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INCREASE OUR FAITH

Text: Luke 17
20 September 2020

TEACHING ABOUT FAITH

The Lord Jesus taught His disciples much about faith in life and ministry. Wonderfully, He taught by His own life!

  1. The place of faith in God
  1. The potential of faith
  1. The power of faith

PRACTICAL PROBLEMS FACED BY THE DISCIPLES

Again and again, the Disciples faced the problem of cultivating personal faith. The following were noted:

  1. The problem of Fear
  1. The problem of unbelief
  1. The problem of a hardened heart

There were other problems. But these problems alone affected the growth and development of the faith of the Disciples.

A PERCEIVED SOLUTION

The Disciples came up with what they perceived as a solution to the problem of a poor faith. They said to the Lord Jesus openly and candidly.

“Lord, increase our faith”     Luke 17:5

  1. The Context of this statement

a) The Lord Jesus warned about the danger

i) Of causing offence

ii) We betide the person who causes offence     Luke 17:1-2

b) He also taught them about having a forgiving spirit

i) If a brother offends, he is to be forgiven

ii) Even if he reoffends, forgiveness must be given     Luke 17:3-4

  1. It seemed an impossible thing to the Disciples

a) Thus, they asked the Lord to “increase their faith”     Luke 17:5

b) Their understanding was that faith is to be added by the Lord!

WAS THEIR UNDERSTANDING CORRECT?

The Lord’s reply was not what they expected! He said,

“If you have faith as a mustard seed,

You can say to this mulberry tree.

‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea.’

And it would obey you.”     Luke 17:6

What the Lord Jesus sought to teach His disciples!

  1. Faith must be applied

a) It must be applied in life

b) It must be applied in what may seem an impossible situation

  1. Faith increases

a) Through knowledge

b) Through understanding how it may be applied

c) Through actual application!

Faith does not increase simply by asking the Lord to increase it! Let us take heed to what the Lord Jesus Christ taught. Let us seek to deepen our faith significantly.