in
life.
5.
6:25-34 - Not to be anxious about cares of this world.
B.
Mt. 6:30 – want to examine Christ’s statement: you of little faith.
1. What does he mean by this statement?
a)
note: doesn’t say they had
no faith
b)
but that it was inadequate in some way.
2. Keep in mind that Jesus speaking to disciples here.
a) had enough faith to b/c disciples; but not enough to enter into abundant living.
C.
All of us must work to increase our faith.
1. it is much more than a vague principle.
2.
it should grow into something that is active; practiced; a force that
affects our entire life!
3.
Isn’t this what is expressed in 2 Pet. 1:5-11? Note: 1:8, 10-11
4.
Paul Earnhart: little faith is a faith which has not been carefully
thought out and applied.
D. In time we have together – going to discuss problems associated with having little faith.
I. Little faith fails to go beyond salvation.
A. it does not extend to the whole of life – to everything in life.
1. one may have been convicted of sin; seen hope of pardon through Jesus; has confessed & obeyed gospel….
2.
but his faith stops here.
3.
this = kind of faith that no related to everyday affairs of life –
to living in this world.
4.
There is DANGER in having only this kind of faith!
a)
Lk. 8:6-7; 13-15
b)
If our faith does not progress – it WILL suffer shipwreck!
B. “Little” faith fails to hold onto all the promises of God.
1.
Interested on only some of them. Pick/choose kind of thing…
2.
2 Pet. 1:4 – precious/exceedingly great promises.
3.
not one aspect of life not covered by these promises!
C. In short…this kind of faith believes on the Lord – but doesn’t believe the Lord!
1. that God will take care of us; provide needs of life/etc.
II. Little faith is governed by life.
A. In essence, this allows us to be mastered by our circumstances – instead of mastering them.
1. we would do well to think on this.
c) profess faith in God? Believe on His plan of salvation? Believe in Jesus? Great!
d)
But…how do we talk in our ordinary conversation? During the week? Where’s our focus?
e)
Physical? Spiritual?
2. Fashion/fads? Wealth/position/possessions?
B. This NOT the picture painted of the Christian in the NT.
1. in everyplace; Christian shown as one above his circumstances.
2.
Rom. 8:37 – we will overwhelmingly conquer through Him.
3.
When faced w/temptation or trial – the Christian views it as a
test – a hurdle to jump – Js. 1:2-4; Rom. 5:3; 12:12
4.
We are not to be victims of circumstance!
III. Little faith does not think.
A. Rom. 10:17 – faith is primarily thinking.
1. sometimes we b/c dull & incapable of thinking things through.
a) tunnel vision; only see problem at hand.
2. 6:25-34 – Jesus asks us to think!
3.
Birds – 6:26; Flowers – 6:28; Grass – 6:30
B.
This is the essence of worry! We allow life to master our thoughts; will cause us to go around in
circles; going over same ole same ole.
IV. We
must take Bible statements at face value!
A. Elijah (1 Kings 18); Daniel (Dan. 1:8; 6:5, 7, 10) – we wonder how they did it!
B. Problem: read/study about bible heroes & conclude:
1. that then; this now. Somehow my situation different & that all the stuff in Scripture was for them & not me. They could do it, but I never could…
2.
This line of thinking will hold our spiritual lives back a few notches.
C.
Rom. 4:21 – note faith of Abraham…no hesitation; no wavering!
D.
2 Cor. 1:20 – we must operate w/the certainty of Paul.
E.
Some passages we must take a face value:
1. Isa. 43:2; Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 10:13; Js. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:7; Phil. 4:6-7; Mt. 7:7-8
V. We
must realize the implication of salvation!
A. Many believe in God – but fail to conceive Him as our Father! 2 Cor. 6:16-18
1. we are often slow to learn; slow to trust.
2.
if only we possessed a fuller concept of what is ours b/c we are sons of
God!
B. God is our Father & as a result….
1. He has plans & purposes for us. He is directing our lives.
a)
just as He did w/Jesus & the OT Bible characters…
b)
we all fit in somewhere! Everyone important!
c)
God knows us! Psa. 139:1-3
d)
Eldred Stevens: Abraham/Joseph/Moses could all smile at calamities
and say: “I do not understand it, but God does not contradict Himself & His
purposes are sure!”
2.
Remember: God’s love is
great!
a) compare love of father to child.
b)
Eph. 3:18-19 – Paul’s prayer…
c)
1 John all about the love of God!
d)
How different our lives would be if we comprehended the tremendous love
of God!
3.
Remember: God is real!
a)
Must be living right now in such a way that He is real to me!
b)
He will become real to us when we spend time in God’s WORLD!
1)
we need more contact with things God has made and less with things man
has made.
c)
God will become real to us when we spend time with God’s WORD!
1)
His reality confronts us on every page!
2)
God is real! He cares for
us!
4.
He has complete concern for us!
a)
whole point of 6:25-34.
1)
if He concerned w/birds/flowers of course He concerned about us!
2)
Mt. 10:20 – hairs on head #’d.
3)
Concerned about our lives down to the smallest detail!
5.
His power is great!
a)
He is our creator; our sustainer!
b)
Psa. 46:1-2 – remainder of Psalm describes the power of God.
c)
Eph. 1:19; 3:20 – this is the power that is working inside of us!
Conclusion:
A. Apply what you know & believe!
1. follow through! You have it! Use it! Raise your faith to the next level!
B.
Lk. 8:23-25 – little faith – failure to apply what we know &
believe…
1.
8:25 – where is your faith?
2.
it is a poor type of Christianity that has this wonderful faith with
respect to remission of sins and then that whimpers and cries when confronted
w/daily trials of life.
C. Resolve now to strengthen/mature your faith.
D.
How is your faith?
E.
Where is your life? May sit
here today - & you desire to build a relationship w/God – you want to
know that you are His child – and that He will take care of you…
1. take that leap of faith – obey the gospel!
F. I N V I T A T I O N