Increase Our Faith

Increase Our Faith

Faith "a firm persuasion" Vine defines. We are persuaded that Jesus paid the sacrifice for our sin so we believe or have faith in him. For by grace are ye saved, thru faith Eph_2:8. There are two categories of faith, Faith as a system of beliefs or tennats of "FAITH" and we're instructed in Jud_1:3 to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delievered unto the saints. I will spend sometime on that verse someday but I want you to notice that it says to earnestly contend, that means to fight with all your might. To fight fervently lest you lose it.

Not the faith as the size of a mustard seed, but faith as a grain of mustard seed

The seed is tiny, but plant it, water it, give it light, feed it and it will germinate, pushing roots deep into the ground, seeking more water and nutrients, and pushing up it's little tender stalk into the bright sky, reaching for more sunlight, till it changes from a mustard seed to a mustard bush, so big that it can bless others, birds of the air can rest on it's branches, and nest among it's leaves. Mar_4:31

The little bush on the North side of the sanctury you can still see a little nest where a bird found sanctuary for her young.

Generating faith - Chuck Smith says you can't, God's word says you can, I think I know who I will go along with. However when someone is sick or low is not the time to berate them over their faith, then we become as one of Job's comforters.

How do we generate faith. Just as we seen a little bit ago with the grain of mustard seed. You plant it, you water it, you feed it, and it will grow, until others can come and be sheltered by your faith.

1. Plant it in the foundation of Christ

2. Water it with the water of the word & prayer

3. Feed it with anything that is helpful to faith, ( I find listening to good sermons, Good music, familiarizing myself with the promises of God, listening to testimonies of how God has help others, looking back to how God has helped me)

4. Faith can't help but grow.

Isn't this what the Bible tells us Rom_10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

However Heb_12:2 Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith

Luk_17:6 - Figurativly means that the power of faith is as unlimited as the power of God. (The Believers Study Bible)

The Sycamine Tree is probably what we now call the Black Mulberry tree which has vast root systems allowing the trees to live up to 600 years. Even situations that have been in existence for years by faith in God can be moved.

Sometimes we hear those stories of someone laying hands on the sick and say a little somthing and they are healed. That is wonderful. But I am finding that those wonderful old-timers, Bevington, Bro. Holden "The Hill Billy Preacher" Would see remarkable things happen, one lady Bro. Holden (Bro. & Sis. Presely probably knew him personally) was healed of broken ribs. And other things the Lord did for them, but often it took extended times of prayer, and sometimes going back for another season of prayer. We like instant answer to prayer, but I find it is work. However by the authority of God's word, what looks impossible can be made possible by faith in the power of God.

What if everything was as your faith is so be it unto you? in reality it is I pray with the disciples, Lord, increase our faith.

Faith is the greatest force in the world (DSB)

We do not face the mountain alone but with God and all of His power.

Bro. John Preston use to testify that God told him to ask largely.

Faith is the medium by which the power of God is made visible. It moves mountains, heals the sick, and is the means of entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Key Words

There “Faith is the substance (or possibly, in the light of recent inquiries into the type of Greek used by New Testament writers, “the guaranty”) of things hoped for, the evidence (or “convincing proof”) of things not seen.” ...But the chapter amply shows that the faith illustrated, e.g. by Abraham, Moses, Rahab, was simply reliance upon a God known to be trustworthy. Such reliance enabled the believer to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen.ISBE

Faith never acts blindly. It takes hold of something real and appropriates it. (Bona Flemming Truth On Fire pg 58)

Rom_4:20-21 Abraham staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith.