Mustard Seed Faith: Embracing Forgiveness and Unity

Today, the table of Christ stands at the center, drawing us together as one body with believers around the world. On this World Communion Sunday, we are reminded that Christ is always the true center of our lives and faith, and that all are welcome at his table—no exceptions. The scripture from Luke 17 calls us to a faith that may seem small, like a mustard seed, but is powerful enough to transform lives and communities. Even when we feel small or inadequate, God works through our fragile trust to bring light and hope to the world.

Jesus warns us about the dangers of becoming stumbling blocks for others, especially those who are young in faith or searching for a safe place to ask questions. The harm caused by hypocrisy, exclusion, or careless words can deeply wound and even drive people away from the church. We are called to handle one another’s trust with reverent care, nurturing faith rather than crushing it. The world is watching how we live out our faith, and our actions—whether welcoming or excluding—echo far beyond our own walls.

Jesus also calls us to a radical practice of forgiveness. Not just once, but again and again, even seven times in a single day. Forgiveness is not about excusing harm or ignoring pain, but about naming the hurt and choosing not to let resentment define us. Modern science even affirms what Jesus taught: forgiveness breaks the cycle of revenge and brings healing, not just to others but to ourselves. The story of the Amish community in Nickel Mines, who forgave the man who harmed them, shows that forgiveness is not easy or automatic, but a conscious act of discipleship that transforms even the deepest sorrow.

At Christ’s table, we bring whatever faith we have—however small—and find that it is enough. We join with Christians across the globe, each bringing their own mustard seeds of faith, trusting that Christ meets us in this meal. Here, we are nourished to live out forgiveness, welcome, and grace in our families, our communities, and our world. Even the smallest faith, planted in God’s love, can uproot bitterness and plant mercy where revenge once grew. As we rise from the table, we are sent out with mustard seed faith to share God’s grace with a world in need.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Even the smallest faith, when rooted in God’s grace, is enough to bring light and transformation. Faith is not measured by quantity but by trust—trust that God can work through what seems insignificant to us. Like a phone battery greater than zero, even a tiny spark of faith can shine brightly in the darkness. [13:19]
• 2. We are called to handle one another’s trust with deep care, especially for those who are young in faith or have been wounded by the church. The greatest danger is not the stumbling blocks in the world, but when we ourselves become stumbling blocks through hypocrisy, exclusion, or careless words. Our actions can either nurture faith or crush it, and the world is watching to see if our lives reflect the love of Christ. [21:55]
• 3. Forgiveness is not a one-time act but a continual practice that mirrors God’s own rhythm of mercy. Jesus calls us to forgive again and again, not to excuse harm but to release resentment and participate in the work of grace. True forgiveness names the hurt and chooses freedom over bitterness, breaking the cycle of pain and revenge. [26:55]
• 4. The call to forgive is not naive or unrealistic; it is a path to healing for both the forgiver and the forgiven. Neuroscience shows that revenge is addictive, but forgiveness interrupts that destructive cycle and brings genuine healing. The story of the Amish community’s forgiveness after tragedy demonstrates that forgiveness is a conscious, repeated choice that transforms even the deepest wounds. [30:39]
• 5. At Christ’s table, all are welcome, and all it takes is mustard seed faith to belong. This meal unites us with believers across every boundary, reminding us that God’s grace is wide enough for the whole world. Here, we are nourished to uproot bitterness, plant mercy, and carry the light of Christ into a world longing for hope and reconciliation. [34:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:38] - Opening Reflections and Greetings
• [04:03] - World Communion Sunday: Christ at the Center
• [10:56] - Children’s Time: Mustard Seed Faith and the Flashlight
• [13:19] - The Power of Small Faith
• [17:13] - Scripture Reading: Luke 17
• [18:19] - Jesus’ Challenging Call: Forgiveness and Stumbling Blocks
• [20:02] - The Meaning of Scandalon and Spiritual Harm
• [22:50] - Real Stories: When Church Becomes a Stumbling Block
• [24:21] - The Global Impact of Christian Witness
• [25:14] - Living Attentively: Being On Guard
• [26:55] - The Pattern of Forgiveness
• [28:38] - The Neuroscience of Revenge and the Power of Forgiveness
• [30:39] - The Amish Example: Forgiveness in Action
• [33:11] - The Table of Grace: World Communion
• [34:55] - Living Mustard Seed Faith in the World
• [37:59] - Prayers and Community Life
• [42:06] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
• [44:25] - Sending Forth: Go with Mustard Seed Faith

Bible Reading

Luke 17:1-6 (ESV) — And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 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. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus in Luke 17, what is the danger of being a “stumbling block” to others, especially those who are young in faith? ([21:55])
2. What does Jesus say about the amount of faith needed to do great things? How does he use the image of the mustard seed? ([13:19])
3. How many times does Jesus say we should forgive someone who sins against us in a single day? What does this number represent? ([26:07])
4. In the sermon, what modern example was given to show the power and difficulty of forgiveness? ([30:39])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus use such strong language about causing others to stumble? What does this reveal about how we should treat those who are new or struggling in faith? ([21:55])
2. The disciples ask Jesus to “increase our faith.” Why do you think Jesus responds by talking about mustard seed faith instead of giving them more faith? ([19:31])
3. The sermon mentions that forgiveness is not about excusing harm but about naming the hurt and choosing not to let resentment define us. How does this understanding of forgiveness challenge or affirm your previous ideas? ([28:10])
4. The story of the Amish community’s forgiveness after tragedy was shared. What does this story teach about the ongoing, repeated choice involved in forgiveness? ([30:39])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “Even the smallest faith, when rooted in God’s grace, is enough to bring light and transformation.” Can you think of a time when your faith felt small, but God still used you or encouraged you? What happened? ([13:19])
2. Jesus warns us not to be stumbling blocks for others, especially those who are young in faith or searching. Is there someone in your life who might be watching how you live out your faith? How can you be more careful with your words or actions around them this week? ([21:55])
3. The sermon talks about the harm caused by hypocrisy, exclusion, or careless words in the church. Have you ever witnessed or experienced this? How did it affect your or someone else’s faith? What could have been done differently? ([22:50])
4. Forgiveness is described as a continual practice, not a one-time act. Is there someone you need to forgive again, even if you’ve tried before? What would it look like to take one step toward forgiveness this week? ([26:55])
5. The sermon mentions that holding a grudge is like “drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” Is there any resentment or bitterness you are holding onto? What is one practical way you can begin to let it go? ([28:10])
6. At Christ’s table, all are welcome, and all it takes is mustard seed faith to belong. Are there people you find it hard to welcome or include? What is one way you can practice Christ-like welcome this week, either at church or in your daily life? ([34:55])
7. The story of the Amish community shows that forgiveness is a conscious, repeated choice. Is there a situation in your life where you need to choose forgiveness again? What support or prayer do you need from this group to help you? ([30:39])