#1193. Increase our faith(25/11/24) · Community Church Putney Sermons

#1193. Increase our faith (25/11/24)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional as we continue in our Luke, Exploring Who Jesus is series.

Today, from Luke 17:5, we reflect on the nature of faith and how it can be increased.

‘The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”’ (Luke 17:5)

1. What is faith?

Briefly, it’s important to be clear as to what we mean by faith. Faith (pístis) means to believe God. Faith believes who God says He is and believe He’ll do what He says He’ll do. For example, regarding our salvation: faith believes that God is holy and that we face His condemnation and judgement; faith goes on to believe that Jesus has died in our place and has risen for our salvation; further, faith trusts in the cross alone for salvation. Not just for salvation, but faith believes God about prayer, His presence, provision and stewardship, our need of church fellowship, sharing the gospel… Everything that a Christian does is an act of faith - believing who God is and what He says.

2. Challenges make us seek more faith

Why do they ask Jesus to increase their faith? It seems that Jesus’ teaching regarding forgiveness and reconciliation in verses 1-4, has made them see their lack of faith. Our lack of faith is often revealed as we face the challenges of life. Our fear, our love for sin, our stubbornness, our hate… is revealed a we travel through life and, at many points, we all ask God to ‘increase our faith’ so as to deal with the issues we are facing.

3. How is faith increased?

Faith is increased in two ways:

Firstly, faith grows through knowing God’s Word. The truth of scripture is the basis of all that we believe about God and His promises. Stronger faith is build on the Spirit-breathed Word of God.

Secondly, faith is grown through trials. It’s as we face the various kind of ‘walls of Jericho’ or ‘Goliaths’ that our face is tested. Trials reveal our weak faith and cause us to ask ‘Increase our faith’; but it’s only as we then walk toward and walk through the challenge that our faith is grown.

‘God uses the problems found in conflict to stretch and challenge you in carefully tailored ways. This process is sometimes referred to as the ABC of spiritual growth – Adversity builds character. As you worry less about going through conflict and focus more on growing through conflict, you will enhance that process and experience the incorporable blessing of being conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ’ (Ken Sande, The Peace Maker, Page 31)

Let’s pray together as we finish

“Father, please increase my faith. May my life be faithful to you and faithful to your promises. In my relationships and conflict in particular, may I have the faith that trusts you and imitates you at such times. Amen.”

Our next devotional is on Wednesday (27th) when from Luke 17:5-6, we reflect on how tiny faith has massive power, but we must put the faith that we currently have into practice in order to see victories and for our faith to grow.

Luke 17:5–6