Proper 22--Wednesday

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you could tell this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

King David was granted great wealth and ability, which enabled him to set things up for his Solomon, his son, to build to build this grand Temple for the Lord.

In the epistle reading, St. Paul gave thanks to God that the Thessalonians faith had increased, because they needed it to endure persecutions.

Likewise in the Gospel reading: Jesus pointed the disciples not to the strength of their faith, but to the strength of its object (Jesus). Nothing is impossible for God. Therefore, if Jesus gives us a command, we can confidently obey it, trust he will provide for all we need.

GOAL—That the hearers would recognize that when they do good they are only doing their duty. Vs. 5-6 teaches that through our faith may be small, it is still large enough to do a lot for the kingdom.

MALADY—The mention of the mustard seed demonstrates that the smallest amount of faith can do wonders, but we typically think we need more if we are going to serve Christ.

MEANS—God feeds us with His Word and Sacrament, which equips me for every good works that He gives me to do.

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STRENGTH FOR HARD TASKS

Many people talk about faith in a casual way. By this I mean, conversations are geared to pithy sayings. “You gotta have faith.” Or, “Keep the faith, baby!” But Jesus says something very different about faith. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” One Bible dictionary defines faith this way: A constant outlook of trust and dependence toward God. To put it another way, God calls us to have faith, or exercise faith, that only He can accomplish.

This evening, as this new series begins— “Lord, Increase Our Faith” — we will be focusing upon two verses within our gospel reading, under the task: “Strength for Hard Tasks”. We will explore what some of these tasks might be, and how strength is supplied.

What Might These Tasks Be?

For Faith to bear Fruit.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

We sing, “Where He leads me I will follow”, until where we see Him going.

Our Lord is very explicit in John 15 when He speaks of bearing fruit.

If we are a Christian, faith will naturally bear fruit.

John 15:2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

The problem: Our Eyes and Experiences teach us differently.

In this evenings reading, our Lord points out two duties we have as Christians: (1). To watch our every step in life so as not ever to give offense to another Christian and; (2). to be ready to forgive even those who continually sin against us, no matter how often they may do so.

The apostles wanted to do what Jesus had told them. But, they were not sure that they would be able. They felt their faith was too weak.

They were looking within themselves and their abilities.

And when we look within or at the circumstance, we stop looking to the source who provides everything we need.

Sinful humanity—those without faith—are the same; they rely on what can be seen, or on their experiences. All which dictate our course moving forward.

King David could have ignored the Lord regarding the construction of the Temple. Everyone knew his son, Solomon, did not have the experience. Who could have blamed David for at least getting the project under-weigh?

Taking matters into our own hands is really a form of unbelief. To ignore what God says and do what seems right to us, is not faith. It is unbelief.

The Apostles were honest, and they had faith. They simply needed direction. What they need to do is to go ahead and act in faith, using the faith they already had.

You see, acting in faith means looking to the Lord, listening to His commandments or promises or teaching, and then trusting.

If you have any faith at all, you can still act upon the Lord’s command or promise.

How Strength is Supplied

Faith is not something which we bring forth by ourselves out of our inner being. It is created, called forth by a command or promise of our Lord.

Jesus is emphasizing how much even a little faith can accomplish. So here he tells us, “Don’t worry about the size of your faith. Use what faith you have.”

Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

John 15:1-4 ““I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”

The right perspective on faith and duty is to realize that we are unworthy servants. But the right perspective on faith and duty is also to know that with God all things are possible. Through the faith He give us He enables us to do our duty and by His grace accepts the good that we do.