Faith: A gift for growth

How do I grow my faith?

This question was asked of me by one of the people that I worked with during my pastoral internship. I was beginning the seemingly daunting task of raising support for the missionary ministry that my wife and I were called to. We were trusting that God would provide for our family and keep us from what we expected to be economic ruin. This did not mean that God was going to keep us comfortable, and I assure you that we were far from comfort. When I look back at this time of my life I can see God moving in a mighty way, but I also remember people either condemning our approach as reckless or applauding our faith and trust in God. Yet here I had this woman before me who was in my eyes as mighty prayer warrior asking me how to grow in faith. This caused me to wrestle with the topic of faith and several questions came to mind.

Can I grow my faith? Can I have more faith? If so, How?

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 9

19 He replied to them, “You unbelieving generation, how long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” 20 So they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, it immediately threw the boy into convulsions. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 “How long has this been happening to him?” Jesus asked his father.

“From childhood,” he said. 22 “And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

23 Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’? Everything is possible for the one who believes.”

24 Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

Jesus rebukes the disciples lack of faith,

They tried to do work of ministry under their own power rather than through God (The Object of their faith)

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 17

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

6 “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,” the Lord said, “you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

What is Faith?

“Christian faith is trust in God whose steadfast love and free grace are decisively revealed in Jesus Christ.”1

Daniel G. Migliore, “Faith,” Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith (Louisville, KY; Edinburgh: Westminster/John Knox Press; Saint Andrew Press, 1992), 133.Faith is a Gift

Jesus speaks of faith of the context of the objective of faith and attitude

Why is faith important ?

Salvation grace through faith

Faith Comes from Hearing the Gospel