Text: Matthew 8:23-27
Jesus spoke of some as having great faith and others having little faith. In the previous lesson, we examined great faith which recognizes one’s own unworthiness and the power and authority of Jesus and refuses to be turned away from Christ or be offended by Him. 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, 28) – promise to Noah (Genesis 8:22); His providence in nature is a witness to Him (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)
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), which showed little faith (Matthew 16:8)
- “For we 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 (Luke 12:16-21)
Allows Distractions to Take Our Focus (Matthew 14:25-31)
- At first, Peter appeared to have great faith – he was the only disciple to get out of the boat and walk on the water (Matthew 14:28-29); yet he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the storm; caused him to sink (Matthew 14:30-31)
- As Christians, we must keep our eyes focused on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) – keep our focus on the path we should be walking (Proverbs 4:25-27); whatever may be going on around us is only “momentary, light affliction” (2 Corinthians 4:17)
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) – because we are confident in our reward (2 Timothy 4:7-8); even when faithfulness might hasten our death, we must remain faithful (Revelation 2:10)
- Paul recognized that “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“
Forgets the Lord’s Promises (Matthew 17:14-20)
- Jesus rebuked His disciples for not casting out this demon (Matthew 17:19-20) – important to understand that Jesus did NOT teach 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 (cf. 1 John 5:14-15); but we must have faith that His promises will be carried out (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:13; Revelation 2:10)
Conclusion
- Important point to notice – the ones with great faith were Gentiles; the ones with little faith were Jews, and usually Jesus’ own apostles
- Lesson to take from this – anyone can develop great faith; anyone of us can display little faith
- Let us continually work to strengthen our faith in Christ
