Lord, Increase Our Faith

TEXTLuke 17:5

INTRODUCTION:

A.      PERHAPS A STRANGE REQUEST, COMING FROM DISCIPLES.

B.      WE OFTEN FIND OCCASION TO PRAY THIS PRAYER.

I.      THE APOSTLES DISSATISFACTION WITH THEIR FAITH.

A.      THEY WERE DISSATISFIED BECAUSE OF MULTIPLE FAILURE.

          1.       In the storm ( Matt. 8:23-27 ).

          2.       On the sea, Peter's little faith ( Matt. 14:31 ).

          3.       A failure in the work ( Matt. 17:17 ).

B.      DISSATISFIED, BUT HADN'T GIVEN UP. NEITHER SHOULD WE.

C.      THEIR DISSATISFACTION LED THEM TO SEEK IMPROVEMENT.

          1.       Progress is possible only when there is dissatisfaction.

          2.       Regarding progress, we should never be satisfied( Phil. 3:12-14 ).

II.     THE NECESSITY OF INCREASING OUR FAITH.

A.      OURS IS A RELIGION OF FAITH.

          1.       We are saved by faith( Rom. 5:1;  Heb. 11:6 ).

          2.       Our lives are controlled by faith( Rom. 14:23 ).

          3.       Faith motivates us to obedience( 2 Cor. 5:7 ).

B.      IN TIME OF TEMPTATION( 1 Pet. 1:5;  Eph. 6:16;  1 John 5:4 ).

C.      IN TIME OF SADNESS( 2 Cor. 1:3-5;  4:13-14 ).

D.      IN TIME OF DUTY( Luke 17:6;  Phil. 4:13 ).

          1.       When it comes time to repent be baptized( Acts 2:38 ).

          2.       When it comes time to forgive( Luke 17:3-4 ).

          3.       When it comes time to give( 2 Cor. 9:6-8 ).

          4.       James 2:18.  Obedience is in proportion to our faith( Heb. 11:6 ).

III.    THE MANNER OF INCREASING OUR FAITH.

A.      THREE THINGS ARE NECESSARY.

          1.       A desire for more faith( Luke 17:5 ).

          2.       Resort to the source of faith( Rom. 10:17 ).

          3.       We must exercise our faith( 1 Tim. 4:7-8,  13 ).

B.      HOW DO WE EXERCISE?

          1.       Work, obedience( James 2:24, 26 ).

          2.       Prayer( Phil. 4:6-7 ).

          3.       Associations( 1 Cor. 15:33;  1 Pet. 4:3-4;  Eph. 5:7-11;  Rom. 12:2;

                   2 Cor. 6:14-18, 11-13 ).

          4.       Conversely( Rom. 12:9-10 ).

C.      AN INCREASE IN FAITH LEADS TO ONE IN OTHER VIRTUES(2 Pet.1:5-7).

CONCLUSION:

A.      OURS IS A FIGHT OF FAITH( 1 Tim. 6:12 ).

B.      FAITH IS THE VICTORY( 1 John 5:4 ).