Little Faith

Text: Matthew 8:10, 26

This is a follow-up lesson to the one about great faith. In this lesson, we will examine what it means to have little faith. All of us need to examine ourselves and see how we can improve.

Little Faith Worries About the Things of This Life (Matthew 6:30-32)

  • Jesus cited God’s providential care in nature as a reason for us not to worry (Matthew 6:26-29) – His providence in nature is a witness to Him (Genesis 8:22; Acts 14:17)
  • We must certainly work to take advantage of His blessings (Proverbs 28:19) – but we must not worry
  • We are  to seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33) – focusing on the worries of life leaves us unfruitful (Luke 8:14)

Little Faith Fears Death (Matthew 8:23-27)

  • The disciples were afraid they would die in the storm – Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith
  • Christians are not to fear death (Matthew 10:28) – instead, be confident (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
  • To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21) – little faith causes one to fear death because he does not recognize it as “gain

Little Faith Causes Us to Focus on Distractions (Matthew 14:25-31)

  • At first, Peter appeared to have great faith – he was the only disciple to step out of the boat to walk on the water (Matthew 14:28-29); yet he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the storm, causing him to sink (Matthew 14:30-31)
  • As Christians, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) – keep your focus on the path you should be walking (Proverbs 4:25-27)
  • Whatever may be going on around us is nothing more than “momentary, light affliction” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Little Faith Focuses on the Physical Over the Spiritual (Matthew 16:6-12)

  • Jesus warned of the leaven (teaching) of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:6, 12) – but His disciples immediately thought of physical bread (Matthew 16:7)
  • We must “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
  • We cannot allow ourselves to focus on physical things when we should be focused on spiritual things (Romans 8:6; Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21)

Little Faith Forgets the Lord’s Promises (Matthew 17:14-20)

  • Jesus rebuked His disciples for not casting out this demon (Matthew 17:19-20) – Jesus did not teach them that faith would make them able to do anything; He taught that faith would make them able to do what He said they could do (cf. Matthew 10:8)
  • The basis for faith is the “word of Christ” (Romans 10:17) – no amount of belief in God will cause things to happen that He never promised (1 John 5:14-15)
  • But we must have faith that His promises will be carried out (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13; Revelation 2:10)

Conclusion

  • Interesting fact – those with great faith were Gentiles; those with little faith were Jews, usually Jesus’ own apostles
  • Lesson – anyone can develop a great faith, and anyone of us can display little faith
  • Let us continually work to strengthen our faith in Christ