The Degrees of Faith The Degrees of Faith No Faith No Faith You cannot please God. Lack of faith produces You cannot please God. Lack of faith produces disobedience. Lack of faith always loses. disobedience. Lack of faith always loses. Little Faith Little Faith Dominated by things, by circumstances, by doubt: Weak Dominated by things, by circumstances, by doubt: Weak faith. faith. Growing Faith Growing Faith Give yourself fully. Meditate in the Word of God. Give yourself fully. Meditate in the Word of God. Determined to obey. Determined to obey. Great Faith Great Faith Great faith is persistent. Great faith is patient. Great faith is persistent. Great faith is patient. Such Great Faith Such Great Faith Grasping the Principles of: Submission, Command and Grasping the Principles of: Submission, Command and Authority. Authority. Wrecked Faith Wrecked Faith No such thing as arriving and relaxing. No such thing as arriving and relaxing.
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The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith No Faith No Faith
You cannot please God. Lack of faith produces disobedience. Lack of faith You cannot please God. Lack of faith produces disobedience. Lack of faith always loses.always loses.
Little FaithLittle FaithDominated by things, by circumstances, by doubt: Weak faith.Dominated by things, by circumstances, by doubt: Weak faith.
Growing FaithGrowing FaithGive yourself fully. Meditate in the Word of God. Determined to obey.Give yourself fully. Meditate in the Word of God. Determined to obey.
Great Faith Great Faith Great faith is persistent. Great faith is patient.Great faith is persistent. Great faith is patient.
Such Great Faith Such Great Faith Grasping the Principles of: Submission, Command and Authority.Grasping the Principles of: Submission, Command and Authority.
Wrecked FaithWrecked FaithNo such thing as arriving and relaxing.No such thing as arriving and relaxing.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
We see here that FAITH is not static, but is We see here that FAITH is not static, but is rather, VITAL, GROWING and EVER-rather, VITAL, GROWING and EVER-CHANGING. Faith must always be on the move.CHANGING. Faith must always be on the move.
Increase our FaithIncrease our Faith
The Apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith, The Apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith, which is a road to maturity. Keeping our eyes on which is a road to maturity. Keeping our eyes on Jesus leads to a maturing faith.Jesus leads to a maturing faith.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Growth in faith is directly proportionate to our Growth in faith is directly proportionate to our INTENSITY OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD and INTENSITY OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD and our DELIGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD. Hunger our DELIGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD. Hunger and thirst for the presence of God will determine and thirst for the presence of God will determine by what degree our faith increases.by what degree our faith increases.
Faith from First to LastFaith from First to Last
Another translation says righteousness that is Another translation says righteousness that is from ‘FAITH TO FAITH’. We see that faith from ‘FAITH TO FAITH’. We see that faith comes in ever increasing degrees.comes in ever increasing degrees.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
The Author and PerfecterThe Author and Perfecter
Jesus Christ is our forerunner, the founder and Jesus Christ is our forerunner, the founder and originator of faith. He is our model and example originator of faith. He is our model and example to imitate; in fact, He is the ONLY LIVING to imitate; in fact, He is the ONLY LIVING AUTHENTIC illustration of the faith we are to AUTHENTIC illustration of the faith we are to walk in. By fixing our ATTENTION ON CHRIST walk in. By fixing our ATTENTION ON CHRIST OUR FAITH GROWS TO FULL HEIGHT to its OUR FAITH GROWS TO FULL HEIGHT to its pre-ordained size and fullness.pre-ordained size and fullness.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Jesus Christ the PersonJesus Christ the Person
Faith grows through an intimate and deep fellowship with Faith grows through an intimate and deep fellowship with the MASTER. The more we get to know Jesus, the the MASTER. The more we get to know Jesus, the greater our confidence in Him will be.greater our confidence in Him will be.
No FaithNo Faith
Jesus asked some pointed questions here. He was Jesus asked some pointed questions here. He was addressing His disciples when they reacted negatively to addressing His disciples when they reacted negatively to a potential disaster. Their boat was nearly swamped by a potential disaster. Their boat was nearly swamped by ‘a furious squall’ and they PANICKED.‘a furious squall’ and they PANICKED.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
No Faith is Equal to FearNo Faith is Equal to Fear
Faith meditates while fear worries; faith confesses while Faith meditates while fear worries; faith confesses while fear grumbles; faith acts on GOOD NEWS while fear fear grumbles; faith acts on GOOD NEWS while fear acts on BAD NEWS; faith EXALTS GOD while fear acts on BAD NEWS; faith EXALTS GOD while fear EXALTS THE ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE.EXALTS THE ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE.
You Cannot Please GodYou Cannot Please God
Those who lack faith act as though God has ceased to Those who lack faith act as though God has ceased to exist and that He has FORGOTTEN or FORSAKEN exist and that He has FORGOTTEN or FORSAKEN THEM. Lack of faith TOTALLY IGNORES GOD and THEM. Lack of faith TOTALLY IGNORES GOD and even ACCUSES GOD OF NOT CARING!even ACCUSES GOD OF NOT CARING!
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Lack of Faith Produces DisobedienceLack of Faith Produces Disobedience
Hebrews 3:16-19 “Who were they who heard Hebrews 3:16-19 “Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not those who angry for forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they would never to whom did God swear that they would never enter His rest if not to those who disobeyed? enter His rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. [NIV]”because of their unbelief. [NIV]”
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Lack of Faith Always LosesLack of Faith Always Loses
A whole generation of Israelites did not enter the A whole generation of Israelites did not enter the PROMISE OF GOD because of this UNBELIEF, PROMISE OF GOD because of this UNBELIEF, REBELLION and DISOBEDIENCE. If you are unsure of REBELLION and DISOBEDIENCE. If you are unsure of what God’s will is, find out before you pray a prayer of what God’s will is, find out before you pray a prayer of unbelief. (James 1:6).unbelief. (James 1:6).
Little FaithLittle Faith
LACK OF FAITH is unbelief. Doubt is inconsistent faith LACK OF FAITH is unbelief. Doubt is inconsistent faith whereas unbelief is where we cannot bring ourselves to whereas unbelief is where we cannot bring ourselves to believe. There is very little difference between doubt and believe. There is very little difference between doubt and unbelief.unbelief.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
They are Like a Wave Tossed by the SeaThey are Like a Wave Tossed by the Sea
CircumstancesCircumstances
People who have little faith are intimidated by People who have little faith are intimidated by adverse circumstances of life. They are the adverse circumstances of life. They are the people full of praise and victory when things are people full of praise and victory when things are going well, but who grumble and complain when going well, but who grumble and complain when things are not going well.things are not going well.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
FeelingsFeelings
People with little faith allow their feelings People with little faith allow their feelings to have prominence in their lives. They to have prominence in their lives. They allow their feelings to rule and dominate allow their feelings to rule and dominate them and find it difficult to understand the them and find it difficult to understand the REALITY OF THE WORD OF GOD or the REALITY OF THE WORD OF GOD or the INTEGRITY OF THE WORD in their lives.INTEGRITY OF THE WORD in their lives.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
SensesSenses
When we allow our senses to dominate us – that When we allow our senses to dominate us – that is, those things we see, hear, taste, smell or is, those things we see, hear, taste, smell or touch – then we have little faith. These are those touch – then we have little faith. These are those who say, “We must be REALISTIC,” and really who say, “We must be REALISTIC,” and really mean that we must allow the REALITY OF mean that we must allow the REALITY OF WHAT OUR SENSES TELL US to dictate the WHAT OUR SENSES TELL US to dictate the terms, instead of the REALITY OF WHAT GOD terms, instead of the REALITY OF WHAT GOD HAS SAID IN HIS WORD.HAS SAID IN HIS WORD.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Dominated by ThingsDominated by Things
People of little faith WORRY ABOUT People of little faith WORRY ABOUT THEIR POSSESSIONS, the things of the THEIR POSSESSIONS, the things of the world. In fact, this is the very thing that world. In fact, this is the very thing that chokes our faith in the Word of God. The chokes our faith in the Word of God. The problem is that our eyes are on the problem is that our eyes are on the WRONG PLACE, and our minds are SET WRONG PLACE, and our minds are SET ON THE WRONG THINGS.ON THE WRONG THINGS.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
The ComparisonThe Comparison
Jesus compares a simple thing like grass Jesus compares a simple thing like grass with man who is made in the image of with man who is made in the image of God. Grass is such a temporary thing yet God. Grass is such a temporary thing yet God cares for it. How much more will He God cares for it. How much more will He not look after man who is made in His own not look after man who is made in His own image and is an eternal being.image and is an eternal being.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
What to DoWhat to Do
Seek first the Kingdom of God!Seek first the Kingdom of God!
Dominated by CircumstancesDominated by Circumstances
In the parallel account in the Gospel of Mark, In the parallel account in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus says that they had no faith, which shows Jesus says that they had no faith, which shows that there is very little difference between NO that there is very little difference between NO faith and LITTLE faith.faith and LITTLE faith.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Fear Dominates over FaithFear Dominates over Faith
This is the great problem with little faith. Fear born in the This is the great problem with little faith. Fear born in the face of danger or calamity takes over and produces face of danger or calamity takes over and produces panic.panic.
Dominated by DoubtDominated by Doubt
Matt 14:27-32 “But Jesus immediately said to them: Matt 14:27-32 “But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it is you.’ ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it is you.’ Peter replied, ‘Tell me to come to you on the water.’ Peter replied, ‘Tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, ‘Come,’ He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Immediately Jesus reached cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. ‘You of LITTLE FAITH,’ He out His hand and caught him. ‘You of LITTLE FAITH,’ He said, ‘Why did you doubt?’ [NIV]”.said, ‘Why did you doubt?’ [NIV]”.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
He was AfraidHe was Afraid
As soon as fear comes up within him and he As soon as fear comes up within him and he takes his eyes off Jesus focusing on his takes his eyes off Jesus focusing on his circumstances, he begins to sink.circumstances, he begins to sink.
Missing the MarkMissing the Mark
If we miss the mark by kilometres or millimetres If we miss the mark by kilometres or millimetres it makes no difference.it makes no difference.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Why did you Doubt?Why did you Doubt?
Jesus equated doubt with little faith. Notice that Jesus Jesus equated doubt with little faith. Notice that Jesus questions Peter’s DOUBT and LITTLE FAITH as if He questions Peter’s DOUBT and LITTLE FAITH as if He expects him to continue walking on the water. Jesus is expects him to continue walking on the water. Jesus is not lenient in His rebuke.not lenient in His rebuke.
Weak FaithWeak Faith
Here we see that unlike Peter on the water and the Here we see that unlike Peter on the water and the disciples in the boat who see the adversity and are disciples in the boat who see the adversity and are overwhelmed by it, Abraham faces his adversities overwhelmed by it, Abraham faces his adversities SQUARELY FULLY CONFIDENT IN THE PROMISE OF SQUARELY FULLY CONFIDENT IN THE PROMISE OF GOD.GOD.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Protect those who are WeakProtect those who are Weak
Romans 14:1 “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing Romans 14:1 “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. [NIV]”judgment on disputable matters. [NIV]”
Growing FaithGrowing Faith
Our objective as believers is to reach the place where Our objective as believers is to reach the place where WE HAVE STRONG FAITH, where WE ARE STRONG WE HAVE STRONG FAITH, where WE ARE STRONG IN THE LORD and IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT and IN THE LORD and IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT and where we CHANGE OUR WORLD THROUGH FAITH IN where we CHANGE OUR WORLD THROUGH FAITH IN GOD.GOD.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Give Yourself FullyGive Yourself Fully
If there is going to be any growth in faith then If there is going to be any growth in faith then there must be a COMMITMENT TO GROWTH. there must be a COMMITMENT TO GROWTH. Whatever it takes, whatever it costs – even if it Whatever it takes, whatever it costs – even if it costs you all you have, make a serious effort to costs you all you have, make a serious effort to GROW IN FAITH.GROW IN FAITH.
Seek FirstSeek First
The kingdom of GodThe kingdom of God The righteousness of GodThe righteousness of God
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Meditate in the Word of GodMeditate in the Word of God
We are not talking about merely READING THE We are not talking about merely READING THE WORD or LISTENING TO SERMONS.WORD or LISTENING TO SERMONS.
ImaginationImagination
The Word of God must be the centre of our The Word of God must be the centre of our thoughts continually – it must mould the way we thoughts continually – it must mould the way we think. If you do not see yourself DOING IT, you think. If you do not see yourself DOING IT, you will never do it.will never do it.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Determined to ObeyDetermined to Obey
Joshua 1:7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be Joshua 1:7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law ... [NIV]”.careful to obey all the law ... [NIV]”.
Great FaithGreat Faith
Matthew 15:21-28 “... Then Jesus answered, ‘Woman Matthew 15:21-28 “... Then Jesus answered, ‘Woman you have GREAT FAITH. Your request is granted.’ you have GREAT FAITH. Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour. And her daughter was healed from that very hour. [NIV]”.[NIV]”.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Great Faith is PersistentGreat Faith is Persistent
Persistence is founded in being FULLY Persistence is founded in being FULLY CONVINCED THAT THE LORD IS ABLE CONVINCED THAT THE LORD IS ABLE TO PERFORM what He has promised. It TO PERFORM what He has promised. It refuses to give up and it has a TENACITY refuses to give up and it has a TENACITY and BOLDNESS that pushes through to and BOLDNESS that pushes through to OBTAIN ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD.OBTAIN ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
Great Faith is PatientGreat Faith is Patient
Hebrews 10:36 “YOU have need to PERSEVERE so that when Hebrews 10:36 “YOU have need to PERSEVERE so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. [NIV]”.promised. [NIV]”.
Such Great FaithSuch Great Faith
Here we see a Roman Centurion – a gentile, a foreigner Here we see a Roman Centurion – a gentile, a foreigner and a stranger to God, alienated from the promises and and a stranger to God, alienated from the promises and covenants of God, YET HE AMAZED JESUS CHRIST covenants of God, YET HE AMAZED JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH. This is the key to having such great OF NAZARETH. This is the key to having such great faith – understanding what authority is all about.faith – understanding what authority is all about.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
The Principle of SubmissionThe Principle of Submission
The authority we have depends on the authority The authority we have depends on the authority we are under.we are under.
The Principle of CommandThe Principle of Command
If we are under authority then we must, with it, If we are under authority then we must, with it, know what we have authority for, what we are know what we have authority for, what we are responsible for and who we are responsible to.responsible for and who we are responsible to.
The Degrees of FaithThe Degrees of Faith
The Principle of AuthorityThe Principle of Authority
Luke 7:7 “But SAY THE WORD and my servant will Luke 7:7 “But SAY THE WORD and my servant will be healed”.be healed”.
Wrecked FaithWrecked Faith
In our life of faith there is NO SUCH THING AS In our life of faith there is NO SUCH THING AS ARRIVING and RELAXING. If this is your ARRIVING and RELAXING. If this is your attitude then you are destined to WRECK YOUR attitude then you are destined to WRECK YOUR FAITH.FAITH.
