Nurturing Faith: The Gentle Heart of Jesus

 

Summary

In reflecting on the metaphor of "smoking flax" from Isaiah 42:3, we are reminded of the gentle and patient nature of Jesus Christ. He does not quench the dimly burning wick, nor does He break the bruised reed. This imagery speaks to His approach towards those who are weak in faith, struggling with doubts, or feeling spiritually inadequate. Jesus, during His time on earth, was gentle even with the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, choosing not to engage in fruitless controversy but instead focusing on healing and teaching truth. This approach serves as a model for us, emphasizing the power of truth over error and the importance of building up rather than tearing down.

The smoking flax represents a state where there is a small spark of faith, a dim light that struggles to shine brightly. It is a state familiar to many believers who feel their faith is weak or their spiritual life is not as vibrant as it should be. Yet, even in this state, there is hope. The presence of even a small amount of faith is significant, and Jesus values and nurtures it. He does not extinguish the little light but instead fans it into a flame, encouraging growth and strength.

This message is particularly comforting to those who are newly saved or those who feel their spiritual light is fading. Jesus does not abandon them; instead, He protects and nurtures their faith. He understands the struggles and temptations that can cause one's faith to flicker and is committed to preserving and strengthening it. The Lord's table is open to all, not just the spiritually strong, but also to those who are weak and trembling, inviting them to partake in His grace and love.

Key Takeaways:

1. Gentle Approach of Jesus: Jesus exemplifies a gentle approach towards those who are weak in faith, choosing to nurture rather than condemn. His focus is on healing and teaching truth, rather than engaging in fruitless controversy. This approach encourages us to build up others with truth and love. [01:34]

2. Significance of Small Faith: Even a small spark of faith is significant in the eyes of Jesus. The metaphor of smoking flax illustrates that a dimly burning wick is not to be extinguished but nurtured. This encourages believers to value and nurture their faith, no matter how small it may seem. [05:07]

3. Hope for the Weak and Doubtful: Those who feel spiritually weak or are struggling with doubts are not abandoned by Jesus. He protects and nurtures their faith, understanding the struggles and temptations that can cause one's faith to flicker. [14:09]

4. Invitation to Growth: Believers are encouraged to grow in their faith, moving from spiritual infancy to maturity. While life in Christ is precious, there is an expectation of growth and development, moving towards the fullness of the stature of Christ. [28:18]

5. Open Invitation to the Lord's Table: The Lord's table is open to all believers, regardless of their spiritual strength. It is a place of grace and love, inviting even the faint and feeble to partake and be strengthened. This inclusivity reflects the heart of Jesus, who welcomes all who come to Him in faith. [29:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Smoking Flax
- [00:24] - Jesus' Approach to the Pharisees
- [01:07] - Building Up with Truth
- [01:34] - Lesson on Religious Controversy
- [02:02] - Preaching Truth Over Error
- [03:24] - Gentle with Timid Believers
- [04:52] - State of Smoking Flax
- [05:07] - Significance of Small Faith
- [06:11] - Desiring Holiness
- [08:03] - Limited Usefulness of Smoking Flax
- [10:20] - Challenges of Doubt and Error
- [14:09] - Hope for the Weak and Doubtful
- [19:29] - Assurance of Grace
- [28:18] - Invitation to Growth
- [29:02] - Open Invitation to the Lord's Table

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 42:3
- Matthew 12:20

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the metaphor of "smoking flax" in Isaiah 42:3 represent, and how does it relate to the nature of Jesus? [00:11]

2. How did Jesus respond to the scribes and Pharisees, and what does this reveal about His approach to controversy? [00:24]

3. In what ways does the sermon describe the state of a believer who is like "smoking flax"? [04:52]

4. What is the significance of Jesus not quenching the smoking flax, according to the sermon? [21:40]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the gentle approach of Jesus towards the weak in faith challenge common perceptions of strength and power in spiritual leadership? [01:34]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the value of small faith, and how does this perspective encourage believers who feel spiritually inadequate? [05:07]

3. How does the sermon interpret the hope offered to those who are weak and doubtful, and what does this imply about Jesus' commitment to His followers? [14:09]

4. What does the open invitation to the Lord's table signify about the inclusivity of Jesus' grace, and how does this reflect His heart for all believers? [29:02]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt like "smoking flax" in your faith. How did you experience Jesus' gentle nurturing during that period? [04:52]

2. In what ways can you adopt Jesus' gentle approach when interacting with others who are struggling in their faith? Consider specific actions you can take this week. [01:34]

3. How can you nurture the small spark of faith within you or others, even when it seems insignificant? Identify one practical step you can take to fan this spark into a flame. [05:07]

4. When faced with doubts or spiritual weakness, what practices can you implement to remind yourself of the hope and protection Jesus offers? [14:09]

5. How can you create an environment in your small group or community that reflects the open invitation of the Lord's table, welcoming all regardless of their spiritual strength? [29:02]

6. Think of someone in your life who might feel spiritually inadequate. How can you encourage and support them in their faith journey this week? [14:09]

7. What specific distractions or temptations are causing your faith to flicker, and how can you address them to strengthen your spiritual life? [20:02]

Devotional

Day 1: Nurturing the Weak in Faith
Jesus exemplifies a gentle approach towards those who are weak in faith, choosing to nurture rather than condemn. He focuses on healing and teaching truth, rather than engaging in fruitless controversy. This approach encourages believers to build up others with truth and love, following the example of Christ who was gentle even with those who opposed Him. By prioritizing compassion and understanding, believers can create an environment where faith can grow and flourish. [01:34]

Isaiah 40:11 (ESV): "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."

Reflection: Who in your life is struggling with their faith, and how can you gently support and encourage them today?


Day 2: The Value of Small Faith
Even a small spark of faith is significant in the eyes of Jesus. The metaphor of smoking flax illustrates that a dimly burning wick is not to be extinguished but nurtured. This encourages believers to value and nurture their faith, no matter how small it may seem. Jesus sees the potential in every flicker of faith and works to fan it into a flame, encouraging growth and strength. [05:07]

Matthew 17:20 (ESV): "He said to them, 'For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'"

Reflection: What small act of faith can you take today, trusting that God will nurture and grow it?


Day 3: Hope for the Spiritually Weak
Those who feel spiritually weak or are struggling with doubts are not abandoned by Jesus. He protects and nurtures their faith, understanding the struggles and temptations that can cause one's faith to flicker. Jesus is committed to preserving and strengthening the faith of all believers, offering hope and assurance to those who feel inadequate or overwhelmed by their spiritual journey. [14:09]

Psalm 73:26 (ESV): "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel spiritually weak, and how can you invite Jesus to strengthen you in that area today?


Day 4: Invitation to Spiritual Growth
Believers are encouraged to grow in their faith, moving from spiritual infancy to maturity. While life in Christ is precious, there is an expectation of growth and development, moving towards the fullness of the stature of Christ. This journey of growth is a lifelong process, where believers are continually invited to deepen their relationship with God and become more like Christ in their thoughts, actions, and character. [28:18]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: What is one specific area in your spiritual life where you feel called to grow, and what steps can you take this week to pursue that growth?


Day 5: The Open Invitation to the Lord's Table
The Lord's table is open to all believers, regardless of their spiritual strength. It is a place of grace and love, inviting even the faint and feeble to partake and be strengthened. This inclusivity reflects the heart of Jesus, who welcomes all who come to Him in faith. The Lord's table serves as a reminder of His love and sacrifice, offering nourishment and renewal to all who seek Him. [29:02]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: How can you prepare your heart to fully receive the grace and love offered at the Lord's table this week?

Quotes


We read in the twelfth of Matthew that our divine lord was assailed by the scribes and Pharisees but he did not enter at that time into controversy with them neither did he make them the perpetual target of his observations considering what hypocrites they were and what boundless mischief they were doing he treated them very gently indeed. [00:27:50]

He came not so much to drive out error by reason as to expel it by the natural and efficient process of putting truth into its place, so to a large extent he left these scribes and Pharisees and other opponents alone and he went quietly on with his own work of healing the sick and saving the sinful. [00:76:80]

You my dear friend have a little faith it is not much bigger than a grain of mustard seed but faith of that size has great power in it. I wish that your faith would grow to a tree but I am very glad that you have any even though it be minute as the mustard seed. [05:10:88]

There is a longing a desiring a panting a hungering a thirsting therefore there is some little good in you. Do not praise me you say oh no dear friend I will not praise you I know that you would not like it for you have a modest estimate of yourself and like the public and you cry God be merciful to me a sinner. [06:19:84]

You were like smoking flax again because you're good is too little to be of much use to anybody. What could we do with a smoking flax if we had it here tonight and the gas was all out you would perhaps see a glimmer but you would say it is not light but darkness visible. [08:19:84]

Yet there is enough good in you to be dangerous in Satan's esteem. He does not like you to observe that there is yet a little fire in you for he fears that it may become a flame. Even so Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees. [15:19:68]

Some are in that state when they are newly saved when the flax has just been lighted those that are to be received into the church tonight I welcome very heartily but they are very newly lit and some perhaps would have said let them wait a bit. [17:09:39]

Sometimes a candle smokes not because it is newly lit but because it is almost extinguished. I know that I speak to some Christians who have been a light with the fire of grace for many years and yet they feel as if they were near the dark hour of extinction but you shall not go out. [18:27:39]

Your spiritual life does not depend upon nature else it might expire it depends upon grace and grace will never cease to shine till it lights you into glory therefore be not cast down you may think that your light will go out in eternal darkness but it never shall. [19:29:76]

The lord jesus christ has not come to condemn but to save he will not quench your dear friend by setting up a high experimental standard certain deep divines will say you must have felt so much of this and so much of the other or else you cannot be a child of god. [22:41:36]

The lord loves the little ones if you can say one thing I know whereas I was blind now I see you are taught of god if you know these two things yourself a sinner and christ as savior you a scholar enough to go to heaven. [24:58:40]

The table of the lord is spread and it is a feast not for men alone but for babes in grace come hear the you that love the lord and you that trust him however feeble your trust however faint your courage come and welcome my lord's table is not for giants only but for infants also. [28:34:00]

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Transcript
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