Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 25 October 2020
Text: Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25
Subject: “Little Faith”

INTRODUCTION

1. Is it easy to build a strong and significant faith?

The plain answer is No!

2. What does it take to build a significant faith?

Consider the following:

a) The Word of God

i) Instruction

ii) Illumination

iii) Inspiration

b) The teaching of the Lord Jesus Himself

i) Teaching

ii) Correcting

iii) Exhorting

3. Nevertheless, when Faith is thoroughly tested

a) Faith may not pass the test of life

b) Faith may remain weak and small

THE FAITH OF THE DISCIPLES OF THE LORD

1. The things that were going for them

a) A Call from the Lord to follow Him

b) Instruction from the Lord

c) First hand experience of seeing the Lord Jesus perform mighty miracles

d) Much fellowship with the Lord Jesus Himself

2. Theoretically

a) The Disciples had every reason to have a strong faith

b) They had no seeming reason to have a weak faith

THE TESTING OF FAITH

1. A great windstorm (Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25)

a) Sudden

b) Unexpected

c) Fierce

d) Danger: The Disciples might perish!

2. An unusual sight

a) The Lord Jesus was asleep in their boat (Mark 4:38; Matthew 8:24;
Luke 8:23)

b) How could the Lord sleep when there was so much danger?

3. The response of the Disciples: FEAR!

Expressed in what they said to the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? (Mark 4:38)

b) Lord, save us! We are perishing! (Matthew 8:25)

c) Master, Master, we are perishing! (Luke 8:24)

THE RESPONSE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. To the situation at hand

a) Mark’s Gospel

i) Then he arose

ii) And rebuked the wind

iii) And said to the sea, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39)

b) Matthew’s Gospel

i) Then He arose

ii) And rebuked the winds and the sea,

iii) And there was a great calm (Matthew 8:26)

c) Luke’s Gospel

i) Then He arose

ii) And rebuked the wind and the raging of the water.
And they ceased, and there was a calm. (Luke 8:24)

2. To the Disciples

a) Mark’s Gospel

i) Why are you so fearful?

ii) How is it that you have no faith? (Mark 4:40)

b) Matthew’s Gospel

i) Why are you fearful?

ii) O you of little faith? (Matthew 8:26)

c) Luke’s Gospel

Where is your faith? (Luke 8:25)

3. The further response of the Disciples

a) Mark’s Gospel

i) They feared exceedingly

ii) And said to one another,
“Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:41)

b) Matthew’s Gospel

i) So the men marveled

ii) “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Matthew 8:27)

c) Luke’s Gospel

i) And they were afraid and marveled

ii) Saying to one another
“Who can this be?
For He commands even the winds and water,
And they obey Him!” (Luke 8:25)

VITAL LESSONS ABOUT THE FAITH OF THE DISCIPLES

1. Their Faith

a) Faith cannot be assumed

i) Knowledge does not equal faith

ii) Experiences does not equal faith

b) There is such a thing as “quality of faith”

i) No faith

ii) Little faith

iii) Ineffective faith

c) The true state of our faith

i) It would be seen when tested

ii) What would emerge?

iii) Fear emerged in the Disciples

iv) Their faith in the Lord did not measure up

2. The statements of the Disciples revealed more things

a) They did not know the Lord Jesus as much as they thought

b) “Who can this be?”

c) What was lacking?

i) Knowledge of the Lord

ii) Trust in the Lord

iii) Application of Faith in the Lord

LET’S CHECK OUR FAITH

1. What is our first response in a crisis?

a) Panic

b) Fear

c) Blame

d) Resignation

2. How may we cultivate our faith?

a) Candidly assess faith

i) No faith

ii) Little faith?

b) Challenge to cultivate a strong faith

i) Deepen knowledge

ii) Practise trust

iii) Deal with the deep fears of our hearts