Where is your faith even today? Are you crying out to God “day and night” as in Luke 18 or have you slipped into despair, become disgruntled as I did, or maybe even totally given up? Often we seem to drift from one phase of faith to another and need some direction to make sure we are going to be found with faith when Jesus returns. Let’s look at four phases of faith and ask ourselves which one you are in and strive to have the heart to become men and women of great faith.
1. No Faith! Mark 4:35-41
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Amazingly, Jesus is asleep while a huge storm is about to sink the boat. His disciples on the other hand are filled with fear. They begin accusing Jesus of not caring if they die. For us, the same thing happens when there is “no faith”- we begin blaming God for our situations and our sinful nature takes over. Filled with fear, we try to take back control of our lives and sin rules. Seeing Jesus calm the storm did not inspire them with what God could do- they were simply terrified and stuck with no faith. Is this you?
2. Lack of Faith. Matthew 13:53-58
When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
A “lack of faith” seems very innocent and normal. Yet look at the results; the people were confused, skeptical, and critical and could not see beyond their noses at what God was trying to do in their lives. Once the people discredited Jesus, because they “knew” him, they began to take offense at him! Although they saw the miracles and wisdom of Jesus, their lack of faith had ruined their hearts. Even now, there are disciples that saw the miraculous power of God at work throughout the 80′s and 90′s and yet have shriveled up to become fault finders with a critical spirit that has overtaken them. They can no longer believe the miracles are possible and have few miracles in their lives and in their churches. Is this you?
3. Little Faith. Matthew 16:5-12
When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
This is where many Christians seem to live. A “little faith” brings a whole host of issues to our lives. Jesus is working on the hearts of the twelve to overcome the godlessness of the Pharisees, but they just do not get it. What were the consequences? The disciples had gotten confused, way out of touch and religious. They could not even remember what Jesus had just done with the crowds and so came up short in their understanding of his teaching. When disciples have “little faith”- there is confusion, religiosity and hearts that are out of touch. In this phase, we cannot even seem to understand simple concepts like being lukewarm, fired up, sold out or uncommitted. Is this you?
4. Great Faith! Matthew 15:21-28
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Incredibly, this non-Jewish woman impressed Jesus with her “great faith.” She took Jesus at his word without skepticism and simply believed. She was urgent and desperate. Her heart was to be incredibly humble as she cried out for help. We can learn so much from her response to this intense problem with her daughters’ demon-possession. Many of us have horrible situations plaguing our lives: a family issue, difficultly struggling with sin, little or no help from others, a struggling church or just not seeing the miracles of God and it can be so disheartening. This woman’s heart was urgent, humble, persistent and even when Jesus seemed he would not listen- she was resilient! What an awesome example we can all learn from! Jesus looked at her response and simply says, “Woman, you have great faith!�? Is this you?
Are there miracles in your life? Are you humble and persistent in your prayers? Is there a heart to understand simple biblical concepts and to remember the miracles? Are you inspired with what God can do or filled with fear and no faith? Over the years, I have seen how God will take each one of us where we are at and work with us. Any given day each of us can slip in our faith and become weak and in need of help. Amazingly, in each of these examples- Jesus still takes care of the people. My prayer is- no matter where you are today in your faith (no faith, lack of faith, and little faith or great faith) that you would never give up and then pour out everything you have to be a disciple of great faith! That is the dream Jesus has for you.
He stoops down to make us great,
Matt Sullivan
