Increasing Our Faith

Introduction:
This morning’s lesson will focus on Jesus’ statement in Matthew 6:30. (You of little faith.) What does He mean by this statement? It is obvious that the faith of the disciples was inadequate in some way. They had enough faith to become disciples, but not enough to enter into abundant living. All of us must work to increase our faith. It should grow into something that is active, practiced—a force that affects our entire life! Little faith is a faith which has not been carefully thought out and applied. (Paul Earnhart) What are some of the problems associated with having little faith?

I. Little faith fails to go beyond _________________.
    A. May be convicted of sin; believe in Jesus; confess Him and be baptized...but faith ______ ______!
    B. This faith fails to hold onto _____ the promises of ________.
    C. This kind of faith ________ on the Lord, but doesn’t __________ the Lord!
        1. He will take care of us; He will provide for us!

II. Little faith is governed by ___________.
    A. We become _________ by our circumstances; instead of _______ them!\
        1. How do we talk in ordinary conversation? Where’s our focus?
        2. Food/drink? Fashion/fads? Wealth/possessions?
    B. This is not the picture of the Christian in the NT…
        1. The Christian is one __________ his circumstances.
        2. Rom. 8:37; trials are a test! Js. 1:2-4; Rom. 5:3; 12:12

III. Little faith does not __________.
    A. Rom. 10:17—faith is primarily ___________.
        1. 6:25-34—Jesus asks us to think!
    B. We allow life to master our thoughts; going around in circles, etc. etc.

IV. We must take Bible statements at _______ __________.
    A. We sometimes feel that it’s different for us today! We can’t succeed like Bible heroes! This will hold our
         spiritual lives back!
    B. Rom. 4:21—note the faith of _____________.
    C. 2 Cor. 1:20—we must operate with the certainty of _________.
    D. Consider these passages. Do we take them for what they teach?
        1. Isa. 43:2; Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 10:13; Js. 4:7; 1 Peter 5:7; Phil. 4:6-7 Matthew 7:7-8

V. We must realize the ______________ of salvation!
    A. We often fail to conceive Him as our _______________.
        1. We are often slow to learn; slow to _________.
    B. God is our Father and as a result:
        1. He has ________ and ___________ for us! He is directing our lives!
        2. His love for us is ___________!
            a) compare love of a father for his child. See also Eph. 3:18-19….
        3. He has complete ___________ for us! See 6:25-34; 10:20
            a) concerned about our lives down to the smallest detail! Wow!!!!
        4. His ___________ is great. He is our Creator; Our ____________!
            a) Psa. 46:1-2; Eph. 1:19; 3:20—this power is working inside us!

Conclusion:
    A. Apply what you know and believe! Follow through! Raise your faith to the next level.
        1. Lk. 8:23-25. Don’t fail to apply what you know & believe!
    B. Resolve NOW to strengthen and mature your faith!
    C. How is your faith? Where is your life? Have you obeyed the gospel?
    D. God will take care of you!



Increasing Our Faith Introduction: This morning’s lesson will focus on Jesus’ statement in Matthew 6:30. (You of little faith.) What does He mean by this statement? It is obvious that the faith of the disciples was inadequate in some way. They had enough faith to become disciples, but not enough to enter into abundant living. All of us must work to increase our faith. It should grow into something that is active, practiced—a force that affects our entire life! Little faith is a faith which has not been carefully thought out and applied. (Paul Earnhart) What are some of the problems associated with having little faith? I. Little faith fails to go beyond _________________. A. May be convicted of sin; believe in Jesus; confess Him and be baptized...but faith ______ ______! B. This faith fails to hold onto _____ the promises of ________. C. This kind of faith ________ on the Lord, but doesn’t __________ the Lord! 1. He will take care of us; He will provide for us! II. Little faith is governed by ___________. A. We become _________ by our circumstances; instead of _______ them!\ 1. How do we talk in ordinary conversation? Where’s our focus? 2. Food/drink? Fashion/fads? Wealth/possessions? B. This is not the picture of the Christian in the NT… 1. The Christian is one __________ his circumstances. 2. Rom. 8:37; trials are a test! Js. 1:2-4; Rom. 5:3; 12:12 III. Little faith does not __________. A. Rom. 10:17—faith is primarily ___________. 1. 6:25-34—Jesus asks us to think! B. We allow life to master our thoughts; going around in circles, etc. etc. IV. We must take Bible statements at _______ __________. A. We sometimes feel that it’s different for us today! We can’t succeed like Bible heroes! This will hold our spiritual lives back! B. Rom. 4:21—note the faith of _____________. C. 2 Cor. 1:20—we must operate with the certainty of _________. D. Consider these passages. Do we take them for what they teach? 1. Isa. 43:2; Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 10:13; Js. 4:7; 1 Peter 5:7; Phil. 4:6-7 Matthew 7:7-8 V. We must realize the ______________ of salvation! A. We often fail to conceive Him as our _______________. 1. We are often slow to learn; slow to _________. B. God is our Father and as a result: 1. He has ________ and ___________ for us! He is directing our lives! 2. His love for us is ___________! a) compare love of a father for his child. See also Eph. 3:18-19…. 3. He has complete ___________ for us! See 6:25-34; 10:20 a) concerned about our lives down to the smallest detail! Wow!!!! 4. His ___________ is great. He is our Creator; Our ____________! a) Psa. 46:1-2; Eph. 1:19; 3:20—this power is working inside us! Conclusion: A. Apply what you know and believe! Follow through! Raise your faith to the next level. 1. Lk. 8:23-25. Don’t fail to apply what you know & believe! B. Resolve NOW to strengthen and mature your faith! C. How is your faith? Where is your life? Have you obeyed the gospel? D. God will take care of you!