Growing Faith Amidst Temptations and Challenges
Summary
In Luke 17:5, the disciples ask Jesus to "increase our faith." This request comes after Jesus' teachings on the inevitability of temptations and the call to a holy life. The disciples, despite their experiences and ministry, recognize their need for greater faith. This acknowledgment is crucial for all believers, as faith is the foundation for overcoming life's challenges, including anxiety, sin, and distractions. Faith is not static; it must grow as we seek God's kingdom, know Jesus, worship, immerse in the Word, and persevere.
Jesus warns that temptations and scandals are inevitable in this fallen world. These can cause believers to stumble, especially when they come from those who profess faith but live scandalously. Such situations should not surprise us, but they should drive us to seek a stronger faith to withstand these challenges. Jesus emphasizes the seriousness of causing others to stumble, highlighting the responsibility of those who bear His name.
Believers are called to a holy life, which includes rebuking and forgiving others. This is not an easy task, and it requires a faith that can forgive repeatedly, even when wronged multiple times in a single day. The disciples' plea for increased faith reflects their understanding of the difficulty of living out Jesus' teachings.
Encounters with great evil and personal failures also highlight the need for increased faith. The disciples' inability to cast out a demon from a boy, as recounted in the Gospels, underscores the necessity of faith in confronting spiritual darkness. Jesus' response to their failure is a call to greater faith, illustrating that faith is essential in spiritual battles.
Finally, the struggle with unbelief is a common experience for all believers. The father of the afflicted boy in Mark's Gospel exemplifies this struggle when he says, "I believe; help my unbelief." This duality of faith and doubt is part of the Christian journey, and it drives us to continually seek a deeper, more robust faith.
Key Takeaways:
- The Inevitability of Temptations: Temptations and scandals are unavoidable in this world, but they should not deter our faith. Instead, they should prompt us to seek a stronger faith to withstand these challenges and not cause others to stumble. [05:20]
- The Call to a Holy Life: Living a holy life requires confronting and forgiving others, which is a challenging task. This call to holiness highlights our need for increased faith to live out Jesus' teachings authentically. [13:06]
- Facing Great Evil: Encounters with spiritual darkness and personal failures reveal our need for greater faith. These moments remind us that faith is essential in overcoming evil and fulfilling our calling. [25:22]
- The Struggle with Unbelief: The tension between belief and unbelief is a common experience for believers. Acknowledging this struggle and seeking increased faith helps us navigate doubts and fears. [32:09]
- The Growth of Faith: Faith is not static; it must grow through seeking God's kingdom, knowing Jesus, worship, immersion in the Word, and perseverance. This growth equips us to face life's challenges with confidence. [01:53]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:18] - Introduction to Faith
- [00:34] - Little Faith and Its Challenges
- [01:14] - The Gift of Faith
- [01:34] - Strategies for Growing Faith
- [02:11] - Overcoming Anxiety Through Faith
- [03:17] - Asking Jesus to Increase Faith
- [05:02] - Temptations and Scandals
- [07:09] - Responsibility of Believers
- [10:08] - Warning Against Causing Others to Stumble
- [12:50] - The Call to a Holy Life
- [16:40] - Confronting and Forgiving Others
- [25:22] - Encountering Great Evil
- [30:32] - Battling Unbelief
- [36:11] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 17:1-6
- Mark 9:23-24
- Ephesians 6:12-13
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific request do the disciples make to Jesus in Luke 17:5, and what prompts this request? [03:17]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the reasons Jesus emphasizes the inevitability of temptations and scandals? [05:20]
3. How does the father of the afflicted boy in Mark 9 express his struggle with faith and unbelief? [32:09]
4. What does Jesus say about the power of faith, even as small as a mustard seed, in Luke 17:6? [26:34]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the disciples have felt the need to ask Jesus to increase their faith after hearing His teachings on temptations and forgiveness? [11:42]
2. How does the sermon suggest that believers should respond to scandals and temptations within the church community? [07:09]
3. In what ways does the struggle between belief and unbelief, as seen in Mark 9, reflect the Christian journey? [32:09]
4. How does the concept of faith as a "shield" in Ephesians 6:12-13 relate to the challenges discussed in the sermon? [29:31]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you faced a temptation or scandal. How did it affect your faith, and what steps can you take to strengthen your faith in similar future situations? [05:20]
2. Jesus calls believers to a holy life that includes rebuking and forgiving others. How can you practice forgiveness in your daily life, especially when wronged multiple times? [13:06]
3. Consider a time when you encountered great evil or personal failure. How did your faith help you navigate that experience, and what can you do to prepare for similar challenges in the future? [25:22]
4. The sermon highlights the struggle with unbelief. Identify an area in your life where you experience doubt. What practical steps can you take to seek increased faith in that area? [32:09]
5. Faith is described as something that must grow. What specific actions can you take this week to nurture your faith through worship, immersion in the Word, or perseverance? [01:53]
6. How can you be more mindful of your responsibility as a believer to not cause others to stumble in their faith? What changes might you need to make in your behavior or attitudes? [11:10]
7. Reflect on the call to ask Jesus to increase your faith. What specific prayer or practice can you incorporate into your daily routine to actively seek a deeper faith? [36:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Strengthening Faith Amidst Temptations
In a world where temptations and scandals are inevitable, believers are called to strengthen their faith to withstand these challenges. Temptations can come from unexpected places, even from those who profess faith but live contrary to it. This reality should not surprise us but rather motivate us to seek a deeper faith. Jesus emphasizes the seriousness of causing others to stumble, highlighting the responsibility of those who bear His name. As believers, we must be vigilant and proactive in nurturing our faith, ensuring it is robust enough to face the trials of this world. [05:20]
"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a recent temptation you faced. How can you prepare spiritually to respond differently next time?
Day 2: The Challenge of Living a Holy Life
Living a holy life involves confronting and forgiving others, a task that requires immense faith. Jesus calls believers to rebuke and forgive, even when wronged multiple times in a single day. This call to holiness is not easy, and the disciples' plea for increased faith reflects their understanding of its difficulty. As believers, we are encouraged to seek a faith that empowers us to live out Jesus' teachings authentically, embracing the challenge of holiness with grace and perseverance. [13:06]
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone you need to forgive. What steps can you take today to begin this process with God's help?
Day 3: Confronting Spiritual Darkness
Encounters with spiritual darkness and personal failures reveal our need for greater faith. The disciples' inability to cast out a demon from a boy underscores the necessity of faith in confronting spiritual battles. Jesus' response to their failure is a call to greater faith, illustrating that faith is essential in overcoming evil and fulfilling our calling. As believers, we must recognize the spiritual battles we face and seek a faith that equips us to stand firm against the forces of darkness. [25:22]
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a spiritual battle you are currently facing. How can you actively seek God's strength and guidance in this situation?
Day 4: Navigating the Tension of Belief and Unbelief
The struggle with unbelief is a common experience for all believers. The father of the afflicted boy in Mark's Gospel exemplifies this struggle when he says, "I believe; help my unbelief." This duality of faith and doubt is part of the Christian journey, driving us to continually seek a deeper, more robust faith. Acknowledging this tension allows us to navigate our doubts and fears, trusting in God's faithfulness to strengthen our belief. [32:09]
"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!' And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, 'You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.'" (Mark 9:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a moment of doubt you have experienced. How can you invite God into that space to strengthen your faith?
Day 5: The Dynamic Growth of Faith
Faith is not static; it must grow through seeking God's kingdom, knowing Jesus, worship, immersion in the Word, and perseverance. This growth equips us to face life's challenges with confidence. As believers, we are called to actively pursue a deeper relationship with God, allowing our faith to mature and flourish. This dynamic growth is essential for overcoming life's obstacles and living out our calling with boldness and assurance. [01:53]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to nurture and grow your faith in a tangible way?
Quotes
Faith grows as we seek God's kingdom, that Faith grows as we get to know Jesus, the faith grows as we worship, that Faith grows as we are nourished by the word of God, and that Faith grows as we persevere. [00:01:53]
The more you grow in faith, the more you will prevail over anxiety. Grow in faith and you will overcome stubborn sins, you will break through dark strongholds. Grow in faith and you will be more focused and you'll be much less distracted. Grow in faith and you will persevere. [00:02:42]
Temptations to sin are sure to come, but whoa to the one through whom they come. Jesus says it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. [00:07:51]
If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day and turns to you seven times saying I Repent, you must forgive him. Now notice that Jesus challenges the disciples here with a double responsibility. [00:13:02]
When you see the sheer difficulty of the life that the Lord Jesus Christ calls you to, then you will ask him to increase your faith. That's what we learn here, and I want you to think about this: what is the life to which we are called? [00:21:34]
When you encounter great evil, when you find yourself facing great Darkness, ask the Lord to increase your faith. The Apostle writes, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in Heavenly places. [00:29:15]
When You Face a struggle that seems beyond you, when you're confronted by your own failure, when you find yourself surrounded by great darkness and evil, ask the Lord to increase your faith. [00:30:03]
The man had been disappointed by the disciples' inability to help him, but notice this: though the man had been disappointed by the disciples, he was still drawn to Jesus. If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. [00:31:01]
Faith lives with unanswered questions, faith is often afflicted by many doubts, no one has a perfect faith. However much we grow in the Christian Life, we struggle with doubt and unbelief, and many fears remain. [00:33:57]
The Godly heart feels in itself a division, because it is partly imbued with sweetness from the recognition of the Divine goodness that is it has a comfort of believing that God is good, and yet partly Grieves in bitterness from its own Calamity. [00:34:58]
Now it says Calvin this variation arises from the imperfection of faith, since in the course of this present life it never goes so well with us that we are wholly cured from the disease of unbelief and entirely filled and possessed by faith. [00:35:50]
Listen to the promise of Jesus: all things are possible for one who believes. In Christ, you will have all that you need for all that you face in every circumstance of your life. Grow in faith and by God's grace you will be able to say with the Apostle Paul I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. [00:37:43]
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