Young People's Group

THE CHALLENGE TO GROW IN FAITH

by Pastor Mitch
March 11, 2007

Don’t Take Faith For Granted

Faith is an entity that is often taken for granted. This is especially so when we have heard about the topic of faith many times before. Having more knowledge about faith does not naturally equate with having more faith. Going to Church week after week for years does not also necessary translate into a strong faith. Let’s be careful not to have the false impression that we have faith, when in reality, we do not.

Seeing Faith Best Under Duress

Very often, we can only see our faith for what it really is when we go through problems. We see our faith best when it is under duress. The Lord Jesus had just told the disciples to cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. After they had launched out, they met with a windstorm. Their boat was sinking and they were in great peril. Instead of exercising faith in the Lord, they cried out to their master in fear.

“And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!'”
Luke 8:24

They thought that they were going to die. The Lord arose from sleep and quickly rebuked the wind and it ceased. What a tremendous display of power and sovereignty! The faith of the disciples did come to their rescue when they were under duress.

The Lord’s Expectation Of Faith

“But He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?'”
Luke 8:25

The Lord Jesus expected his disciples to have faith in Him. He had been teaching them wonderful truths from the Scriptures. He had taught them to hear and respond to God’s word. The Lord Jesus did say to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake” (Luke 8:22). But the disciples did not have faith in what He said. Their focus was on themselves. He expected faith from the disciples but there was none.

The Need To Have A Growing Discovery Of Who The Lord Is

“And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!'”
Luke 8:25

The challenge was for the disciples to grow in their understanding of who the Lord was. They marvelled at the fact that Jesus commanded the winds and the sea and they obeyed Him. There must be a growing discovery and wonder of who the Lord is. There must a growing sense of awe and fear of the Lord. Let’s seek to grow in our knowledge and our regard for the Lord Jesus. As we do this, let’s also seek to exercise even more faith.

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