Growing Faith

Correct Focus (14-19)

Can’t listen to the crowd

The scribes questioned and condemned the disciples for their inability to cast our the demon

Even though they were unable of themselves to do anything

The crowd is always ready to condemn others even in their own inabilities

Jesus called the generation faithless

They had not yet seen Jesus and the Christ, the savior of all the world

We must not be like the faithless generation surrounding us but must take all our problems and concerns to Christ

Can’t trust in yourself

Spiritual power is not something which once possessed will always be available. It must be maintained and renewed. Disciples then and now must constantly learn and relearn this lesson.

Correct Heart (20-24)

Heart of desperation

Ready for Christ to work in your life

Ready to lay it all on the ground and surrender to the one who can bring help

Heart of humility

My faith is not what it needs to be, but I want to grow in faith and follow after Christ

I desire to see God reveal himself to me more and more so that I can have more faith

Correct Posture (25-29)

The healed man was as dead before Christ

Unable of his own power to do anything, but completely dependant on Christ to lift him up

Until we are as dead before Christ we can not be lifted up

The disciples are called to deeper trust in God through prayer and fasting

The true posture of faith for all believers is in prayer and fasting

Acts 1:14, Acts 6:4, Acts 12:5 The church was given over to prayer