A Little Faith Goes a Long Way!

Faith

Studying faith is like drinking from a spiritual fire hose.

The scriptures are filled with example after example of genuine faith, failed faith, earth shattering faith, and just enough faith.

No matter which category of faith or place in your faith journey you are in, God has something to say to you.

Today we are going to talk about faith and how a little faith goes a long way!

The Feeding of the 5,000

Turn with me to John 6:1-15

John 6:1–15 ESV

1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

John 6:1-15: The Feeding of the 5,000

Childlike faith

The boy offered what he had even though it was a ridiculous amount in light of the need.

Kids are this way. When we have the weight of the world on our shoulders they notice and they want to help. In their own way, they offer encouragement, they offer what they have in hopes of helping anyway they can. They aren’t put off by the disparity between what they have and what is needed. This is the kind of faith we are to have.

Mark 10:14–15 ESV

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

We don’t bring enough

Are we saved by good works?

Are we saved by good looks?

Romans 7:15–24 ESV

15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

By faith we believe that Jesus has set us free!

God takes what little we bring and makes miracles out of it!

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 ESV

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Part of faith is coming to grips with who we are and what we have to offer and realizing that without God it is very little but with God it can be the source of miracles.

Faith in Action

As we look at this list which comes mostly from Hebrews chapter 11, we have to remember that they were just like us. They didn’t bring much to the table. Their greatest successes came when they trusted God.

Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice

Enoch pleased God

Noah built the Ark in reverent fear

Abraham left his family and moved to a new land

Sarah conceived in her old age

Abraham offered Isaac

Joseph honored God while in bondage in Egypt

Moses led the people out of Egypt

Israel marched around Jericho

Rahab protected the spies

Daniel survived the lions den

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survive the fiery furnace

Mary trusted God

Joseph took Mary

And the list goes on

Like these people, we desire to please God but often rely on our own abilities and ideas rather than walking with God in simple faith.

Pleasing God

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

What does faith do?

Faith helps me participate

The little bit I have is all that God needs.

Faith puts me on mission

Whatever God is doing He has called me to be a part of it whether I feel equipped or not.

Faith makes me content where I am

I am exactly where God wants me to be and when I trust Him, he will make the changes in my life that are best for me and for his kingdom.

Philippians 1:6 ESV

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.